'The Last of Us,' 'Wolf Hall,' 'Hacks' and 25 more great shows coming this spring

After a busy winter on TV, we are about to enter a busier spring. With lots to see and more to savor, TV — at least of the streaming variety — is beginning to look more like the prestrike era, with the return of a trio of franchises ("The Handmaid's Tale," "The Last of Us," "Hacks") and the launch of would-be franchises ("MobLand," "Murderbot").

Here's a guide to some of the more prominent (and intriguing) spring shows:

ALREADY ON

THE RESIDENCE (Netflix)

Think  "Only Murders in the Building," except the building this time is the White House. Uzo Aduba is Cordelia Cupp, the eccentric detective called to the scene of that murder — the victim is White House chief usher A. B. Wynter (Giancarlo Esposito). A huge cast fills out this sort-of-a-comedy from Shondaland that includes LI's Ken Marino, Jason Lee, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Bronson Pinchot, Jane Curtin, Al Franken and Susan Kelechi Watson.

GOOD AMERICAN FAMILY (Hulu)

Ellen Pompeo steps out of "Grey's Anatomy" to star in this eight-part adaptation of "The Curious Case of Natalia Grace" (now streaming on Max) about the couple (Mark Duplass co-stars) who abandon the child they've adopted — Natalia Grace (Imogen Faith Reid). They thought she had dwarfism (but may not). Yes, it's complicated.

HAPPY FACE (PARAMOUNT+)

Dennis Quaid stars as "Happy Face" serial killer Keith Hunter Jesperson — so named for his propensity to sign letters to the media with a happy face — along with Broadway's Annaleigh Ashford, who plays his daughter Melissa Moore; based on Moore's podcast and 2009 memoir.

LUDWIG (BritBox)

This six-part 2024 Brit hit is about a puzzle maker known as "Ludwig" ("Peep Show's" David Mitchell) and his identical twin brother, a police detective, who goes missing. To find his bro, Ludwig pretends to be him. A second season is forthcoming.

MARCH 23

WOLF HALL: THE MIRROR AND THE LIGHT (WNET/13, 9 p.m.)

After 10 years, "Wolf Hall" returns to U.S. TV to fill out the third and final volume of the Hilary Mantel trilogy. Thomas Cromwell (Mark Rylance) and Henry VIII (Damian Lewis) are back for this last ride, along with Cardinal Wolsey (Jonathan Pryce), Jane Seymour (Kate Phillips) and Lady Margaret Pole (Harriet Walter). Takes place in 1536, just after the death of Anne Boleyn. A high-water mark for this spring season.

MARCH 26

THE STUDIO (Apple TV+)

Matt Remick (Seth Rogen) finally lands the job of his dreams — head of an embattled Hollywood studio — but he's apparently never heard the phrase "be careful what you wish for." Ever adaptive, or malleable, his first project is a movie based on "Kool Aid" — the irony of this name is lost on him. Also starring Catherine O'Hara, Kathryn Hahn, Ike Barinholtz and Chase Sui Wonders (with Bryan Cranston in a recurring role). Ten episodes.

MARCH 27

MID-CENTURY MODERN (Hulu)

This "Gay Three's Company" from "Will & Grace" duo Max Mutchnick and David Kohan stars Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer and Nathan Lee Graham ("Zoolander") as three besties who move in together after the death of one of their significant others. Of note: Linda Lavin, who died in December, is also here in her fina lstarring role. Big supporting cast includes Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Rhea Perlman and Pamela Adlon.

PAUL AMERICAN (Max)

Evoking the spirit of "The Osbournes" (look it up, kids), this unscripted series about Vine/YouTube stars Logan and Jake Paul is a train wreck and an assault on the senses — perfect for the subject matter, in other words. Also starring mom Pam Stepnick; the bros' fiancees, Jutta Leerdam and Nina Agdal; and dad Greg Paul. In eight (wild) episodes.

MARCH 28

NUMBER ONE ON THE CALL SHEET (Apple TV+)

This two-parter explores the experience of Black actors in Hollywood — and two would hardly seem to be enough! Reginald Hudlin and Shola Lynch — yes, that  Shola from "Sesame Street" so long ago — direct.

MARCH 30

THE LAST ANNIVERSARY (Sundance Now; AMC+)

Fans of Liane Moriarty ("Big Little Lies") will want to check out this adaptation of her 2006 novel, about a baby abandoned on an island off the Australian coast; with Teresa Palmer ("A Discovery of Witches") as Sophie, who inherits the house on the island, along with all its secrets. (Filmed on location in New South Wales.)

MOBLAND (Paramount+)

Pierce Brosnan as a mob boss? Better get used to the idea, because he plays one in this 10-parter about a pair of London-based crime families battling for worldwide dominance.  The cast is promising: Helen Mirren, Tom Hardy, Paddy Considine and "Downton Abbey's" Joanne Froggatt.

MARCH 31

GONE GIRLS: THE LONG ISLAND SERIAL KILLER (Netflix)

Newsday readers probably won't learn much from this three-parter on the Gilgo Beach murders — this newspaper, after all, has covered every twist and turn that's reported here — but "Gone Girls" does do a solid job weaving those twists and turns together. The third hour (on accused serial killer Rex Heuermann) includes extensive interview outtakes with Suffolk County DA Raymond Tierney.

APRIL 3

THE BONDSMAN (Prime Video)

Prime has located its sweet spot with super-violent ("Reacher") live-action comic books ("The Boys," "Fallout") so why stop there? This latest super-violent live-action cartoon stars Kevin Bacon as good-ol'-boy bounty hunter Hub Halloran. He's murdered on the job — then brought back to life by Satan, who wants him to hunt down demon escapees from hell. From Blumhouse — which should give you an idea of just how much blood and guts we're talking about here. "The Bondsman" does at least have some humor, and country music too. In eight gory parts.

PULSE (Netflix)

Just as a hurricane barrels into Miami, and a bus full of school kids skids off a bridge, another  crisis is enveloping one of Miami's top trauma centers: Dr. Xander Phillips, chief of trauma (Colin Woodell, "The Flight Attendant") has been suspended after he was accused of sexual misconduct. His accuser, Danny Sims (Willa Fitzgerald), is promoted in his place. But with all hell about to break loose, they are both thrown into the fray. This "ER"-meets-"Grey's Anatomy" hospital soap is 10 episodes.

APRIL 4

DYING FOR SEX (FX on Hulu)

Molly Kochan (Michelle Williams) is diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer, and when faced with mortality, she decides to explore her sexuality — and really does. She ultimately shares her story with her best friend (and the rest of the world), Nikki Boyer (Jenny Slade), on a podcast. (Sissy Spacek also stars.) Kochan died in 2019, at the age of 45. In eight episodes.

APRIL 8

THE HANDMAID'S TALE (Hulu)

Not quite three years later, this one time streaming (and Emmy-winning) sensation finally returns for its sixth and final season, along with the tale of one handmaid in particular, Offred (Elisabeth Moss). Three (out of 10) episodes drop today.

APRIL 10

BLACK MIRROR (Netflix)

The seventh season in six episodes arrives -- with a sequel to the famed "USS Callister" episode (alas, but no Jesse Plemons) .Issa Rae and Tracee Ellis Ross will be in other installments.

HACKS (Max)

Season 4 of the Emmy darling is here, as Deborah's (Jean Smart) new career as late night host gets underway.

NORTH OF NORTH (Netflix)

Could this be TV's first-ever sitcom set in an Inuk community? Stars Inuk actress Anna Lambe as Siaja, a mom who wants more out of life than her tiny town has to offer; "24's" Mary Lynn Rajskub is in this too.

APRIL 11

YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS (Apple TV+)

Andrew Cooper (Jon Hamm) is a successful hedge funder until his wife Mel (Amanda Peet) decides to leave him. To pay the bills, he does what comes naturally: He robs his neighbors in his affluent Westchester town. This dramedy promises to explore the dark side of affluence — oh, and this is also Hamm's first lead role in a series since "Mad Men" (he's been support in many others, most recently "Landman").

APRIL 13

THE LAST OF US (HBO)

Yup, the Big Event of spring 2025, as the HBO hit arrives for a second season. Plot details have been sparse, but obviously this continues the story of Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) — recall that she's immune to the Cordyceps fungus which has zombified much of the human race. New cast members include Kaitlyn Dever as a soldier, Jeffrey Wright as another military type, and Isabela Merced as Ellie's love interest Dina. Fan sites have speculated this season will track events of the PlayStation game — "The Last of Us: Part II" — which, if true, means this second season has some shockers in store.

APRIL 16

GOVERNMENT CHEESE (Apple TV+)

The logline: An ex-con (David Oyelowo) returns to his California home with dreams of inventing a remarkable power drill. And it gets weirder from there. Bokeem Woodbine ("Fargo," "Halo") and Simone Missick ("All Rise") also star in this funky 10-part comedy (four drop today.)

APRIL 17

RANSOM CANYON (Netflix)

Out there in beautiful, remote Texas Hill country, a battle is stirring between three ranching families; Staten Kirkland (Josh Duhamel) wants to keep things the way they've been but he's got some personal tragedies to deal with first. Will family friend Quinn O'Grady (Minka Kelly) help him navigate all this? What do you think? This sudsy "Yellowstone" of the Lone Star State is 10 episodes long.

APRIL 24

ÉTOILE (Prime)

Amy Sherman-Palladino's ("The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel") latest, on ballet students in New York and Paris.

MAY 4

MISS AUSTEN (WNET/13, 9)

This four-part drama is based on a fascinating literary mystery: Why did Jane Austen's sister Cassandra burn thousands of her sister's letters after her death in 1817? Starring the always-excellent Keeley Hawes as the sister who may simply have wished to preserve her privacy. (Patsy Ferran plays Jane in flashback.)

MAY 8

FOREVER (Netflix)

Judy Blume's "Forever" was a sensation back when first published in 1975, and controversial, too. (Frank discussions of sex and contraception among teens.) There have been other adaptations, but this one from "Girlfriends'" Mara Brock Akil is the first TV series. Set in 2018 Los Angeles, with Lovie Simone and Michael Cooper Jr. playing the young lovers.

POKER FACE (Peacock)

This "Columbo"-styled thriller about a woman (Natasha Lyonne) on the run is back for a second season, with a huge supporting case (Cynthia Erivo, Giancarlo Esposito, Sam Richardson, Justin Theroux, Kumail Nanjiani, Alia Shawkat, Carol Kane, Katie Holmes, John Cho -- to name a few).

MAY 16

 MURDERBOT (Apple TV+)

Alexander Skarsgård ("Succession") is an android with a mind of his (its?) own, and who just wants to sit around all day watch soaps. But good luck with that, Mr. Murderbot. You've got a job to do. This 10-parter — based on Martha Well's "Murderbot Diaries" book series (2017-23) — is a comedy.