Summer 2026 TV shows: ‘The Bear' finale, ‘Ted Lasso,' ‘Elle' and more
Summer approaches, and with it comes a slew of new and returning shows competing for your attention. For the days you want to spend cozy on the couch, here are some of the most anticipated shows coming to the small screen in the coming months. Note: Premiere dates are subject to change.
‘Spider-Noir'
Spider-Man? Noir? Nicolas Cage as said Spider-Man in said noir and it's his first time leading a series? What more could you ask for? Oh, how about the show being available in both color and black and white. (May 25 on MGM+, May 27 on Prime Video)
‘Deli Boys' Season 2
In Season 1 of the bonkers comedy, polar-opposite brothers Mir (Asif Ali) and Raj (Saagar Shaikh) discovered their father was running a drug empire. In Season 2, the brothers - now running the empire - are leaning into their newfound entrepreneurship, swimming in dirty money and teaming up with a manic-looking Fred Armisen as money launderer Max Sugar. (Hulu, May 28)
‘Star City'
Where the acclaimed Apple TV science fiction series "For All Mankind" focuses on the American space program in an alternative universe in which the space race between the U.S. and the Soviet Union never ended, the spinoff "Star City" tells the story as seen from behind the Iron Curtain. (Apple TV, May 29)
‘The Legend of Vox Machina' Season 4
One of the best animated series around returns with its fourth season, set one year after the events of Season 3. The members of Vox Machina have gone their separate ways, but the emergence of a new foe will pull them back together as they answer the call to save the day once more. (Prime Video, June 3)
‘Cape Fear'
If the name sounds familiar, it's because this is the third time John D. MacDonald's novel "The Executioners" has been adapted under the title "Cape Fear." (The first two are films released in 1962 and 1991.) In Apple's miniseries, Max Cady (Javier Bardem) is released from prison after 17 years and is dead-set on seeking revenge against Tom and Anna Bowden (Patrick Wilson and Amy Adams, respectively), who represented him in court years ago. (Apple TV, June 5)
‘Anne Rice's The Vampire Lestat'
In the third season of "Interview with the Vampire," the vampire Lestat (Sam Reid) feels like his centuries-long life story got short shrift when the secret of vampires was revealed to the world at the end of Season 2. So, what's a charismatic, slightly unhinged vampire to do? Become a rock star, obviously - and maybe tell his side of the story. The new season is based on the second novel in Anne Rice's "Vampire Chronicles." (AMC and AMC+, June 7)
‘Alice and Steve'
Friendships can become strained in every way you can imagine. In this new British comedy, two longtime friends find themselves at odds when Steve starts dating Alice's daughter. Awkward. (Disney+ and Hulu, June 8)
‘The Season'
The buzzy new series, from the producers of "Crazy Rich Asians," is a summer resort thriller in the same vein as "The White Lotus": A group of privileged friends finds themselves mired in a revenge drama amid Hong Kong's elite boating scene, and to say it looks cutthroat would be an understatement. (Hulu, June 17)
‘House of the Dragon' Season 3
After the scaled-down "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" in January, the "Game of Thrones" universe returns in full, operatic force. The tagline for Season 3 of "House of the Dragon" is "win or die," which is apropos for a series about spectacularly bloody conquests involving lots of swords and a handful of dragons. (HBO and HBO Max, June 21)
‘The Bear' Season 5
The widely praised dramedy, starring Jeremy Allen White as an award-winning chef who returns to his hometown of Chicago to helm the family restaurant, comes to an end with Season 5. The previous season ended with White's Carmy quitting the industry and handing over the restaurant to Sydney (Ayo Edebiri), Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) and Natalie (Abby Elliott). (FX and FX on Hulu, June 25)
‘Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness'
Larry David and former President Barack Obama have partnered for this new sketch comedy limited series, which explores various historical moments through American history in celebration of the country's 250th birthday. (HBO and HBO Max, June 26)
‘Elle'
The prequel to the Reese Witherspoon-starring "Legally Blonde" film has high schooler Elle Woods (Lexi Minetree) leaving sunny Bel Air, Calif., for rainy Seattle. Set in 1995 - so much grunge, so much flannel, so little pink - the series follows Elle as she "encounters tricky friendships, forbidden romance and questionable fashion choices," according to Amazon MGM Studios. (Prime Video, July 1)
‘Silo' Season 3
"The truth will surface" is such a good tagline, and there couldn't be a better show to pair it with. The well-reviewed sci-fi dystopian drama chronicles the lives of the last 10,000 people on Earth, who live in a giant, underground silo - but the reason why remains a mystery. The teaser trailer hints that we may start getting some answers. (Apple TV, July 3)
‘Stuart Fails to Save the Universe'
In this direct spinoff to "The Big Bang Theory," Stuart (Kevin Sussman) has broken reality across the multiverse. (Wait, is this a Marvel show?!) Now he and his friends are tasked with saving everyone, meaning nerdy high jinks galore. (HBO Max, July 23)
‘Ted Lasso' Season 4
"Ted Lasso" has always been a balm against the chaos of the world, so the new season couldn't come at a better time. In Season 4, Ted (Jason Sudeikis) is back in Richmond, set to coach a women's soccer team. Expect stellar humor, writing and acting, and an uplifting spirit we could all use right about now. (Apple TV, Aug. 5)
‘Lanterns'
Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler), a legend among the intergalactic police force known as the Green Lanterns, finds himself in a more Earthbound situation in this drama series: teaching a newbie Lantern (Aaron Pierre). The trailer promises a grounded, gritty adventure, centered on a murder mystery in the heartland. (HBO and HBO Max, August 2026)
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