New on Netflix in April 2022: best TV series releases to watch - from Russian Doll season 2 to Heartstopper

A new month means new television to watch – and on Netflix in particular that means a deluge of originals, exclusives, and old favourites to wade through.

Here’s your guide to everything that’s new on Netflix UK this April, with a few highlighted top picks to help you decide what to watch.

Top Picks

Russian Doll Season 2 (April 20)

When the first series of Russian Doll was released in February 2019, it immediately announced itself as one of the best television shows of the year – and now it’s back. Whether it’ll be able to repeat that feat remains to be seen – that first series, brilliant though it was, felt like a limited series rather than something that was meant to return – but if it’s even half as good as the first series it’s one to pay close attention to.

Heartstopper (April 22)

Think of this coming-of-age romance as somewhere between Love Simon and Sex Education, if maybe also aimed at a slightly younger audience than both. Alice Oseman writes and executive produces this adaptation of her own best-selling graphic novels, and the series (8x30min episodes) looks like a very endearing piece of television.

Anatomy of a Scandal (April 15)

Directed by SJ Clarkson and written by David E Kelly, the first instalment of this new anthology series looks like an engaging political thriller – and, at just six episodes of an hour-long, seems unlikely to overstay its welcome the way some Netflix series do.

Netflix Originals

The Bubble (2022) | April 1

Comedy about a group of actors and actresses stuck inside a pandemic bubble at a hotel attempting to complete a sequel to an action franchise film about flying dinosaurs.

The Last Bus | April 1

The Last Bus is an action-packed eco-fable following a group of mismatched students on a school trip who become unlikely heroes when a robot apocalypse zaps away the rest of humanity.

Trivia Quest | April 1

Trivia Quest is Netflix’s first daily, interactive trivia series. It takes players on a mission to help our hero, Willy, rescue the animated citizens of Trivia Land from the Evil Rocky, who’s bent on hoarding all the knowledge in the world.

Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood | April 1

Taking inspiration from Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Richard Linklater’s own life, Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood is a snapshot of American life in the 1960s that is part coming of age, part societal commentary, and part out-of-this-world adventure

Get Organized with The Home Edit S2 | April 1

Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin, the master organizers and bestselling authors behind the innovative home organization company The Home Edit, are back to conquer clutter with their unique brand of interior styling, practicality and humor, dramatically transforming the lives of their clients.

Celeb Five: Behind The Curtain (2022) | April 1

A glimpse into Celeb Five’s raw brainstorming discussions as they struggle to come up with the best material after being offered a comedy special by Netflix. A “fake-VCR” style comedy following the private discussions of comedians filled with skits, bits, and improv.

Confession (2022) | April 3

Colm Meany stars in this action thriller about a religious confession that turns violent.

The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On | April 6

Six different couples, on the verge of marriage. One partner is ready to get married, the other isn’t quite as sure. An ultimatum is issued - and in just over eight weeks, they must commit to marriage, or move on.

Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story | April 6

True-crime documentary series about television presenter and paedophile Jimmy Saville.

Return to Space (2022) | April 7

Offering rare access inside the first crewed mission launched from U.S. soil since the retirement of the Space Shuttle in 2011, this is an intimate portrait of the engineers and astronauts chosen for the SpaceX mission.

Senzo: Murder of a Soccer Star | April 7

The thrilling five-part true crime documentary series delves into the beloved soccer star’s murder, sharing insight into what transpired that fateful night when Meyiwa was gunned down in what was alleged to be a botched robbery in 2014.

Green Eggs and Ham (Season 2) | April 8

Dr. Seuss animation.

Metal Lords (2022) | April 8

Film from Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and DB Weiss about two teenagers who get into heavy metal music and start a band of their own.

The Inbetween (2022) | April 8

Drama about a heartbroken teen. Joey King stars.

Our Great National Parks (Season 1) | April 13

An epic five-part series narrated by President Barack Obama that invites viewers to celebrate and discover the power of our planet’s greatest national parks and wild spaces.

Ultraman (Season 2) | April 14

Six warriors come together as this story heats up even more!

Hard Cell | April 14

Hard Cell is a mockumentary set in the fictional female prison, HMP Woldsley. Writer and creator Catherine Tate plays multiple characters in this comedy set over a 6-week period during which the inmates rehearse a musical.

Anatomy of a Scandal | April 15

James and Sophie Whitehouse live in a blissful and rarified world. A Minister in Parliament, a loving family at home, James’ trajectory appears without limits – until a scandalous secret suddenly comes to light.

Choose or Die (2022) | April 15

Digital horror movie (previously called CURS>R) starring Asa Butterfield.

Battle Kitty (Season 1) | April 19

Interactive animation. You help Kitty fight orcs. It looks very cheap, and these interactive things are just a data-gathering exercise. Just play a real video game, c’mon.

White Hot: The Rise and Fall of Abercrombie and Fitch | April 19

Documentary. Abercrombie & Fitch conquered malls in the late ‘90s and early ‘00s with gorgeous models, pulsing dance beats and a fierce scent – but its popular “all-American” image began burning out as controversy came to light surrounding its exclusionary marketing and discriminatory hiring.

Better Call Saul Season 6 | April 19

Final series of the Breaking Bad spinoff with Bob Odenkirk. New episodes release weekly for six weeks, before taking a break until July.

Conversations with a Killer: The John Wayne Gacy Tapes | April 20

True-crime documentary series about the serial killer John Wayne Gacy, from filmmaker Joe Berlinger (maker of Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes).

Russian Doll Season 2 | April 20

Discovering a fate even worse than endless death, this season finds Nadia and Alan delving deeper into their pasts through an unexpected time portal located in one of Manhattan’s most notorious locations.

Along for the Ride (2022) | April 22

The summer before college Auden meets the mysterious Eli, a fellow insomniac. While the seaside town of Colby sleeps, the two embark on a nightly quest to help Auden experience the fun, carefree teen life she never knew she wanted. Stars Joey King.

Heartstopper (Season 1) | April 22

Coming-of-age love story about gay teenagers. Love Simon meets Sex Education. Based on graphic novels by Alice Oseman, who writes and executive produces this adaptation.

Selling Sunset (Season 5) | April 22

Luxe real estate. Major drama. The top real estate brokers at The Oppenheim Group are back!

David Spade: Nothing Personal (2022) | April 26

Standup special. From sharing his disdain for crabs to his unique approach to turning down drugs, David proves that no topic is off limits.

Silverton Siege (2022) | April 27

Based on a true story of a bank held hostage after an anti-apartheid strike went wrong and the rebels were forced to take shelter there.

The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Untold Tapes | April 27

Documentary about Marilyn Monroe’s untimely death, featuring new interviews, previously unseen archive footage, and dramatic reconstructions.

Ozark (Season 4 – Part 2) | April 29

The thrilling conclusion to the Jason Bateman/Laura Linney crime drama.

International Content

Battle: Freestyle (2022) | April 1

Norwegian romcom. Amalie is elated when her and Mikael’s dance crew is selected to compete in Paris, but becomes distracted when she reunites with her estranged mother.

Captain Nova (2022) | April 1

Dutch sci-fi. A fighter pilot travels back in time, hoping to avert a global disaster.

Welcome to Eden (Season 1) | April 1

Spanish sci-fi drama set on a secretive party island.

Black Dog: Being a Teacher | April 5

Korean drama that sees a substitute teacher trying to navigate school politics.

Dirty Lines (Season 1) | April 7

Biopic about the first Dutch phone sex line.

Elite (Season 5) | April 7

New series of the popular Spanish-language crime drama.

Almost Happy (Season 2) | April 13

Sebastián finds himself in ever-deeper conflict with everyone around him.

Heirs to the Land (2022) | April 15

Spanish language historical drama.

Bubble (2022) | April 28

Anime. The story is set in Tokyo, after bubbles that broke the laws of gravity rained down upon the world. Cut off from the outside world, Tokyo has become a playground for a group of young people who have lost their families, acting as a battlefield for parkour team battles as they leap from building to building.

Old Favourites

In Good Company (2004) | April 1

Romcom with Dennis Quaid, Topher Grace, and Scarlett Johansson.

The Goldfinch (2019) | April 4

Adaptation of the Donna Tartt novel. Stars Ansel Elgort.

Joker (2019) | April 11

Joaquin Phoenix stars in this Batman-adjacent crime drama.

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