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It’s the most wonderful time of the year – the Tribeca Film Festival kicks off on April 19, and the fest’s television portion, Tribeca TV, is back for its second year. Last year, we saw hits like The Night Manager and The Night Of kick things off at the festival with the series’ biggest stars, and this year, the celebration has expanded to include the season’s most exciting titles.
Hulu‘s highly anticipated series The Handmaid’s Tale will have its world premiere at the festival, while the third season of Netflix’s hit comedy Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt will kick things off with the cast and creators at a special screening. Big names like Ken Burns and Ron Howard will also headline conversations surrounding their latest work heading to the small screen. The festival will also host world premieres original series like Genius and The Sinner as well as stirring TV documentary I Am Heath Ledger.
Additionally, the festival will be highlighting independent productions for the first time in the form of three new pilots, further embracing their mission of discovering new artists and giving them a platform to showcase their work. Whatever your tastes may be, Tribeca TV has something for everyone.
For tickets and more information on the stellar slate, visit the festival’s official website. Here are the Tribeca TV titles we’re most excited about this year.
'The Handmaid's Tale'
Hulu’s highly anticipated original series based on the acclaimed novel by Margaret Atwood tells the the story of a dystopian United States known as Gilead and the consequences of a hyper-religious totalitarian society that subjugates fertile women due to widespread infertility and dubs them Handmaids. Elisabeth Moss stars as Offred, a Handmaid hellbent on escaping this enslavement and reuniting with her daughter. The Handmaid’s Tale will have its world premiere at Tribeca TV on Friday, April 21, at 6:00PM, followed by a conversation with executive producers Bruce Miller and Warren Littlefield, and cast members Elisabeth Moss, Joseph Fiennes, Yvonne Strahovski, Samira Wiley, Alexis Bledel, Madeline Brewer, Ann Dowd, O.T. Fagbenle, and Max Minghella.
'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt'
Hashbrown no filter! Kimmy Schmidt, our favorite cult-member turned slightly-functioning member of society, continues to live her life in New York City, but now must adjust to an existence with the Reverend who kidnapped her back in her life. Armed with her loyal companions Titus, Lillian, and Jacqueline, Kimmy continues to take on the world in her unorthodox style. The quirky, irreverent Netflix original has consistently delivered the laughs for its last two seasons, and Tribeca TV will host a world premiere of the series’ third season on Friday, April 28, at 6:00PM, followed by a conversation with co-creators and executive producers Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, and cast members Ellie Kemper, Tituss Burgess, Jane Krakowski, and Carol Kane.
'Casual'
Hulu’s hit original dramedy starring Michaela Watkins and Tommy Dewey as co-dependent siblings picks up for its latest season as they continue to raise Valerie’s daughter Laura and adjust to their new lives after the events of the second season. Funny, biting, and touching, Casual is the profound, well-written show you need to get into. Tribeca TV will host the world premiere of the series’ third season on Saturday, April 29, at 6:15PM, followed by a conversation with creator and executive producer Zander Lehmann, executive producers Liz Tigelaar, Helen Estabrook, and cast members Michaela Watkins, Tommy Dewey, and Tara Lynne Barr.
'There's...Johnny!'
Seeso‘s latest original series, There’s… Johnny! is a delightful coming-of-age story set in the 1970s. Wide-eyed Nebraskan 19-year-old Andy happens to stumble his way into a job at The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, where the events that unfold change the course of his life forever. We chatted with creator Paul Reiser last year about this series and have been looking forward to it ever since. This fictional trip back in time to take a look at the man who made us all laugh for decades will have its world premiere at Tribeca TV on Thursday, April 27, at 6:15PM, followed by a conversation with creator Paul Reiser, executive producers David Steven Simon and David Gordon Green, and cast members Tony Danza, Ian Nelson, and Jane Levy.
'The Vietnam War'
Ken Burns is back with his latest feat, a ten-part, 18-hour documentary series chronicling the epic story of the Vietnam War featuring testimony for almost 100 witnesses from both sides. This 360-degree narrative of one of the most controversial wars in American history is an immersive, moving account of a heavily-discussed period. Tribeca TV will host a Special Sneak Peek of the PBS series on Friday, April 28, at 5PM, followed by a conversation with filmmakers Burns and Lynn Novick.
