Three PBS programs to check out in May 2025.

      Although May may appear to have a lack of original programming on PBS, this is mainly due to the absence of European murder mystery shows for the month. However, there is still a new period drama titled Miss Austen, along with new episodes of Great Performances, which brings Broadway and West End musicals to your home at no cost. PBS offers a public service, allowing you to watch it for free on your local channel or stream the shows online.

      There is ample opportunity to enjoy other new PBS shows in May, and you can also revisit the excellent PBS programs from April. For now, we present our suggestions for three PBS shows worth watching in April.

      Looking for more shows to enjoy this month? If so, take a look at our recommendations for the best shows on Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+.

      Miss Austen (2025)

      PBS

      You might think that Jane Austen is the main character in Miss Austen, but she is not the sole focus. Cassandra Austen (Keeley Hawes) plays a significant role in a narrative that unravels the reason behind her decision to destroy her late sister’s letters. This four-part series starts in 1830, showcasing an older Cassandra who resorts to some cunning efforts to secretly obtain the letters her sister penned, although it remains unclear whether the act of destroying them is meant to preserve Jane’s legacy or her own. What is certain is that Cassandra’s life has not unfolded as she had wished.

      The series employs flashbacks to depict a younger Cassandra (Synnøve Karlsen) who shared a close bond with Jane and harbored feelings for a man named Tom Fowle (Calam Lynch). Both Jane and Cassandra believe that Cassandra will marry Tom, but heartbreak is on the horizon, potentially challenging the strong connection between the sisters.

      Watch Miss Austen on PBS.

      Great Performances — Yellow Face (2025)

      PBS

      Starring Daniel Dae Kim, this adaptation of David Henry Hwang’s Yellow Face centers around Hwang himself in a farcical tale that is loosely inspired by his life. In the play, DHH publicly criticizes Miss Saigon for casting non-Asian actors in Asian roles. However, while creating his own play about the controversy, DHH duplicates the error by casting a Caucasian actor in an Asian part.

      Concerned about the apparent hypocrisy and its effect on his reputation, DHH persuades the actor to pretend to be Asian. His anger escalates when the actor begins to fully embody the role and embraces his supposed Asian identity in all areas of his life.

      Watch Great Performances — Yellow Face on PBS on May 16.

      Great Performances — Kiss Me, Kate (2025)

      PBS

      Kiss Me, Kate is a beloved musical set against the backdrop of staging a musical version of William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. Stephanie J. Block stars as lead actress Lilli Vanessi, who is troubled by her ex-lover and current boyfriend, Fred Graham (Adrian Dunbar), who also directs the new play.

      While Fred has his sights set on Lili’s younger co-star, his ex unintentionally intercepts flowers intended for Fred's new love interest and proclaims her lingering feelings for him. This puts Fred in a precarious situation that could become even more complicated if Lilli discovers the flowers weren't meant for her. Amidst the relationship turmoil, they still have a musical to produce.

      Watch Great Performances — Kiss Me, Kate on PBS on May 30.