The Week’s guide to what’s worth watching
History of the World, Part II
Mel Brooks is back, at 96, to tell civilization’s story in his own inimitable way. Proving that he’s still the king of slapstick, the comedian, writer, director, and producer has marshaled an army of comedy luminaries for his new eight-part sequel to the 1981 movie History of the World, Part I. Wanda Sykes, Seth Rogen, Taika Waititi, Kumail Nanjiani, Zazie Beetz, J.B. Smoove, and dozens more stars will dramatize Brooks’ take on what really went down in ancient Egypt, 1st-century Jerusalem, 1860s America, and more. Debuts Monday, March 6, Hulu
Perry Mason
Three years after Matthew Rhys stepped into the role of America’s most dogged defense attorney, he’s back for the pandemic-delayed second season of this noirish reimagining of the classic courtroom series. Rhys, who was fantastic in The Americans, proves a worthy successor to Raymond Burr in the new episodes, which open with Mason off his game but eager to bounce back after an embarrassing mistrial. Monday, March 6, at 9 p.m., HBO
Sin Eater: The Crimes of Anthony Pellicano
In a town that specializes in fictional tales about rule-defying private eyes, Anthony Pellicano was the real deal. Before a 15-year prison term ended his run as Hollywood fixer, Pellicano was often hired by industry elites to surveil and intimidate other insiders. Part two of this New York Times Presents documentary picks up Pellicano’s story when he’s released from prison and proves ready to talk. Available Friday, March 10, Hulu
Luther: The Fallen Sun
In a week of big comebacks, none has been more eagerly awaited than the return of Idris Elba as John Luther, London’s toughest police detective. This big-budget feature-length sequel to the BBC’s acclaimed Luther series opens with the disgraced Luther escaping prison to resume his chase of the taunting tech mogul serial killer who eluded him. But he’ll be seeking his target, played by a very creepy Andy Serkis, as a wanted man. Available Friday, March 10, Netflix
A Spy Among Friends
There’s always room in the streaming queue for a good double-agent tale, and three great performances make this British series a rewarding watch. Guy Pearce plays Kim Philby, the MI6 agent who passed secrets to the KGB for 20 years before his duplicity was uncovered, while Damian Lewis plays his friend Nicholas Elliot, a fellow British agent who fumbles the task of securing Philby’s confession and winds up a target of a separate probe. A flinty Anna Maxwell Martin plays Elliott’s interrogator. Available Sunday, March 12, MGM+
Other highlights
Rain Dogs
Daisy May Cooper, one of the U.K.’s funniest actresses, gets a new series, about a hustling, grifting, forever broke mother trying to do right for her teenage daughter. Monday, March 6, at 10 p.m., HBO
MH370: The Plane That Disappeared
A three-part series dives into the mysterious disappearance of a 2014 Malaysia Airlines flight and its 239 passengers. Available Wednesday, March 8, Netflix
Outlast
Think Survivor with more violence. This reality series drops 16 survivalists in the Alaskan wild and dares them to form alliances and outlast their opponents. Available Friday, March 10, Netflix