After a few months of what felt like nonstop high quality releases in television, it would seem that we’re finally getting a slower onslaught of shows to binge. Still, there’s plenty to look forward to including two new HBO dramas with excellent leads deserving of more notice along with the returns of cult favorite shows such as “Search Party” and “Dark.” “Adventure Time” fans might have the most to look forward to though since following the series finale in 2018 they’ll now have a four part special to look forward to on the new streaming service HBO Max.
June may not be over achieving when it comes to quantity, but with the level of talent on board the upcoming releases, at the very least we can hope for a few new favorites to get addicted to.
“13 Reasons Why”
What You Need To Know: The allure of the first season of Netflix’s “13 Reasons Why” based on a popular YA book of the same name has rapidly dimmed over time. In retrospect it’s easier to see how irresponsible the first season was and season two quickly escalated just how abhorrent they could be with their storylines. Season three didn’t seem to fare any better with more death and teenage drama and season four arrives this month to close out the storyline that’s continued to mutate over time. Season four seems to focus on Clay (Dylan Minnette) suffering from some sort of emotional breakdown following the events of the last season as the group bands together to protect one last secret as they look ahead to graduation.
Release Date: Season four airs on June 5th on Netflix
“I May Destroy You”
What You Need To Know: Depending on how much television you watch, you’d know that actress and creator Michaela Coel has been on the cusp of breaking out in a big way for quite a while. Following her audacious and hilarious series “Chewing Gum” the actress now tackling a darker theme in “I May Destroy You” in a storyline that explores millennial lifestyle and consent. Our critic praised Coel, writing, “Like the show’s title, she’s flexible, bendable, an enthralling screen presence but equally as sharp a storyteller. The beauty of her work will captivate you; her portrait of the devastation wrought by sexual assault’s fallout may destroy you.”
Release Date: Season one premiers on June 7th on HBO
“The Politician”
What You Need To Know: While not as actively disliked as Ryan Murphy’s latest, “Hollywood,” the first season of “The Politician” failed to ignite the flames of excitement in the same way other Murphy ventures have. Our critic called it “tediously melodramatic,” writing that it is “… the type of show that causes viewers to wince, draw breath through gritted teeth, and exclaim dismay at the dog’s dinner of themes and tones before their eyes.” Ben Platt and the rest of the star-studded cast could only do so much to keep the material afloat. Season two will begin right where season one left off with Platt’s character now in college, standing off again Judith Light’s Senate Majority Leader.
Release Date: Season 2 airs on June 19th on Netflix
“Perry Mason”
What You Need To Know: Much was mourned when the tremendous series “The Americans” ended (on a high note) as we wondered when next the lead performers would be gifted the same level of material to work with. Hopefully the upcoming HBO series will be just that for Matthew Rhys who won and Emmy for his role in the last season of “The Americans.” With adaptations of the character dating back to the 1950s when Raymond Burr first starred as the titular character, the HBO adaptation further explores the longevity of the character. Also starring Tatiana Maslany and John Lithgow and produced by Robert Downey Jr.’s company Team Downey, the show will follow the character as he traces down a child kidnapping case that’s taken over the news.
Release Date: Season one premieres on June 21st on HBO
“The Chi”
What You Need To Know: The Lena Waithe Showtime series “The Chi” has steadily been terrific television over the past few years, telling stories about young adults as they go on about their daily lives on the South Side of Chicago. Season three looks like it will be taking the time to explore the kids lives in more detail with a subplot about young missing black girls going missing in their neighborhoods.
Release Date: Season three airs on June 21st on Showtime
“The Twilight Zone”
What You Need To Know: The returned and slightly remade “The Twilight Zone” aired its first season in 2019 on CBS All Access and while there were highpoints including performances by Kumail Nanjiani and Steven Yeun, the overall effect felt forgettable. It wasn’t bad, just not amazing enough to warrant a remake of such a classic and influential show. Regardless, season two is worth checking in on for the talent both on and off the camera including director duo Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead (“The Endless,” “Synchronic”) and filmmaker Ana Lily Amirpour (“A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night”) and performances by Joel McHale, Greta Lee and Damon Wayans Jr.
Release Date: Season two airs on June 25th on CBS All Access
“Adventure Time: Distant Lands”
What You Need To Know: “Adventure Time” will go down as one of the most popular and trailblazing animated series of the 20th Century (if not of all time) due to its vibrant and addictive storytelling, it’s poignant storytelling and use of music. Lucky for fans they’ll be able to travel back to the Land of Ooo as the story is continuing elsewhere on the newly launched HBO Max with “Adventure Time: Distant Lands.” This four part special isn’t a reboot or new season of the original series, but instead broken up into stories that further explore characters we’d already met as they go on their own adventures.
Release Date: Season one premieres on June 25th on HBO Max
“Search Party”
What You Need To Know: In the barrage of television series we’ve drowned under during the time of Peak TV, one of the shows that managed to not gather the support it deserved was the TBS series “Search Party.” Season three finds itself at its new home on HBO Max following up on season two’s shocker ending when Alia Shawkat’s Dory was arrested for the murder of a PI in season one. The show has only gotten better with time, with season two going deeper and darker into the mysterious storyline.
Release Date: Season three airs on June 25th on HBO Max
“Dark”
What You Need To Know: While it doesn’t have the same level of intense support as many other Netflix series, we’re big fans of “Dark” around these parts with our critic calling its first season the streaming services most “morose and twisted” series to date. With the reveal of multiple dimensions in season two and a storyline that’s as impossible to explain as it is hard to process while watching, all we can do is suggest you make it your next binge, as long as you’re able to handle just how heavy the subject matter is.
Release Date: Season three airs on June 27th on Netflix