Let’s face it, the past 12 months or so have been brilliant for catching up on some of our favourite television series, or adding some new shows to our viewing calendar. The small screen has been a welcome distraction from the goings on in our real world, allowing us an escape into the lives of fictional characters and those who live in the lap of luxury.
With the month of May 2021 now officially underway, we’ve taken a look at all of the best new and returning television series making their debut this month…
Colony, Season 3 - May 2nd on Netflix
The show may have now been cancelled and actually come to an end way back in 2018 if you were watching from the United States, but sci-fi drama Colony will finally see its third season debut in the UK, via streaming platform Netflix.
Josh Holloway returns to the top of the cast, giving a stellar performance that is entirely indicative of his ability to command the room whenever he steps in front of a camera.
Unfortunately, the third season does end on a cliffhanger that Holloway confirmed was set up as a catalyst for major story arcs that would've played out over two more seasons. Still, if you’re looking for a twisty sci-fi, then it’s absolutely worth a watch.
RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under, Season 1 - May 2nd on BBC Three
The most famous drag artist in the world is back to find a new Drag Race Superstar, this time going Down Under and inviting 10 queens from across Australia and New Zealand to compete in a brand new branch of the ever-growing RuPaul’s Drag Race family tree.
Joining the judging panel for the series is Ru's long-time bestie, Michelle Visage, as well as Aussie comedian Rhys Nicholson. We'll also see guest celebrity judges including Kylie and Dannii Minogue, as well as Oscar-winning director Taika Waititi.
As for those competing? We've got Anita Wigl'it, Art Simone, Coco Jumbo, Elektra Shock, Etcetera Etcetera, Jojo Zaho, Karen from Finance, Kita Mean, Maxi Shield and, Scarlet Adams.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Season 1 - May 4th on Disney+
This original animated series will follow the elite and experimental clones of the Bad Batch, first introduced in the critically-acclaimed The Clone Wars.
Hoping to find their way in a galaxy that is ever-changing in the immediate aftermath of the Clone War, a unique squad of those who vary from their brothers look for purpose.
Each possess a singular exceptional skill, making them extraordinarly effective soldiers and a formidable squad. Of course with power comes danger; will they all be able to survive?
Dave Filoni serves as executive producer alongside Athena Portillo, Brad Rau and Jennifer Corbett, with carrie Beck as co-execute producer and Josh Rimes as producer.
The Real Housewives of New York City, Season 13 - May 5th on hayu
With a shakeup to the cast, The Real Housewives of New York City makes its return without the always-controversial Dorinda Medley.
Original Housewives Luann de Lesseps and Ramona Singer are joined by Sonja Morgan and last season's breakout star Leah McSweeney, along with a brand new face to the franchise, the multi-hyphenate Eboni K. Williams.
Williams is unapologetic in her drive to give a voice to those usually left ignored, whether it be through her podcast or REVOLT TV series. As a success in both of those fields as well as being a producer, attorney and author, she's surely going to be someone that the other Housewives won't want to get on the wrong side of! A real force to be reckoned with.
Jupiter’s Legacy, Season 1 - May 7th on Netflix
The world's first generation of superheroes are looking to their children to continue on their legacy of fighting against the universe's evils in new Netflix original series, Jupiter’s Legacy.
When tensions begin to build between the newcomers however - each of whom are hungry to prove their worth whilst struggling to live up to their parents' legendary reputation - their journey could prove to be more challenging than any of them had ever imagined.
Josh Duhamel stars alongside Leslie Bibb, Ben Daniels, Elena Kampouris, Andrew Horton, Mike Wade, Matt Lanter and Ian Quinlan.
Domina, Season 1 - May 14th on Sky Atlantic and NOW
Created and written by Simon Burke alongside Australian filmmaker Claire McCarthy as lead director, new Sky Original series Domina brings to life the power struggles of Ancient Rome from a different perspective; that of the women.
Kasia Smutniak leads the series as Livia Drusilla, starring alongside Nadia Parkes who plays the younger version of the same character. An international cast comes together, which also includes Liam Cunningham as Livia's father Livius, and Colette Tchantcho as her best friend, ex-slave and closest ally, Antigone.
Livia goes from naïve young girl to Rome's most powerful and influential Empress following the assassination of Julius Caesar; and we get to watch every moment. Driven by a deep revenge to avenge her father and secure power for her children, she navigates a "brutal society" using strategy, conspiracy, seduction and murder.
We can't wait to watch it all go down.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Season 11 - May 20th on hayu
After spending months isolated at home, the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills are more excited than ever before to get back to their social bubbles and even expand them, making new friends along the way.
It doesn't take long for the drama to start as Erika Girardi shocks the group, announcing the filing of divorce from her husband of 21 years, which leads to a web of legal proceedings in which she gets caught up. Who’s telling the truth and who’s telling lies in what looks to be a monumental season?
Meanwhile, Sutton Stracke has officially joined the cast as she looks forward to a fresh start in a new phase of her life. We also see Kathy Hilton join the ladies, along with Crystal Kung Minkoff who doesn’t take long to find her footing with the rest of the ladies.
Rebel, Season 1 - May 28th on Disney+
Blue-collar legal advocate Annie 'Rebel' Bello is at the centre of the Erin Brockovich-inspired drama Rebel, which exclusively premieres on Disney+ at the end of this month.
Without a law degree, Annie is described as a "funny, messy, brilliant and fearless woman who cares desperately about the causes she fights for and the people she loves.”
Katey Sagal stars in the titular role, alongside John Corbett as Grady Bello, James Lesure as Benji, Lex Scott Davis as Cassidy, Tamala Jones as Lona, Ariela Barer as Ziggie, Kevin Zegers as Nate, Sam Palladio as Luke and Andy Garcia as Cruz.
Lucifer, Season 5b - May 28th on Netflix
A devil's work is never done, as proven by the trailer for the upcoming second part of Lucifer's fifth season.
Ahead of the show’s final season, fans are going to be treated to a batch of eight new episodes that look to be some of the most dramatic and important of the series’ history to-date.
Getting our first look at Dennis Haysbert as the father of Tom Ellis' Lucifer and Michael, otherwise known as THE God, we can expect one of the most "epic" seasons so far according to showrunner Joe Henderson.
RELATED: All of the biggest and best films being released in May 2021!