For my money, Russian Doll is one of the best original series Netflix has ever produced: a perfectly formed jewel of a miniseries crafted around one of my favorite fiction tropes (time loops rule) and anchored by an irresistible comeback performance from star/writer/co-creator Natasha Lyonne.
In six brief episodes, the show told a perfect sci-fi fable about what a struggle it is to change your bad habits, and how freeing it can be to finally separate yourself from your own worst impulses. The last thing I wanted, as the credits rolled, was a second season that might fuck it all up. But a second season is coming all the same—on 4/20, appropriately enough.
Well, that was three years ago, and a lot has changed since then. (Cough.) And surprisingly, I find myself excited to see how the show manages to continue the story into the future. I still think the first season will be hard to top—perhaps a show about someone trapped in an endlessly repeating day will hit a bit differently after the pandemic—but it seems probable that the time since has given the creative team the best chance of getting it right. Optimism, what a concept!
Other good stuff on tap for the month: The final episodes of Ozark and Grace & Frankie (both April 29); Choose or Die (April 15), a fun-sounding Netflix Original involving a mysterious vintage video game; documentaries about Elon Musk going to space (April 7) and the implosion of once ubiquitous retail brand Abercrombie & Fitch (April 19), and a new comedy special from David Spade (April 26).
What’s coming to Netflix in April 2022
Coming soon (no date announced)
- Hold Tight — Netflix Series
- The Taming of The Shrew — Netflix Film
April 1
April 4
- Better Call Saul: Season 5
April 5
April 6
April 7
- Queen of the South: Season 5
- Return to Space — Netflix Documentary
- Senzo: Murder of a Soccer Star — Netflix Documentary
April 8
April 9
April 10
April 12
April 13
April 14
April 15
April 16
- LEGO Friends: Girls on a Mission: Seasons 1-4
- Man of God — Netflix Film
- Ouija: Origin of Evil
- Van Helsing: Season 5
April 19
April 20
- The Marked Heart — Netflix Series
- Russian Doll: Season 2 — Netflix Series
- The Turning Point — Netflix Film
- Yakamoz S-245 — Netflix Series
April 21
April 22
April 25
April 26
- David Spade: Nothing Personal — Netflix Comedy
April 27
April 28
April 29
What’s leaving Netflix in April 2022
April 1
- Star Trek: The Next Generation: Seasons 1-7
April 2
April 4
- The Killing of a Sacred Deer
April 5
April 8
April 15
April 18
April 24
- King Arthur: Legend of the Sword
April 25
April 26
April 29
- El señor de los Cielos: Seasons 1-7
- Hostel
April 30
- Dawson’s Creek: Seasons 1-6
- Dear John
- First Knight
- Léon: The Professional
- Moneyball
- Snakes on a Plane
- Snatch
- Stripes
- Superman Returns
- The Shawshank Redemption
- The Town