The Essentials is coming back! This May, actor Alec Baldwin will spend time with guests David Letterman, Tina Fey & William Friedkin to share the most memorable films ever made. Visit http://tcm.com/essentials to see the full schedule. | Turner Classic Movies: TCM

If there was a singular personal embodiment of the history, the spirit, and struggles of India during her battle for independence from Britain, it was inarguably Mahatma Gandhi. Ben Kingsley plays the titular character in Richard Attenborough's 1982 Academy-Award winning film. See it tonight on the #TCMEssentials. | Turner Classic Movies: TCM

Join Ben Mankiewicz and Ava DuVernay tomorrow night at 8pm ET as they kick off the #TCMEssentials with the intimate, simple love story, starring Ernest Borgnine and Betsy Blair - MARTY (55’). | Turner Classic Movies: TCM

Ava DuVernay discusses the emerging representation in the film industry and the unique production of CLAUDINE (‘74). The conversation with Ben Mankiewicz continues tomorrow at 8pm ET on the #TCMEssentials. | Turner Classic Movies: TCM

Go behind the scenes of The Essentials with Kristen Welch, then tune in tonight for THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL ('52) at 8pm ET / 5pm PT. Visit http://tcm.com/essentials to see the full schedule. | Turner Classic Movies: TCM