Summer might be known as the season of blockbuster movies, but there are plenty of offerings on TV, too. The next couple months will see a deluge of new and returning series by and about women, so, for your viewing convenience, Women and Hollywood has compiled a list of shows you should check out this summer. Whether you want something to watch after a day at the beach or are looking for a fun way to escape the heat, there’s something here for you.
One of the most anticipated summer shows is the HBO limited series “Sharp Objects.” The second new TV project this year from Marti Noxon, the Amy Adams-starrer is based on Gillian Flynn’s best-seller and premieres July 8. The drama sees Adams playing a crime reporter who returns home to cover a murder while struggling to come to terms with her own past trauma.
The season’s other new series include “Take Two” and “Disenchantment.” The former, co-created by “Castle’s” Terri Edda Miller debuts June 21 on ABC. The crime dramedy follows an actress (Rachel Bilson) who, after a public meltdown and rehab stint, shadows a PI as research for a potential role. “Disenchantment” is an animated Netflix show about the hard-drinking Princess Bean (Abbi Jacobson) of Dreamland, who, along with her elf and personal demon, can’t seem to stay out of trouble. It bows August 17.
British import “Next of Kin” will be making its U.S. debut June 21 on Sundance Now. Starring Archie Panjabi of “The Good Wife” and “The Fall,” the show centers on a successful doctor whose life is shattered when she receives word her brother was murdered while doing charity work in Pakistan. “Next of Kin” is co-created by Natasha Narayan.
Finally, a bunch of Women and Hollywood’s favorite shows will also be returning this summer. “Insecure’s” third season begins August 12 on HBO and will hopefully bring us up to date on how Issa’s (co-creator Issa Rae) new living situation with ex Daniel (Y’lan Noel) is panning out. Meanwhile, “The Bold Type” (June 12), “GLOW” (June 29), and “Harlots” (July 11) will all be coming back for sophomore runs.
Here are just some of the women-centric and women-created TV projects premiering this summer. All descriptions are from press materials unless otherwise noted.
June
“The Bold Type” – Created by Sarah Watson (Season 2 Premieres June 12 on Freeform)
“The Bold Type”
Inspired by the life of Cosmopolitan editor in chief Joanna Coles, “The Bold Type” is a glimpse into the outrageous lives and loves of those responsible for a global women’s magazine. Their struggles are about finding your identity, managing friendships, and getting your heart broken, all while wearing the perfect jeans to flatter any body type. In the two-hour Season 2 premiere Jane, Kat and Sutton (Katie Stevens, Aisha Dee, and Meghann Fahy) are each faced with new beginnings and wrestle with the changes in their careers, friendships and love lives.
“Love Is ___” – Co-Created by Mara Brock Akil (Premieres June 19 on OWN)
Set primarily in 1990s Los Angeles against the backdrop of Black Hollywood, “Love Is___” follows Nuri (Michele Weaver) and Yasir (Will Catlett), a couple from seemingly opposite worlds, as they chase their dreams and learn to follow their hearts. Told from the perspective of the couple’s present-day selves, the romantic drama also revisits the social issues and vibrant black culture of that time reflecting on how it all aligned to shape the couple they have become nearly 20 years later — a power couple navigating a complex set of social codes while also balancing successful careers and a beautiful family.
“Next of Kin” – Co-Created by Natasha Narayan (Premieres June 21 on Sundance Now)
“Next of Kin”
In this contemporary thriller, GP Mona Shirani (Archie Panjabi) is grief-stricken after the brutal murder of her brother. As his death exposes family secrets, Mona is drawn deep into the conflict facing many countries around the world regarding extremism and how things are never exactly not as they seem to be.
“Take Two” – Co-Created by Terri Edda Miller (Premieres June 21 on ABC)
Sam Swift (Rachel Bilson) is the former star of a hit cop series whose epic breakdown is broadcast to the public and sends her to rehab. Desperate to restart her career, she talks her way into shadowing lone-wolf private investigator Eddie Valetik (Eddie Cibrian) as research for a potential comeback role. Though Eddie resents the babysitting gig, high-spirited Sam uses the skills she learned as an actor playing a cop and proves herself to be surprisingly valuable.
“Secret City” (Premieres June 26 on Netflix)
“Secret City”
Beneath the placid facade of Canberra, amidst rising tension between China and America, senior political journalist Harriet Dunkley (Anna Torv) uncovers a secret city of interlocked conspiracies, putting innocent lives in danger — including her own.
“GLOW” – Created by Liz Flahive and Carly Mensch (Season 2 Premieres June 29 on Netflix)
“GLOW”: Erica Parise/Netflix
In the ’80s-inspired women’s wrestling series’ second season, the women of “GLOW” — led by Alison Brie’s Ruth and Betty Gilpin’s Debbie — become local celebrities, confronting the good, the bad, and the ugly realities of their newfound fame. (Deadline)
“Kiss Me First” (Premieres June 29 on Netflix)
“Kiss Me First: Channel 4
“Kiss Me First” is a thriller that moves between the real and virtual animated worlds. When Leila (Tallulah Haddon) stumbles across Red Pill, a secret paradise hidden on the edges of her favorite game, she meets Tess (Simona Brown). Tess is everything that Leila is not: hedonistic, impulsive, and insatiable. So when Tess turns up in Leila’s real life uninvited, Leila’s world is forever changed. But then a member of Red Pill mysteriously disappears and Leila begins to suspect that maybe Red Pill isn’t the digital Eden its creator Adrian (Matthew Beard) claims it to be. Now, Leila’s real journey begins.
July
“Sharp Objects” (Miniseries) – Created by Marti Noxon (Premieres July 8 on HBO)
“Sharp Objects”: HBO
Based on the book of the same name by The New York Times bestselling author Gillian Flynn, this eight-episode series tells the story of reporter Camille Preaker (Amy Adams), who returns to her small hometown to cover the murders of two preteen girls. Trying to put together a psychological puzzle from her past, she finds herself identifying with the young victims a bit too closely.
“The Outpost” (Premieres July 10 on The CW)
Talon (Jessica Green), the lone survivor of a race called the Blackbloods, sets off to the edge of civilization to track her family’s killers. On her journey she discovers her supernatural powers, which she must learn to harness to achieve her goals.
“Burden of Truth” (Premieres July 11 on The CW)
“Burden of Truth”
Fast-rising corporate attorney Joanna Hanley (Kristin Kreuk, “Smallville”) returns to her small hometown of Millwood to represent a major client in a case against some sick high school girls. After winning her case, she discovers the girls are sicker than anyone thought. Joanna also realizes she may have unresolved personal business in town. Even though she’s a successful partner in a big law firm, she can’t ignore the feeling that something in her life is not right. She becomes convinced all the answers she’s seeking about her broken life can be found in her old hometown. And if she’s going to fix herself, she has to start where it all began — with uncovering all of her family’s deepest secrets.
“Harlots” – Created by Moira Buffini, Alison Newman (Season 2 Premieres July 11 on Hulu)
“Harlots”: Liam Daniel/Hulu
Set against the backdrop of 18th century Georgian London, “Harlots” follows the Wells family, led by matriarch Margaret (Samantha Morton), a madam. In Season 2 Margaret’s daughter Charlotte (Jessica Brown Findlay) places herself in the home of arch-rival bawd Lydia Quigley (Lesley Manville), and the families’ toxic and deep-set rivalry is taken to a dangerous new level. Meanwhile, alluring and wealthy socialite Lady Fitz (Liv Tyler) is drawn by Charlotte into the plot against Lydia, as well. (Deadline)
August
“Insecure” – Co-Created by Issa Rae (Season 3 Premieres August 12 on HBO)
“Insecure”
Modern-day black women are usually portrayed as strong, confident and “flawless.” But Issa (co-creator Issa Rae) and Molly (Yvonne Orji) are definitely not “killing it.” These best friends must deal with their own real-life flaws as they attempt to navigate different worlds and cope with an endless series of uncomfortable everyday experiences.
“Disenchantment” (Premieres August 17 on Netflix)
“Disenchantment”
Set in the crumbling medieval kingdom of Dreamland, “Disenchantment” follows the misadventures of hard-drinking young princess Bean (Abbi Jacobson), her feisty elf companion Elfo (Nat Faxon), and her personal demon Luci (Eric Andre). Along the way, the oddball trio will encounter ogres, sprites, harpies, imps, trolls, walruses, and lots of human fools. (Variety)
“The Innocents” – Co-Created by Hania Elkington (Premieres August 24 on Netflix)
When teenagers Harry (Percelle Ascott) and June (Sorcha Groundsell) run away from their repressive family lives to be together, they are thrown into an extraordinary journey of self-discovery that derails their innocent dream. Secrets kept from them by their respective parents test their love to the breaking point, and the extraordinary gift they possess unleashes powerful forces intent on dividing them forever.
TBD
“The Bletchley Circle: San Francisco” (Premieres on BritBox)
“The Bletchley Circle”: Ed Miller/World Productions
This continuation of “The Bletchley Circle” follows lead characters Millie (Rachel Stirling) and Jean (Julie Graham) travel to 1956 America and join forces with two U.S. codebreakers to tackle a string of murder cases. (Variety)
