“Lanterns”
Despite its intergalactic source material, “Lanterns” is being positioned as an earthbound murder mystery rather than a conventional superhero spectacle. Aaron Pierre stars as new Green Lantern recruit John Stewart, paired with veteran Lantern Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) as they investigate a killing in the American heartland. Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt, Poorna Jagannathan, Jason Ritter, Laura Linney, and Nathan Fillion also appear. The creative team is particularly promising: “Ozark” veteran Chris Mundy serves as showrunner and co-created the series with Damon Lindelof and comics writer Tom King, while “Slow Horses” director James Hawes helms the first two episodes.
Premiere Date: August 16 on HBO and HBO Max.
“Outer Banks”
The Pogues are preparing for one last ride. The fifth and final season begins with John B, Sarah, Kiara, Pope, and Cleo devastated by JJ’s death and stranded far from home without the Blue Crown. Chandler Groff remains at large, the Corsairs are closing in, and the group must enter an uneasy alliance with Rafe to survive long enough to pursue revenge and reclaim some version of their future. Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline, Madison Bailey, Jonathan Daviss, Carlacia Grant, and Drew Starkey return for the conclusion. “Outer Banks” has always operated somewhere between sun-soaked teen melodrama and old-fashioned adventure serial, and its final season now has to bring both its treasure hunt and its friendships to a satisfying endpoint.
Premiere Date: August 20 on Netflix.
“Adults”
The first season of “Adults” found its comic rhythm by embracing the selfishness, insecurity, and occasional tenderness of five twentysomethings sharing a New York home. Created by Ben Kronengold and Rebecca Shaw, the series stars Malik Elassal, Lucy Freyer, Jack Innanen, Amita Rao, and Owen Thiele as friends who sincerely want to be good people, even when they remain spectacularly ill-equipped to behave like functional adults. Season 2 should benefit from having already established the group’s relationships and specific neuroses, allowing the comedy to push their loyalties, romances, and questionable decisions further. Unlike several weekly August releases, the entire season will be available on streaming immediately.
Premiere Date: August 27 on FXX, with the complete season streaming on Hulu.
“Dark Matter”
The first season of “Dark Matter” exhausted the primary narrative of Blake Crouch’s novel, leaving Season 2 to explore entirely new corners of its alternate-reality premise. The Dessens initially believe they have found safety, but Jason’s growing obsession with the Box and Daniela’s mounting paranoia threaten their fragile stability. Elsewhere, Amanda and Ryan attempt to find their way home, while Leighton continues pursuing his vision of a supposedly perfect world. Joel Edgerton, Jennifer Connelly, Alice Braga, Jimmi Simpson, Dayo Okeniyi, Oakes Fegley, and Amanda Brugel return. Crouch remains creator and showrunner, giving the author the rare opportunity to extend his own novel rather than adapt it.
Premiere Date: August 28 on Apple TV, with new episodes weekly.
Honorable Mentions:
“Futurama” returns for Season 14 on August 3 on Hulu, while HBO’s “Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Seattle Seahawks” begins August 4. “Star Wars: Visions Presents — The Ninth Jedi” expands the animated story into a full Disney+ series on August 5, the same day Netflix launches the fast-food documentary “Big Chicken: A Fast Food Conspiracy.” Also arriving that week are HBO’s exotic-animal documentary series “Monsters of God” on August 6, Netflix’s relationship drama “My Life with the Walter Boys” that same day, and USA Network’s park-ranger mystery “Anna Pigeon” on August 7. Netflix’s true-crime series “Conversations with a Killer: The Charles Manson Tapes” premieres August 12, followed by the Australian literary adaptation “My Brilliant Career” and another season of “Tires” on August 13. “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” begins Season 18 on August 17 on FXX, while “Conan O’Brien Must Go” and the sports documentary “The Dynasty: UConn Huskies” arrive August 21 on HBO Max and Apple TV, respectively. “The Undeclared War” launches its second season August 27 on Peacock, while Acorn TV viewers can also look forward to the fourth season of “The Chelsea Detective.”
