The (heat) wave of new and returning television shows is here.
Summer is delivering a slew of fan-favorite series, including the return of “Ginny & Georgia” for its third season on Netflix.
Also in their third seasons are the thriller “Squid Games” on Netflix and “The Summer I Turned Pretty” on Prime Video.
Viewers have the option to explore new series from all the major streaming platforms, including Prime Video, which offers the suspenseful teen thriller “We Were Liars.” This show is an adaptation of E. Lockhart’s popular young adult novel of the same name.
Keep reading for all the summertime shows that should be on your watch list.
“Ginny & Georgia”
In the drama’s third season, the story resumes after the arrest of single mother of two, Georgia Miller (played by Brianne Howey), for murder during her wedding to Mayor Paul Randolph (portrayed by Scott Porter) in the Season 2 finale.
All major characters are back, including Georgia’s daughter Ginny (Antonia Gentry), plus viewers get to see some new faces enter Wellsbury High.
In February, Howey, 36, spoke about the latest season.
“Every character is now embarking on their individual mental health journey, which is a significant aspect of the show,” the actress explained to Us Weekly. “For the first time in her life, Georgia is coming to terms with the disastrous impact her actions have on her children.”
Airing now on Netflix.
“Ironheart”
This Disney+ series follows teenage inventor/new Marvel hero Riri Williams, who created the most advanced suit of armor since Iron Man in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”
The six-episode series stars Dominique Thorne as Riri and is the conclusion of Phase Five of the MCU, in anticipation of the next “Avengers.”
Along with Riri, supervillain The Hood — portrayed by Anthony Ramos — is also mentioned in the synopsis. In the comics, The Hood gains his powers and moniker by shooting and stealing a demon’s cloak and boots.
For those wanting to dive into the show’s backstory before watching it on the streaming platform, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” would be a good place to start.
Airing now on Disney+.
“Squid Game”
Season 3 of the highly anticipated Korean drama series “Squid Game” is back on Netflix, six months after its sophomore season aired in December.
Picking up right where the show left off, Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) will continue his mission to stop the deadly games. But the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) has his own dangerous agenda.
The new season is also set to be the last, and in December, director and creator Hwang Dong-hyuk told USA Today about the season 2 finale: “Gi-hun has a huge sense of loss, defeat and guilt weighing on him.
“When he is just filled with complete, utter loss and guilt after all of his attempts (to stop the games) fail, I thought that was the adequate ending to give closure to the second season.”
Airing now on Netflix.
“We Were Liars”
The new show is based on the book of the same name by E. Lockhart and tells the mysterious story of Cadence Sinclair Eastman (Emily Alyn Lind), who tries to remember what happened the summer she was 15 and suffered a tragic accident.
Mamie Gummer (“True Detective”), Caitlin FitzGerald (“Succession”) and “The Vampire Diaries” star Candice King star as the three Sinclair sisters.
In September, the show’s producer, Julie Plec, told The Post what readers can expect from the adaptation.
“What drew me to it is the deep emotional roller coaster that this story takes you on, starting from what seems just like a very simple, sweet, nostalgic coming-of-age story about first love and best friends and summer, and takes you from basically all those vibes on a very twisty-turny, surprising journey into a big tone shift,” she said.
Airing now on Prime Video.
“The Summer I Turned Pretty”
The hit drama is back for its third and final installment following the best-selling novels by Jenny Han. The show tells the tale of Belly Conklin (Lola Tung) and her love triangle with her childhood friends, brothers Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno) and Conrad (Christopher Briney), in Cousins Beach, Massachusetts.
“My preference was three seasons, but I also wanted to allow the storytelling room in case I felt like we needed more time,” Han, 44, told Entertainment Weekly in May.
She added that at one point, she thought about splitting the third book into two seasons because “there’s a lot of story, and it covers a wide expanse of time.”
“We needed more canvas for the story, so that’s how we ended up with 11 episodes,” the author explained. “But yeah, three books, three seasons. It feels right to me.”
Premiere date: July 16 on Prime Video.
“Wednesday”
Everyone’s favorite doom and gloom character, Wednesday Addams, is back. “Season 2 is bigger, bolder, gorier, and a bit darker,” Jenna Ortega told Harper’s Bazaar. “It’s sillier in the best way possible.”
Reflecting on how she landed the role in the first place, the 22-year-old said she was “getting to this point in my career where I was doing movies and getting in the rooms.”
“So I kept telling everyone no,” she explained. “I almost didn’t want to hear what Tim [Burton] had to say, and really like it, and feel like I needed to do it—which is kind of what happened.”
Burton, 66, told the outlet, “She’s playing the character, and I always felt her instincts were right.”
Premiere date: August 6 on Netflix.
“Stick”
This show is a major hole in one.
Owen Wilson is starring in the new golf comedy “Stick,” playing a down-on-his-luck former golf pro who decides to mentor a young golf prodigy.
Wilson, 56, said he’s been gearing up for this role his whole life.
“I’ve joked around that I’ve watched a lot of sports, and some people could say that I’ve spent too much time watching sports,” he told Men’s Health earlier this month. “Like, ‘Oh, that’s a waste of time.’ But I like to be able to say now, no, it was all preparation for this.”
Reflecting on the dynamic between his character Pryce Cahill and Peter Dager’s Santi Wheeler, Wilson noted: “Sports is just the backdrop.”
“How do you connect with any human being?” he asked. “Figuring out how to navigate these relationships is what it’s like to be human.”
Airing now on AppleTV+.
“The Waterfront”
From the creator of “Dawson’s Creek” and “Scream,” Kevin Williamson wrote and executive produced this drama that follows the Buckley family.
While this series is set in the fictional town of Havenport, North Carolina, it is inspired by true events and stars Holt McCallany, Maria Bello, Melissa Benoist, and Jake Weary.
“This is about a working man who’s trying to make a go of it for his family. They’ve pulled themselves up from nothing and they’ve built this mini fishing empire in their small little town,” Williamson, 60, said earlier this month. “Now it’s being taken away from them bit by bit. They’ll do anything to hold onto it, because it represents their family.”
Airing now on Netflix.
“The Buccaneers”
Season 2 of the critically-acclaimed series is back in full swing. “The Buccaneers” follows young American women who were sent to London to secure husbands and titles in the 1870s.
Fans are in store for some major guest appearances, including “Gossip Girl” alum Leighton Meester.
Sharing a reel on Instagram in October, the streaming service wrote, “Darlings, welcome Leighton Meester to The Buccaneers Season 2.” Meanwhile, the series creator Katherine Jakeways released a heartwarming statement ahead of the Season 2 premiere.
“It’s been a complete thrill to watch people all over the world fall in love with these characters, who’ve been brought to such vibrant life by our spectacular cast,” she said. “We know season one left audiences desperate to know what’s next for our buccaneers, so I’m absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to explore the further adventures of this smart, joyful, messy sisterhood.”
Airing now on AppleTV+.
“The Bear”
Season 4? Yes, Chef!
The Emmy award-winning series is back for its fourth season, starring Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach.
Season 3 ended last June with the cliffhanger that saw Sydney (Edebiri) having a panic attack trying to figure out if she should step away from the Chicago restaurant for good.
Hulu dropped a new trailer last month that showed the beloved kitchen staff dealing with food critics, their toxic work environment and trying to keep the restaurant afloat despite financial struggles.
Airing now on Hulu.
“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”
The sun is about to shine a little brighter soon.
Season 17 of the sitcom, which has been on the air since 2005, is around the corner, starring the core group: Rob McElhenney as Mac, Glenn Howerton as Dennis, Charlie Day as Charlie, Kaitlin Olson as Dee and Danny DeVito as Frank.
This season, “It’s Always Sunny” will also debut the second part of its crossover episode with “Abbott Elementary.” In October, Lisa Anna Walter exclusively told The Post what viewers are in store for.
“I can’t wait,” she said at Warner Brothers’ Fall TV Season Celebration. “I think it’s going to be unhinged. We did our side of it. We’re in the middle of doing it. We’re not done. And then I just got a script today for their side, but I haven’t read it yet.”
Premiere date: July 9 on FXX.
“Peacemaker”
John Cena is keeping the peace — at least, on the small screen as Peacemaker, the DC antihero who fights for peace at any cost. The action series created by James Gunn is headed into Season 2 and also stars Jennifer Holland, Robert Patrick, Freddie Stroma, and Danielle Brooks.
Cena, 48, said of the upcoming season: “This time around, everybody looked at it through a different lens, knowing how much the audience enjoyed the first one.
“[We knew] this is going to be a cornerstone of the show, so let’s dive in. Everyone gave their best in season 1, but I just think people now know the importance of it and hopefully it shines through in season 2.”
Premiere date: August 21 on MAX.
