TV Watchlist: Netflix Goes Prestige With 'Ripley,' Colin Farrell Is on the Case for Apple

Plus the finale of "The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live," the return of "American Horror Story" and a spicy Starz period drama Week of March 30 – April 5 Where did March go? Who’s to say? We’re nearly into April now, with a whole crop of new television shows vying for your eyeballs. This week we have a new series based on Patricia Highsmith’s Ripley novels (“Ripley”), a new Giancarlo Esposito AMC show (“Parish”), a movie dramatizing a huge Prince Andrew interview (“Scoop”) and a documentary about the way politics work with a crop of young women (“Girls State”). Plus the return of “American Horror Story” and “Star Trek: Discovery” and the end of the road for “The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live.” These shows and movies will certainly put a spring in your step! On with the television! Ripley Thursday, April 4, Netflix Source: Netflix Ready to spend some time with the talented Mr. Ripley? This new series from Steven Zaillian, who wrote and directed every episode, is another adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” which has been adapted (quite successfully) twice before – first by René Clément as “Purple Noon” in 1960 (same year as “Psycho”) and then by Anthony Minghella in 1999 (same year as Gus Van Sant’s shot-for-shot “Psycho” remake). In 1960s New York the slippery Tom Ripley (this time played by Andrew Scott, following Matt Damon and Alain Delon), takes a job from the father of a rich playboy. The father (played by playwright and filmmaker Kenneth Lonergan) wants Tom to find his son Dickie (Johnny Flynn), who has found a new life in Italy. Of course, when Tom gets over there, things get considerably more complicated. Zaillian partnered with Oscar-winning cinematographer Robert Elswit, who shot the entire series in velvety black-and-white. “Ripley” was originally commissioned and produced by Showtime, before selling it to Netflix. It’s their loss. This is not only one of the very best shows of the year, but it might be one of the most striking-looking television series ever. Considering Highsmith wrote several Ripley tales, let us pray for season 2 … and beyond. [[TRAILER](] The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Sunday, March 31, AMC+ Source: AMC+ It’s “The Walking Dead.” It doesn’t stay down for long. But from what we understand this is the end of the road for Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and Michonne (Danai Gurira), two of the most beloved characters from the mainline “Walking Dead” series and the compelling stars of “The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live.” (The episode is called “The Last Time.” Make of that what you will.) Originally envisioned as a series of theatrical movies, they were chopped up and miniaturized and arrived on AMC, where the series began. Parting is such sweet sorrow. And it’ll be sad to see them go. But this is “The Walking Dead.” We’re probably just moments away from the announcement of another new series. The resurrection is upon us. [[TRAILER](] Scoop Friday, April 5, Netflix Source: Netflix This looks juicy. “Scoop” is based on “Newsnight” editor Sam McAlister's book “Scoops: Behind the Scenes of the BBC's Most Shocking Interviews” and is specifically based on one interview, when journalist Emily Maitlis (Gillian Anderson) sat down with Prince Andrew (Rufus Sewell, under heavy make-up) to discuss his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Billie Piper co-stars as McAlister. “Scoop” (not to be confused with the mediocre Woody Allen movie of the same name) was written by Peter Moffat (“Your Honor”) and directed by Philip Martin (“The Crown”). Watch this one as soon as it starts streaming, because you know that everybody will be talking about it the next day. [[TRAILER](] Girls State Friday, April 5, Apple TV+ Source: Apple TV+ "Girls State" is a sequel of sorts to “Boys State,” a documentary that premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival and followed boys attending a summer camp in Texas that enacted a kind of mock government that eerily reflects the actual adult politics in our world. This new film, directed once again by Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was produced by Apple TV+. (A24, who produced the first film, has not returned.) This new film’s synopsis is officially described as “a political coming-of-age story and a stirring reimagination of what it means to govern.” The location has shifted from Texas to Missouri and, as the name suggests, follows young female leaders “as they navigate an immersive experiment to build a government from the ground up.” Hopefully this one is a bit more optimistic about how things could actually turn out. [[TRAILER](] The Night Of Max Source: HBO Before “Ripley,” Steve Zaillian directed every episode of this profound, heartbreaking and really exciting thriller. “The Night Of,” co-written by Zaillian and Richard Price, is based on a British miniseries called “Criminal Justice” (written, incredibly, by Peter Moffat, who wrote “Scoop,” the movie of the week!) and follows “Naz” (Riz Ahmed), a Pakistani-American who is accussed of murdering a woman in New York City. John Turturro is great as his eczema-plagued attorney, Michael K. Williams is the criminal be befriends in prison (one of his best, most underrated roles) and Bill Camp is the detective investigating the case. Incredible acting from top to bottom, truly devastating twists, and an utterly compelling narrative make this a cut above the usual crime show theatrics. If somehow you missed it, time to catch up now. [[WATCH](] Source: Apple TV+ “Parish” Sunday, March 31 at 9 p.m., AMC And just like that … Giancarlo Esposito has returned to AMC. This time around the big bad from “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul” is starring in a new adaptation of a British series called “The Driver” (from back in 2014). Esposito stars as the title character, a good man with a checkered past who returns to his old ways when his son is violently murdered. Skeet Ulrich, Bradley Whitford and Arica Himmel co-star. As the official synopsis puts it: “Sometimes the wrong way is the only way out.” Yes please. [[TRAILER](] “American Horror Story” Wednesday, April 3 at 10 p.m., FX Yes, you’re reading that right. New episodes of “American Horror Story” are – incredibly! – debuting in the spring. “But we’re just halfway to Halloween,” you’re undoubtedly saying. Yes, but the writers’ and actors’ strikes cut the first half of the new “AHS” season short. And now the back half is finally here. This cycle stars Kim Kardashian, “AHS” queen Emma Roberts, Matt Czuchry, Cara Delevingne and Denis O’Hare, who I saw one time at Universal CityWalk. The season concludes at the end of April. [[TRAILER](] “Star Trek: Discovery” Thursday, April 4, Paramount+ Historically, most “Star Trek” series have lasted for seven seasons. “Star Trek: Discovery,” sadly, is petering out after five. The fifth and final season is truncated, consisting of only ten episodes (the first season had fifteen episodes). It will stream until the end of May. Then, it’ll time to boldly go someplace else. But just like “The Walking Dead,” “Star Trek” is always introducing new spin-offs. We will live long and prosper again in no time. [[TRAILER](] “Mary & George” Friday, April 5 at 9 p.m., Starz Yes, Julianne Moore is in a new television series. On Starz no less. It originally aired last month on Sky Atlantic and stars Moore and Nicholas Galitzine as the title characters – the Countess and Duke of Buckingham, set when King James I took the throne. It’s based on the nonfiction book “The King’s Assassin” (a much cooler title) by Benjamin Woodley and was adapted by “Killing Eve” writer D.C. Moore. Critics adored the seven-part series and praised it for its irreverence and attitude. Randy! [[TRAILER](] “Sugar” Friday, April 5, Apple TV+ “Sugar” might look like a regular noir/detective story, with Colin Farrell starring as a gumshoe who – wouldn’t you know it – stumbles upon an even bigger, more conspiratorial case. But the series, created and largely written by Mark Protosevich and directed entirely by Brazilian filmmaker Fernando Meirelles (“City of God,” “The Two Popes”), is described as “genre-bending” and its original pitch set off a bidding war in 2021 with Apple TV+ ultimately proving victorious. Amy Ryan, James Cromwell, Anna Gunn, Kirby, Nate Corddry and Dennis Boutsikaris also star. The first three episodes stream Friday. [[TRAILER](] 2034 Armacost Ave. | Los Angeles, CA 90025 [Unsubscribe](