SUMMER 2025 TV SHOWS: DISCOVER SOMETHING NEW + RETURNING FAVORITES
The unofficial start of summertime is here, which for most of us probably means warmer days, road trips and a few too many ice cream trips. It also means that the Summer 2025 TV show preview season is here. Typically, the kind of TV that is happier and sillier than the primetime fall shows. There are still some darker shows, but they look to be set against a kind of tropical or oceanside backdrop which seems to soften the darker stories.
LIST | IF YOU BINGE-WATCHED ‘MOTORHEADS,’ WATCH THESE
SUMMER 2025 TV SHOWS: DISCOVER SOMETHING NEW + RETURNING FAVORITES. Looking at the #SummerTV shows streaming or debuting this year! #Motorheads #TheBetterSister #DeptQ #Outlander Share on XLet’s discover what’s coming to your screens this summer across streaming and network TV, too. We’ll look at new and returning shows, too. From summer getaways to curious mysteries, let’s see what is to come – and what’s here already!
SUMMER 2025 TV PREVIEW
Discover some of the new TV shows coming to streaming and TV
THE LIBRARIANS: THE NEXT CHAPTER, sundays on tnt
A new iteration of The Librarians has dropped! We reviewed this one as a kind of “first impression” look at this new season. It’s quite entertaining (as we’d expect!) and is all around a good time (at least early on).
Stream, at publication, on TNTDrama.com
MOTORHEADS, prime video binge release
The entire ten-episode run of this Prime Video drama is available now, and surprisingly, it’s interesting. It follows a woman returning to her small town with her two kids, and the brother-in-law who is still in the small town.
The plot is primarily about the kids, but there are some other plots and threads that crop up too (like a connection from the past between two of the adults). Mostly, this one is about figuring out who your friends are, which is a sometimes painful thing to experience.
Stream exclusively with Prime Video
SIRENS, netflix binge release
A glossy kind of drama, this one is a story about a cult-like mansion run by the wealthy Michaela Kell. The story is also about Devon, a woman who believes her sister’s participation with Michaela is “creepy” and the battle between Devon and Michaela the ensues because of this. Note, this entire show is now streaming on Netflix.
Stream exclusively with Netflix
THE BETTER SISTER – MAY 29, prime video binge release
This follows a woman who, outwardly has the perfect life, but has it shattered when her husband is murdered and the prime suspect unveils secrets her family isn’t ready to face.
This drama has an impressive cast which includes Jessica Biel and Elizabeth Banks. I’m not sure if I’ll love or loathe this one, but I am curious to see what comes.
Stream (upon release) exclusively with Prime Video
DEPT. Q – MAY 29, netflix
An adaptation, this one is has Matthew Goode playing DCI Carl Morck who is described as being “a brilliant cop but a terrible colleague.” The synopsis goes on to describe his as having sarcasm which makes him no friends in the police department at Edinburgh. This one sounds good and interesting albeit probably dark. It’s from Scott Frank, whose recent credit includes The Queen’s Gambit.
Stream (upon release) exclusively with Netflix
STICK – JUNE 4, apple tv+
Owen Wilson plays an ex-golfer struggling after losing his job. In a kind of uplifting concept, he ends up helping a prodigy find and hone his talent. Judy Greer is another popular name to feature in this. This one will have a three episode drop before it will (presumably) release the rest of its episodes weekly.
Stream (upon release) exclusively with Apple TV+
ART DETECTIVES – JUNE 9, acorn tv
The concept of this one is about detectives who recover lost art! It seems like a fun and entertaining concept and has Stephen Moyer in the lead role (as well as a producer).
This is one I’m extremely excited to see. But then, I’m probably biased since I do love most of the Acorn TV originals I try. When I saw the announcements that they’d be bring some new mysteries and dramas to their slate, well needless to say, I was thrilled. This is one of the newer titles that was announced, and I have high expectations! The show is slated for a two-episode premiere.
Stream (upon release) exclusively with Acorn TV
PATIENCE – JUNE 15, pbs masterpiece
Up until digging into what’s debuting this summer, I had not heard of Patience. The drama, which PBS is picking up for U.S. viewing, is said to be based on a French series and is about “Patience Evans […] a neurodivergent woman who works in the Criminal Records Office in the city of York.” The show will pair her with a detective who finds her talents helpful in solving the curious and complex cases Bea must solve. The main cast will include Laura Fraser (who many of us will remember from A Knight’s Tale) and Ella Maisy Purvis.
Stream (upon release) with PBS Passport on with PBS Masterpiece (through Prime Video); or catch the premiere on your local PBS station.
OUTRAGEOUS – JUNE 18, britbox
A miniseries, this one follows the Mitford sisters in an “inspired by a true story” six-episode event. Anna Chancellor, Joshua Sasse, and James Purefoy lead the well-known cast names, alongside a cast of newer faces.
Stream (upon release) with BritBox
SUMMER 2025 TV SHOWS: DISCOVER SOMETHING NEW + RETURNING FAVORITES. Looking at the #SummerTV shows streaming or debuting this year! #Motorheads #TheBetterSister #ArtDetectives #WeWereLiars Share on XWE WERE LIARS – JUNE 18, prime video binge release
Based on the novel of the same name, this follows four teens somehow connected by an event that Cady Sinclair, a 17-year-old who suffers an accident that renders her unable to remember what happened.
Stream (upon release) exclusively with Prime Video
THE WATERFRONT – JUNE 19, netflix
This one has a logline that says its inspired by “true events,” about a family and their attempts to keep their heads up and hold on to a business empire. Maria Bello, Melissa Benoist, Holt McCallany, and more will lead the cast.
Stream (upon release) exclusively with Netflix
COUNTDOWN – JUNE 25, prime video
Jensen Ackles returns to this summer 2025 TV preview show format in this as part of an LAPD task force investigating suspicious murders, and also a deeper sinister plot. This one may do really well given it has Ackles. What do you think? Also in the cast is Eric Dane. The episodes number to 13 with a three-episode premiere being planned.
Stream (upon release) exclusively with Prime Video
SMOKE – JUNE 27, apple tv+
Popular “it” star, Taron Egerton stars in this as an arson investigator who teams with a troubled” detective to solve the case of a two serial arsonists. The rest of the cast impresses two with Rafe Spall, Anna Chlumsky, Greg Kinnear, and as co-lead Jurnee Smollett, who isn’t someone that I’ve seen in anything.
on Apple TV+. Photo: Apple TV+ Press
Stream (upon release) exclusively with Apple TV+
BALLARD – JULY 9, prime video binge release
This one is getting quite a bit of hype. It has Maggie Q playing Renee Ballard and is a spin off or “offshoot” of Bosch: Legacy. According to its Prime Video press release, this one is about Q’s Ballard (of course) and follows her “as she leads the LAPD’s new and underfunded cold case division, tackling the city’s most challenging long-forgotten crimes with empathy and relentless determination.” These are based on the novels from Michael Connelly.
Stream (upon release) exclusively on Prime Video
OUTLANDER: BLOOD of my BLOOD – AUGUST 8, starz
I watched maybe two episodes of Outlander before realizing it just wasn’t my cup of tea (and reading what I did about later seasons, well, I’m happy I didn’t keep up), but many adore the period and time travel drama. This show is set to be a prequel that follows the lives of Jamie and Claire’s (from Outlander) parents. (We also all know I tend to loathe prequels.) The original series is of course based on the popular novels of the same name.
Stream (upon release) exclusively with Starz
MORE NEW SHOWS to consider
- Revival, June 12 (SyFy)
- Nautilus, June 29 (AMC / AMC+)
- Untamed, July 17 (Netflix)
- Leanne, July 31 (Netflix binge release)
- Chief of War, August 1 (Apple TV+)
- The Terminal List, August 27 (Prime Video)
RETURNING summer 2025 tv preview titles
GINNY & GEORGIA – JUNE 5, netflix
Season three is the aftermath of Georgia’s arrest and an unhappy end to her wedding day. The season three “about” from Netflix also says that life has always been just “Ginny and Georgia against the world, but the world has never come for them quite like this.” I watched one episode of this show way back when now, and remember not loving the Netflix drama. But does it deserve another chance?
GRANTCHESTER – JUNE 15, masterpiece PBS
Starting June 15, this Masterpiece PBS mystery will run Sundays through August 3. In its tenth year (how though?), the show will follow Alphy, who now has “found a home” (according to its overview for season ten) but also must discover if he can “let love in” while working alongside Geordie, a man who seems to befriend everyone.
This one is one of the best shows on air currently, and though it consistently surprises me, it often has profound conclusions and well spoken and written sermons. For most TV, it’s hard to find solid lessons and messages, which isn’t something this show suffers from.
Stream (upon release) with PBS Passport on with PBS Masterpiece (through Prime Video); or catch the premiere on your local PBS station. Stream seasons 1 – 9 now on PBS Masterpiece or PBS Passport.
SUMMER 2025 TV SHOWS: DISCOVER SOMETHING NEW + RETURNING FAVORITES. Looking at the #SummerTV shows streaming or debuting this year! #Motorheads #TheBetterSister #ArtDetectives #GrantchesterPBS #TheBuccaneers Share on XTHE BUCCANEERS – JUNE 18, apple tv+
Season two of the bright and buzzy period drama, inspired by the novel by Edith Wharton will return with more of the American turned British residents with Nan and Jinny St. George, Conchita and Lizzy taking up new challenges. The Apple TV+ release says season two will be “… setting hearts racing and kicking off an Anglo-American culture clash. Now the Buccaneers are no longer the invaders — England is their home. In fact, they’re practically running the place.”
While it is super pretty to look at, I’m not overly fond of this drama. It’s engaging yes, but I take issue with some of the characters, and well, in the case of this show, I find it a bit annoying. If it bothers you, the show is also very modern with its soundtrack choices which can pull you out of the story.
Stream (upon release) on Apple TV+; or find season one now on Apple TV+
THE GILDED AGE – JUNE 22, hbo max
Back for its third season is Julian Fellowes The Gilded Age. According to HBO Max, the show will pick up following the same characters and specifically will be shows how “the Russells stand poised to take their place at the head of society. Bertha sets her sights on a prize that would elevate the family to unimaginable heights while George risks everything on a gambit that could revolutionize the railroad industry — if it doesn’t ruin him first.” The Brook family also continues to be an important part as is a possible new romance, too.
Stream, at publication, seasons 1 – 2 on HBO Max or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video
THE MADAME BLANC MYSTERIES – JULY 7, acorn tv
Returning to Acorn TV (which we all, obviously, by now know is my favorite!) is The Madame Blanc Mysteries. I think I’ve only seen maybe an episode or two of this show’s first season, but it follows an antiques expert who makes a big life change (a move to France!) and the mysteries she becomes involved in.
Stream, at publication, seasons 1 – 3 on Acorn TV or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video
THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY – JULY 16, prime video
Inspired by the novels by Jenny Han, this third season of the teen love triangle drama will be the shows final. It’s also one of those ideal Summer 2025 TV preview titles that screams summertime. Appropriate that this will be the final season since there are three books and we have to assume each season adapts one book. This one is said to pick up two years after season two and shows heroine Belly (short for Isabel) happy being with Jeremiah and building a life. But the teasers and questions all seem to ask, is she really over his brother Conrad, the other boy in her love triangle?
I read book one in this series and did enjoy it, but comparatively, it reads very young. What holds me back from trying this show is, primarily, the long triangle and the fact that I’m sure it’s all kinds of drama (within that romance). Still, given my love for Jenny Han’s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, I am curious. It also looks like it would be gorgeous with all of those beach-y scenes.
Stream, at publication, seasons 1 – 2 exclusively with Prime Video
WEDNESDAY, PART 1 – AUGUST 6, netflix
The logline for this “part 1” premiere drop (which will be episodes 201 – 204, and part 2 will drop in September) says Wednesday Addams returns where “fresh foes and woes await” her as she continues at Nevermore Academy.
Stream, at publications, season one exclusively with Netflix
MORE to CONSIDER, returning
- Nine Perfect Strangers, May 21 (Hulu)
- And Just Like That, May 29 (HBO Max)
- Fubar, June 12 (Netflix)
- Children Ruin Everything, June 18 (The CW)
- Squid Game, June 27 (Netflix)
- The Morning Show, September 17 (Apple TV+); technically more fall, but I’ll add it here
Photos: Alamy (Patience; Sirens / Netflix); Apple TV+ Press (The Buccaneers and Smoke); Masterpiece PBS (Grantchester); Acorn TV (Art Detectives); and Prime Video (The Summer I Turned Pretty).
How many of these will you be making time for this summer? Which ones have you already been watching? Are you curious about any of the new ones? Comment all of your summer 2025 TV preview thoughts below? Let’s talk all the things.
Thank you for visiting; please do return again soon.
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