TV Series

11 series to have on the radar this summer

Jessy Miller58 seconds ago57 seconds ago07 mins

[This piece is a version of one of the weekly EL PAÍS Television newsletter dispatches, which comes out every Thursday. If you want to subscribe, you can do so via this link].

Television is already going into summer mode, this year ahead of schedule due to the imminent start of the Football World Cup. The coming months are when the release of fiction productions slows down considerably, but there is always a resistance of titles that want to attract the attention of an audience with more free time and who find fewer new releases on the streaming menus. This is a selection of 11 titles to mark in red on your summer agenda. ‌

Cape Fear. When the notorious criminal Max Cady is released after years in prison for murder, the marriage of his former defense attorney and the prosecutor who put him behind bars will see their idyllic family life threatened with collapse. Why look forward to it? A series starring Amy Adams and Javier Bardem should always have our attention, and here they have an opportunity to shine. Its 90s thriller vibe, inherited from the 1991 film, gives it a very well-achieved unsettling atmosphere. (June 5 on Apple TV).

The Other Bennet Sister. The overlooked middle sister of the protagonist of Pride and Prejudice is the protagonist of this story set in Regency England. Mary Bennet questions the role society imposes on her and, while searching for her place in the world and her emotional independence, she will discover love. Why look forward to it? Not a summer without its Jane Austen-inspired story. Furthermore, British critics have applauded it. (June 16 on Movistar Plus).

11 series to have on the radar this summer — Olivia Cooke, in the third season of ‘House of the Dragon’.Theo Whiteman (HBO Max)

House of the Dragon. Two years later, it’s complicated to remember where this story, which follows the civil war in House Targaryen, left off. In short, everything was prepared for the Battle of the Gullet, considered one of the bloodiest naval confrontations in the history of Westeros, to take place. Why look forward to it? A summer without dragons is much less fun. It’s been a long wait, so it’s normal that we’re eager to reunite with it. (June 22 on HBO Max).

The Bear. The fifth and final season picks up the story after Carmy’s departure, as he decides to leave the restaurant in the hands of Sydney, Richie, and Natalie. Achieving a Michelin star will once again be the goal of the new partners, in addition to dealing with the stress and problems of running the business. Why look forward to it? Although The Bear has seen better moments and the intensity of its characters is sometimes hard to digest, it’s only fair to pay tribute to it in its final season. (June 26 on Disney+).

Elle. When Legally Blonde premiered in 2001, it was hard to imagine it would become a cult film, but it has. Now, 25 years later, a series shows Elle Woods’ high school days, because before she was a fish out of water in college, she already was in high school in Seattle, where her family moved, leaving Bel-Air behind. Why look forward to it? It’s always good, especially in summer, to have something light to pass the time. We hope it recaptures the spirit of those 90s and early 2000s comedies, although it remains to be seen how it adapts to current times. (July 1 on Amazon Prime Video).

Trying. Nikki and Jason face the consequences of their adopted children’s biological mother appearing at their door, with all the chaos that will bring to their quiet family life. Why look forward to it? This British comedy, now in its fifth season, is not very well known, and deserves much more attention. Nikki and Jason are two of the most adorable characters on television, and Esther Smith and Rafe Spall portray them with all the affection in the world. The series, tender and funny, is the perfect happy place for the hottest nights. (July 8 on Apple TV).

Little House on the Prairie. Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books about her own experiences growing up in the American West in the 19th century inspired the popular 70s series. The new adaptation recaptures its gentle spirit —though they say from a more mature perspective— to tell a family story mixed with an epic tale of survival. Why look forward to it? Those who remember the original series will await it with a mix of apprehension and eagerness. Kindness is never superfluous on television like today’s. (July 9 on Netflix).

Lucky. A crime thriller in which a woman wants to leave her criminal life behind, but first, she will try to escape the police while searching for her ex-boyfriend, who ran off with the millions they had acquired. Why look forward to it? Its protagonist is Anya Taylor-Joy. Its showrunner is Jonathan Tropper, creator of Warrior and Banshee, good precedents. The cast includes Timothy Olyphant and Annette Bening. And it’s from Apple TV. Looks good. (July 15 on Apple TV).

One Hundred Years of Solitude. The second season of the series adapting Gabriel García Márquez’s novel picks up the story after the signing of the Treaty of Neerlandia, which in reality does not bring peace to Macondo. The arrival of Fernanda del Carpio in the town will disrupt its order, and the train will open the doors of the banana company. Why look forward to it? Its first season had mixed reactions, but it soared in the most emotional moments and was visually stunning. Furthermore, it managed well in conveying the feeling one had when reading the novel. Returning to Macondo is always a good option. (August 5 on Netflix).

Ted Lasso. Jason Sudeikis returns to play the lovable coach, who now leaves the Richmond men’s team to take charge of the women’s second division team. Ted and his team will have to risk doing things they never thought they would. Why look forward to it? It’s always appealing to reunite with its characters and that permanent smile while watching it. Hopefully, with the break, it has regained its stride. (August 5 on Apple TV).

Lanterns. Young John Stewart and veteran Hal Jordan are two intergalactic police officers who become embroiled in a dark mystery on Earth while investigating a murder in the heart of the United States that could have extraterrestrial connections. Why look forward to it? Even those not interested in the DC universe should always give a chance to a story that, as is the case, bears the signature of Damon Lindelof (Lost, Watchmen, and above all, The Letfovers). A cast with Kyle Chandler, Nathan Fillion, and Kelly MacDonald also helps. (August 17 on HBO Max).