Hulu’s Drama Arsenal: 28 Must-Watch Series to Binge in May 2026, From ‘Rivals’ Season 2 to ‘The Testaments’

Hulu is dialing up the heat this May with a stacked roster of drama series that span simmering soap operas, gritty crime thrillers, and award-winning period epics. Whether you’re craving the scandal-soaked corridors of British aristocracy or the taut tension of Cold War espionage, the streamer’s library offers something for every mood. We’ve combed through Hulu’s latest additions and enduring classics to curate a definitive guide—from the wildly anticipated second season of Rivals to the haunting coming-of-age saga The Testaments. Ready your remote: these are the shows that demand your attention.

Fresh Off the Press: May’s Hottest New Dramas

Hulu’s May lineup is led by a trio of high-profile premieres that are already generating buzz. Rivals (2024–Present) returns for a second season that cranks up the 1980s excess: full-frontal nudity, razor-sharp dialogue, and a feud between media tycoon Tony Baddingham (David Tennant) and hedonistic Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) that escalates into corporate warfare and bedroom betrayals. The new episodes follow Tony recovering from an assault while journalist Declan O’Hara (Aidan Turner) gets caught in a hotel scandal. With 12 episodes split across two drops, this British import is swimming in sex, swagger, and shoulder pads.

Also debuting is The Testaments (2026), the long-awaited sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale. Set years after June’s rebellion, the series follows teenagers Agnes (Chase Infiniti) and Daisy (Lucy Halliday) as they navigate Aunt Lydia’s brutal prep school in Gilead. While the original series arguably stretched its narrative, this teen-centric spin injects fresh energy into Margaret Atwood’s dystopian world, with powerhouse performances from Ann Dowd and immersive production design that feels both claustrophobic and cinematic.

Another standout is Memory of a Killer (2026), starring Patrick Dempsey as Angelo Doyle, a hitman grappling with the onset of Alzheimer’s. Based on the 2003 Belgian film De Zaak Alzheimer, the series offers a restrained yet gripping psychological thriller—and it’s already been renewed for a second season, signaling Hulu’s confidence in this character-driven crime drama.

British Brilliance: The Split, The Artful Dodger, and A Thousand Blows

Hulu continues to be a haven for top-tier UK imports. The Split (2018–2024) wraps its run with 20 episodes of high-stakes family law, following the Dafoe clan as they navigate messy divorces, frozen embryo custody battles, and their own personal scandals. Nicola Walker anchors this intelligent legal drama that critics have called “the anti-All’s Fair”—a smart, character-driven alternative to Ryan Murphy’s flashy misfire.

The Artful Dodger (2023–Present) jumps 15 years after Oliver Twist, with Jack Dawkins (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) now a respected surgeon in Australia—until his criminal past comes knocking in the form of Fagin (David Thewlis). Season 2 deepens the darkly comic tone and lavish period aesthetics, earning praise for its energetic editing and standout performances.

For fans of gritty period crime, A Thousand Blows (2025–Present) delivers. From Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, the series follows two Jamaican immigrants caught between rival underground factions in 1800s London. Stephen Graham, fresh off a Golden Globe win for Adolescence, plays bare-knuckle boxing kingpin Henry “Sugar” Goodson, while Erin Doherty leads the all-female Forty Elephants gang. It’s a visceral, resonant drama that expands Knight’s trademark vision into fresh territory.

Ryan Murphy’s Expanding Empire: The Beauty and Love Story

Ryan Murphy continues to dominate Hulu with two provocative new entries. The Beauty (2026) is a gonzo body-horror thriller in which a transformative drug spreads as a lethal STD, triggering an FBI investigation and government conspiracy. The stacked cast—Rebecca Hall, Evan Peters, Bella Hadid, Ashton Kutcher—elevates what critics call “superficial yet undeniably fun” commentary on beauty standards. It’s messy, maximalist, and utterly bingeable.

Meanwhile, Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette (2026) expands the American Story anthology with a nine-episode docu-drama exploring the mythologized romance of America’s golden couple. Paul Anthony Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon portray JFK Jr. and Bessette, supported by Naomi Watts and Grace Gummer. The series leans into Murphy’s signature visual opulence, making it one of February’s most anticipated releases.

Guilty Pleasures and Toxic Romances

If you prefer your drama served with a side of dysfunction, Hulu has you covered. Tell Me Lies (2022–Present) returns for a third season, following Lucy (Grace Van Patten) and Stephen (Jackson White) as they resume their toxic, on-again-off-again relationship. The show’s unflinching portrayal of hookup culture in the early 2000s has earned it a devoted fanbase.

Desperate Housewives (2004–2012) remains a comfort-watch classic, with Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross, and Eva Longoria navigating murder, infidelity, and suburban secrets on Wisteria Lane. Its Emmy-nominated run proves that melodrama, when done right, never goes out of style.

For a more modern twist, High Potential (2024–Present) stars Kaitlin Olson as a cleaning lady with a 160 IQ who becomes an LAPD consultant. The blend of humor and heartfelt crime-solving, plus a stellar supporting cast including Judy Reyes and Taran Killam, makes it one of Hulu’s most watchable new procedurals.

Genre-Bending and Sci-Fi Thrills

Hulu’s drama slate isn’t afraid to venture into the speculative. Alien: Earth (2025–Present) from Noah Hawley (Fargo, Legion) serves as a prequel to the iconic franchise, exploring humanity’s quest for immortality through synthetic consciousness. Sydney Chandler leads as a hybrid “Lost Boy” on a deadly mission aboard a deep-space vessel. It’s intelligent, stylish, and philosophically rich—a must for sci-fi aficionados.

Paradise (2025–Present) blends post-apocalyptic survival with political intrigue, following a murder investigation in a secret underground city after an extinction event. Sterling K. Brown and James Marsden deliver Emmy-nominated performances, and the show’s shocking twists have already secured a second season.

Stephen King fans will appreciate Castle Rock (2018–2019), a supernatural anthology that weaves together King’s mythology through a mystery involving a mysterious prisoner (Bill Skarsgård) and a lawyer (André Holland) haunted by his own past. The second season, starring Lizzy Caplan, offers a self-contained horror-drama that stands on its own.

Classic Must-Watch: From ER to The Americans

Hulu’s deep bench of legacy dramas ensures endless rewatch value. ER (1994–2009) remains the gold standard for medical dramas, with Michael Crichton’s grounded writing launching careers for George Clooney, Julianna Margulies, and more. House (2004–2012) brings Hugh Laurie’s acerbic diagnostician to life, while Justified (2010–2015) showcases Timothy Olyphant as a modern-day gunslinger in Kentucky—a masterclass in character-driven crime.

The Law & Order franchise is well-represented: the original series (1990–2010) runs for 20 seasons on Hulu, and Special Victims Unit (1999–Present) boasts Mariska Hargitay’s record-breaking tenure as Olivia Benson. The Shield (2002–2008) and Damages (2007–2012) defined the antihero era, while The Americans (2013–2018) remains a masterpiece of Cold War espionage, with Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys as Soviet spies hiding in plain sight.

Rounding out the list: This Is Us (2016–2022) offers tear-jerking family drama with Sterling K. Brown’s unforgettable performance; Normal People (2020) delivers a tender, emotionally intelligent romance; and Shōgun (2024–Present) stands as a record-breaking historical epic with 18 Emmy wins.

Whether you’re a fan of heart-pounding thrillers or sprawling family sagas, Hulu’s May 2026 lineup proves that drama is more than a genre—it’s a state of mind. With new seasons of beloved series and bold original concepts, the streamer continues to stake its claim as a premier destination for storytelling that captivates, challenges, and entertains.

As the streaming wars intensify, Hulu’s ability to blend prestige imports, nostalgic favorites, and risk-taking originals ensures its library remains as dynamic as the characters within it. The only question left: what will you watch first?

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