Jordan Parker
There’s a quiet air about the beginning of June, but the final 10 days are chalk-full of new premieres, anticipated releases and tons of programming to watch with your A/C on full blast. A lot of my favourite shows are coming back, and summer viewing is on full display here:
June 2nd — The Mayor of Kingstown – Paramount+
I’m likely one of many who feels Jeremy Renner should be a whole lot bigger an actor than he currently is.
He broke out in The Hurt Locker in 2009, earned an Academy Award nomination for The Town, and was Hawkeye in the Marvel universe. And yet, he just isn’t the A-list star I thought he’d be.
Enter Mayor Of Kingstown, a gritty, soapy crime drama that gives Renner every ounce of room to just chew the scenery. He stars as ex-con and prison fixer Mike McClusky, who balances the delicate tight-rope between prisoners and those running things on the inside, using both legal and illegal means.
He fights for prisoners when he has to, and makes sure things stay on an even keel. But it isn’t always as easy as it sounds. Created by Hugh Dillon and Oscar-nominated Taylor Sheridan (who also created Yellowstone), and the pedigree here is high.
Renner is Emmy-worthy, and there are also strong performances from co-stars Dillon, the incredible Tobi Bamtefa, Taylor Handley, Dianne Wiest, and Aidan Gillen.
One of the absolute best shows on TV now, you simply have to check it out.
June 4th – Star Wars: The Acolyte – Disney+
The Star Wars series that have come from Disney have been hit-or-miss, but I have really high hopes for this one.
It follows a Jedi who investigates a crime spree while grappling with her own past. That – to me – seems completely different and unique from other stories I’ve seen in this vast franchise.
Amanda Stenberg burst onto the scene with roles in The Hunger Games and The Hate U Give, and seeing her flex her acting chops is worth the watch alone. She’s joined by Dafne Keen, the incredible Jodie Turner-Smith, Carrie-Anne Moss and a slew of other really incredible actors.
The creator of this show is known for beloved Netflix show Russian Doll, and I really can’t wait to see what Leslye Headland has in store here.
June 7th – Suze – Crave
I saw this indie when it was in theatres, and I have to say it was one of the most refreshing films of the last few years.
It follows Suze, a divorced parent to teenage daughter Brooke. She’s dealing with empty nester syndrome when Brooke goes to university. She finds solace with Brooke’s ex-boyfriend Gage, a dopey teen who is heartbroken by the split.
The two develop an uneasy friendship, highlighted by brilliant performances from Michaela Watkins and New Brunswick actor Charlie Gillespie.
It’s a well-acted, entertaining comedy that doesn’t take easy, cliche routes. You’ll truly love it, I promise.
June 13th – The Boys: Season Four – Amazon Prime Video
One of the best-rated shows of all time, I honestly can’t recommend this one enough. But it is definitely not for everyone.
Think about if your favourite Marvel characters met Breaking Bad – That’s the central conceit of The Boys. After a tragedy, angry civilian Hughie meets a group of vigilantes who fight against a group of superheroes who are using their powers for evil.
It’s honestly one of the funniest – most crude – and downright shocking shows I’ve seen in a long time, which will delight you or disgust you, depending on your sense of humour. But it certainly is something fresh.
Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, Antony Starr, Erin Moriarty, Jessie T. Usher, Laz Alonso, Chace Crawford and more star.
It’s a great ensemble and a really interesting concept. If you like your comedy incredibly dark, try it out.
June 14th – Presumed Innocent – Apple+
All I needed to hear was the name of this series’ star to become immediately interested.
Jake Gyllenhaal stars as an attorney who’s suspected of a murder. He must fight to prove his innocence as his own Chicago Prosecuting Attorney’s office looks at a conviction.
Gyllenhaal isn’t the only name with star wattage – Ruth Negga, Lily Rabe, Peter Sarsgaard, Bill Camp, and more should all lend great performances.
The star’s last Apple+ collaboration – film remake The Guilty – was fabulous, so I have plenty of goodwill built up for this project.
June 16th – House Of The Dragon: Season 2 – Crave
If you’re at all like me, the series finale for Game Of Thrones was a disappointment unlike anything on television in a long time.
So when this prequel came along, I had little-to-no interest. But with five Emmy nominations and one win last year, I think I’m going to be catching up before the premiere of season two.
It follows the succession war in House Targaryen. Set 172 years before the birth of popular GOT character Daenerys, all I can hope is the creators see this one through.
With enigmatic performers Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Rhys Ifans and more on-board, maybe I need to give this one a chance.
June 18th – Ferrari – Amazon Prime Video
This was one of the best movies of 2023, and it got absolutely zero recognition for it.
Ferrari is the best film director Michael Mann has made since Collateral in 2004, and this telling of the life of car-maker Enzo Ferrari is astounding.
It follows the man – his exploits, flaws, triumphs and pain – and everything he accomplished in making the incredible Ferrari cars.
Adam Driver does a great job here, but the real draw is Penelope Cruz, who takes no prisoners as his fiery, jealous and suffering wife.
The drama is high and the tension stays throughout. I loved it and consider it the most underrated film of 2023.
June 22nd – Abbott Elementary: Season 3 – Disney+
This is – bar none – the funniest show on network television right now, and I cannot recommend it enough. With its latest season headed to Disney+, I’ll be binging ASAP.
It follows a group of teachers and their principal as they navigate a poor, under-resourced Philadelphia public school. It’s a wholesome, hilarious workplace show that I just can’t get enough of.
The ensemble features Quinta Brunson, Tyler James Williams, Lisa Ann Walter, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Chris Perfetti. Special notice should be given to standout Janelle James as the clueless principal.
I managed to get through the first two seasons in a week, and it’s quickly becoming one of my favourite comedies ever. I’m confident you’ll really enjoy it too.
June 27th – The Bear: Season 3 – Disney+
If there’s one show right now that deserves the universal praise it’s receiving, cue The Bear.
A dark dramedy about a high-class chef who must return home following a family tragedy, it’s kept audiences spellbound since its release.
Carmen takes up residence as the chef of his family’s Chicago sandwich shop following his brother’s death, and gives up his own dreams to keep things afloat. As he battles through the financial mess left behind, he deals with a staff who don’t want him there either. But they soon all develop an indelible bond together and push to make things better.
Jeremy Allen White moved on from Shameless following its final season and went right into The Bear, where he’s found Emmy success. He’s incredible, and is joined by standouts Ayo Edebiri and Ebon Moss-Bachrach. The truth is that this entire ensemble is astounding.
It’s funny. It’s tear-jerking. Most of all, The Bear is a human show, and it will pull you right in.
June 27th – That ‘90s Show: Part 2 – Netflix
That ‘70s Show was my favourite show growing up, and while this continuation doesn’t hold the same power, the first season showed a lot of promise.
It follows the children of the former show’s cast, and their friendships and coming-of-age issues under the watchful eye of Red and Kitty, grandparents to main character Leia.
The show manages to take a fun look at 90s trends – even if it isn’t as astute as its predecessor – but my favourite part is just how much screentime Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp get as Red and Kitty.
With cameos from stars of the original show, a group of young stars who are all making the characters their own, and a sweet undercurrent, it’s perfect light viewing.
June 28th – Brats – Disney+
The Brat Pack created some of the most impactful, interesting films of the 1980s, and now member Andrew McCarthy has made a film chronicling their lives and work together.
Set to look at the films, the private affairs, the flings, the drama and the impact of fame on this crew, I think it could prove an incredibly interesting documentary.
Demi Moore, McCarthy, Ally Sheedy, Rob Lowe, Lea Thompson, Emilio Estevez, Timothy Hutton and Jon Cryer all appear here. Curiously, it doesn’t look like present-day Molly Ringwald was part of this production. I hope the film answers why.
Regardless, I think if you were a fan of The Breakfast Club, St. Elmo’s Fire, or any of the other Brat Pack films, this could be a lot of fun.
Other Releases To Watch For:
June 2nd – Ren Faire: Season 1 – Crave
June 3rd – Origin – Amazon Prime Video
June 4th – Cyndi Lauper: Let The Canary Sing – Paramount+
June 4th – Marlon Wayans: Good Grief – Amazon Prime Video
June 4th – Clipped – Disney+
June 5th – Hitler and the Nazis: Evil on Trial — Netflix
June 5th – How To Rob A Bank – Netflix
June 6th – Sweet Tooth: Season 3 – Netflix
June 7th – Criminal Minds: Evolution – Disney+
June 7th – Perfect Match: Season 2 – Netflix
June 7th – A Haunting In Venice – Crave
June 7th – Mothers’ Instinct – Amazon Prime Video
June 7th – Beyond The Veil: Season 2 – Amazon Prime Video
June 8th – Lisa Frankenstein – Amazon Prime Video
June 8th – Sherwood – Crave
June 10th – Gossip Girl: Seasons 1-6 – Netflix
June 10th – I.S.S. — Amazon Prime Video
June 11th – Back On The Strip – Amazon Prime Video
June 11th – Love Island USA: Season 6 – Crave
June 12th – My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman: Season 5 – Netflix
June 13th – Bridgerton: Season 3, Part 2 – Netflix
June 14th – Queen Tut
June 14th – Creed III – Crave
June 18th – Power Of The Dream – Amazon Prime Video
June 19th – Black Barbie – Netflix
June 19th – Inheritance – Netflix
June 20th – Federer: Twelve Final Days – Amazon Prime Video
June 21st – Yellowstone: One-Fifty
June 21st – In The Land Of Saints and Sinners – Amazon Prime Video
June 21st – Will Trent: Season 2 – Disney+
June 21st – Trigger Warning – Netflix
June 22nd – Drive-Away Dolls – Amazon Prime Video
June 25th – I Am: Celine Dion – Amazon Prime Video
June 27th – My Lady Jane – Amazon Prime Video
June 28th – A Family Affair – Netflix
June 28th – The Mole: Season 2 – Netflix
June 28th – Madame Web – Crave
June 28th – Owning Manhattan – Netflix
June 28th – Fancy Dance – Apple+
June 28th – WondLa – Apple+
