In years past, the summer months were the season of reruns and new seasons of guilty pleasure reality television. The month was a respite for the broadcast networks. Well, not anymore; quality television has invaded the sleepy summer months and giving viewers options beyond “NCIS” reruns and the ten millionth season of “Survivor.” Let’s check out ten of June’s top television premieres:
“C.B. Strike”
Synopsis: War veteran turned private detective Cormoran Strike and his assistant Robin Ellacott solve brutal murders in London.
What You Need To Know: At first glance, BBC’s ‘Strike’ appears to be yet another “tortured male solving crimes” series, but what sets it apart is the pedigree of the author who created the series of novels its based on – J. K. Rowling. Adapted from Rowling’s three ‘Strike’ novels, and starring Tom Burke (“The Musketeers”) and Holliday Grainger (“The Borgias”) as the dynamic duo “C.B. Strike” looks to be the next hot summer British import post-“Killing Eve.”
Release Date: June 1 on Cinemax
READ MORE: The Most Anticipated TV Shows Of 2018
“Pose”
Synopsis: The rise of the ultra-luxe industry and glitterati, downtown social and literary scene and the ball culture at the height of the 1980s juxtapose and interact with one another in loud and subtle ways.
‘What You Need To Know: If he wasn’t already on his way there, Ryan Murphy is continuing to cement himself along as one of the biggest creative content curators in the business. While his series tend to have a shelf life of one actually good season (two if we’re being generous), he’s seemingly cracked the code on what works for his sensibilities, even if the longevity of the piece isn’t there. With “Pose,” Murphy follows through with his promise for inclusiveness with a musical series that highlights “house” and ball culture (something beautifully explored in the documentary “Paris is Burning”) that cast the largest amount of transgender performers ever in a scripted series. An admittedly low bar, but one that we’re happy to see leapt over.
Release Date: June 3 on FX
READ MORE: The Best TV Shows Of 2017
“Succession”
Synopsis: A dysfunctional American global-media company is thrown into disarray when its patriarch backs out of his plans to retire.
What You Need To Know: Populated with a cast full of character actors from Brian Cox and Matthew Macfadyen to Jeremy Strong and Kieran Culkin, Adam McKay is following up “The Big Short” with a rich ensemble cast. “Succession” is HBO’s latest attempt to capture the attention of those looking for a new drama television series to latch onto. With some relatively strong series in the past year, though none as formidable as “Game of Thrones” or critically beloved as “The Leftovers,” it feels that with each and every new drama series, the network is holding their breath to see what attention – if any – it captures. “The Deuce” was solid, “Here and Now” embarrassing, but hopefully with McKay in their corner, they’ll debut another winner.
Release Date: June 3 on HBO