23 Summer TV Shows We Can’t Wait to Watch

23 Summer TV Shows We Can’t Wait to Watch

As temperatures rise, so is anticipation for summer television.

Finally, some fan favorite programs – plus oodles of new shows – are back on the screen. From scripted to reality competition, there are a variety of options set for the start of the season.

TheWrap picks 23 summer shows worth watching:

1. “Aquarius” (NBC)
Thursday, May 28 at 9 p.m.
Set in the 1960s, “Aquarius” follows police officer Sam Hodiak (David Duchovny) as he goes undercover to track down one of the biggest cult leaders in history – Charles Manson. Gethin Anthony stars as Manson in his early days, back when he was a wannabe rockstar beginning to recruit vulnerable women. After all this time, the Manson family continues to be a topic of fascination and we’re itching for a series that finally gets the story right.

NBC

2. “So You Think You Can Dance” (FOX)
Monday, June 1 at 8 p.m.
There’s just something about an amazing dancer that is so captivating, even 12 seasons later. These reality competition shows get better year after year, so there’s a high expectation for talent from the contestants of this round.

Also Read: 'So You Think You Can Dance' Judge Mary Murphy Exiting Fox Show

3. “The Whispers” (ABC)
Monday, June 1 at 10 p.m.
This new ABC series might make you question a young child’s “imaginary friend.” Here, we see children talking to thin air… Or so it seems. These made-up friends aren’t made-up at all; they’re mysterious voices telling innocent kids to do bad things. Finally, a scary show that relies on psychological terror rather than silly, onscreen antics. And, yes, those are much worse. Not seeing the object of your fear is far more terrifying.

4. “Pretty Little Liars” (ABC Family)
Tuesday, June 2 at 8 p.m.
In the season finale, we found out Charles – Ali’s possibly estranged older brother – is “A.” Which, really, means we’ve learned of yet another plot twist. For a series about secrets unfolding just in time for more secrets to build up, you’d think the world had had enough of “PLL.” Of course, you’d be wrong. The devotion has only intensified in the months of waiting. The summer premiere of season six starts with the girls still trapped in Charles’ lair, but we’re sure they’ll wiggle their way out of that predicament within the first 15 minutes.

Also Read: 5 Reasons 'Pretty Little Liars' Is Winning Snapchat, With 500K Followers in 2 Weeks

5. “Stitchers” (ABC Family)
Tuesday, June 2 at 9 p.m.
Emma Ishta stars as Kirsten, a young girl who is tasked with bearing the memories of the dead by “stitching” herself into their minds. Through the work of her and her team, Kirsten helps to investigate murders that would otherwise go unsolved. “Stitchers” is basically the scientific, new-age version of “Ghost Whisperer.”

6. “Hannibal” (NBC)
Thursday, June 4 at 10 p.m.
You’ve seen the movies (“The Silence of the Lambs,” “Hannibal Rising,” etc.), but you’ve never seen Hannibal Lecter like this. Mads Mikkelsen returns as Hannibal, now on the loose in Europe with his psychiatrist Bedelia Du Maurier (Gillian Anderson) in tow. Hannibal continues his cannibalism there, while being pursued by former foes. Entering its third season, “Hannibal” is one of those shows you should catch up on in time for the premiere date.

NBC

7. “Sense8” (Netflix)
Friday, June 5 at 12 a.m.
Add a point for onscreen diversity! “Sense8” tells the story of eight total strangers from different parts of the world who find out they can infiltrate one another’s body. They feel each other’s pain, share skills and recognize when one is in danger. It’s inexplicable. Even if it’s just to find out what the explanation is, “Sense8” is a priority binge-watch once Netflix releases all 12 episodes at once.

8. “Becoming Us” (ABC Family)
Monday, June 8 at 9 p.m.
On the heels of Bruce Jenner’s transgender awakening comes “Becoming Us,” a docuseries about 17-year-old Ben Lehwald of Evanston, Illinois, whose father is transitioning from Charlie to Carly. The family faces a divorce before his father undergoes gender reassignment surgery. Meanwhile, Ben’s girlfriend Danielle is also experiencing her father’s transition into a woman. It’s an emotional and important look into the transgender community.

9. “Orange is the New Black” (Netflix)
Friday, June 12 at 12 a.m.
The ladies of Litchfield Penitentiary are back for round three. In this season of “OITNB,” each character undergoes an awakening of some sort and rediscovers who she is. It looks like the show will continue to hone in on the other women in the prison aside from its main character Piper Chapman (Taylor Schilling), which helped boost its popularity in season two.

Netflix

Also Read: 8 TV Shows That Keep Facebook Fans Hooked -- 'Scandal,' 'Girls,' 'American Horror Story,' 'OITNB'

10. “True Detective” (HBO)
Sunday, June 21 at 9 p.m.
Taylor Kitsch stars as a war veteran and motorcycle cop who comes across a bizarre crime scene in California and enlists detectives Ray Velcoro (Colin Farrell) and Ani Bezzerides (Rachel McAdams) to help investigate. Vince Vaughn also stars as Frank Semyon, a criminal who risks losing it all. Sadly, Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson won’t be on this season of “True Detective,” but we’re more than willing to give Farrell, Vaughn and McAdams a shot. If the trailer is any indication, season two is set to be even more of an action-packed thriller.

11. “Ballers” (HBO)
Sunday, June 21 at 10 p.m.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is on a roll with “Furious 7,” “San Andreas” and now “Ballers.” Johnson stars as retired football player Spencer Strassmore, currently living the high life as a financial manager. The fast cars and fast money come at a considerable price, though, and being retired isn’t always relaxing. Consider this show as “Entourage” for athletes.

HBO

Also Read: 'San Andreas' Review: Dwayne Johnson Does His Best Charlton Heston as California Quakes

12. “Mr. Robot” (USA)
Wednesday, June 24 at 10 p.m.
This newcomer involves a vigilante hacker (Rami Malek) who joins a hacker network that is invested in taking down the most powerful people on Earth – the one percent of the one percent. This elite group runs the world behind closed doors and the tech-savvy army are looking to end the reign. After taking on supporting roles in “The Pacific” and “Night at the Museum,” this is the perfect moment for Malek to shine and he has the capability as the lead figure in “Mr. Robot” to do so.

13. “Boom!” (FOX)
Thursday, June 25 at 8 p.m.
“Boom!” is a new reality competition show about defusing fake bombs. The end. As underwhelming as that sounds, the show did record numbers in Israel. Let’s at least see what all the hype is about.

14. “Humans” (AMC)
Sunday, June 28 at 9 p.m.
Here’s another attempt at the artificial intelligence concept, but this new series seems to have more potential. In “Humans,” robots are among us, tasked with simple jobs like babysitting and house cleaning. They’re part of the family. They look mighty convincing, too. Of course, every machine malfunctions every so often…

15. “Teen Wolf” (MTV)
Monday, June 29 at 10 p.m.
There’s plenty of bad blood to go around in the upcoming season of “Teen Wolf.” Popular among young adults, the series is sure to continue as a weekly trending topic.

16. “Scream” (MTV)
Tuesday, June 30
This adaptation of the “Scream” movie franchise stars Bella Thorne as Nina Patterson. The plot follows the aftermath of a cyber-bullying incident that results in a gruesome murder (think of “Unfriended” minus the constant Skyping). People are being picked off one by one and its up to the survivors to figure out who the killer is. Also like “Unfriended,” it’s worth a watch to see who’s left in the end.

Also Read: New 'Scream' Trailer Kills Off All Your Favorite MTV Stars (Video)

17. “Zoo” (CBS)
Tuesday, June 30 at 9 p.m.
“Mad Men” actor James Wolk grows out his facial hair for “Zoo.” Based on famed author James Patterson’s novel of the same name, Wolk plays a biologist who arrives in Botswana, Africa, to figure out why animals are aggressively murdering humans. It seems animals all over the world are no longer killing for food and survival… They’re now trying to take back control. Expect oodles of intense moments every week.

CBS

Also Read: BuzzFeed Reporter Sexual Harassment Claims: 'Mad Men' Actor's Rep Disputes; Lawyer Dissects (Exclusive)

18. “Extant” (CBS)
Wednesday, July 1 at 10 p.m.
Halle Berry is back in “Extant” as astronaut Molly Woods. Now aware that she put the human race in serious danger, Molly makes it her mission to right her wrongs. The storyline might get a little iffy at times, but we’re willing to give the show a fresh chance in Season 2.

19. “Rectify” (SundanceTV)
Thursday, July 9 at 10 p.m.
“Rectify” is centered on Daniel Holden, an ex-con in a small town in Georgia who is attempting to change his life around after facing 19 years on Death Row. Falsely accused of raping and murdering his girlfriend as a teenager, Holden is cleared thanks to technological advances in DNA evidence. This show will have you rooting so hard for Holden that it moves you to tears. Prep the tissue boxes.

20. “Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll” (FX)
Thursday, July 16 at 10 p.m.
If the title alone doesn’t sell it for you, consider this: Denis Leary is in it. He stars as Johnny Rock, a has-been with an opportunity at a second chance. His career with The Heathens, though short-lived in the early 1990s, might just reignite with the help of a young singer (Elizabeth Gillies). We’re in it for the badass music.

FX

21. “BoJack Horseman” (Netflix)
Friday, July 17 at 12 a.m.
The sitcom horse of the 1990s is making a comeback after 20 years. Poor BoJack quickly discovers life has considerably changed since way back when, and things like Twitter are foreign concepts. This adult cartoon might just become your guilty pleasure, or the worst thing you’ve ever changed. There’s no in-between.

22. “Wet Hot American Summer” (Netflix)
Friday, July 31 at 12 a.m.
With a cast as jam-packed with comedians as this one, prioritizing “Wet Hot American Summer” is a no-brainer. Amy Poehler, Michael Ian Black, Paul Rudd, Christopher Meloni, Bradley Cooper, Elizabeth Banks, Chris Pine, Kristen Wiig, Michael Showalter, Molly Shannon and a bunch more join forces in this comedy set at a 1980s summer camp named Camp Firewood.

Netflix

Also Read: 'Wet Hot American Summer' Netflix Series First Look: Bradley Cooper, Amy Poehler, Paul Rudd Return to Camp (Photos)

23. “Blunt Talk” (Starz)
Saturday, August 22 at 9 p.m.
Patrick Stewart stars in this new comedy as Walter Blunt, a British newscaster who lands his own talk show in America. Things don’t go too well for the new host, who suffers from a cocaine addiction, multiple failed marriages and plenty of critics. Trust us, it’s not as depressing onscreen as it sounds.

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