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The new Netflix docu-series Cooking Up Murder sets out to uncover the complex story behind acclaimed Spanish chef César Román. On the surface, Román had seemingly achieved his dreams, rising from humble roots to become a celebrated culinary star known throughout Spain as the “King of Cachopo.” But images of success hid more sinister truths below the surface.

We learn Román first gained fame by winning a high-profile cooking competition for his version of the Asturian regional specialty, a breaded pork cutlet known as cachopo. Sponsors and praise poured in, fueling Román’s growing restaurant empire. Yet cracks soon emerged in his flashy facade. Suppliers and staff went unpaid as Román’s eateries rapidly closed. More disturbing was Román’s volatile relationship with girlfriend Heidi Paz, a server at one of his spots.

When Heidi’s dismembered remains were discovered in 2018, stashed in a suitcase near Román’s storage unit,...

“Bridgerton” Season 3 is off to a steamy hot start.

The third season of the Shondaland period drama drew 45.1 million views over its first four days of availability, according to Netflix, easily finishing first on the streamer’s Global Top 10 list. Take that, Tom Brady roast.

It was the biggest week — by quite a bit — for any series on Netflix since the streamer changed its core metric from hours viewed to views in mid-June 2023.

The first four “Bridgerton” Season 3 episodes reached number 1 in 78 countries and the Top 10 in 92, Netflix said. The next four episodes premiere on June 13; try not to obsess over the big cliffhanger between now and then.

The third season of “Bridgerton” also brought the first two back to (some semblance of) their former glory. “Bridgerton” Seasons 1 and 2 both returned to Netflix’s Top 10 TV (in any language) list in the week ahead of Season 3. They did even better during Season 3’s premiere week.

“In this country, nothing is more popular than a conspiracy,” says Spanish celebrity chef César Román in the true crime series Cooking Up Murder: Uncovering the Story of César Román. Directed by Román Parrado and written by Noemí Redondo and Isabel Paniagua, the three-part docuseries investigates the murder of Heydi Paz. Román, the man convicted of her murder, maintains his innocence — but his laundry list of misdeeds suggest otherwise.

Stream it now.

The series covers Román’s quick rise through the ranks of Spain’s restaurant industry and his downfall after being charged in the murder of his then-partner, Heydi Paz. The documentary details the investigation that led to Román’s arrest and the extensive media coverage that followed, shedding light on why Román was implicated in the killing.

Román, known as “King of Cachopo” within the Spanish foodie community for popularizing the Asturian dish cachopo, is a former restaurateur...

As summer approaches (for the Northern Hemisphere at least), Netflix is set to premiere a fresh season of one of its biggest hits.

Brigerton season 3 is set to arrive on May 16 and will debut a “new crop of debutantes” into the regency drama fray. Other original series of note this month include Indian drama Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar (May 1), the Jeff Daniels-starring A Man in Full (May 2), and intriguing Korean title The 8 Show (May 17). Of course, Netflix is also rolling out a suite of true crime docs and docuseries as well. Chief among those options is Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies & Scandal on May 15.

It’s the movie side of things where Netflix is feeling particularly lively though. May 3 sees the arrival of Jerry Seinfeld Pop Tart comedy Unfrosted. That will be followed by rom-com Mother of the Bride (May 9) and the Jennifer Lopez-starring Atlas (May 24).

If none...