Before streaming changed everything, the summer TV season used to be awash in reruns.
To some extent, that’s still true, with TV executives churning through old ideas — be it a remake of “Little House on the Prairie,” yet another “Big Bang Theory” spinoff, or the return of “Ted Lasso” years after the series more or less said its final goodbye.
But we’ve come to expect this. No sense in complaining. And there are some spots of originality on the schedule as well, plus new seasons of proven winners. On with the show:
Not Suitable for Work
Mindy Kaling’s latest show features “five work-obsessed 20-somethings striving for professional success and, if they have time, personal happiness in Manhattan’s most glamorous neighborhood, Murray Hill.” Gen-Z deserves its own version of “Friends,” right?
June 2 on Hulu
Cape Fear
The story of an ex-con who seeks revenge on a lawyer began as a 1957 novel called “The Executioners.” It was adapted into not one but two movies, first in 1962 starring Robert Mitchum and Gregory Peck, and again in 1991 starring Robert De Niro and Nick Nolte. But Hollywood can’t seem to stop readapting everything in sight, this time drawing it out as a TV series starring Javier Bardem, Patrick Wilson and Amy Adams.
June 5 on Apple TV
The Vampire Lestat
One of the best shows of the past couple of years, and probably one of the most underseen. Called “Interview With the Vampire” in its first two seasons, the show (adapted from the Anne Rice vampire novels) returns for a third season, this time following Lestat’s venture into rock stardom that finds him haunted by his past. Sam Reid, Jacob Anderson, Assad Zaman and Eric Bogosian return.
June 7 on AMC
Patience
A police detective in Yorkshire teams up with an autistic woman who works in the records department in this British murder mystery series, back for a second season. Their pairing is awkward and tentative and involves a learning curve for both. This time out, Patience — who was raised by her father — goes in search of her mother, while also navigating a new romantic relationship.
June 14 on PBS
The Bear
Over its four seasons, “The Bear” has traced the evolution of a humble Chicago Italian beef sandwich shop into a fine dining establishment, ending last season with head chef Carmy Berzatto announcing that he wanted out, leaving the restaurant in the hands of Sydney and Cousin Richie. We’ll find out how that turn of events resolves itself in the show’s fifth and final season.
June 25 on Hulu
Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness
The sketch comedy series from Larry David, and produced by former President Barack Obama, satirizes the United States on its 250th anniversary. A number of “Curb” veterans will appear, including Jeff Garlin, Susie Essman and J.B. Smoove.
June 26 on HBO
The Five-Star Weekend
Jennifer Garner, Regina Hall and Chloë Sevigny star in this adaptation of Elin Hilderbrand’s novel about a recently widowed food blogger (Garner) and the weekend in Nantucket she spends with friends.
July 9 on Peacock
Lucky
It’s adapted from the novel by Marissa Stapley about a grifter named Lucky (Anya Taylor-Joy) who has just pulled a $1 million heist. Things go sideways when she realizes she’s in possession of a winning lottery ticket but can’t cash it in without being busted for said heist. It’s a confluence of events that sees her going on the run, pursued by the FBI on one end, a crime boss on the other.
July 15 on Apple TV
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe
“Big Bang Theory” spinoff No. 3 revolves around minor characters from the original — including comic book store owner Stuart (Kevin Sussman) — in a show that is stylistically very different from the original. The teaser is in the vein of action movie trailers that begin with the portentous words: “In a world …” Is that meant to be tongue-in-cheek? Maybe. Somehow, Stuart and friends have found themselves in an alternate reality.
July 23 on HBO Max