Star Wars: The Acolyte
From June 5th, Disney+
We probably know more about the galaxy far, far away than we know about our own neighbourhood, so Star Wars fans will be in all-too-familiar territory in this latest live-action spin-off. There’ll be Jedi knights, lightsabers and a whole new fleet of spaceships – Lego probably already has sets ready to go for the Christmas market. But will The Acolyte challenge the mighty Mandalorian and capture the hearts of Disney subscribers? Lee Jung-jae is a Jedi master detective trying to solve a series of violent crimes, and his investigations bring him into the orbit of his formidable former pupil or padawan, played by Amandla Stenberg. But forces far beyond their powers are at work, and somehow Jedi master and padawan will have to combine their strength or get zapped like a Stormtrooper in one of the original movies.
Sweet Tooth
From June 6th, Netflix
It’s the future, and a deadly virus known as the Sick has swept through the world, threatening the very existence of humankind. This coincides with the emergence of the Hybrids – kids born looking like they’ve dressed up as their favourite cute animal for Halloween. Gus is the first of the hybrids, complete with an impressive set of antlers, and he and his friends have to navigate an increasingly wary and hostile world as they set out to find answers. In the third and final series, Gus learns that he is the key to saving the world from the Sick, and he must travel to Alaska to find his mother, Birdie, and hopefully find a way of stopping the virus. But having defeated nasty ol’ General Abbott, Gus and co encounter an even nastier threat: Helen Zhang, Sweet Tooth’s own Cruella de Vil, who believes Hybrids should be put down like naughty Dalmatians.
Becoming Karl Lagerfeld
From June 7th, Disney+
Daniel Brühl stars as the titular fashion designer in this origin story of sorts, bringing us back to Lagerfeld’s formative years in the 1970s, when he was a rank unknown on the Paris fashion scene, but was determined to make it all the way to the pinnacle of fashion fame and topple his friend and rival Yves Saint Laurent. Brühl fleshes out Lagerfeld’s complex personality as he cuts a swathe through the world of haute couture, falling in love with dangerous dandy Jacques de Bascher, and designing his own personal brand, complete with iconic hairstyle. This six-episode French series was filmed in Paris, Rome and Monaco, so expect full-on glamour and glitz.
Presumed Innocent
From June 12th, Apple TV+
Jake Gyllenhaal stars in this legal drama series based on the novel by Scott Turow. You might remember the 1990 film version starring Harrison Ford; now Gyllenhaal takes the role of deputy chief prosecutor Rusty Sabich for this eight-episode limited series, with Ruth Negga and Alexander Sarsgaard among the formidable cast. Rusty is good at putting away criminals, and it’s not really a spoiler to say the tables are turned when he finds himself accused of the brutal murder of his colleague Carolyn (Renate Reinsve). As he faces trial, he must try to keep his wife Barbara (Negga) and family on his side, and he’s going to have to use all his courtroom skills to prove his innocence – if he actually is innocent. It doesn’t help his case that he had been having an affair with Carolyn, and that he had become a bit obsessed with her – to the point of stalking her.
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Under the Bridge
From June 12th, Disney+
Fresh from her Oscar nomination for Killers of the Flower Moon, Lily Gladstone stars as a police officer on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, who is investigating the killing of a local teenager Reena, and uncovers a lot more going on beneath the surface. The series is based on the true crime book by Rebecca Godfrey, and Riley Keough plays the writer as she arrives in the town with the intention of interviewing Reena’s friends, who have been accused of her murder, and teasing out the truth.
The Boys
From June 13th, Prime Video
We’re in series four of the ultra-violent anti-superhero adventure, and if you’ve been able to stomach the relentlessly gory, splattercore killings of the first three series, then you should be able to get through this fourth outing without tossing your cookies too often. In this universe a million light years away from the Marvel, the “supes” are the bad guys, led by the odious Homelander (Antony Starr), a needy Trumpian narcissist who can barely hide his contempt for humanity. His nemesis is Billy Butcher (Karl Urban), a mortal on a mission to take down these all-powerful psychopaths, with help from a rag-tag crew known as The Boys. In series four, Homelander is firming up his power base, with fellow supe Victoria Neuman on track to win the White House, while Butcher has been booted out of the Boys and has only months to live to boot. But then he makes a discovery that could change the balance of power: a virus that can kill supes.
We Were the Lucky Ones
From Wednesday June 19th, Disney+
When Georgia Hunter delved into her family history via a school project, she discovered a story so gripping she had to write a book about it, which became a New York Times bestselling novel. Now, the story of one family of Polish Jews torn apart by the onset of the second World War has been turned into an eight-part TV series, tracking the members of the well-to-do Kurc family as they flee persecution by the Nazis and are scattered across the four corners of the Earth. The lucky ones escaped to safe countries; the unlucky ones were sent to concentration camps, their relative wealth no protection against anti-Semitism. Can they reunite and become a family once again?
America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
From June 20th, Netflix
You think it’s hard work playing for the Dallas Cowboys? You don’t know what hard work is. This series goes to the sidelines of the NFL, where the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders strut their stuff and go through a physically – and mentally – gruelling training regime to deliver a seamlessly choreographed performance on the gridiron for the fans. Every Texan girl wants to be on this team, but not everyone will make it through – only those with the drive and determination to win will get to wear the team uniform and high-kick their way to success. There will be tears, tantrums and torn muscles as the girls push themselves to the limits to be part of this cheerleading troupe.
The Bear
From June 27th, Disney+
We’re banging our knives and forks on the table in anticipation of Disney+ serving up a third course of the comedy-drama set in the titular gourmet restaurant with the ursine name. Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri and Ebon Moss-Bachrach return as Carmy, Sydney and Richie, and in series three the foodie trio are run ragged trying to keep The Bear in business, and keep the customers coming back for seconds ... and thirds. Having turned their humble beef stand into a fine dining establishment, the team has to push themselves even harder to keep up the high standards, but more often than not it’s kitchen hell as the stressed-out crew reach boiling point.
My Lady Jane
From June 27th, Prime Video
In real history, Lady Jane Grey was a Tudor teen queen who ruled England for just nine days until she was ousted by her cousin Mary and beheaded. In this alt-historical romp, however, Jane avoids assassination and, realising that powerful forces are out to topple her from the throne, shakes up 16th-century English society to the requisite rock ‘n’ techno soundtrack. This eight-part “romantasy” series is based on the bestselling novel, and stars Emily Bader in the title role, with a costumed cast that includes Anna Chancellor, Dominic Cooper, Rob Brydon and Jim Broadbent. (And keep a lookout for Máiréad Tyers, star of Extraordinary.) Expect lots of swashbuckling and bodice-ripping as Jane takes on the haters while also making time for teenage kicks.
