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Straight to Hell on Netflix: Erika Toda Stars in a Gripping Biographical Drama About Japan’s Most Famous Fortune Teller

Straight to Hell premieres on Netflix on April 27, 2026. Erika Toda stars as Kazuko Hosoki, Japan’s most famous fortune teller, in this sweeping biographical drama spanning six decades of postwar Japanese history.

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Straight to Hell on Netflix: Erika Toda Stars in a Gripping Biographical Drama About Japan's Most Famous Fortune Teller

Netflix has launched one of its most ambitious international productions of 2026 with Straight to Hell, a sweeping biographical drama that chronicles the extraordinary life of Kazuko Hosoki, Japan’s most celebrated — and controversial — fortune teller. All nine episodes dropped globally on April 27, 2026, inviting audiences worldwide into a story that spans six decades of postwar Japanese history.

From Poverty to the Queen of Ginza

The series begins in the rubble of postwar Japan, where a teenage Kazuko drops out of high school to escape starvation and help her struggling family. Rather than accepting defeat, she reinvents herself with fierce determination. By her twenties, she has worked her way up from hostess clubs to owning some of the most glamorous nightclubs in Ginza, Tokyo’s most prestigious entertainment district, earning her the title of the Queen of Ginza. It is only later in life that her path takes yet another dramatic turn toward fortune-telling and national fame.

Erika Toda Carries the Series

Erika Toda delivers a transformative performance as Kazuko Hosoki, portraying the character across five decades — from a defiant 17-year-old to a 66-year-old cultural icon. The role demands enormous range, and critics have been nearly unanimous in praising Toda’s ability to make Kazuko’s journey feel both intimate and epic. Her portrayal captures the ambition, survival instinct, and contradictions of a woman who built an empire out of nothing and never stopped pushing forward.

A Story of Six-Star Divination

Hosoki’s fame ultimately rested on her mastery of Six-Star Divination, an ancient Japanese fortune-telling system she popularized across television, books, and public appearances in the 1980s and 1990s. She became a household name in Japan, reportedly advising politicians, celebrities, and millions of ordinary people about love, career, and fate. The series explores how she adapted this mystical practice into a media empire while navigating skepticism, scandal, and personal heartbreak.

Supporting Cast and Direction

The ensemble includes Sairi Ito, Toma Ikuta, and Eita Okuno, who bring depth and texture to the world surrounding Kazuko. The series is co-directed by Tomoyuki Takimoto and Norichika Oba, both experienced hands in Japanese drama production. Their direction balances the intimacy of character study with the broad sweep of a historical epic, giving the series the feel of a prestige theatrical production.

Critical Response

Early reviews have been strong, with critics pointing to the production’s ambition and Toda’s performance as its twin pillars. The South China Morning Post called the series “dazzling,” while other outlets highlighted how it captures the remarkable social and economic transformation of Japan over the second half of the twentieth century. The show is being positioned as one of Netflix’s flagship international releases for 2026.

Now Streaming Worldwide

All nine episodes of Straight to Hell are available to stream now on Netflix worldwide. For viewers who have long wanted an epic, character-driven drama from Japan that rivals the best prestige television from anywhere in the world, this series is not to be missed. It is a portrait of a singular woman and a vanished era — bold, moving, and impossible to look away from.

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RAFA: Netflix’s Stunning 4-Part Nadal Documentary Features Federer, Djokovic & McEnroe — Arrives May 29

RAFA, Netflix’s 4-part Rafael Nadal documentary, premieres May 29, 2026. Directed by Oscar-nominee Zachary Heinzerling, featuring interviews with Federer, Djokovic and McEnroe — already Emmy-campaigned by Netflix.

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RAFA: Netflix's Stunning 4-Part Nadal Documentary Features Federer, Djokovic & McEnroe — Arrives May 29

One of the greatest athletes of all time finally gets the definitive documentary treatment. RAFA, Netflix’s four-part prestige series on Rafael Nadal, premieres on May 29, 2026 — perfectly timed with the French Open, the tournament where Nadal became a legend. With the tagline “A life beyond limits,” this is the documentary the tennis world has been waiting for.

From His First Racquet to His Final Match

The series spans Nadal’s entire extraordinary career — from picking up a racquet at age three to his emotional retirement at the Davis Cup in November 2024. The spine of the documentary is 2024 itself: the injuries, the agonizing decision to retire, the joy of new fatherhood, and a farewell tour at Roland Garros that moved the entire sporting world to tears. Never-before-seen archival footage brings each era of his story to vivid life.

Federer, Djokovic, and McEnroe All Sit Down

What sets RAFA apart is the extraordinary access Netflix secured. Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and John McEnroe all sat for new interviews, reflecting on what Nadal meant to the sport — and to them personally. Hearing his greatest rivals speak about his legacy makes for some of the most compelling television of the year.

Prestige Documentary, Emmy Ambitions

Directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Zachary Heinzerling (Cutie and the Boxer), RAFA is Netflix’s most ambitious sports documentary in years. The streaming giant is already campaigning the series at the Primetime Emmy Awards in categories including Best Documentary Series, Directing, Editing, and Score — a sign of just how seriously they’re treating this project.

Stream It May 29 on Netflix

RAFA arrives on Netflix on May 29, 2026, right as the French Open hits its dramatic final week. Whether you’re a lifelong tennis fan or simply a lover of great storytelling, this is the doc of the year.

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Berlin and the Lady with an Ermine: Netflix’s Money Heist Spinoff Returns With a Stunning Seville Heist

Berlin and the Lady with an Ermine, Netflix’s Money Heist spinoff Season 2, drops May 15, 2026. Pedro Alonso returns for a revenge-fueled Seville heist targeting a dangerous duke who dared to blackmail Berlin.

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Berlin and the Lady with an Ermine: Netflix's Money Heist Spinoff Returns With a Stunning Seville Heist

Berlin is back — and he’s more dangerous than ever. Netflix dropped all episodes of Berlin and the Lady with an Ermine on May 15, 2026, bringing the beloved Money Heist spinoff back to screens with a new city, a new painting, and a very personal vendetta. If you loved the first season’s Parisian elegance, Season 2’s Seville setting turns up the heat — literally and figuratively.

The Heist: A Masterpiece and a Reckoning

The gang reunites in sun-drenched Seville, Spain for their most audacious job yet: a master heist centered on the iconic painting The Lady with an Ermine. But this isn’t just about art. Their real targets are the Duke of Málaga and his wife — a powerful couple who made the catastrophic mistake of trying to blackmail Berlin. The challenge will awaken his darkest side, and his thirst for revenge.

Returning Cast and Exciting New Faces

Pedro Alonso reprises his iconic role as the magnetic, morally complex Berlin, joined by returning ensemble members Julio Peña Fernández, Michelle Jenner, Tristán Ulloa, and Begoña Vargas. New to the gang is Inma Cuesta as Candela, a fresh face set to steal Berlin’s heart. The formidable José Luis García-Pérez plays the Duke of Málaga, with Marta Nieto as his duchess.

Why Berlin Season 2 Is Essential Viewing

The Money Heist universe has always been built on big personalities, bigger schemes, and an irresistible Spanish flair. Berlin and the Lady with an Ermine leans into all of that while raising the emotional stakes — because when Berlin seeks revenge, it’s never just a heist. All episodes are streaming now on Netflix.

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The Four Seasons Season 2: Tina Fey’s Netflix Hit Takes Its Grieving Friends to Italy — Premieres May 28

The Four Seasons Season 2 premieres May 28, 2026 on Netflix. Tina Fey, Colman Domingo, Will Forte and the gang head to Italy to grieve — and maybe heal — after Steve Carell’s Nick died in Season 1.

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The Four Seasons Season 2: Tina Fey's Netflix Hit Takes Its Grieving Friends to Italy — Premieres May 28

One of Netflix’s most beloved comedies is back — and this time, it’s heading to Italy. The Four Seasons Season 2 premieres on May 28, 2026, with a fresh trailer that has already sent fans into a frenzy. Created by Tina Fey, Lang Fisher, and Tracey Wigfield, the series picks up after the gut-wrenching Season 1 finale with a grieving ensemble trying to find their footing — and a vacation — without Nick.

What Happened in Season 1

Season 1 followed three couples — Kate and Jack, Nick and Anne, and Danny and Claude — whose idyllic friendship was thrown into turmoil when Nick (Steve Carell) announced he was leaving Anne (Kerri Kenney-Silver) for a younger woman. The season ended on a devastating note: Nick died suddenly in a car accident, leaving the group shattered.

Season 2: Grief, Friendship, and La Dolce Vita

Season 2 finds the tight-knit group trading the familiar comforts of the Jersey Shore and upstate New York for the stunning landscapes of Italy. But a dark cloud still hangs over them. Navigating grief, guilt, and the complicated bonds of long-term friendship against a backdrop of Italian sunshine promises to be the show’s most emotionally rich season yet.

Star-Studded Cast Returns

Tina Fey returns as Kate, alongside Colman Domingo as Danny, Marco Calvani as Claude, Will Forte as Jack, Erika Henningsen, and Kerri Kenney-Silver as Anne. While Steve Carell‘s Nick is gone, his presence will undoubtedly loom large over every scene in Italy.

Don’t Miss the Season 2 Premiere

The Four Seasons Season 2 hits Netflix on May 28, 2026. If you haven’t seen Season 1 yet, now is the perfect time to binge all eight episodes before the new season arrives.

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