Before the age of streaming, summer was a TV dead zone. All your faves were on a break, replaced by occasionally great, usually bizarre shows from networks that didn't want to risk airing them in spring or fall. But that's all changed now, since Netflix and Hulu, and premium networks like HBO, have lifted all boats, as the upcoming TV shows of summer 2019 perfectly demonstrate. Already, we're seeing exciting Spanish-language comedies with SNL pedigrees (Los Espookys), the return of groundbreaking, women-led series (Big Little Lies, G.L.O.W.), and even a surprising follow-up season to one of the most interesting shows I've seen in ages (Fleabag)
So, if you're looking for a reason to sit inside on a sunny day (hey, no judgment here), here are the 2019 summer shows you're going to want to keep an eye out for. We'll keep updating as more info becomes available.
May
What Is It?
This Hulu miniseries takes on the classic 1961 novel by Joseph Heller, and stars George Clooney, Christopher Abbott, Kyle Chandler, and Hugh Laurie as soldiers in WWII. While Mike Nichols’ 1970 movie starring Alan Arkin tackled a lot of the absurdism of the original novel, this adaptation seems darker and more visceral about the realities of war that plagued main character Yossarian (played here by Abbott).
Fleabag (May 17) - Amazon
#Fleabag series two returns to BBC Three on March 4th. pic.twitter.com/pjllgsNdSeFebruary 21, 2019
What Is It?
Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s genius, painfully funny, and pitch-black comedy-of-sorts returns for a long-awaited second season that was first announced back in 2017. This time around, our unnamed main character (played by Waller-Bridge herself) seems to be getting help for her issues from a therapist (Fiona Shaw), but still can’t help herself from being into a hot priest (Andrew Scott) who shows her attention. Classic.
June
What Is It?
If you’ve made it through the first two seasons of Hulu’s disturbingly poignant Margaret Atwood adaptation, then you’ve been waiting to see just when June and the other women are going to take Gilead down. The wait might be over in season three.
Black Mirror (Season 5, June 5) - Netflix
What Is It?
The anthology series about what happens when technology takes over our lives has haunted us for years, and the follow-up to 2018's interactive Bandersnatch episode will include three new episodes (one of which stars Miley Cyrus). Tune in before someone inevitably spoils the twists for you.
Tales of the City (June 7) - Netflix
What Is It?
Laura Linney returns to this limited series on which she originally starred back in 1993. Set in San Francisco and based on the stories by Armistead Maupin, the story centers around a home filled with every type of relationship imaginable. It was a revolutionary look at queer lives when the book came out in the 1970s, and with Orange is the New Black writer Lauren Morelli as the head writer this time around, it should be thoughtful and modern.
Big Little Lies (Season 2, June 9) - HBO
first sneak peek of Big Little Lies Season 2, THAT'S WHAT WE DESERVE pic.twitter.com/pd4rjPukogJanuary 7, 2019
What Is It?
The smash-hit HBO series about a group of well-to-do moms and a murder, and based off the bestselling book by Liane Moriarty, returns for a second season, and this time around it won’t be based on a novel’s source material.
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The gang is all back, plus the inclusion of Meryl Streep in a major new role. Could this cast get any more stacked?
Los Espookys (June 14) - HBO
What Is It?
Set in a “dreamy” version of present-day Mexico City, this show—produced by Fred Armisen, Lorne Michaels, and the show’s stars, the comedians Julio Torres and Ana Fabrega—is a Spanish-language comedy about a group of friends who love horror movies and decide to turn their morbid interest into a “peculiar business.” Count us in.
Euphoria (June 16) - HBO
What Is It?
Zendaya stars (and Drake executive produces) this trippy-looking drama about teenagers dealing with typical teenage stuff (sex, drugs) in nontypical ways.
Grand Hotel (June 17) - ABC
What Is It?
Eva Longoria executive-produced this English remake of a mega-popular Spanish show, which follows the sexy scandals of a hotel-owning family on Miami Beach.
July
What Is It?
The third season of Stranger Things drops smack-dab in the middle of summer, and though we probably won’t know exactly what it’s about until we watch it, it’s always reliably freaky, funny, and surprising—the perfect thing to binge-watch when it’s too hot to go outside, no?
Sweetbitter (Season 2, July 14) - Starz
What Is It?
This juicy drama about life in the high-end New York City restaurant biz was an addictive watch in its first season, and looks to be equally delectable in its second.
August
What Is It?
The brilliant ensemble Netflix series about the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling has spent two seasons observing the wrestlers and their not-that-fearless leader Sam (Marc Maron) struggle to be taken even a little bit seriously. But we last left the gang about to board a bus for a major opportunity in las Vegas, so maybe Season 3 will see them finally get the recognition they deserve? Here’s hoping, anyway.
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