AMC Networks Celebrates “Halfway to Halloween” – Shudder’s Annual Programming Event This April

With April marking the halfway point to Halloween, AMC Networks will debut Shudder’s annual programming event Halfway to Halloween featuring a slate of new Shudder original series, specials, and films including the latest installment of the popular anthology series Slasher: Ripper starring Eric McCormack (Will & Grace), The Boulet Brothers’ Halfway to Halloween TV Special, new horror films Kids vs. Aliens and From Black, a new season of The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs and more. Also this month, AMC+ will feature new episodes of Lucky Hank, starring Emmy®-nominated Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul) and Mireille Enos (The Killing), every Thursday ahead of its Sunday premiere on AMC, and new limited nature series Chasing the Rains, debuting on Earth Day, Saturday, April 22. These series and more join an extensive catalogue of compelling dramas, beloved franchises, highly anticipated films, and timely collections on AMC+, Acorn TV, ALLBLK, Shudder, Sundance Now, IFC Films Unlimited, and anime-focused HIDIVE, all month long.

On ACORN TV:

· Brokenwood Mysteries Season 9 (Acorn TV Exclusive)

New Season Premieres Monday April 3

This quirky New Zealand mystery follows DI Mike Shepard, who arrives to the seemingly peaceful town of Brokenwood with classic car, a country music collection, and an indeterminate number of ex-wives. His assistant, DC Kristin Sims, is a by-the-book investigator 15 years younger than her boss’s car. Shepard soon discovers that Brokenwood is full of secrets and suspicions.

· Murdoch Mysteries Season 16 (Acorn TV Exclusive)

New Episodes Premiere Mondays

The internationally acclaimed series continues to explore the personal and professional developments in the lives of Detective William Murdoch (Yannick Bisson), Dr. Julia Ogden (Hélène Joy), Inspector Thomas Brackenreid (Thomas Craig), Constables George Crabtree (Jonny Harris) and Henry Higgins-Newsome (Lachlan Murdoch), and Detective Llewelyn Watts (Daniel Maslany) as they tackle Toronto’s toughest mysteries, from the serious and historic to the comical and unusual.

· Dalgliesh Season 2 (Acorn TV Original)

New Season Premieres Monday April 24

The new season is based on three more P.D. James novels – Death of an Expert Witness, A Certain Justice and The Murder Room — with Bertie Carvel (Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norell) reprising his role as the enigmatic chief investigator.

· NEW to Acorn TV this month:

· Happy Valley Season 2 – Full Season Available Monday, April 10 (Catch up before an all-new season 3 debuts in May)

Yorkshire-based crime drama centering on the personal and professional life of Police Sergeant Catherine Cawood (Sarah Lancashire). Also starring James Norton and Siobhan Finnerman.

On ALLBLK:

· Omarion Presents: Omega – The Gift and the Curse (ALLBLK Original Series) (ALLBLK / WE tv)

Season Finale Premieres Monday, April 3

Featuring singer-songwriter Omarion, this new docuseries goes beyond the veil of what it’s like to live under the celebrity microscope and gives fans an exclusive look on what it’s like to succeed, transition, rebuild, and evolve into your own man. The docuseries takes fans behind the scenes with exclusive never-before-seen interviews, rehearsals, tour footage, and performances across the U.S. from one of the biggest reunion tours.

· Grown & Gospel (WE tv)

New Episodes Every Monday Until Season Finale on April 24

Six one-hour episodes follow five, career-driven childhood friends searching for success in the Detroit gospel scene and beyond. Navigating the murky waters of the music industry and hustling to step out of the shadows of their prominent parents… this close-knit crew grapples with their strict upbringing and high standards as they push towards being the new generation of Gospel. Hearts are broken, dark secrets revealed, as they work to make names for themselves in the music scene and balance their personal lives with career ambition.

On AMC+:

· Lucky Hank (AMC)

New Episodes Premiere Sundays on AMC; Stream Early Every Thursday on AMC+ Until Season Finale on May 4

Lucky Hank is a mid-life meltdown tale set at Railton College, told in the first person by William Henry “Hank” Devereaux, Jr. (Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul, Breaking Bad), the unlikely chairman of the English department in a badly underfunded college in a working-class American town. Hank’s discontent is rooted in unresolved issues with his father, a mediocre and entitled student body, and in the fact that his department is more savagely divided than the Balkans. Mireille Enos (Hanna, The Killing) stars as Lily Devereaux, the emotionally grounded, unflappable wife of Hank and the Vice Principal of the local high school in rural Pennsylvania where they live. As Hank’s life starts to unravel, Lily begins to question the path she’s on and the choices she’s made.

· Chasing the Rains (BBC America)

New Limited Series Premieres Saturday, April 22 (Earth Day)

Narrated by award-winning actor Adjoa Andoh (Bridgerton), this epic four-part series takes audiences on a journey into one of the most majestic, unspoiled and rarely filmed areas in Africa. Featuring an in-depth look at wildlife that struggle to survive through cycles of drought and dramatic rainfall, the series was filmed beyond the jagged peaks of Mount Kenya, in the great rangelands of the north, beginning at the end of the long rains, when river valleys, plains and mountains are flushed with new growth. Water is the lifeblood of this sprawling landscape and all life here dances to the tune of the rains. Many months or sometimes years pass before a drop of rain falls so all species must learn to survive these droughts which are increasing in intensity due to climate change.

· New Exclusive Films Premiere Every Friday, including:

o A Lot of Nothing – Premieres Friday, April 7 (with ALLBLK)

James and Vanessa are ostensibly the perfect married couple; beautiful, successful, and smart. Their lives spiral out of control when they decide to seek justice against a neighbor they saw commit a crime on the evening news. Starring Y’lan Noel (Insecure), Cleopatra Coleman (The Last Man on Earth), and Justin Hartley (This Is Us).

o Kids vs Aliens – Premieres Friday, April 14 (Shudder)

An all-time rager of a teen house party turns to terror when aliens attack, forcing two warring siblings to band together to survive the night in this spin-off from the popular V/H/S franchise. Starring Dominic Mariche (Are You Afraid of the Dark?), Phoebe Rex (The Last Divide), and Calem MacDonald (The Umbrella Academy).

o Life Upside Down – Premieres Friday, April 21

Three couples who know one another are stuck at home during the beginning of lockdown. Jonathan, Clarissa and Paul will see their lives turned upside-down, forced to look at each other and ultimately at themselves in this globe-spanning romantic drama. Starring Bob Odenkirk (Lucky Hank, Better Call Saul), Radha Mitchell (Man on Fire), and Danny Huston (Yellowstone).

o From Black – New Film Premieres Friday, April 28 (Shudder)

A young mother Anna Camp (True Blood, Pitch Perfect), crushed by guilt after the disappearance of her young son 5 years previously, is presented with a bizarre offer to learn the truth and set things right. But how far is she willing to go, and is she willing to pay the terrifying price for a chance to hold her boy again?

On HIDIVE:

· Oshi no Ko (HIDIVE Exclusive)

English Subtitled Premiere in April

The wait will soon be over for the new anime drama Oshi No Ko when the highly anticipated, HIDIVE exclusive series kicks-off this April with a special 90-minute first episode. When pregnant young starlet Ai Hoshino appears at Dr. Gorou Amemiya’s clinic, he takes it upon himself to safely (and secretly) deliver her child so Ai can make a scandal-free return to the stage. But on the eve of her delivery, Gorou is slain at the hands of Ai’s deluded stalker – and is subsequently reborn as Ai’s child, Aquamarine Hoshino! The glitz and glamor of showbiz hide the dark underbelly of the entertainment industry. Can he help his new mother rise to the top of the charts? Produced by studio Doga Kobo, Oshi no Ko is directed by Daisuke Hiramaki and written by Jin Tanaka with music by Takuro Iga.

· The Dangers in My Heart (HIDIVE Exclusive)

English Subtitled Premiere in April

The new rom-com slice of life anime series The Dangers in My Heart premieres this April exclusively on HIDIVE. Fascinated by murder and all things macabre, Kyotaro daydreams of acting out his twisted fantasies on his unsuspecting classmates – but an encounter with Anna Yamada, the gorgeous class idol, lights a spark in the darkness of his heart. It’s a classic tale of an antisocial boy falling for a popular girl, but neither are whom they appear to be at first glance. Will Kyotaro and Anna defy their expectations of each other – and of themselves? Produced by Shin-Ei Animation, The Dangers in My Heart is directed by Hiroaki Akagi and written by Jukki Hanada with music by Kensuke Ushio.
On IFC FILMS UNLIMITED:

· Public Sex

Film Premieres Wednesday, April 5

In this outrageous and sexy comedy, a journalist infiltrates a group of public sex addicts and discovers he has to drop his pants to really get the full story. Starring Luke Treadaway, Kate Heppell, Michael Socha, Richard Riddell, Sammy Dobson, Justine Glenton, Allen Mechen, Malcolm Freeman and Sean Francis.

· Alexander the Last

Film Premieres Wednesday, April 12

From director Joe Swanberg and producer Noah Baumbach comes this sexy drama about a married actress, her sister, and their various attractions. Starring Jess Weixler, Justin Rice, Barlow Jacobs and Amy Seimeiz.

· Proxy

Film Premieres Wednesday, April 19

In this disturbing and twisted thriller, a young woman suffers a devastating attack that sets her on a path of obsession and destruction. Starring Joe Swanberg, Alexa Havins, Alexia Rasmussen and Kristina Klebe.

· Crawlspace

Film Premieres Wednesday, April 26

A special forces unit sent to infiltrate a top-secret underground military compound comes under attack from an unknown alien threat in this dazzling action thriller. Starring Eddie Baroo and John Brumpton.

On SHUDDER:

· Slasher: Ripper

Two-Episode Season Premiere Thursday, April 6

Slasher: Ripper takes the Slasher franchise back in time to the late 19th century and stars Eric McCormack (Will & Grace) as Basil Garvey, a charismatic tycoon whose success is only rivaled by his ruthlessness, as he oversees a city on the cusp of a new century, and a social upheaval that will see its streets run red with blood. There’s a killer stalking the mean streets, but instead of targeting the poor and downtrodden like Jack the Ripper, The Widow is meting out justice against the rich and powerful. The only person standing in the way of this killer is the newly promoted detective, Kenneth Rijkers, whose ironclad belief in justice may wind up being yet another victim of The Widow.

*Full season of Slasher: Flesh and Blood available for free all month (April 1-30)

· Kids vs. Aliens

New Film Premieres Friday, April 14

An all-time rager of a teen house party turns to terror when aliens attack, forcing two warring siblings to band together to survive the night in this spin-off from the popular V/H/S franchise. Starring Dominic Mariche (Are You Afraid of the Dark?), Phoebe Rex (The Last Divide), and Calem MacDonald (The Umbrella Academy).

· The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs Season 5A

New Season Premieres Friday, April 21 with the First Five Episodes; Remaining Five Episodes Will Debut Later This Year

On The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs, Joe Bob Briggs hosts eclectic horror movie double features, expounding upon their merits, histories and significance to genre cinema. Join Joe Bob, Darcy the Mail Girl, and the rest of The Last Drive-In crew as they ring in an all-new fifth season, which for the first time ever will be split into two parts, with the first half of the season premiering on Friday, April 21 and the final half returning mid-June, rounding out the horror-viewing experience. The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs is produced by Matt Manjourides and Justin Martell and directed by Austin Jennings.

· The Boulet Brothers’ Halfway to Halloween TV Special

New Special Premieres Tuesday, April 25

Hosted by modern day horror hosts and “queens of darkness” The Boulet Brothers, The Boulet Brothers’ Halfway to Halloween TV Special will be a mid-year variety show celebrating the “Halfway to Halloween” season for fans who just can’t wait until October 31 to get a good dose of the dark side. Calling to mind the era of classic retro holiday variety shows, the program will be hosted from The Boulet’s haunter manor set and will feature scripted skits, musical performances, and guest appearances from an impressive lineup of stars including David Dastmalchian (Dune, Suicide Squad) who co-produced the special, Kevin Smith (Clerks, Tusk), Emily Hampshire (Schitt’s Creek), Taran Killam (SNL), Matthew Lillard (Scream film series), Jorge Garcia (Lost), Steve Agee (Peacemaker), Barbara Crampton (Re-Animator, Chopping Mall), Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp), Katya (RuPaul’s Drag Race), Derek Mears (Friday the 13th, Swamp Thing), Satanic doo wop band Twin Temple, and Kendra Onixx, Koco Caine & Melissa Befierce (The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula). Additional guests to be announced.

· From Black

New Film Premieres Friday, April 28

A young mother, crushed by guilt after the disappearance of her young son 5 years previously, is presented with a bizarre offer to learn the truth and set things right. But how far is she willing to go, and is she willing to pay the terrifying price for a chance to hold her boy again? Starring Anna Camp (Pitch Perfect), Jennifer Lafleur (Nope) and John Ales (Euphoria). Directed by Thomas Marchese who also serves as writer with Jessub Flower.

· HALFWAY TO HALLOWEEN Library Film Highlights:

New library films this month include The Blair Witch Project (1999) and Blair Witch 2, The Wicker Man (1973), The Fog, and Pumpkinhead, along with currently available classics Halloween (1978), The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), The Night of the Living Dead (1968), Hellraiser (1987), and many more.
On SUNDANCE NOW:

· Hullraisers (Sundance Now Original)

Season 1 Binge Premieres Wednesday, April 5

Adapted from the Israeli sitcom Little Mom, Hullraisers follows the lives of three working-class women living in the Yorkshire city of Hull: self-described actress and chaotic mother Toni (Leah Brotherhead, Zomboat!), her down-to-earth older sister Paula (Sinead Matthews, Pride & Prejudice), and best friend Rana (Taj Atwal, Line of Duty), as they navigate their daily lives, their chances at romance, and their dreams for the future.

· Totally, Completely Fine (Sundance Now Original)

Two-Episode Series Premiere Thursday, April 20

Inspired by true events, Totally Completely Fine is a six-part dark comedy that explores the complexities of grief, the power of friendship and the ways in which sadness can unite people. It follows a 20-something Vivian Cunningham (Thomasin McKenzie, Last Night in Soho, Jojo Rabbit), whose life is a mess. Last week she accidentally burnt down her brother’s vegan food truck with a bacon-flavored vape and this week she’s inherited her grandfather’s coastal clifftop shack and is tasked with helping people who come too close to the edge. Strangely enough, they’ve responded to her chaotic, nihilistic brand of psychology. Maybe, just maybe, in saving these people, she’ll slowly start to save herself. The series was created and is executive produced by Gretel Vella (The Great), who co-wrote the show with Keir Wilkins (Neighbours) and Emme Hoy (stage play The Tenant of Wildfell Hall).