New releases on Netflix this week

It's been impossible to ignore the true crime boom. In 2021, a report from Parrot Media shared that true crime was far and away the biggest documentary subgenre, beating out sports, nature, history, and science. The phenomenon dovetailed with the podcast boom, which is still going strong with more than 500 million listeners as of 2024. This week, Netflix is perpetuating those enduring trends with an enticing true crime documentary and a new podcast narrative.

Let's start with "Bodkin," a dark but comedic thriller that stars Will Forte, Siobhán Cullen, and Robyn Cara as an unlikely trio of podcasters. Together, they begin investigating some strange happenings within the titular small town of Ireland, whose enchanting aesthetic is the perfect disguise for its dark history. The seven-episode series, the latest offering from Barack and Michelle Obama's Higher Ground production company, premieres on May 9 and promises to celebrate Irish history and amateur sleuthing, though it's unlikely MacGruber makes an appearance. 

On the documentary end of the algorithm comes "Cooking Up Murder: Uncovering the Story of César Román," a three-part docuseries debuting May 10 that attempts to break down Román's murder conviction. The Spanish chef and restaurateur was initially arrested in 2018 for killing and dismembering his Honduran girlfriend. After fleeing Madrid, he slipped under authority radars and found chef work anonymously, sparking a three-month hunt.

Curious about what else Netflix has on tap this week? Stacker compiled a list of the streamer's 11 new releases—debuting between May 6 and May 12—that includes some lighter fare to enjoy, too. Read on to see Netflix's latest offerings.