Put these shows and movies in your summer watchlist
VANCOUVER — We’ve already been locked up for three months, and just as restrictions have begun to ease this summer’s packed TV lineup is promising to keep us all indoors for many more weeks still.
The season’s offerings include fresh stories from bigname creators and continuing seasons from an intriguing mix of shows, including the Toronto-shot Umbrella Academy.
Reality fans will have to deal with a gaping hole in their schedule thanks to the coronavirus, which scuttled filming on The Amazing Race Canada and Clare Crawley’s season of The Bachelorette. Instead, they’ll have to make do by reliving some of the Bachelor franchise’s greatest hits on The Bachelor: The Greatest Seasons — Ever! spinoff.
Elsewhere, Big Brother is still planning an all-star Season 22, but it remains to be seen if the CBS summer staple will begin airing next month. Even Survivor, which usually returns in September, is a question mark right now.
In the meantime, we’ve assembled a short list of shows — and a few movies — we think people will be talking about throughout the warmer months. If not by the water cooler, then at the dog park — socially distanced of course.
PERRY MASON (HBO AND CRAVE)
Based on characters created by author Erle Stanley Gardner, this revamp of the TV series that starred Raymond Burr kicks off in 1931 as it follows the origins of American fiction’s most legendary criminal defence lawyer, Perry Mason. The Americans’ Matthew Rhys fills in his beginnings as Mason, cast as a private eye in Los Angeles, is drawn into the investigation of a child kidnapping gone horribly wrong. Robert Downey Jr., who was originally supposed to star, produces.
THE TWILIGHT ZONE: SEASON 2 (JUNE 25, CBS ALL ACCESS)
Plot details are scarce, but the second season of Jordan Peele’s eerie reboot of the retro favourite features a stacked cast, including Chris Meloni, Morena Baccarin, Topher Grace, Tony Hale, Gillian Jacobs, Joel McHale, Billy Porter, Gretchen Mol, Jenna Elfman and Damon Wayans Jr.
I’LL BE GONE IN THE DARK (JUNE 28, HBO AND CRAVE)
Writer Michelle McNamara’s investigation into the dark world of a violent predator she dubbed the Golden State Killer gets the documentary treatment in this new sixepisode series. Based on McNamara’s bestselling book of the same name, director Liz Garbus documents true-crime buff’s hunt to uncover the identity of the killer who terrorized parts of California in the 1970s and ‘80s.
UNSOLVED MYSTERIES (JULY 1, NETFLIX)
A modern reboot of the classic ’90s series, the new spinoff will again examine real cases of perplexing disappearances, shocking murders and paranormal encounters. “This modern take on the classic series will maintain the chilling feeling viewers loved about the original,” Netflix says.
CANADA’S DRAG RACE (JULY 2, CRAVE)
Twelve of the fiercest queens in the land showcase their charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent to compete to become Canada’s First Drag Superstar, and win the $100,000 grand prize. Celebrity guest hosts include BIDDELL,
Amanda Brugel, Deborah Cox, Elisha Cuthbert, Tom Green and more.
THE BABY-SITTERS CLUB (JULY 3, NETFLIX)
Netflix gives the popular YA book series a contemporary spin as it follows the friendship and adventures of Kristy Thomas (Sophie Grace), Mary-Anne Spier (Malia Baker), Claudia Kishi (Momona Tamada), Stacey McGill (Shay Rudolph), and Dawn Schafer (Xochitl Gomez) as the middle-schoolers start their babysitting business.
HANNA: SEASON 2 ( JULY 3, AMAZON PRIME VIDEO)
Inspired by the movie of the same name, the action-thriller returns with Dermot Mulroney and Anthony Welsh joining the fray as a teenage assassin (Esme Creed-Miles) finds herself on the run from a shadowy government organization.
TOUGH AS NAILS (JULY 8, CBS AND GLOBAL)
Hosted and executive produced by Phil Keoghan (“The Amazing Race”), the new 10-episode competition series throws the spotlight on people who are tough in real life as a result of their physically demanding jobs.