That's not an entirely bad thing,especially for book folk, as this season has several new TV series based on books due out just in time to sit in the shade and enjoy.
First up is HBO's adaptation of Wally Lamb's novel, I Know This Much Is True, which began it's six episode run this past weekend. Mark Ruffalo stars as twin brothers Dominic and Thomas Birdsey, with one brother taking care of the other due to being diagnosed with schizophrenia.
In addition to Ruffalo, the cast has some pretty big names on deck such as Melissa Leo as the Birdsey brothers' mom, Rosie O'Donnell as a social worker trying to help both brothers deal with the mental health system and Juliette Lewis playing an Italian translator who is working on the memoir written by their grandfather, which may reveal some much needed family secrets.
Granted, this is not a cheerful story to watch, especially during these troubling times, however, the book was beautifully written with deeply well developed characters and no doubt, Ruffalo offers a solid performance here. Also, there are some who find solace in tales of emotional survival and this series may provide just that kind of relief:
For some real world chills mixed with supernatural thrills, HBO will be airing Lovecraft Country. Based on Matt Ruff's novel, this series is set in America of the 1950s where Atticus(Jonathan Majors) seeks the help of his uncle George(Courtney B. Vance) in finding his father Montrose(Michael K. Williams).
Montrose is being held captive by the Braithwaite family, ruled by patriarch Samuel(Tony Goldwin), who is a founding member of "The Sons of Adam", a secret group with sinister and otherworldly connections. In order to save his father, Atticus ,along with his family and friends, have to make a road trip with deadly detours that include everyday racism and actual monsters from beyond.
As someone who read this book, this is so a must-watch! For those who haven't, the fact that Jordan Peele and JJ Abrams are executive producing this is a sure sign of great and scary things to come here:
Turns out that Pat was once a superhero sidekick for The Justice Society of America, destroyed by their enemies in the Injustice Society. Pat has been keeping the cosmic power staff of Starman hidden away, waiting for the right person to claim that mantle.
Courtney appears to be that special someone and she decides to use her new found powers for good, not to mention reforming the JSA with some new friends to push back against the still rather active Injustice crowd.
Due to the Crisis on Infinite Earths shake-up on the CW superhero shows earlier this year, this new show ought to fit right in with the current line-up. Plus, this just looks like pure popcorn fun and that is something we all could use these days:
To round this out, TNT has a made for TV version of Snowpiercer, which was previously adapted to the big screen by Oscar winning director Bong Joon-ho and based on a graphic novel.
The basic premise has the entire world covered in endless winter, with only one train carrying what's left of humanity. The people onboard have a firmly structured class system with those such as Melanie(Jennifer Connelly) in first class living the good life while residents who dwell in the back car of the train are barely surviving.
A rebellion is born, lead by Layton(Daveed Diggs), a man tired of seeing the suffering of others as well as his own. Their progression through the numerous train cars to reach the front engines causes many shake-ups in the traveling society but will gaining access to their goal really help or hurt all of the passengers in the end?
This sounds interesting indeed and a second season has already been approved, so this might be a thrill ride worth taking this May:
Having good books and TV shows on hand does make the time go by a little bit better and while that can't solve all of our present moment problems, using them to take a mental break is just as important as maintaining your physical health.
So, do look forward to these great combinations of imagination that are not too far away,folks! The fall season could be as equally promising, especially for fans of Starz's The Spanish Princess which will grant us an audience with season 2 of the show! More Phillipa Gregory adaptations, yes, please!:
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