June 2022 Television Preview

Summer is finally here. For some, this means days on the beach or sunning by the pool, but for others, it means watching everything you can get your eyeballs on in the comfort of your air-conditioned homes.

First up, we have a surreal and twisty series, a remake about remaking a film. “Irma Vep” (June 6) finds our heroine, Alicia Vikander’s American movie star, acting in a new iteration of a silent vampire film that’s being made in France. Her perception of reality disintegrates as she dissolves into the role she’s playing.

For another break from reality, this one much more light-hearted, “Ms. Marvel” (June 8) finds Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani), a 16-year-old Pakistani-American girl from Jersey City, discovering her super powers. As she struggles to fit in at school, she must also figure out how to use her newfound abilities, and who she is with them.

Another show pushing at the boundaries of our reality is “Loot” (June 24), an Apple TV+ comedy about a benevolent billionaire. Maya Rudolph plays Molly Novak, who commits to helping others via a charitable foundation, and starts to improve herself in the process, after she splits with her husband of 20 years.

If you want to really double down on summer entertainment, “The Summer I Turned Pretty” (June 17) follows Belly (Lola Tung) during a life-changing vacation. From Jenny Han, the author of “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before,” this series is sure to be swoon-worthy and sun-drenched.

Plenty of shows are also returning this month. New seasons of the Rose Byrne-led ’80s fitness dramedy “Physical” and the strip club-set crime drama “P-Valley” both premiere June 3. The second season of “Rutherford Falls,” the sweet Peacock sitcom exploring the decolonization of local history from co-creator Sierra Teller Ornelas, bows June 16. And a cultural juggernaut, HBO’s sci-fi epic “Westworld,” co-created by Lisa Joy, returns June 26.

Of course, if you’d rather read a book by the pool, well, that’s your prerogative. If a thunderstorm hits though, there’s plenty to watch until the sun returns.

Here are June’s premiering and returning women-driven and women-created TV projects. All descriptions are from press materials unless otherwise noted.

TV and Episodic Premieres

“Fifty/50 Shorts” (Short Film Series) (Premieres June 1 on ESPN2)

Meeting at the intersection of women, sports, culture, and the fight for equality, these five films present a diverse lineup of creatives and content that speak to viewers from a place of authenticity and boldness, both in the story and in the method of storytelling, all helmed and executive produced by women. The creators include directors Allison Glock (executive producer, “Fifty/50”) and Kate T. Parker (“Strong Is the New Pretty”); Shayla Harris (producer, “Who Killed Malcolm X?”); Bethany Mollenkof; Elizabeth Lo (“Stray”); and Bonni Cohen (“Athlete A”), as well as executive producer Robin Roberts.

“Borgen: Power & Glory” (Premieres June 2 on Netflix)

Foreign Minister Birgitte Nyborg (Sidse Babett Knudsen) finds her career in jeopardy when a dispute over oil in Greenland threatens to become an international crisis.

“Her Majesty The Queen: A Gayle King Special” (Premieres June 2 on CBS)

“Her Majesty The Queen: A Gayle King Special” will look at the triumphs and the turbulence surrounding the queen’s unprecedented milestone and the strength it has taken to move her family and her country forward. The broadcast will feature the high points of her extraordinary 70-year reign, and interviews with those she has touched along the way.

“Surviving Summer” – Created by Joanna Werner and Josh Mapleston (Premieres June 3 on Netflix)

Expelled from school and exiled to Australia, a rebel New York teen makes waves among a young surfer’s inner circle — and leaves a mess in her wake.

“The Perfect Mother” (Premieres June 3 on Netflix)

Convinced of her daughter’s innocence in a homicide, a devoted mother soon uncovers unsettling truths as the line between victim and perpetrator blurs.

“Irma Vep” (Premieres June 6 on HBO/HBO Max)

Mira (Alicia Vikander) is an American movie star disillusioned by her career and a recent breakup, who comes to France to star as Irma Vep in a remake of the French silent film classic “Les Vampires.” Set against the backdrop of a lurid crime thriller, Mira struggles as the distinctions between herself and the character she plays begin to blur and merge. “Irma Vep” reveals to us the uncertain ground that lies at the border of fiction and reality, artifice and authenticity, art and life.

“Ms. Marvel” – Created by Bisha K. Ali (Premieres June 8 on Disney+) 

“Ms. Marvel” is a new series introducing Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani) — a 16-year-old Pakistani-American growing up in Jersey City. A great student, an avid gamer, and a voracious fan-fiction scribe, she has a special affinity for superheroes, particularly Captain Marvel. But Kamala struggles to fit in at home and at school — that is until she gets superpowers like the heroes she’s always looked up to. Life is easier with superpowers, right?

“The Janes” (Documentary) – Directed by Tia Lessin and Emma Pildes (Premieres June 8 on HBO/HBO Max)

In the spring of 1972, police raided an apartment on the South Side of Chicago where seven women who were part of a clandestine network were arrested. Using code names, fronts, and safe houses to protect themselves and their work, the accused had built an underground network for women seeking safe, affordable, illegal abortions. They called themselves “Jane.”

“Hungry for Answers” (Docuseries) (Premieres June 8 on discovery+)

Caroline Randall Williams is a scholar, award-winning writer, restaurateur, and cookbook author with a penchant for asking hard questions to get to the truth of the matter. In “Hungry for Answers,” Williams travels the country uncovering the fascinating, essential, and often untold Black stories behind some of America’s classic and emblematic food and spirits. From the spicy, crisp flavors of Nashville Hot Chicken to the warm, dulcet taste of Tennessee Whiskey, Williams is out to uncover the origin stories of these quintessential American offerings, as well as surface the truth when it comes to the equity, or in most cases inequity, regarding the recognition and reward, and lack thereof, for the true founding contributors throughout history. “Hungry for Answers” is a food show but it is not just a food show, it is a Black food show with an ambitious endeavor to serve up a healthy dose of history with each delicious bite and sip explored.

“Baby Fever” – Created by Amalie Næsby Fick and Nikolaj Feifer (Premieres June 8 on Netflix)

When a fertility doctor drunkenly inseminates herself with her ex-boyfriend’s sperm, she scrambles to explain her pregnancy — and win back her lost love.

“Intimacy” – Created by Verónica Fernández and Laura Sarmiento (Premieres June 10 on Netflix)

A rising politician’s career is threatened when a surreptitiously recorded video of her sex life is leaked to the public.

“First Kill” (Premieres June 10 on Netflix)

Falling in love is tricky for teens Juliette (Sarah Catherine Hook) and Calliope (Imani Lewis): One’s a vampire, the other’s a vampire hunter — and both are ready to make their first kill.

“Amy Schumer’s Parental Advisory” (Comedy Special) (Premieres June 11 on Netflix)

A showcase featuring stand-ups curated by Amy Schumer.

“Becoming Elizabeth” – Created by ​​Anya Reiss (Premieres June 12 on Starz)

Long before she ascended the throne, young Elizabeth Tudor (Alicia von Rittberg) was an orphaned teenager who became embroiled in the political and sexual politics of the English court. With no clear heir, the death of King Henry VIII sets into motion a dangerous scramble for power. His surviving children find themselves pawns in a game between the great families of England and the powers of Europe who vie for control of the country. Elizabeth struggles to control her own destiny and take real power as the men around her attempt to claim her sovereignty. Her fascinating and factual journey to secure the crown is filled with scheming, betrayal, and illicit relationships that threaten to bring forth her demise at a time in which every man or woman of the court is on the wheel of fortune, which may take them to a position of great power one moment, or the executioner’s block the next.

“Jane Fonda & Lily Tomlin: Ladies Night Live” (Comedy Special) (Premieres June 14 on Netflix)

Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda introduce an all-female lineup of comedians.

“30 for 30: Dream On” (Docuseries) – Directed by Kristen Lappas (Premieres June 15 on ESPN)

A three-part documentary telling the story of how the dominating run to a gold medal by the 1996 United States women’s Olympic team cemented the birth of the WNBA, and inspired generations of stars to follow. “Dream On” chronicles the team’s formation; its worldwide tour that preceded the Olympics; its tremendous performance at the Atlanta Games; and its impact that continues to resonate more than a quarter-century later.

“Dear Pony: Keep This Between Us” (Docuseries) – Directed by Amy Berg, Jenna Rosher, and Kristi Jacobson (Premieres June 15 on Freeform)

“Dear Pony: Keep This Between Us” is a four-part docuseries following one woman’s journey as she reexamines her past relationship with a trusted teacher. The series exposes an epidemic of widespread grooming in U.S. high schools.

“Maldivas” – Created by Natalia Klein (Premieres June 15 on Netflix)

To investigate a mystery, a young woman moves into a posh condo community, where she comes into contact with its quirky — and suspicious — residents.

“The Summer I Turned Pretty” – Created by Jenny Han; Developed by Jenny Han and Gabrielle Stanton (Premieres June 17 on Prime Video)

A new series based on the New York Times bestselling book. Every summer, Belly (Lola Tung) and her family head to the Fishers’ beach house in Cousins. Every summer is the same — until Belly turns 16. Relationships will be tested, painful truths will be revealed, and Belly will be forever changed. It’s a summer of first love, first heartbreak, and growing up — it’s the summer she turns pretty.

“Hotel Portofino” (Premieres June 19 on PBS)

“Hotel Portofino” tells the story of the Ainsworth family, who relocated from Britain to open an upscale hotel on the Italian coastline. Set in the breathtakingly beautiful resort town of Portofino, this new period drama is about personal awakening at a time of global upheaval in the traumatic aftermath of World War I, and the liberating influence of Italy’s enchanting culture, climate, and cuisine on elite British travelers. As distinguished guests like the imperious Lady Latchmere (Anna Chancellor) check into the hotel, matriarch Bella Ainsworth (Natascha McElhone) tries to keep up with their constant demands.

“37 Words” (Docuseries) – Directed by Dawn Porter and Nicole Newnham (Premieres June 21 on ESPN)

“37 Words” tells the inspiring story of Title IX – the hard-fought battle to push for equal rights in education and athletics; the decades-spanning effort to nullify its impact; and the rippling impacts of the landmark civil rights law that continue to resonate today. The four-part series charts the spectacular transformation that 37 words have inspired in American culture and the lives of women, as well as the many ways in which the spirit of this bold law has yet to be fully realized.

“Being BeBe” (Documentary) – Directed by Emily Branham (Premieres June 21 on Fuse)

“Being BeBe” intimately charts 15 years of drag performer Marshall Ngwa aka BeBe Zahara Benet, an immigrant to America from homophobic Cameroon, and the first champion on now-iconic LGBTQ+ reality show phenomenon “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Grounded by Marshall’s present-day narration, the film features vérité, interviews, and performances illustrating his journey to Queer Black Excellence.

“Bruna Louise: Demolition” (Comedy Special) (Premieres June 22 on Netflix)

After being in the dating game for a while, comedian Bruna Louise has mastered the art of terrible relationships — by turning them into hilarious jokes.

“Loot” (Premieres June 24 on Apple TV+)

In “Loot,” billionaire Molly Novak (Maya Rudolph) has a dream life, complete with private jets, a sprawling mansion, and a gigayacht — anything her heart desires. But when her husband of 20 years betrays her, she spirals publicly, becoming fuel for tabloid fodder. She’s reaching rock bottom when she learns, to her surprise, that she has a charity foundation run by the no-nonsense Sofia Salinas (Michaela Jaé Rodriguez), who pleads with Molly to stop generating bad press. With her devoted assistant Nicholas (Joel Kim Booster) by her side, and with the help of Sofia and team — including mild-mannered accountant Arthur (Nat Faxon) and her optimistic, pop-culture-loving cousin Howard (Ron Funches) — Molly embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Giving back to others might be what she needs to get back to herself.

“Chloe” (Miniseries) – Created by Alice Seabright; Directed by Alice Seabright and Amanda Boyle (Premieres June 24 on Prime Video)

Still living with her mother and working as a temp, Becky (Erin Doherty) compares herself to the picture-perfect lives on Instagram, compulsively returning to one account: Chloe’s (Poppy Gilbert). Becky obsessively watches her seemingly flawless life through social media. But when Chloe dies suddenly, Becky’s need to find out how and why leads her to assume a new identity and engineer a “chance” meeting with Chloe’s best friend, Livia (Pippa Bennett-Warner), and infiltrate Chloe’s group of close-knit friends. Through her alter-ego Sasha, Becky becomes a powerful, transgressive heroine: a popular, well-connected “someone” with a life, and loves, that are far more exciting and addictive than the “no one” she is as Becky. However, the pretense soon obscures and conflates reality, and Becky risks losing herself completely in the game she is playing.

“Would It Kill You to Laugh?” (Comedy Special) – Written by Kate Berlant, John Early, and Andrew DeYoung (Premieres June 24 on Peacock)

This one-of-a-kind sketch special features famous comedy duo Kate Berlant and John Early as sitcom stars from the world-renowned television program “He’s Gay, She’s Half-Jewish.” Despite their undeniable chemistry and monumental success, Kate and John’s relationship suffers a very public falling out and eventual legal battle. But where are they now? “Would it Kill You to Laugh?” is the chance for fans, and the world, to find out.

“Right to Offend: The Black Comedy Revolution” (Two-Part Documentary) – Directed by Jessica Sherif and Mario Diaz (Premieres June 29 on A&E)

“Right to Offend: The Black Comedy Revolution” explores the progression of Black comedy and the comedians who have used pointed humor to expose, challenge, and ridicule society’s injustices and to articulate the Black experience in America. The documentary traces the history of Black comedy and its under-appreciated legacy of driving social change across the 20th and 21st centuries — from Redd Foxx, Moms Mabley, and Dick Gregory during the civil rights movement, Richard Pryor in the ’70s, Eddie Murphy and Whoopi Goldberg in the ’80s, to the power of “In Living Color” and “Def Comedy Jam” in the ’90s, Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle in the 2000s, and groundbreaking modern-day comedians and creators like Key & Peele, Issa Rae, Amber Ruffin, and Tiffany Haddish. Across four hours, “Right to Offend” explores the rare position these artists and many more hold in our society as both entertainers and truth tellers that speak to audiences in ways no other performers can.

Returning Series

“Coroner” – Created by Morwyn Brebner (The CW, June 2)

“Physical” – Created by Annie Weisman (Apple TV+, June 3)

“P-Valley” – Created by Katori Hall (Starz, June 3)

“In the Dark” – Created by Corinne Kingsbury (The CW, June 6)

“Roswell, New Mexico” – Created by Carina Adly MacKenzie (The CW, June 6)

“All Rise” (OWN, June 7)

“Evil” – Created by Michelle King and Robert King (Paramount+, June 12)

“Love, Victor” – Created by Elizabeth Berger and Isaac Aptaker (Hulu, June 15)

“Rutherford Falls” – Created by Sierra Teller Ornelas, Ed Helms, and Michael Schur (Peacock, June 16)

“Love & Anarchy” – Created by Lisa Langseth (Netflix, June 16)

“She” (Netflix, June 17)

“The War Next-door” (Netflix, June 17)

“Motherland: Fort Salem” (Freeform, June 21)

“The Split” – Created by Abi Morgan (Sundance Now, June 23)

“The Chi” – Created by Lena Waithe (Showtime, June 26)

“Westworld” – Created by Lisa Joy and Jonathan Nolan (HBO/HBO Max, June 26)

“The Upshaws” – Created by Wanda Sykes and Regina Y. Hicks (Netflix, June 29)

“Devils” – Created by Elena Bucaccio, Barbara Petronio, Daniele Cesarano, Ezio Abbate, Guido Maria Brera, Mario Ruggeri, and Alessandro Sermoneta (The CW, June 30)