“Marvel’s M.O.D.O.K.”
M.O.D.O.K., which stands for Mental Organism Designed Only For Killing, is a shape-shifting baddie who has appeared in a variety of iterations since his first appearance squaring off against Captain America in 1967’s “Tales Of Suspense.” In this upcoming “M.O.D.O.K.” series, M.O.D.O.K. himself (voiced here by Patton Oswalt) is still a petulant, power-crazed supervillain, albeit one who has more or less let his nefarious, super-villainous organization fall into ruin, and is thus forced to reckon with family problems. In addition to Oswalt, the show features the vocal talents of Melissa Fumero, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Ben Schwartz, Beck Bennett, Jon Daly, and none other than Jon Hamm himself as Tony Stark.
Premiere Date: May 21 on Hulu.
“In Treatment”
While it’s still underrated and still doesn’t get its proper due, in 2008, “In Treatment” quickly cemented itself as a more sobering alternative to a great deal of HBO’s more sensational programming. It also launched the career of Mia Wasikowska (who was sensational on the show) and reminded all how great Gabriel Byrne could be. Fans can rejoice cause “Orange Is The New Black” standout Uzo Aduba steps in for the therapist’s role. Showrunning duties will fall to “Hannibal’s” Jennifer Schuur and “Empire” story editor Josh Allen, with prominent additions to the cast including the likes of Joel Kinnaman, “In The Heights’” Anthony Ramos, and John Benjamin Hickey.
Premiere Date: May 23 on HBO Max.
“The Chi” (Season 4)
“The Chi,” Lena Waithe’s critically-lauded drama about everyday life on Chicago’s South Side, is fundamentally a show about the community one finds in a modern American city. Season 3 left viewers on a tantalizing note, promising more drugs, more politics, and more drama in the coming fourth season, which was greenlit in September of 2020 (THR). Waithe has expressed some regrets as to how she handled the departure of disgraced former cast member Jason Mitchell, and it’s that same commitment to growth and self-reflection that ensures us that “The Chi” will stay resonant as ever in its fourth season.
Premiere Date: May 23 on Showtime.
“Master of None” (Season 3)
We were all a little surprised when Netflix abruptly announced that season three of Aziz Ansari and Alan Yang’s wistful, foodie-baiting romantic dramedy series “Master of None” was going to be dropping on the streaming service at some point in May. More intriguing still: the new season, subtitled “Master of None Presents: Moments In Love,” is only five episodes, each directed by Ansari and co-written by Ansari and series regular Lena Waithe. Season three will also focus exclusively on Waithe’s sardonic, lovable Denise, which makes sense, given that the standout season two episode “Thanksgiving” netted Ansari and Waithe an Emmy for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy.
Premiere Date: May 23 on Netflix.
“The Underground Railroad”
Jaws across America collectively dropped when Barry Jenkins unveiled the first footage for his Amazon Prime period series “The Underground Railroad,” set to premiere on May 14. The visuals had that signature, rhapsodically poetic Barry Jenkins touch, and the tremendous-looking ten-episode series will highlight an all-star cast that includes Thuso Mbedu, Joel Edgerton, William Jackson Harper, Lily Rabe, Will Poulter, Damon Herriman, and Sheila Atim, among others (the series takes its inspiration from Colson Whitehead’s historical novel of the same name). Playlist critic Leslie Byron Pitt praised the show in her A- review, calling it both the “largest” and “boldest” Jenkins project to date, and writing that it is “filled with moments and themes which have resonated with each of the director’s previous pieces.”
Premiere Date: May 14 on Amazon Prime Video.
“Panic”
We still haven’t received a tonal taste of Amazon’s “Panic,” but it is an adaptation of Lauren Oliver’s best-selling YA novel of the same name, set in a small rural Texas town where graduating high school seniors compete in a series of dangerous challenges for a chance at winning a large sum of money. Directors on the 10-episode series include Ry Russo-Young (something of a YA expert these days), Jamie Travis, Viet Nguyen, Megan Griffiths, Gandja Monteiro, and a cast of up-and-comers like Olivia Welch, Mike Faist, Jessica Sula, and more.
Premiere Date: May 28 on Amazon Prime.
JUNE:
“Betty” (Season 2)
“Betty,” created and directed by “Skate Kitchen” filmmaker Crystal Moselle, is more than just an authentic look at the female-driven skater subculture of the Empire State: it’s as fresh, fun, and appealing a show as you’re going to find on-air right now, and we hear that the second chapter of “Betty” will explore how the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged and ultimately reshaped the structure of life in N.Y.C. (check out all the masks in the recent teaser trailer). Either way, there aren’t many shows tackling the pitfalls of being a young woman with this much honesty and humor, save for maybe “Pen15,” so we’re stoked to reunite with this lovable crew when Season 2 of “Betty” premieres in June.
Premiere Date: June on HBO and HBO Max.
“Dave” (Season 2)
Given the strides that something like “Atlanta” made in every regard, creatively, socially, etc., a white rapper show seemed the last thing anyone wanted or needed, frankly, but FXX’s “Dave” got solid reviews from the start (perhaps due to the creative team of Kevin Hart and Greg Mottola, the production dup around the series). Real-life Rapper Lil Dicky, aka Dave Burd, and his comedic series about a suburban neurotic man in his late twenties who has convinced himself that he’s destined to be one of the best rappers of all time is back for more. Season two finds his character working hard on his new album. Guest stars for this season— including Lil Nas X, Doja Cat, J Balvin, and many others— are no joke and perhaps speak to how well the show has been received.
Premiere Date: June 16 on FXX.
“Central Park” (Season 2)
If you’re sleeping on “Central Park,” the latest animated comedy from “Bob’s Burgers” creator Loren Bouchard, then you’re missing out on one of the most winning new animated sitcoms of our current moment. The show tells the story of New York busker Birdie Tillerman-Hunter (Josh Gad) and his eccentric family, who live in Central Park and are constantly dealing with hijinks that reflect the rhythms of a rapidly changing city. “Central Park’s” first season only got better and funnier as it went along, and fans can expect the same sterling contributions from series regulars Kristen Bell, Daveed Diggs, Kathryn Hahn, and Stanley Tucci; we’re also hoping Fred Armisen and H. Jon Benjamin return for the second season, because hey, those dudes always make us laugh.
Premiere Date: June 25 on Apple TV+.
“Lisey’s Story”
Pablo Larraín adapting Stephen King? Say no more; we’re on board. Still, for those who require a run-down: Larraín’s upcoming Kristen Stewart-starring Princess Diana biopic, “Spencer,” may or may not see a release later this year, but “Lisey’s Story,” an upcoming adaptation of King’s novel about a grieving woman rummaging through the wreckage of her past, almost sounds like an unofficial companion piece to the director’s 2016 masterpiece “Jackie.” What’s more is that Larraín will be working with the great Julianne Moore, who leads a terrific cast that also features Clive Owen (as Moore’s character’s late husband), Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Dane DeHaan.
Premiere Date: June 4 on Apple TV+.