Ashley Park | Tales of the City

• Genre: Drama
• Based on: Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin
• Developed by: Lauren Morelli
• Starring: Laura Linney, Elliot Page, Paul Gross, Murray Bartlett, Charlie Barnett, Garcia, May Hong, Olympia Dukakis, Barbara Garrick
• Composer: Jay Wadley
• No. of episodes: 10
• Executive producers: Lauren Morelli, Alan Poul, Andrew Stearn, Laura Linney, Armistead Maupin, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Liza Chasin
• Producer: Gail Barringer
• Cinematography: Federico Cesca
• Editors: Andy Keir, Allyson C. Johnson, Aaron Kuhn
• Running time: 46–60 minutes
• Production companies: Sweatpants Productions, Working Title Television, Universal Television, NBCUniversal International Studios
• Network: Netflix
• Release: June 7, 2019

Mary Ann Singleton returns to 28 Barbary Lane in San Francisco after a 23-year absence for the 90th birthday of her former landlady, Anna Madrigal. Mary Ann is happily reunited with Michael Tolliver and Anna, but things are more complicated with her ex-husband, Brian Hawkins, and Shawna, the daughter she left behind to pursue a broadcasting career. Shawna follows a mysterious attraction to a new girl in town who is making a documentary about 28 Barbary Lane. The relationship between transgender man Jake Rodriguez and his lesbian girlfriend Margot Park faces challenges as Jake explores his newfound attraction to men. Michael struggles with the option to stop using condoms now that he is in a relationship with Ben Marshall, who is on PrEP. Anna begins receiving mysterious letters threatening to expose a secret from her past.

"Coming Home"

Anna Madrigal's 90th birthday celebration at 28 Barbary Lane brings Mary Ann Singleton back to San Francisco after a 23-year absence. Though Mary Ann is happily reunited with Michael Tolliver, her former roommate, and Anna, her former landlady, things are awkward between Mary Ann and her ex-husband, Brian Hawkins, and Shawna, the daughter she left behind to pursue a career in broadcasting. Michael is happy in a relationship with a younger man, Ben Marshall. Shawna has a one-night-stand with documentarian Claire Duncan, and transgender man Jake Rodriguez is confused about his newfound attraction to men. Mary Ann is shocked to learn that Shawna has never been told that she and Brian are not her biological parents. Anna receives a mysterious note.

"Happy, Now?"

Mary Ann receives divorce papers from her husband, Robert. Jake takes Margot to his sister Linda's gender reveal party. Claire teaches Shawna some things about San Francisco's gay history. Another mysterious note to Anna is followed by a phone call threatening to expose her secret unless she signs over 28 Barbary Lane. Michael struggles with the option to stop using condoms since Ben is on PrEP. Brian and Wren have sex, as do Jake and Flaco. Margot breaks up with Jake. Michael's ex-boyfriend Harrison reappears. Anna announces to Mary Ann, Brian, and the residents that she is selling the building.

"The Price of Oil"

Mary Ann tries to rally the residents of 28 Barbary Lane to try to stop the sale, but everyone else, though unhappy, wants to honor Anna's wishes. Ben learns from Shawna that Harrison broke up with Michael because Michael is HIV positive. Harrison, who is now positive himself, apologizes to Michael for treating him that way in the past. Margot bonds with DeDe. The ice between Shawna and Mary Ann begins to thaw. Harrison's dinner party sours when Ben objects to the transphobic conversation, and Ben and Michael fight. Michael breaks down over his experiences during the 1980s AIDS crisis. Realizing they both think something unusual is behind Anna's decision, Mary Ann and Shawna join forces to investigate, starting with Anna's new friend, Sam.

"Not Today, Satan"

Anna explodes when the residents have a yard sale without her permission. When she goes off with Sam, Mary Ann and Shawna follow. Anna tours an LGBTQ geriatric home, and though Shawna gives up the investigation, Mary Ann persists. Jake moves back in with his parents. Michael goes apartment hunting. Brian and Wren's fledgling relationship falls apart. Shawna and Claire bond over their disappointing mothers. Jake helps Linda deliver her baby. Anna asks Sam to take her to the police station, but before she can report her blackmailer, she feels ill and leaves. Mary Ann learns that Sam's last three clients died, and left him money. Mary Ann, Shawn, and Brian rush to the hospital where Anna is.

"A Touch O' Butch"

Anna is back at home after her panic attack, and Sam has been proven harmless. Ani and Raven convince DeDe to let them stay in her guest house and document her life on social media. Mary Ann and Brian reconnect at a family dinner at Anna's. Shawna feels that Claire is avoiding her. Mary Ann apologizes to Brian for leaving him and Shawna, and he voices his guilt for lying to Shawna all these years. Mary Ann and Brian kiss, and later have sex. Ben and Michael discuss having a threesome. Mary Ann signs her divorce papers. Claire breaks things off with Shawna to focus on her documentary. Anna goes to the burlesque bar where Shawna works. Shawna stumbles upon her birth certificate, which names Connie Bradshaw as her mother.

"Rainbow Warriors"

In the present, Mary Ann, Michael, and Brian are reeling from Anna's secret, and hoping the FBI can find the blackmailer. The residents receive notice that 28 Barbary Lane will be demolished the next day. When Michael recognizes the crew foreman, Mary Ann suspects that Harrison is behind the crime. Michael enlists Ani and Raven to stage a protest as a stall tactic, which attracts a crowd of supporters. Ben follows Harrison. Shawna calls Claire with an apology. Mary Ann, Michael, and Brian try to follow what clues they have to the blackmailer's identity. Sam finds Ysela, and takes Anna to see her. Anna apologizes, and Ysela encourages her to fight. Ben confronts Harrison at Barbary Lane, but learns that he is not responsible. Their investigation leads Mary Ann, Michael, and Brian to Claire.

"Three of Cups"

Anna sits down for an interview with Claire, soon revealing that she has known Claire is the one blackmailing her. Claire berates Anna, and says that the destruction of Barbary Lane will make the perfect ending to her documentary. Anna tells Claire that she still has the chance to make things right, but Claire storms out. Alerted by Michael, Jake and Margot reveal to the crowd that Claire is the guilty party. Mary Ann, Michael, and Brian arrive with Claire's parents, who take her away. Mary Ann finds Shawna's VHS tapes of Mary Ann in the Morning. Shawna heads home to San Francisco. Anna passes away in her sleep. The residents gather to mourn Anna and reminisce. It is revealed that Anna signed over Barbary Lane, not to the blackmailer, but to Ysela. Shawna takes Anna's advice and leaves to see the world and find herself.