Cape Fear
When and where: June 5, Apple TV+.
What it’s about: Thirty-five years ago, Martin Scorsese directed the psychological horror thriller “Cape Fear,” starring Robert De Niro. Even then, it was a remake of the 1962 film of the same name, whose screenplay was based on John D. MacDonald’s 1957 novel “The Executioners.” Apparently, the classic story still lives and breathes in Scorsese, who has joined forces with Steven Spielberg to executive produce a contemporary 10-part adaptation for the small screen.
In the new series, Javier Bardem steps into De Niro’s role as Max Cady. “What is your greatest fear?” he is heard asking mysteriously in the trailer. For Anna and Tom Bowden, now played by Amy Adams and Patrick Wilson, the answer is clear: Max’s release from prison, 17 years after they were responsible for his conviction and imprisonment for a murder he did not commit. In the original version, the crime was rape.
This intense horror thriller follows Cady’s campaign of revenge as the Bowdens realize in terror that their past has returned to haunt them. Cady slowly invades their home life, gets close to their children and destabilizes the quiet life they have built. Terrifying.
Who’s in it: Bardem (“No Country for Old Men”), Adams (“Arrival”), Wilson (“Fargo”) and others.
Alice and Steve
When and where: June 8, Disney+.
What it’s about: Alice and Steve have been inseparable best friends for more than 25 years — until Steve, lonely and loveless, sleeps with Alice’s 26-year-old daughter, Izzy, played by none other than Israeli actress Yali Topol Margalith. Yes, the granddaughter of the late Chaim Topol. Izzy has moved back in with Alice after a recent breakup. A shocked Alice cuts Steve out of her life and goes to war, trying to break up the new relationship between the two with threats, manipulation and attempts to sabotage his career. But Steve has no intention of giving up, and the two launch into a chaotic, no-holds-barred feud.
The series was created and written by Sophie Goodhart, one of the writers of “Sex Education,” and is directed by BAFTA winner Tom Kingsley. “Alice and Steve,” described as an “anti-romantic comedy,” has already won best series at the 2026 Canneseries festival before even premiering. Can Steve and Izzy’s relationship really last? Will Alice and Steve ever be able to return to the friendship they once had? And will Yali make her late grandfather Chaim proud? The six-part British series tries to answer all of that.
Who’s in it: Jemaine Clement (“Men in Black”), Nicola Walker (“Unforgotten”), Yali Topol Margalith (“The Tattooist of Auschwitz”).
Tip Toe
When and where: June 10, HOT and yes.
What it’s about: A new thriller from Russell T Davies, the acclaimed creator behind “It’s a Sin,” “Queer as Folk” and certain eras of “Doctor Who.” The plot follows Leo and Clive, two neighbors in Manchester who have lived side by side for nearly 15 years, until their relationship begins to spiral into a dark place. The series opens with Leo, a gay man who runs an LGBTQ bar on Canal Street, one of Britain’s most recognizable LGBTQ hubs, hiring Clive, a homophobic electrician struggling to find work, to do jobs at the bar. At the same time, Leo begins forming a bond with one of Clive’s teenage sons, who is still in the closet — and that is where things start to get complicated.
Davies described the thriller as the “angriest, darkest and funniest” series he has created to date, saying it was born from a sense that “the world is getting stranger, harsher and darker.” According to him, “Tip Toe” is a response to the political and social climate of recent years. Accordingly, the series is expected to deal with homophobia and hatred through a story about a neighborly conflict. “I used to walk into a room and shout ‘ta-da.’ Now I tiptoe, just in case,” Leo’s colorful friend tells him in the trailer. That line seems to sum up one of the show’s central themes: the growing fear felt by the LGBTQ community in public spaces and the violence seeping through social media.
Who’s in it: Alan Cumming (“The Good Wife”), David Morrissey (“Daddy Issues”).
I Will Find You
When and where: June 18, Netflix.
What it’s about: Believe it or not, this is another Netflix adaptation of a Harlan Coben book — this time his 2023 novel “I Will Find You.” The new miniseries follows David Burroughs, a father serving a life sentence for murdering his son, a crime he did not commit. Yes, yes, this is a recurring motif in June’s series. At the start of the show, his former sister-in-law Rachel, played by “Severance” star Britt Lower, visits him in prison and shows him a photo of a boy who looks exactly like his son, years after he was believed to be dead. Following the encounter with Rachel, David escapes from prison and sets out in search of his son, while law enforcement closes in and he vows to find him and bring him home.
Robert Hull, the series creator and showrunner, said working with Coben was “a dream come true.” He said in an interview with Netflix’s Tudum that he has read every book Coben has ever written, adding that as a screenwriter, it is a gift to take a story like this, veer off course and explore new directions, while always knowing the book provides a road map to return to when needed. Once again, Netflix is sticking to the snackable thriller formula of its Coben adaptations, and hopefully we have another quality binge to add to the list.
Who’s in it: Sam Worthington (“Avatar”), Britt Lower (“Severance”), Milo Ventimiglia (“This Is Us”), Logan Browning (“Dear White People”).
House of the Dragon — Season 3
When and where: June 21, HBO Max.
What it’s about: Nearly two years after the end of its second season, “House of the Dragon” returns with plenty of fire and blood, straight into the Dance of the Dragons — the brutal Targaryen civil war that takes place about 200 years before the events of “Game of Thrones” and chronicles the dynasty’s downfall. After two seasons that gradually built the rift and intrigue between Rhaenyra Targaryen’s camp and the Hightower camp, the series is shifting into higher gear, according to HBO.
The new season is expected to open with a massive battle considered one of the biggest, most destructive and bloodiest events in George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood.” The battle will combine dozens of ships, dragon attacks and a large-scale confrontation. The trailers released so far promise a much more violent, darker and action-packed season than the previous ones, as the struggle for the Iron Throne continues to tear the Targaryen family apart. Showrunner Ryan Condal and Martin himself remain behind the series, with Martin serving as executive producer, and HBO has already officially confirmed that the series will end after just four seasons — making Season 3 the beginning of the end.
Who’s in it: Emma D’Arcy (“Truth Seekers”), Matt Smith (“The Crown,” “Doctor Who”), Olivia Cooke (“Bates Motel”), Rhys Ifans (“Notting Hill”), Ewan Mitchell (“Saltburn”).
Avatar: The Last Airbender — Season 2
When and where: June 25, Netflix.
What it’s about: After the first live-action season of “Avatar: The Last Airbender” became one of Netflix’s most-watched series last year, Aang, Katara and Sokka return to continue their journey to stop the Fire Nation. The series, based on Nickelodeon’s beloved animated show, takes place in an imaginary world where some people can control one of the four elements — water, earth, fire and air — while the Avatar is the only one who can control them all and maintain balance in the world.
At the end of the first season, which focused on the Water Nation, Aang began to accept his role as the Avatar, while Prince Zuko and his uncle Iroh were forced to flee the Fire Nation after clashing with the regime. The new season is expected to take the characters to the Earth Kingdom and introduce Toph Beifong for the first time — the blind earthbender who becomes Aang’s teacher and is considered one of the most beloved characters from the original series. As Aang begins learning earthbending from her, it seems their connection does not start off on the right foot but builds gradually. Gordon Cormier, who plays Aang, said it is definitely a relationship that starts off on the wrong foot — or on unstable ground. Get it? Funny indeed.
For those concerned, Netflix has already confirmed a third and final season, which has already finished filming and will conclude the series. According to the creators, the plan is to adapt the three “books” of the original animated series over three seasons.
Who’s in it: Gordon Cormier, Kiawentiio, Ian Ousley (“13 Reasons Why”), Dallas Liu (“Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”), Elizabeth Yu (“A Good Person”).
The Bear — Season 5
When and where: June 25, Disney+.
What it’s about: Jeremy Allen White and the tight T-shirts return for a fifth and final season. The season opens the morning after Sydney, Richie and Natalie discover that Carmy has abandoned them and left the restaurant in their hands. “The Bear,” which premiered in 2022, became a hit with audiences and critics alike, but took a serious hit during the most recent awards season. The first season won 10 Emmy Awards, including best comedy series, and the second added 11 more wins, but the third went home empty-handed despite 13 nominations. The fourth season will compete in the upcoming awards ceremonies, while the final season will compete in 2027.
According to the official synopsis, with no money, under threat of a sale and amid a severe storm, the new partners will have to unite with the rest of the team to carry out one final service in the hope of finally winning a Michelin star. In the end, they will learn that what makes a restaurant “perfect” may not be the food, but the people. And the real gift was the friends we met along the way. Yawn. To restore its lost honor, let’s hope this season is better than its clichéd synopsis. Those looking for hope can find it in the prequel episode “Gary,” which was released by surprise last month and received positive reviews.
Who’s in it: Jeremy Allen White (“Shameless”), Ayo Edebiri (“Bottoms”), Ebon Moss-Bachrach (“Girls”), Lionel Boyce (“Project Hail Mary”), Liza Colón-Zayas (“In Treatment”).
Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness
When and where: June 26, HBO Max.
What it’s about: The United States is celebrating 250 years, and we are getting a satirical sketch special from 78-year-old Larry David, produced by none other than Barack Obama, who will also make a guest appearance. In the teaser, Obama says he has sat across from some of the toughest leaders in the world and dealt with some of the most intractable problems on Earth, but nothing prepared him for working with Larry David.
The series marks David’s return to the screen after the end of “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” which wrapped in 2024 after 12 seasons and became one of the most acclaimed, influential and hilarious comedies of the 21st century. It will include seven episodes featuring four sketches, airing through Aug. 7. The series was directed by Jeff Schaffer, who also worked with David on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “Seinfeld.” David will star alongside several “Curb” cast members and a string of guest actors as they mock key moments in American history. As with “Curb,” the series is not based on a full script. Each sketch has only general storylines, with most of the dialogue improvised. Schaffer described the series as “Curb” in period costume. We’re in.
Who’s in it: Oh wow. Bill Hader (“Saturday Night Live”) and Kathryn Hahn (“Agatha All Along”) as Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln, Jon Hamm (“Mad Men”) and Sean Hayes (“Will & Grace”) as the Wright brothers, and a Larry David-Jerry Seinfeld reunion as Lewis and Clark.
Worth keeping an eye on
In addition to the select lineup above, Netflix will release a three-part documentary on June 3 titled “Michael Jackson: The Verdict,” perhaps in hopes of offering some balance to the biopic “Michael.” FreeTV will get “High Alert” on June 9, a French-produced geopolitical thriller featuring several Israeli stars, including Talia Bertfeld, Tsahi Halevi and Ohad Knoller. Animation fans can look forward to a new spinoff of “Adventure Time,” as “Adventure Time: Side Quests” arrives on HBO Max on June 29.