“Countdown”
Following a detour to guest actor status in “The Boys,” Jensen Ackles returns as a lead in “Countdown.” The crime drama created by Derek Haas follows Ackles as a LAPD detective who is brought on a job to investigate the murder of a Department of Homeland Security officer. Jessica Camacho, Eric Dane, Violette Beane, Uli Latukefu, and Elliot Knight also star.
Release Date: Season 1 premieres June 25 on Amazon Prime Video.
“The Bear”
The critically acclaimed series “The Bear” returns for its fourth season from returning creators Christopher Storer and Joanna Calo. The series picks up where the third season left off on a notable cliffhanger for the characters as they awaited a critical review with Carmy trying to strengthen his staff and their kitchen once again. Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Lionel Boyce, Liza Colón-Zayas, Abby Elliot, and Matty Matheson all return.
Release Date: Season 4 premieres June 25 on Hulu.
“Squid Game”
Following a devastating cliffhanger, the Netflix series “Squid Game” returns for part two of its second and final season. Created by Hwang Dong-hyuk, the final episodes of the Korean survival thriller follow Lee Jung-jae’s Gi-hun following his bloody and failed rebellion and the betrayal at the hands of Player 001/Front Man, played by Lee Byung-hun. Wi Ha-joon, Im Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Gyu-young, Park Sung-hoon, Yang Dong-geun, Kang Ae-shim, Jo Yu-ri, Lee David, and Roh Jae-won also star.
Release Date: Season 2 part 2 premieres June 27 on Netflix.
“Smoke”
Taron Egerton and Jurnee Smollett star in “Smoke,” the miniseries created by Dennis Lehane and inspired by the podcast “Firebug.” The series follows a detective and an arson investigator who must work together to stop two serial arsonists in the Pacific Northwest. Rounding out the cast are John Leguizamo, Rafe Spall, Greg Kinnear, Ntare Mwine, Anna Chlumsky, and more.
Release Date: The miniseries premieres June 27 on Apple TV+.
New England-based Tomatometer-approved film and television critic. Ally is a member of the Boston Society of Film Critics, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, and the Online Film Critics Society. Her writing has also appeared at RogerEbert.com and The Mary Sue.
