Welcome Back Summer TV
Six Returning Champions
Back in the day, the Summer months were considered to be a lesser season for television than Fall, but times have changed; in a post-ratings world dominated by DVR and streaming sites, great TV shows pop up all year round. Here are six programs returning for new seasons. Remember, Summer isn’t all fun in the sun… It rains sometimes, too, and that’s when you can cuddle up with your cutie and watch these returning hit shows!
The Affair – June 17
Showtime‘s roster of programming isn’t as plentiful as other cable networks like HBO, but they’ve still got a ton of engrossing shows. One of our favorites is The Affair, starring Dominic West and Ruth Wilson as the most dramatic adulterers this side of Fatal Attraction. The show has a cinematic flair often lacking in soapy dramas, as well as award-worthy performances from its leading cast.
13 Reasons Why – May 18
The first season of Netflix‘s 13 Reasons Why was an unparalleled young adult drama with controversial storylines and adult sensibilities. Will the second season continue the show’s intelligent mix of boundary-pushing content and intentionally uncomfortable plot developments? Time will tell, but we sure as hell hope so!
Orange is the New Black – June
One of Netflix‘s first major hits (alongside the Washington DC thriller, House of Cards), Orange is the New Black is coming back for a sixth season this Summer, though an exact release date has yet to be announced. The way Netflix handles things, it’s likely we’ll get a trailer soon, with a surprisingly close release date. We can’t wait to find out what happens next in the continuing adventures of Piper, Alex, Red, and the rest of the chain gang!
Ozark – TBD
Jason Bateman is arguably best known for his work on TV shows as varied as Silver Spoons, Valerie, and Arrested Development, but he’s also earned significant acclaim as a dramatic actor. Don’t believe us? Then check out Ozark, in which Bateman stars and directs several episodes. Though the series has sometimes been compared to Breaking Bad, fans of the show know that it’s a totally different beast, and Bateman’s Marty Byrde is nothing like Bryan Cranston’s Walter White.
Arrested Development – May 29
Speaking of Jason Bateman, his timeless cult series, Arrested Development, is finally returning for its fifth season! After three seasons on Fox, Arrested Development was cancelled in 2006, only to be revived by Netflix for season four in 2013. Season five is on the way, and to promote the new batch of episodes, Netflix has released a unique re-edit of season four, with the questionable subtitle, Fateful Consequences. Will there be a season six? Will we have to wait another five years to see it? We’re hoping the answers are “yes,” and “no,” respectively.
Shades of Blue – June 17
Jennifer Lopez is a cultural icon. At her height, she was like the Latina Madonna, and a classic triple-threat. She’s a great actor, a terrific singer, and a talented dancer… And do we even need to mention her legendary butt?
J.Lo‘s latest project, the gritty cop drama, Shades of Blue, is returning for its third and final season this Summer. Co-starring Ray Liotta and Drea De Matteo, the NBC series is wrapping up its crime saga with a ten-episode run. Will Detective Santos walk off into the sunset like an old west hero? Or will she go to prison or a hole in the ground? We’ll just have to watch and see!
