The month of February sees international shows, female empowerment, twisted teen stories, and some chilling sci-fi dominating our screens.
Here are the new series coming to streaming that Jenna Guillaume is most excited about…
Freeridge (February 2)
On My Block, about four teens growing up in a poor suburb of Los Angeles, had a passionate and loyal following before it ended after a three-season run. Fans still hungry for more will be happy to see this spin-off, Freeridge, which features the same setting but focuses on four new teens—sibling rivals Gloria and Ines, and their friends Demi and Cameron.
Freeridge not only focuses on a new cast, but a fresh genre, too—this show features a “dark curse” that brings misfortune (and adventure) into the lives of the core four. With such a distinct vibe, it’s not necessary to have watched On My Block to enjoy Freeridge—although, of course, you’d be missing out on a great show if you skip it.
Class (February 3)
Elite is one of Netflix’s biggest hits out of Spain, and now the teen series is getting an Indian version, this time called Class. When three scholarship students join the prestigious Hampton International School, they set in motion a chain of events that leads to murder. Featuring an ensemble cast, the show explores the specific class divides of its Indian setting while offering plenty of drama, scandal, and mystery. It’s like Gossip Girl on steroids.
The Exchange (February 8)
Inspired by a true story, this Arabic-language series follows two Kuwaiti women in the 1980s as they build their careers and blaze a trail in the brutal male-dominated stock exchange. With a striking visual aesthetic carried by fabulous 1980s costumes and set design, The Exchange is a fun, thrilling, and compelling tale. As one of the first Kuwaiti productions on Netflix, there’s a lot riding on its shoulders, but like the women it’s about, it looks sure to make its mark.
In Love All Over Again (February 14)
Elite’s influence is back at it—this time, the creator of the hit show, Carlos Montero, is turning his sights to romantic comedy with new series In Love All Over Again. Taking place over two decades, the show follows the on-again, off-again love story of Irene and Julio, with a meta twist thanks to the narrative perspective of film student Irene. She’s played by Georgina Amorós, who starred in Elite, while Franco Masini plays Julio. Good rom-com series are too few and far between, but this one looks to be an excellent and exciting entry into the genre.
The Law According to Lidia Poët (February 15)
Jumping over to Italy and another story focused on female empowerment in a historical setting, The Law According to Lidia Poët is a period drama about Italy’s first woman lawyer as she tries to make a name for herself and prove to her male colleagues she’s worthy of her position by solving a series of murders. Just chill, casual lawyer work, as you do! With mystery, courtroom drama, period costumes, and even a hint of romance, there’s a lot about Lidia to get hooked on.
Hello Tomorrow (February 17)
Set in a futuristic world with an over-the-top 1950s aesthetic, Hello Tomorrow is about a group of travelling salespeople who are trying to flog timeshares on the moon. Billy Crudup stars as ambitious and charismatic salesman Jack, who is hiding dark secrets that hint at a bigger mystery central to the sci-fi dramedy. The funny and disturbing series also stars Hank Azaria, Haneefah Wood, Alison Pill, and Jacki Weaver, and sees Jonathan Entwistle, the creator of the stunning The End of the F***ing World. on board to produce and direct.
Bad Behaviour (February 17)
Based on the memoir of the same name by Australian writer Rebecca Starford, Bad Behaviour is about Jo, a young girl whose life changes when she goes to an elite boarding school in the country and experiences shocking bullying, the effects of which ripple through her life in the years to come. Written by Pip Karmel and Magda Wozniak and directed by Corrie Chen, it’s a raw exploration of what it is to be a teen girl in all its isolation and cruelty, themes that are enhanced by the distinctly Australian setting.
The Consultant (February 24)
Christoph Waltz is so damn good at playing the bad guy, and in The Consultant he plays perhaps the baddest figure in many of our daily lives—a boss. He stars as Regus Patoff, the titular consultant brought in to a gaming company to overhaul business and the lives of staff. What follows is a darkly comedic thriller that will perhaps hit disturbingly close to home for anyone who has ever worked in a start-up. Nat Wolff, Brittany O’Grady, and Aimee Carrero also star.
