If it feels like the sheer volume of noteworthy television has been overwhelming so far this year, that trend continues going into the summer months. Both new and returning shows are given an equal spotlight, with fan anticipation for series such as “The Umbrella Academy,” “The Boys,” and “Westworld” at all-time highs considering the long wait in between seasons. Beyond the bigger titles, which include another Marvel series, it’s a truly scattered month in terms of tone and genre, from Olivier Assayas taking another approach to his “Irma Vep” story, Ben Whishaw dabbling in comedy, to a Queer/YA vampire love story.
“This is Going to Hurt”
Created by Adam Kay and based on his own best-selling memoir of the same name, “This is Going to Hurt” follows a group of junior doctors working in an obstetrics and gynecology ward, led by Ben Whishaw. This hospital-set comedy utilizes breaking the fourth wall for its situational humor, exploring the real day-to-day drama of being a doctor who is trying to find his way through the ranks of the hospital hierarchy. Ambika Mod also stars as a newcomer doctor to play off of Whishaw’s Adam.
Release Date: The series premieres June 2 on AMC+
“The Orville”
There’s no shortage of “Star Trek” content these days, even if in the case of Seth MacFarlane’s “The Orville” it leans into parody as much as it homages the genre. The third and final season picks up as the crew of The Orville deals with the aftermath of a major battle that left them facing difficult consequences. MacFarlane both created and stars in the science-fiction comedy which also stars Adrianne Palicki, Peter Macon, Penny Johnson Jerald, and Scott Grimes.
Release Date: Season three premieres June 2 on Hulu
“The Boys”
The Amazon Prime series “The Boys” returns for more bloodshed this month with the addition of the latest character, Soldier Boy, played by “Supernatural” star Jensen Ackles. Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, Anthony Starr, Erin Moriarty, Dominique McElligott, Jessie T. Usher, Laz Alonzo, and Chace Crawford also return. Further taking on the idea of how humans would behave if they were given unlimited amounts of power, the show continues to deliver shocking content and darker storylines than the average superhero film these days.
Release Date: Season three premieres June 3 on Amazon Prime
“Physical”
Rose Byrne returns for season two of Apple’s “Physical.” The series, created by Annie Weisman, follows Sheila Rubin who, now having successfully launched her first fitness video, is faced with even greater obstacles, both professional and personal. “White Lotus” star Murray Bartlett joins the cast which includes recurring roles by Rory Scovel, Dierdre Friel, Della Saba, Lou Taylor Pucci, and Paul Sparks.
Release Date: Season two premieres June 3 on Apple TV+
“Irma Vep”
Alicia Vikander stars as Mira, an American movie star who, after a recent breakup and trouble with her career, travels to France to star as “Irma Vep” in a remake of the French silent film classic “Les Vampires.” The six-episode limited series, created by Olivier Assayas who also filmed the original 1996 film version with Maggie Cheung, was described by our critic as “…a sometimes campy, sometimes vampy, sometimes meta-intellectual exercise that manages to be both fascinating and thrilling.” Vincent Macaigne, Carrie Brownstein, and Adria Arjona also star in the A24 co-produced series.
Release Date: The series premieres June 6 on HBO
“Ms. Marvel”
One of the more anticipated titles in the upcoming Marvel canon, “Ms. Marvel” is the latest MCU television show to spotlight a lesser-known but very popular character in Kamala Khan. A 16-year-old superhero fanatic, Kamala feels like an outsider at school and at home until she discovers powers of her own. Charismatic newcomer Iman Vellani stars in the series created by Bisha K. Ali with Zenobia Shroff, Mohan Kapur, Matt Lintz, Rish Shah, and more rounding out the cast.
Release Date: The series premieres June 8 on Disney+
“Queer as Folk”
A reimagining of the 1999 series created by Russell T Davies, the upcoming iteration “Queer as Folk” is being rebooted by “Closet Monster” filmmaker Stephen Dunn. The series, set in New Orleans, follows a diverse group of friends who find their lives forever altered in the aftermath of a tragedy. Devin Way, Finn Argus, Candace Grace, Jesse James Keitel, and Ryan O’Connell star with recurring roles by Kim Cattrall and Juliette Lewis.
Release Date: Season one premieres June 9 on Peacock
“For All Mankind”
Apple TV’s “For All Mankind” returns this June following a shocking season two finale. Further diverting from our actual timeline, the show originally began as a story that explored what might’ve happened in a timeline where the Soviet Union, and not the United States, were the first to put people on the moon. Co-created by Matt Wolpert and Ben Nedivi, the series will now take place in the 1990s as astronauts attempt to reach Mars. Jodi Balfour, Wrenn Schmidt, and Joel Kinnaman star.
Release Date: Season three premieres June 10 on Apple TV+
“First Kill”
One of only a few new Netflix series making its premiere this month, “First Kill” is going the YA route. Created by V.E. Schwab, the author behind hit novels such as “Vicious” and “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue,” “First Kill” is based on one of the author’s own short stories. Sarah Catherine Hook and Imani Lewis star in the teen drama which follows the love story between Juliette and Calliope, a romance made increasingly difficult due to one being a vampire while the other is a vampire hunter.
Release Date: Season one premieres June 10 on Netflix
“The Old Man”
Based on the 2017 novel of the same name by Thomas Perry, “The Old Man” stars Jeff Bridges as Dan Chase, a former CIA operative living off the grid who must go on the run after an assassin tries to take him out. Developed by Jonathan E. Steinberg and Robert Levine, the cast alongside Bridges includes John Lithgow, Amy Brenneman, Alia Shawkat, and Gbenga Akinnagbe. “Spider-Man: No Way Home” director Jon Watts directs the first two episodes.
Release Date: The series premieres June 16 on FX
“The Umbrella Academy”
Netflix’s “The Umbrella Academy” returns following its ambitious and generally more fun second season. Created by Steve Blackman and Jeremy Slater, season three reunites viewers with the Hargreeves siblings, though once again they’ve found themselves in an alternate timeline facing extraordinary threats. Reportedly following Gerard Way’s latest volume of the comic, set to release later this year, the series sees the return of the main cast, with Eliot Page, Tom Hopper, David Castañeda, Emma Raver–Lampman, Robert Sheehan, Aidan Gallagher, Colm Feore, Justin H. Min, and Rita Arya. New faces include Justin Cornwell, Britne Oldford, Jake Epstein, Genesis Rodriguez, and Cazzie David.
Release Date: Season three premieres June 22 on Netflix
“Westworld”
After a delayed wait following its third season which ended in May 2020, the dystopian sci-fi series “Westworld” returns. Starring Evan Rachel Wood, Thandiwe Newton, Jeffrey Wright, Tessa Thompson, Aaron Paul, and Ed Harris, the series, created by Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, and based on the 1973 film of the same name, continues to explore the world set up in season one, with much of the story seemingly still set away from the amusement park and now in the human world.
Release Date: Season four premieres June 26 on HBO
“Only Murders in the Building”
A popular breakout in season one, season two of Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building” returns with Martin Short, Steve Martin, and Selena Gomez in tow for the true-crime podcast comedy. Following the shocking season one finale where Mabel was found in a compromising situation, season two deals with the fallout as the team continue to unearth the mysteries of their Upper West Side apartment building, the Arconia. Season two also includes guest appearances from Amy Schumer, Cara Delevingne, and Shirley MacLaine.
Release Date: Season two premieres June 28 on Hulu