Spring & Summer TV Shows To Watch

Every year I do a comprehensive Fall TV Guide because that's when most new shows begin, but that's becoming less and less true as shows premiere year round on places like Netflix, Hulu, and subscription-based channels, like HBO. So I thought it would be fun to showcase some new shows coming in the spring and summer months.

I'm particularly looking forward to Bill Nye Saves The World, American Gods, Dark Angel, and The Defenders. What about you?

APRIL

Bill Nye Saves The World (April 21 on Netflix)

Bill Nye hosts a talk show exploring scientific issues, such as space exploration, vaccinations, genetically modified foods, and climate change. The series will work to debunk myths and refute anti-scientific claims that may be spread by politicians, religious leaders, or titans of industry. Guest appearances will feature Karlie Kloss, Zach Braff, Joel McHale, Tim Gunn, and more. 

Girlboss (April 23 on Netflix)

Girlboss is inspired by the book #Girlboss by Sophia Amoruso, founder of the fashion brand Nasty Gal. The series centers on Amoruso (Britt Robertson), who began selling vintage clothes on eBay and, by the age of 28, had built the multi-million dollar fashion empire, Nasty Gal.

Mary Kills People (April 23 on Lifetime)

Set in the morally grey world of assisted suicide, the series follows Dr. Mary Harris (Caroline Dhavernas), a single mother and emergency doctor by day, who also moonlights as an underground angel of death — helping terminally ill patients who want to die and slip away on their own terms. So far Mary has managed to stay under the radar; but business is booming, and her double life is getting complicated. When her world starts to unravel, Mary realizes she's going to have to fight dirty if she's going to stay in the killing game.

The Handmaid's Tale (April 26 on Hulu)

Based on the novel by Margaret Atwood; In a dystopian near-future, the totalitarian and Christian-fundamentalist government of Gilead rules the former United States amidst an ongoing civil war and subjugates women. Widespread infertility due to environmental contamination has resulted in the forced conscription of young fertile women—called Handmaids—who are assigned to the homes of the elite, where they are expected to have ritualized sex with the men in order to bear children. Offred (Elisabeth Moss) has been posted to the home of an elite Commander (Joseph Fiennes) and his wife (Yvonne Strahovski) and must follow the rules of Gilead in hope that she can someday live freely.

Dear White People (April 28 on Netflix)

Set against the backdrop of a predominantly white Ivy League university where racial tensions bubble just below the surface, it's a hilarious send-up of "post-racial" America that weaves together the universal story of finding one’s own identity and forging a wholly unique path. Starring Logan Browning, Brandon P. Bell, Antoinette Robertson, and Giancarlo Esposito.

American Gods (April 30 on Starz)

Based on the novel by Neil Gaiman; A war brewing between old and new gods: the traditional gods of biblical and mythological roots are steadily losing believers to an upstart pantheon of gods reflecting society’s modern love of money, technology, media, celebrity, and drugs. Its protagonist, Shadow Moon (Ricky Whittle), is an ex-con who becomes bodyguard and traveling partner to Mr. Wednesday (Ian McShane), a conman but in reality one of the older gods, on a cross-country mission to gather his forces in preparation to battle the new deities. Also starring Emily Browning, Crispin Glover, Pablo Schreiber, and Orlando Jones.

MAY

Anne (May 2 on Netflix)

Based on the novel by L.M. Montgomery; A coming-of-age story about an outsider who, against all odds and many challenges, fights for love and acceptance and her place in the world. Set in Prince Edward Island in the late 1890s, the series centers on Anne Shirley (Amybeth McNulty), a young orphaned girl who is mistakenly sent to live with an aging sister and brother. Over time, 13-year-old Anne will transform the lives of Marilla (Geraldine James) and Matthew Cuthbert (R.H. Thomson) and eventually the entire small town in which they live with her unique spirit, fierce intellect and brilliant imagination.

I Love Dick (May 12 on Amazon)

Adapted from the lauded feminist novel by Chris Kraus, I Love Dick is set in a colorful academic community in Marfa, Texas. It tells the story of a struggling married couple, Chris and Sylvere, and their obsession with a charismatic professor named Dick (Kevin Bacon). I Love Dick charts the unraveling of a marriage, the awakening of an artist and the deification of a reluctant messiah. 

Downward Dog (May 17 on CBS)

Based on the web series, “Downward Dog” is about a struggling millennial, Nan (Allison Tolman), from the point of view of her lonely and philosophical dog, Martin (voiced by Samm Hodges). One session at obedience school already makes them realize that even at their worst they may be the best thing for each other. 

Twin Peaks (May 21 on Showtime)

Considered one of the most groundbreaking and influential broadcast series of all time, Twin Peaks followed the residents of a quaint northwestern town who were stunned when homecoming queen Laura Palmer was murdered. Twenty-five years later, the story continues.

Dark Angel (May 21 on PBS)

The two-part drama, Dark Angel, is based on the extraordinary true story of the Victorian poisoner Mary Ann Cotton (Joanne Froggatt). Traveling around the North-east, she insinuates herself into unsuspecting families, marrying and creating new families of her own - before killing them, taking their money and moving on. Starring Jonas Armstrong, Sam Hoare, and Alun Armstrong.

JUNE

I'm Dying Up Here (June 4 on Showtime)

Set in LA’s celebrated, infamous stand-up comedy scene of the 1970s, this show (which has been executive produced by Jim Carrey) delves into the inspired and damaged psyches that inhabit the hilarious, but complex business of making an audience laugh. Starring Melissa Leo, Sebastian Stan, Ronald Cyler II, Ari Graynor, Clarke Duke, and Michael Angarano.

Claws (June 11 on TNT)

A look at the life and crimes of five women who work at a Southern Florida nail salon. Starring Niecy Nash and is being executive-produced by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack.

The Mist (June 22 on Spike)

The Mist, based on a Stephen King novel, tells the story about a seemingly innocuous mist that seeps into a small town but contains limitless havoc. From psychological terrors to otherworldly creatures, the mist causes the town residents' darkest demons to appear forcing them to battle the supernatural event and, more importantly, each other.

JULY

Salvation (July 12 on CBS)

Salvation centers on an MIT grad student and a tech superstar who bring a low-level Pentagon official a staggering discovery--that an asteroid is just six months away from colliding with Earth. Starring Ian Anthony Dale, Sean Connolly Affleck, and Dennis Boutsikaris.

Midnight, Texas (July 24 on NBC)

Based on the best-selling book series by Charlaine Harris; The town of Midnight sits on a veil between the living and hell. This supernatural thriller takes a journey into a remote Texas town called Midnight where nothing is what it seems. Where being normal is strange and only outsiders fit in, Midnight is a mysterious safe haven for those who are different - a perfect place for anyone looking to hide from the outside world. Starring Francois Arnaud, Dylan Bruce, Pariza Fitz-Henley, Arielle Kebbel, and Jason Lewis.

AUGUST

Marvel's The Defenders (August 18 on Netflix)

The Defenders will feature the famous Marvel heroes Daredevil (Charlie Cox), Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter), Luke Cage (Mike Colter), and Iron Fist (Finn Jones) as a legendary superhero-team in New York City, who come together to face a common enemy, The Hand. Starring Sigourney Weaver, Rosario Dawson, Elden Henson, Rachel Taylor, Jessica Henwick, and Scott Glenn.

Which shows will you be watching?

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