What to Watch: Returns of 'Last of Us,' 'Hacks' & 'Doctor Who' Highlight April

by Julian Spivey

Photos: HBO, Max, Disney & Hulu

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The Bondsman (Prime Video) – April 3
Amazon Prime Video’s newest horror-action-drama, “The Bondsman,” from Blumhouse Television, feels like a perfect vehicle for Kevin Bacon. Bacon plays a murdered bounty hunter who is brought back to life by the Devil to hunt and bring demons back to Hell. He’s given new life, but if he fails on his mission, he’ll spend all eternity in Hell. The series premieres Thursday, April 3. 

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The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu – Sixth & Final Season) – April 8
Hulu’s dystopian drama “The Handmaid’s Tale,” which feels a bit less dystopian today than when it began, premieres its sixth and final season on Tuesday, April 8. Based on Margaret Atwood’s 1985 novel, the series has won 15 Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series for its first season and Elisabeth Moss's leading role as Offred. 

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Black Mirror (Netflix – Season 7) – April 10
After a two-year gap, Charlie Brooker’s anthology series “Black Mirror” returns to Netflix for its seventh season on Thursday, April 10. Like a modern-day “Twilight Zone” with a satirical bent, the series will feature six episodes, including a sequel to one of its most popular episodes, “USS Callister,” which aired in season four. Actors appearing in season seven include Peter Capaldi, Emma Corrin, Paul Giamatti, Rashida Jones, Cristin Milioti, Will Poulter, Issa Rae, Tracee Ellis Ross, and more. 

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Hacks (Max – Season 4) – April 10
Max’s “Hacks,” starring three-time Emmy-winner Jean Smart and should-be Emmy-winner Hannah Einbinder, is one of those rare TV shows that started 10/10 and has continued to be 10/10 for its entire three-season run. Hot off a win for Outstanding Comey Series at the 2024 Emmy Awards, “Hacks” returns for its fourth season on Thursday, April 10, and sees Smart’s comedian Deborah Vance and her writer/on-again-off-again friend Ava Daniels, played by Einbinder, as equals for the first time, thanks to Ava’s surprising power-play at the end of season three. 

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Your Friends & Neighbors (AppleTV+) – April 11
Jon Hamm has been everywhere lately in supporting roles. The actor, who made a name for himself in the Emmy-winning AMC drama “Mad Men,” has recently had significant and Emmy-nominated turns in FX’s anthology series “Fargo” and AppleTV+’s drama “The Morning Show.” He returns to a lead series role with AppleTV+’s drama “Your Friends and Neighbors,” premiering Friday, April 11. In the series, Hamm plays Coop, a recently divorced and unemployed hedge fund manager who uses criminal methods to maintain his lavish lifestyle. The first nine-episode first season will feature Olivia Munn and Amanda Peet in supporting roles. 

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Doctor Who (Disney+) – April 12
Ncuti Gatwa’s first season as The Doctor on the long-running British sci-fi series “Doctor Who,” which began streaming in America on Disney+ in late 2023, was pretty impressive. Russell T. Davies’ return as executive producer also helped solidify the show, which had found itself on unsteady ground during the run of its predecessor. The upcoming season of “Doctor Who” will again see The Doctor meeting a new companion in the form of Varada Sethu’s Belinda Chandra, but don’t fear if you loved Millie Gibson’s Ruby Sunday. Gibson is apparently continuing with the show, despite reports that made it seem like series 14 would be her only one with the show. Series 15, premiering Saturday, April 12 on Disney+, is set to comprise eight episodes. 

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The Last of Us (HBO – Season 2) – April 13
The second season of HBO’s “The Last of Us” is potentially the most anticipated TV season of the year. Season one, which aired in 2023, was one of that year's biggest surprises and best shows. “The Last of Us” surprised many who didn’t think a video game could make for exhilarating, prestige television with terrific acting from leads Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey and guest roles from Anna Torv, Nick Offerman, Murray Bartlett, Melanie Lynskey, Storm Reid and more. “The Last of Us” probably would’ve won the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series had it not conflicted with the final season of “Succession.” Season two, which premieres on HBO on Sunday, April 13 and will be streaming on Max, is expected to partly adapt the second of “The Last of Us” video game series, 2020’s “The Last of Us Part II” – set five years after season one left off. Season two will feature Pascal and Ramsey joined by Kaitlyn Dever, Young Mazino, Catherine O’Hara and Jeffrey Wright in significant roles. 

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Which April premiere are you most looking forward to?