June television heralds a return to the classics. This month's releases include a fresh addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the final season of Netflix's cash cow, a "Succession" successor, another insider look at NFL cheerleaders and a hopeful "Ted Lasso" replacement.
'Stick'
If you still mourn the hole left by the conclusion of "Ted Lasso," you may be interested in a show that has the potential to become the "next great sports comedy on Apple TV+," according to Esquire. Owen Wilson stars as ex-pro golfer Pryce Cahill, an over-the-hill athlete who finds a renewed sense of purpose upon meeting a potential protégé, Santi Wheeler (Peter Dager) — although the Gen Zer isn't exactly eager for mentorship. "Ted Lasso" brightened everyone's spirits when it premiered during the pandemic, and "it's not too much of a stretch to think that 'Stick' could similarly provide a little bit of that magic in another unprecedentedly chaotic year," Esquire added. (June 4 on Apple TV+)
'America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders'
Did you think you learned everything there is to learn about the toxic work environment of the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders in one season? The gloves are off and the pom-poms are out in the second season from Emmy Award-winning director Greg Whiteley ("Cheer"), giving "NFL fans a unique glimpse into the lives of the 2024-25 Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders squad," said Variety. These girls are underpaid, frequently ogled and pushed to punishing physical limits — but they've got spirit and a passion for their craft. (June 18 on Netflix)
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
'The Waterfront'
Netflix may finally have its answer to HBO's "Succession" in the form of a new "crumbling family empire" drama, "The Waterfront," said Bethan Rose Jenkins at Good Housekeeping. Allegedly inspired by a true story, the series follows the wealthy Buckley family as they preside over a fishing empire in North Carolina. When patriarch Harlan Buckley is struck by two heart attacks, the family's legacy is left in the hands of his wife and son.
The series was created by Kevin Williamson, whose past work includes "Dawson's Creek" and "The Vampire Diaries." So the show will probably be a tad more light and frothy than Jesse Armstrong's towering HBO prestige series. (June 19 on Netflix)
'Ironheart'
Marvel's latest TV offering, produced by "Black Panther" director Ryan Coogler, brings a young and relatively new Avenger to the forefront. Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne) was first introduced to audiences in "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" as an "MIT genius who built her own Iron Man-esque armored suit and helped the Wakandans fight the Talokanil," said Gizmodo. The "Marvel Cinematic Universe isn't the juggernaut it used to be," said TVGuide.com, but if nothing else, "Ironheart" looks to make a convincing argument for the importance of women in STEM. (June 24 on Disney+)
'Squid Game'
Patience might be a virtue, but it's hard to beat instant gratification. While season two of "Squid Game" only dropped in December, the next — and final — season of the Korean survival drama is already here. "In the case of season three, I wanted to introduce games that could really show the lowest bottom of human beings, because the series itself is reaching its climax," said creator Hwang Dong-hyuk to Entertainment Weekly. The writer-director attempted to "focus on how [people] have to preserve their humanity amidst this intense competition in this capitalistic era." Series star Player 456 (Lee Jung-jae) isn't likely to have an easy time of it as Netflix's record-breaking game show winds down. (June 27 on Netflix)
-
Forest Lodge: William and Kate's new home breaks with royal traditionIn the Spotlight Wales' said to hope move to 'forever home' in Windsor Great Park will 'leave unhappy memories behind'
-
Cloudbursts: what are the 'rain bombs' hitting India and Pakistan?The Explainer The sudden and intense weather event is almost impossible to forecast and often leads to deadly flash-flooding and landslides
-
Atoms into gold: alchemy's modern resurgenceUnder the radar The practice of alchemy has been attempted for thousands of years
-
The 5 best singers turned actors of all timethe week recommends It's not often that someone is born with both of these rare skill sets
-
A descent into academic Hell, a ferocious feminist fable and the adult debut of a beloved children's authorThe Week Recommends August books include R.F. Kuang's 'Katabasis,' Xenobe Purvis' 'The Hounding' and Louis Sachar's 'The Magician of Tiger Castle'
-
'Actual poop': the messy ending of And Just Like That...Talking Point Reviewers have slammed the 'unfunny and hateful' finale to the Sex and the City reboot
-
The best limited series of all timethe week recommends Trading cliffhangers and endless renewals for narrative closure
-
Experience the cool of these 11 stunning pools and lazy rivers this summerThe Week Recommends You'll want to dive right in
-
The latest entry in Ethan Coen's queer trilogy, a Jeff Buckley documentary and the rare children's horror flick in August moviesthe week recommends The month's film releases include 'Honey Don't!,' 'It's Never Over, Jeff Buckley' and 'Sketch'
-
One great cookbook: 'Salt to Taste'The Week Recommends Your roadmap to satisfying Italian home cooking
-
The return of 'Wednesday,' an 'Alien' prequel and a dramatic retelling of the Amanda Knox trial all happening in August TVthe week recommends This month's new television releases include 'Alien: Earth,' 'The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox' and a new season of 'Wednesday'
