Although summer may be the prime time for blockbuster movies like “The Avengers: Age of Ultron,” or “Mad Max: Fury Road,” entertainment lovers have many options within their own home, afforded to them by the quality of summer TV series set to premier in the coming months. Here are a few of the most popular summer hits that are ready to hit the small screen soon.
June 12 on Netflix
Netflix’s hit series “Orange is the New Black” will release its third season in its entirety on Friday, June 12. The series is a huge hit and tells the story of Piper Chapman (Taylor Schilling, “Argo”), who finds herself behind bars after being convicted of decades-old drug smuggling crimes.
The show has been extremely successful in its first two seasons and looks to replicate the success of “House of Cards,” Netflix’s other popular original series. By making all 13 episodes available in one day, viewers can binge watch it straight from the get-go. The third season will continue to chronicle Piper’s life in prison. The Netflix series has fairly limited availability of previews and trailers much like many strictly web-streamed series.
June 21 on HBO
Originally assumed to be a miniseries, HBO’s “True Detective” will return for a second season with an all-new cast. Replacing first season stars Matthew McConaughey (“Dallas Buyer’s Club”) and Woody Harrelson (“The Hunger Games”) is an all-new star-studded cast, featuring Colin Farrell (“In Bruges”), Rachel McAdams (“Sherlock Holmes”) and Vince Vaughn (“Swingers”).
The show certainly looks like it is more than capable of handling a turnover in cast and likely an entirely new plot. Look for “True Detective” to bring an intense mystery/suspense attitude to HBO this summer. The interesting thing about “True Detective” is that the show will begin a new plot and storyline that is unrelated to the first season. This style is uncommon among dramas on TV today. Previews can be found on IMDb, YouTube, or even HBO’s website.
July 12 on Showtime
Liev Schreiber (“X-Men”) returns in Showtime’s “Ray Donovan” on July 12. The show is returning for its second season after a stellar first. “Ray Donovan” is a drama about a professional “fixer” in Los Angeles; in other words, Donovan is a criminal who keeps himself and his colleagues out of real legal trouble through payoffs, bribes and the like.
Donovan has an uncanny knack for solving problems under the eye of the always watching Hollywood lights. A paradox in the show is presented by Donovan’s inability to solve problems within his own home or life while thriving in solving other people’s problems.
July 12 on Showtime
“Masters of Sex” also makes its return to Showtime on July 12. This drama tells the story of Dr. William Masters’ (Michael Sheen “Frost/Nixon”) revolutionary experiments on sex and its impact on the human body. While this is certainly not a show to be watched with parents or young siblings, many of its strengths have nothing at all to do with sex.
The show excels—much like “Mad Men”—by perfectly recreating the time period in which the show’s events supposedly take place. It seems fitting that both shows are set in the same era, the 1960s.
Another strength is the ability to turn history (or at least a basis in history) into an exciting drama for audiences that feels nothing like a documentary.
“Masters of Sex” is certainly a tremendous break from typical dramas, and presents a great change of pace for TV lovers.
At the end of the day there are many ways to enjoy a summer of entertainment. Whether you like to file in line and see some of Hollywood’s biggest stars on the silver screen, or enjoy the comfort of your own home with some TV’s best, there is really no way to go wrong when it comes to unwinding and relaxing with a blockbuster movie, or a popular TV drama.
