Read Next: ‘Elden Ring’ Movie in the Works from Director Alex Garland at A24

Follow Us

Alerts & Newsletters

By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

IndieWire is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2025 IndieWire Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

20 TV Shows to Watch This Summer

From the end of "Squid Game" to more of "The Bear" and new shows like Lena Dunham's "Too Much" and a "Washington Black" adaptation, this list has everything.

By Proma Khosla

Proma Khosla Writer Indiewire — Raashi Desai

Proma Khosla

More stories by Proma

The Family Business Takes a Treacherous Turn in ‘The Waterfront’ Trailer

Jason Momoa Stars in Teaser for Apple’s Sweeping True Story ‘Chief of War’

Everything Coming to Hulu and Disney+ in June

May 7, 2025 12:30 pm

A grid of stills from 'Dexter: Resurrection,' 'Squid Game 3,' 'The Gilded Age,' and 'Chief of War' — 'Dexter: Resurrection,' 'Squid Game 3,' 'The Gilded Age,' and 'Chief of War'
Paramount / Netflix / Warner Bros. Discovery / Apple

Share

At IndieWire, we recognize that summer is a big time for film. Between festivals and seasonal blockbusters and the expected uptick in theater attendance, who wouldn’t need a Summer Film Preview to keep track of it all?

But let’s not sleep on the small screen.

From returning favorites like “Squid Game” and “The Gilded Age” and guilty pleasures “And Just Like That,” the summer TV calendar offers the comfort of familiar titles while navigating the new titles entering the fray. Devoured “The Bear” Season 4 in one sitting? Queue up “The Waterfront,” Netflix’s new series about a powerful fishing family in North Carolina. Caught up with Michael C. Hall as he reprises a legendary character in “Dexter: Resurrection”? Maybe chase it with Lena Dunham’s “Too Much,” a romantic comedy starring “Hacks” breakout Megan Stalter. In August, you can watch the warriors of Wakanda in a new Disney animated series — and the true history of warriors in Hawaii as they fought for their land in Apple’s “Chief of War” from Jason Momoa.

The Summer 2025 TV slate has a little something for everybody, from the Prime Video series adaptation of E. Lockhart’s “We Were Liars” to the star-studded voice cast of “Long Story Short” to the returns of Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega) and Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne) and whatever creepy shit is afoot in FX’s “Alien: Earth.”

Mark your calendars, grab your snacks, and get ready to dive into this summer slate. Here are 20 new and returning TV shows to watch in summer 2025.

Ben Travers contributed to this article.

1. “And Just Like That” Season 3 (May 29, Max)

Image Credit: Max

Che (Sara Ramirez) may be gone from Max’s “Sex and the City” sequel series, but there’s still ample room for chaos. Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) is newly single and (hopefully) not latching on to the first person she sees. Charlotte (Kristin Davis) is deeply invested in her kids’ … love lives (OK, mainly just Lily’s ballet school crush). Seema (Sarita Choudhury) has been all but formally adopted as the group’s new Samantha, which means there’s no way she settles for the Bad Man she’s thinking about in the Season 3 teaser… right? And Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) is kind of, sort of still dating Aidan (John Corbett) — despite agreeing on a five-year break in the Season 2 finale — but she’s got a hot new neighbor who could keep her from repeating past mistakes. (Dump Aidan! Dump Aidan! Dump Aidan!) Is that enough to keep you hooked? Let’s find out! —BT
2. “Stick” (June 4, Apple TV+)

Image Credit: Justine Yeung/Apple

Owen Wilson in a golf comedy? Honestly, that’s reason enough for this Wes Anderson acolyte who still enjoys a trip to the links (whenever it’s, you know, affordable). But for anyone still on the proverbial fence, the 10-episode first season follows Pryce Cahill (Wilson), a former pro golfer who, in the midst of a mid-life crisis, bets it all on coaching a 17-year-old phenom named Santi (Peter Dager). Created by “Ford v. Ferrari” co-screenwriter Jason Keller and with a pilot directed by Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton (“Little Miss Sunshine”), “Stick” also stars Marc Maron, Judy Greer, and Timothy Olyphant. Golf may not be a team sport, but this lineup still sounds hard to beat. —BT
3. “We Were Liars” (June 18, Prime Video)

Image Credit: Jessie Redmond/Prime

E. Lockhart’s 2014 novel hits the screen in this adaptation from Julie Plec and Carina Adly Mackenzie. The series follows Cadence Sinclair Eastman (Emily Alyn Lind), a teen from a wealthy family who spends her summers on a private island with cousins Johnny (Joseph Zada) and Mirren (Esther McGregor) and the family’s new addition Gat (Shubham Maheshwari) — a clique known lovingly as the Liars. But when an accident from one summer changes the dynamic from then on, Cadence must figure out what changed between her, the Liars, and the rest of the family. —PK
4. “The Waterfront” (June 19, Netflix)

Image Credit: DANA HAWLEY/NETFLIX

Based on true events, this series takes the generational TV drama to to coastal North Carolina, where the Buckley family rules all. But when father Harlan (Holt McCallany) suffers two heart attacks, he has to loosen the reins and make way for wife Belle (Maria Bello) and son Cane (Jake Weary) to handle the family business — as well as the complicated addiction recovery and rehabilitation of daughter Bree (Melissa Benoist). Kevin Williamson serves as head writer and showrunner, executive producing with Ben Fast, Michael Narducci, and Marcos Siega. Rafael L. Silva, Humberly González, Danielle Campbell, and Brady Hepner make up the rest of the cast, with guest stars including Topher Grace, Dave Annable, and more. —PK
5. “The Gilded Age” Season 3 (June 22, HBO)

Image Credit: HBO

The girls are back, baby! Before Carrie and her friends set New York City aflame with their misadventures, there was Bertha (Carrie Coon) and Agnes (Christine Baranski), butting heads with their wealthy peers in early 20th-century high society as depicted by Julian Fellowes. After Season 2’s opera war, Bertha continues to set her sights higher while George (Morgan Spector) takes his own risks for his career and family. The widowed Ada (Cynthia Nixon) assumes her position as lady of the house, much to her sister’s chagrin, while Peggy (Denée Benton) meets a handsome doctor (what could go wrong!). HBO press materials are closely guarding the status of Jack’s (Ben Ahlers) clockmaking, but we can’t wait to catch up with him. —PK
6. “Ironheart” (June 24, Disney+)

Image Credit: Jalen Marlowe/Marvel

Picking up after the events of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” this miniseries from Chinaka Hodge follows Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne) as she heads from Boston to Chicago and crosses paths with the mysterious Parker Robbins (Anthony Ramos). Riri’s technological background and Parker’s exploration of the magical arts are inherently at odds, and hint at deeper threats to their communities and all of humanity — as it often goes in the MCU. Also starring Lyric Ross, Alden Ehrenreich, Regan Aliyah, Manny Montana, Matthew Elam, and Anji White. Sam Bailey and Angela Barnes will direct the first and second half of the six episode series, respectively. —PK
7. “The Bear” Season 4 (June 24, FX)

Image Credit: FX

HANDS! Life isn’t getting any easier at The Bear, no matter what the reviews say, which means that Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) isn’t any easier to work with (or less stressed). Season 4 of Christopher Storer’s brings back the impeccable cast and likely a new group of names who fought for those coveted guest roles (as well as recurring guest stars like Jon Bernthal and Jamie Lee Curtis). Maybe this season will have an asterisk and end with a new name reveal? Literally anything is possible. —PK
8. “Countdown” (June 25, Prime Video)

Image Credit: Elizabeth Morris/Prime

After the flagrant murder of a Homeland Security officer, various branches of law enforcement unite to form a task force and investigate the killing — including LAPD detective Mark Meachum. As Mark and the others work to figure out who’s behind the act and why, the begin to uncover a deeper conspiracy that threatens the entire city. Created by Derek Haas and also starring Jessica Camacho, Eric Dane, Violett Beane, Uli Latukefu, and Elliot Knight. —PK
9. “Squid Game 3” (June 27, Netflix)

Image Credit: No Ju-han/Netflix

Picking up immediately after Season 2’s cliffhanger, Hwang Dong-hyuk’s series is at a crossroads. Will Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) save his fellow players, exit to safety, and expose the deadly games to the world? Or will everyone die horrible violent deaths while trying to survive late-stage capitalism? Laying out the options, it doesn’t look great — but will undoubtedly be a riveting journey. After the death of his friend Jung-bae (Lee Seo-hwan) and the Front Man’s (Lee Byung-hun) return to power, it will be tougher than ever to push through to the end. —PK
10. “Smoke” (June 27, Apple TV+)

Image Credit: Robert Falconer/Apple

Following his critically acclaimed debut series “Black Bird,” creator and showrunner Dennis Lehane is keeping many of the same key pieces in place. Taron Egerton once again leads the cast (which also features Greg Kinnear), the series is back at Apple TV+, and Lehane is playing in the same genre that made him one of America’s most resonant crime novelists. Inspired by the podcast “Firebug” and co-starring Anna Chlumsky, Adina Porter, Rafe Spall, and John Leguizamo, “Smoke” follows arson investigator Dave Gudsen (Egerton) as he teams up with police detective Michelle Calderone (Jurnee Smollett) to track down two serial fire-starters. The cast is great, the premise is provocative, and best of all, the nine-episode limited series is a crime story from a master of the genre — a creator who builds grounded characters and propulsive narratives to better examine pressing social issues. Get hyped. —BT
11. “Nautilus” (June 29, AMC)

Image Credit: Vince Valitutti/Disney+

Based on Jules Verne’s “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea,” this AMC original follows the adventures of Captain Nemo (Shazad Latif), an Indian prince held prisoner by the East India Mercantile Company and determined to seek revenge for his misfortune. Nemo and some of his fellow prisoners escape and chart a path forward, but they’ll have to outrun their captors before reclaiming their lives. Also starring Georgia Flood, Céline Menville, Thierry Fremont, with guest appearances from Richard E. Grant, Anna Torv, and Noah Taylor. Written by James Dormer and developed by Xavier Marchand and Anand Tucker, with Michael Matthews serving as lead director. —PK
12. “Too Much” (July 10, Netflix)

Image Credit: Ana Blumenkron/Netflix

It’s a tale as old as time when Jessica (Megan Stalter) gets broken up with and decides to leave New York in this series from Lena Dunham and husband Luis Felber. Desperate to escape the city’s reminders of her old relationship, she moves to London with no plans for love. That’s all fine and well until she meets Felix (Will Sharpe), who is less than ideal on paper but hard to shake in real life. The cast includes Emily Ratajkowski, Richard E. Grant, Adwoa Aboah, Prasanna Puwanarajah, RIta Wilson , Andrew Rannells, Rhea Perlman, Michael Zegen, Stephen Fry, and many more. Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Michael P. Cohen, Surian Fletcher-Jones and Bruce Eric Kaplan, and Camilla Bray also serve as executive producers. —PK
13. “Dexter: Resurrection” (July 11, Paramount+)

Image Credit: Zach Dilgard/Paramount+ with SHOWTIME

Dexter – yes, that Dexter — is back. Despite a rather definitive death in 2021’s “Dexter: New Blood,” Michael C. Hall’s serial killer is returning for yet another sequel series. Perhaps the title’s blunt reference to his improbable reemergence bodes well for a franchise that, admittedly, did better moving forward than looking back. “Resurrection” picks up weeks after “New Blood’s” fateful finale, when Dexter (Hall) wakes up from a coma and finds out his son, Harrison (Jack Alcott), has vanished. His search leads him to a new environment for the Miami-based predator — New York City — but an old face is waiting for him: Angel Bautista (David Zayas). How “Dexter: Resurrection” blends past and present will likely prove more important than how it justifies Dexter’s shocking recovery from a gunshot wound to the heart. After all, “Dexter” has “ended” twice already — why not go for a third? —BT
14. “The Summer I Turned Pretty” Season 3 (July 16, Prime Video)

Image Credit: Erika Doss/Prime

The steamy love triangle between Belly (Lola Tung), Conrad (Christopher Briney), and Jeremiah (Gavin Caslegno) reaches its third and final season, based on the book series by creator Jenny Han — but it’s a supersized eleven episodes, instead of the usual seven or eight. Season 2 was Amazon’s most popular streamed title after “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” (and the most-completed series among many subscribers), so look out for this one to be a potential and potent midsummer hit. —PK
15. “Washington Black” (July 23, Hulu)

Image Credit: Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via G

Esi Edugyan’s bestselling novel gets the Hulu treatment with this limited series starring Ernest Kingsley Jr. as George Washington “Wash” Black, a young boy from Barbados whose life takes an unexpected twist after he ends up under the wing of one Medwin Harris (Sterling K. Brown, back on our screens in record time, thank goodness). When Wash has to flee his home, he ends up on a worldwide adventure that gives him a glimpse into the kind of life he never dared to imagine. Selwyn Hinds and Kim Harrison serve as showrunners, executive producing with Brown, Edugyan, Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Wanuri Kahiu, Mo Marable, Rob Seidenglanz, Jeremy Bell, Lindsay Williams, D.J. Goldberg, Jennifer Johnson and Anthony Hemingway. —PK
16. “Chief of War” (August 1, Apple TV+)

Image Credit: Nicola Dove/Apple

Jason Momoa gets in the driver’s seat as star, writer, and executive producer (as well as finale director) of this series he co-created with Thomas Pa’a Sibbett. The nine-episode series is based on true events in 18th century Hawai’i, where the warrior Ka’iana (Momoa) tries to unify his community and neighboring islands against Western colonization. The cast includes Luciane Buchanan, Temuera Morrison, Te Ao o Hinepehinga, Cliff Curtis, Kaina Makua, Moses Goods, Siua Ikale’o, Brandon Finn, James Udom, Mainei Kinimaka, and Te Kohe Tuhaka. —PK
17. “Eyes of Wakanda” (August 6, Disney+)

Image Credit: Marvel

This four-episodes series directed by Todd Harris dives into the history of Wakandan warriors known as the Hatut Zaraze as they protect their nation, its people, and its secrets throughout time. The voice cast comprises of Winnie Harlow, Cress Williams, Patricia Belcher, Larry Herron, Adam Gold, Lynn Whitfield, Jacques Colimon, Jona Xiao, Isaac Robinson- Smith, Gary Anthony Williams, Zeke Alton, Steve Toussaint, and Anika Noni Rose. —PK
18. “Wednesday” Season 2 (August 6, Netflix)

Image Credit: HELEN SLOAN/NETFLIX

The wait is almost over, as Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega) returns to Nevermore Academy for another equally rewarding and treacherous term. New friends and old foes (and probably a few meme-able moments) await her, along with a new mystery that pushes our favorite gloomy teen more than ever. Creators and showrunners Alfred Gough and Miles Millar return along with executive producer Tim Burton, who directs along with Paco Cabezas and ANgela Robinson. Part 1 premieres August 6 and Part 2 on September 3. —PK
19. “Alien: Earth” (August 13, FX)

Image Credit: FX

Noah Hawley, the creator behind FX’s “Fargo,” takes on another iconic Fox property with this prequel series to Ridley Scott’s original “Alien” film. “Prequel” may be stretching things, since we don’t know how “Alien: Earth” fits into the greater franchise, but we do know it takes place two years before the events of the first film and picks up after a mysterious space vessel crash-lands on Earth. Wendy (Sydney Chandler) and a group of soldiers get caught up in the dangerous discovery within, but the real risk may have originated at home: Per the official synopsis, five corporations (including Weyland-Yutani) “wield the power of nations,” while “proprietary advancements in technology provide the promise of a new tomorrow.” If it’s a choice between fighting a homicidal alien with acid for blood or an American corporation… I’ll take the alien every time. —BT
20. “Long Story Short” (August 22, Netflix)

Image Credit: COURTESY OF NETFLIX

Few artists, if any, have started their Hollywood careers on a creative hot streak equal to Raphael Bob-Waksberg’s. Starting with the groundbreaking Netflix series “BoJack Horseman,” then pushing the bounds of animation with Prime Video’s ambitious “Undone,” before returning to his colorful world of anthropomorphic animals as an executive producer on “Tuca & Bertie” (whose creator, Lisa Hanawalt, designed and produced “BoJack Horseman”), the comedian and producer has yet to miss — or even disappoint. All three series rank among the best of their respective seasons, if not the decade and beyond, which makes Bob-Waksberg’s next series a true event. “Long Story Short” reunited Bob-Waksberg (the showrunner) with Hanawalt (designer and supervising producer) for a Netflix original series following the Schwooper siblings across decades. From childhood to adulthood, the animated comedy features a voice cast including Lisa Edelstein, Paul Reiser, Ben Feldman, Abbi Jacobson, Max Greenfield, Angelique Cabral, Nicole Byer, and recurring guests Dave Franco and Michaela Dietz. While further details are being kept under wraps, perhaps the most intriguing aspect of “Long Story Short” — for those who’ve seen “BoJack Horseman’s” stunning penultimate episode, “The View From Halfway Down” — is time itself. If you know, you know. —BT

Daily Headlines

Daily Headlines covering Film, TV and more.

More from IndieWire

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 05: Writer and director Laura Piani attends the Film Independent Special Screening of "Jane Austen Wrecked My Life" at AMC The Grove 14 on May 05, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amanda Edwards/Getty Images for Film Independent)

Thompson on Hollywood

‘Jane Austen Wrecked My Life’ Is the French Romantic Confection We Need Now

Neeraj Ghaywan

Cannes

Neeraj Ghaywan Talks His Cannes Premiere ‘Homebound’ and the Notes He Got from Executive Producer Martin Scorsese

'What No One Tells You,' Jessamine Burgum

Multi-Tasking

Pinky Promise Founder Jessamine Burgum on Making Three Movies to Create One | What No One Tells You

Aubry Dullin, Richard Linklater, Zoey Deutch and Guillaume Marbeck pose during the 'Nouvelle Vague' photocall at Cannes

Cannes

Richard Linklater on ‘Nouvelle Vague’ and Playfully Recreating the Making of ‘Breathless’: ‘I Don’t Have an Oedipal Complex with the French New Wave’

'The Studio'

Filmmaker Toolkit

The Season Finale of ‘The Studio’ Gave Its Filmmakers Their Biggest Challenge Yet: Shooting Bryan Cranston on a Drug-Fueled Rampage Through a Working Casino

Oliver Hermanus and Paul Mescal attend the 'The History Of Sound' red carpet at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival

Cannes

Paul Mescal on Shedding His ‘Gladiator II’ Body for ‘History of Sound’ and the Film’s Lack of Explicit Sex Scenes: ‘Been There, Done That’

Daily Headlines

Daily Headlines covering Film, TV and more.

By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Must Read

Most Anticipated Movies 2025

IndieWire’s 52 Most Anticipated Movies of 2025

Jon Hamm in suit in an episodic for 'Your Friends and Neighbors'

we <3 TV

IndieWire’s 10 Most Anticipated TV Shows of 2025

20 TV Shows to Watch in Summer 2025

The 25 Best Movies of 2024

Most Popular

1.

Joaquin Phoenix Tears Up During 5-Minute Cannes Standing Ovation for MAGA Western 'Eddington'

2.

Photographer Isaac Wright Arrested at Opening of His First Solo Show at Robert Mann Gallery

3.

George Wendt, the Beer-Loving Norm on 'Cheers,' Dies at 76

4.

Shoppers Say This ‘Long-Lasting’ $6 Lipstick Shade From the 90s Is ‘Better Than Lancome’

You may also like

How Problematic Is Morgan Wallen, Anyway? In ‘I’m the Problem,’ He Doesn’t Want to Rile Up a Nation — Just Be Country’s Saddest Bad Boy

How Problematic Is Morgan Wallen, Anyway? In ‘I’m the Problem,’ He Doesn’t Want to Rile Up a Nation — Just Be Country’s Saddest Bad Boy

House Passes Bill That Would Gut Climate Tax Credits for Americans

House Passes Bill That Would Gut Climate Tax Credits for Americans

Matthew Goode Explains Absence From ‘Downton Abbey 3’: “Maybe It’s A Good Thing”

Matthew Goode Explains Absence From ‘Downton Abbey 3’: “Maybe It’s A Good Thing”

Criminal Minds: Who Made a Surprise Appearance at Will’s Funeral?

Criminal Minds: Who Made a Surprise Appearance at Will’s Funeral?

Andrew Brandt Aids Louisville Sports Contract Talks in New Role

Andrew Brandt Aids Louisville Sports Contract Talks in New Role

IndieWire is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2025 IndieWire Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

ad