Back on the ‘Block’: New spinoff ‘Freeridge’ premieres on Netflix
WHAT’S NEW ON NETFLIX Freeridge - Season 1
A new group of friends take on the trials and tribulations of growing up in the new coming-of-age comedy series “Freeridge,” premiering Thursday, Feb. 2, on Netflix. It is a spinoff of the hit series “On My Block,” which ran for four seasons on the streamer and follows a group of four friends growing up in the fictional but dangerous Los Angeles neighbourhood known as Freeridge. Together they learn to dodge gang violence, find mysterious hidden money and trust each other. The spinoff dives back into the lives of Freeridge locals once more, this time with a turn to the supernatural. “Freeridge” follows sibling rivals Gloria (Keyla Monterroso Mejia, “Abbott Elementary”) and Ines (Bryana Salaz, “Malibu Rescue,” 2019), along with their friends Cameron (Tenzing Norgay Trainor, “Liv and Maddie”) and Demi (Ciara Riley Wilson, “L.A.’s Finest”), who have unleashed a deadly curse and brought dark misfortune into their lives. As they work to solve this strange new mystery, they are taken on an unforgettable adventure. From “On My Block” creators Eddie Gonzalez, Jeremy Haft and Lauren Iungerich, and co-created by “On My Block” producers Jamie Dooner and Jamie Uyeshiro, the series is directed by Arlyn Richardson (“Boo, B***h”). Peggy Blow returns to her original series role as Marisol Martinez, while the cast is rounded out by Michael Soloman (“Boo, B***h”), J.R. Villarreal (“Ultra Violet & Black Scorpion”) and Jean Paul San Pedro (“Suits”).
Make My Day - Season 1
Join the fight in an otherworldly battle for survival with the new, sci-fi anime series “Make My Day,” making its Netflix debut Thursday, Feb. 2. Created by Yasuo Ohtagaki, the acclaimed manga author known for his sci-fi spectacles “Moonlight Mile” and “Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt,” “Make My Day” follows a group of humans on a snow- and ice-covered planet called Coldfoot, home to a precious, energy-rich ore called “sig.” Though the planet seems to be a crime-free utopia, the humans of Coldfoot are thrust into a life-changing fight for survival when a mysterious life form begins attacking the planet’s inhabitants. Based on an original story by Ohtagaki, the series is directed by new talent Makoto Honda. Masaomi Yamahashi (“Astral Chain,” 2019), Ayahi Takagaki (“Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom”), Kazuhiro Yamaji (“Ghost in the Shell,” 1995) and Akio Ôtsuka (“My Hero Academia”).
WHAT’S NEW ON CBC GEM Ten Year Old Tom - Season 1
The HBO Max Original animated series for adults, “10 Year Old Tom,” premieres its first season on CBC Gem Wednesday, Feb. 1. Still just a kid, Tom (voiced by series creator Steve Disldarian, “The Life & Times of Tim”) finds himself constantly surrounded by grownups who often prove to be monumentally bad influences. As litigious parents, drug dealing bus drivers, bad teachers and more seem to lurk around every corner, Tom grapples
with the corruption of the adults around him, who can’t seem to lead by example no matter how wellmeaning they are or how hard they try. Directed by Dildarian, the series is written by Dildarian, Robert Cohen (“Somebody Somewhere”), Karey Dornetto (“Portlandia”), Yassir Lester (“Duncanville”) and Lauren Rantala (“Tiffany the Teenage Grim Reaper”). The series voice cast also includes Byron Bowers (“Honey Boy,” 2019), Edi Patterson (“The Righteous Gemstones”), Todd Glass (“Marmaduke,” 2010), Ben Rodgers (“Emily the Criminal,” 2022), Erik Griffin (“Murder Mystery,” 2019), Gillian Jacobs (“Community”), John Malkovich (“Space Force”), Matt Johnson (“inFamous,” 2009), Taylor Misiak (“Dave”) and Eugene Cordero (“Loki”).
WHAT’S NEW ON DISNEY+
The Proud Family:
Louder and Prouder - Season 2
One of Disney’s favourite families is back and prouder than ever — Season 2 of “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder” premieres Wednesday, Feb. 1, on Disney+. A continuation of the hit animated Disney series from the early 2000s, “The Proud Family’s” main voice cast returns, as “Louder and Prouder” catches up with 14-year-old Penny Proud (Kyla Pratt, “Call Me Kat”) and her friends and family. Tackling social issues of all kinds while telling a whole host of youth-friendly stories, “Louder and Prouder” Season 2 sends Penny and her friends, including Dijonay (Karen Malina White, “Bruh”), LaCienega (Alisa Reyes, “All That”), Zoey
(Soleil Moon Frye, “Punky Brewster”), Maya (Keke Palmer, “Human Resources”) and Michael (E.J. Johnson, “With Love”), on some out-there adventures while they navigate crushes, social media, bullying, school and more. The series also voice stars Paula Jai Parker (“Queen Sugar”) and Tommy Davidson (“In Living Color”) as Penny’s parents, Trudy and Oscar, and Jo Marie Payton (“Mann and Wife”) as Penny’s grandmother, Suga Mama, as well as Carlos Alazraqui (“Fairly OddParents”), Cedric the Entertainer (“The Neighborhood”), Bresha Webb (“HouseBroken”), Asante Blackk (“This Is Us”), Carlos Mencia (“Mind of Mencia”), Billy Porter (“Pose”), Zachary Quinto (“Star Trek,” 2009), Maria Canals-Barrera (“Wizards of Waverly Place”) and new talent Aiden Dodson.
WHAT’S NEW ON PRIME Harlem - Season 2
The sophomore season of Prime’s original coming-of-age comedy “Harlem” premieres Friday, Feb. 3, on the Amazon streamer. From series creator and writer Tracy Oliver (“Girl’s Trip,” 2017), “Harlem” follows four friends with four distinctly different personalities and career paths as they move on after college, grow together and chase their dreams in the Big Apple. The series picks back up in Season 2 with Camille (Meagan Good, “Shazam!,” 2019) attempting to piece her life back together after blowing up her career and disrupting her love life. Meanwhile, Tye (Jerrie Johnson, “Mother’s Milk,” 2021) considers what’s next for her future, Quinn (Grace Byers, “Empire”) goes on a journey of self-discovery and Angie’s (Shoniqua
Shandai, “The Obituary of Tunde Johnson,” 2019) career takes a promising turn. Directed by Linda Mendoza (“Grown-ish”), the new season also stars Tyler Lepley (“P-Valley”), Juani Feliz (“Fleishman is in Trouble”), Jonathan Burke (“Drawing a Blank,” 2015), Sullivan Jones (“The Gilded Age”), Sherri Shepherd (“The Sex Lives of College Girls”), Rick Fox (“Greenleaf”), Lil Rel Howery (“Free Guy,” 2021), Rachel True (“Half & Half”), Countess Vaughn (“The Parkers”), Luke Forbes (“Dog,” 2022) and Courtnee Carter (“Anything’s Possible,” 2022).
Special: Nate Bargatze: Hello World
“The Nicest Man in Stand-Up” (per The Atlantic) takes to a whole new stage when his first Amazon Original stand-up special, “Nate Bargatze: Hello World,” premieres Tuesday, Jan. 31, on Prime. With past specials across various other platforms in the bank, including Netflix’s “Nate Bargatze: The Greatest Average American” and “Nate Bargatze: The Tennessee Kid,” and Comedy Central’s “Nate Bargatze: Full Time Magic,” comedian Nate Bargatze has earned a reputation for his hilarious (and Grammy-winning) musical stylings, as well as his clean and relatable brand of comedy. In “Hello World,” Bargatze explores topics including growing up in the ‘80s and ‘90s, the hardest part of marriage, saying dumb things, and more. Recorded on a 360-degree stage at the Celebrity Theater in Phoenix, “Hello World” is directed by Mike Lavin (“Chris Distefano: Speshy Weshy”) and executive produced by Bargatze, John Irwin (“Nick Kroll: Little Big Boy,” 2022), Alex Murray (“Lights Out With David Spade”) and Tim Sarkes (“Bob Saget: Zero to Sixty,” 2017).