{"id":454617,"date":"2026-05-31T22:53:11","date_gmt":"2026-05-31T22:53:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/454617\/"},"modified":"2026-05-31T22:53:11","modified_gmt":"2026-05-31T22:53:11","slug":"best-tv-shows-to-watch-in-june-2026-from-house-of-the-dragon-to-the-bear","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/454617\/","title":{"rendered":"Best TV shows to watch in June 2026, from \u2018House of the Dragon\u2019 to \u2018The Bear\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

When and where: June 5, Apple TV+.<\/p>\n

What it\u2019s about: Thirty-five years ago, Martin Scorsese directed the psychological horror thriller \u201cCape Fear,\u201d 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\u2019s 1957 novel \u201cThe Executioners.\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

In the new series, Javier Bardem steps into De Niro\u2019s role as Max Cady. \u201cWhat is your greatest fear?\u201d 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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From ‘Cape Fear’ <\/p>\n

(Photo: Courtesy of Apple TV+)<\/p>\n

This intense horror thriller follows Cady\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Who\u2019s in it: Bardem (\u201cNo Country for Old Men\u201d), Adams (\u201cArrival\u201d), Wilson (\u201cFargo\u201d) and others.<\/p>\n

When and where: June 8, Disney+.<\/p>\n

What it\u2019s about: Alice and Steve have been inseparable best friends for more than 25 years \u2014 until Steve, lonely and loveless, sleeps with Alice\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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From ‘Alice and Steve’ <\/p>\n

(Photo: Courtesy of Disney+)<\/p>\n

The series was created and written by Sophie Goodhart, one of the writers of \u201cSex Education,\u201d and is directed by BAFTA winner Tom Kingsley. \u201cAlice and Steve,\u201d described as an \u201canti-romantic comedy,\u201d has already won best series at the 2026 Canneseries festival before even premiering. Can Steve and Izzy\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Who\u2019s in it: Jemaine Clement (\u201cMen in Black\u201d), Nicola Walker (\u201cUnforgotten\u201d), Yali Topol Margalith (\u201cThe Tattooist of Auschwitz\u201d).<\/p>\n

When and where: June 10, HOT and yes.<\/p>\n

What it\u2019s about: A new thriller from Russell T Davies, the acclaimed creator behind \u201cIt\u2019s a Sin,\u201d \u201cQueer as Folk\u201d and certain eras of \u201cDoctor Who.\u201d 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\u2019s 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\u2019s teenage sons, who is still in the closet \u2014 and that is where things start to get complicated.<\/p>\n

Davies described the thriller as the \u201cangriest, darkest and funniest\u201d series he has created to date, saying it was born from a sense that \u201cthe world is getting stranger, harsher and darker.\u201d According to him, \u201cTip Toe\u201d 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. \u201cI used to walk into a room and shout \u2018ta-da.\u2019 Now I tiptoe, just in case,\u201d Leo\u2019s colorful friend tells him in the trailer. That line seems to sum up one of the show\u2019s central themes: the growing fear felt by the LGBTQ community in public spaces and the violence seeping through social media.<\/p>\n

Who\u2019s in it: Alan Cumming (\u201cThe Good Wife\u201d), David Morrissey (\u201cDaddy Issues\u201d).<\/p>\n

When and where: June 18, Netflix.<\/p>\n

What it\u2019s about: Believe it or not, this is another Netflix adaptation of a Harlan Coben book \u2014 this time his 2023 novel \u201cI Will Find You.\u201d 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\u2019s series. At the start of the show, his former sister-in-law Rachel, played by \u201cSeverance\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

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From ‘I Will Find You’ <\/p>\n

(Photo: Courtesy of Netflix)<\/p>\n

Robert Hull, the series creator and showrunner, said working with Coben was \u201ca dream come true.\u201d He said in an interview with Netflix\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Who\u2019s in it: Sam Worthington (\u201cAvatar\u201d), Britt Lower (\u201cSeverance\u201d), Milo Ventimiglia (\u201cThis Is Us\u201d), Logan Browning (\u201cDear White People\u201d).<\/p>\n

When and where: June 21, HBO Max.<\/p>\n

What it\u2019s about: Nearly two years after the end of its second season, \u201cHouse of the Dragon\u201d returns with plenty of fire and blood, straight into the Dance of the Dragons \u2014 the brutal Targaryen civil war that takes place about 200 years before the events of \u201cGame of Thrones\u201d and chronicles the dynasty\u2019s downfall. After two seasons that gradually built the rift and intrigue between Rhaenyra Targaryen\u2019s camp and the Hightower camp, the series is shifting into higher gear, according to HBO.<\/p>\n

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From ‘House of the Dragon’ <\/p>\n

(Photo: Courtesy of HBO)<\/p>\n

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\u2019s \u201cFire & Blood.\u201d 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 \u2014 making Season 3 the beginning of the end.<\/p>\n

Who\u2019s in it: Emma D\u2019Arcy (\u201cTruth Seekers\u201d), Matt Smith (\u201cThe Crown,\u201d \u201cDoctor Who\u201d), Olivia Cooke (\u201cBates Motel\u201d), Rhys Ifans (\u201cNotting Hill\u201d), Ewan Mitchell (\u201cSaltburn\u201d).<\/p>\n

When and where: June 25, Netflix.<\/p>\n

What it\u2019s about: After the first live-action season of \u201cAvatar: The Last Airbender\u201d became one of Netflix\u2019s most-watched series last year, Aang, Katara and Sokka return to continue their journey to stop the Fire Nation. The series, based on Nickelodeon\u2019s beloved animated show, takes place in an imaginary world where some people can control one of the four elements \u2014 water, earth, fire and air \u2014 while the Avatar is the only one who can control them all and maintain balance in the world.<\/p>\n

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 \u2014 the blind earthbender who becomes Aang\u2019s 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 \u2014 or on unstable ground. Get it? Funny indeed.<\/p>\n

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From ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ Season 2 <\/p>\n

(Photo: KATIE YU\/NETFLIX)<\/p>\n

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 \u201cbooks\u201d of the original animated series over three seasons.<\/p>\n

Who\u2019s in it: Gordon Cormier, Kiawentiio, Ian Ousley (\u201c13 Reasons Why\u201d), Dallas Liu (\u201cShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings\u201d), Elizabeth Yu (\u201cA Good Person\u201d).<\/p>\n

When and where: June 25, Disney+.<\/p>\n

What it\u2019s 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. \u201cThe Bear,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

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From ‘The Bear’ <\/p>\n

(Photo: Courtesy of FX)<\/p>\n

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 \u201cperfect\u201d 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\u2019s hope this season is better than its clich\u00e9d synopsis. Those looking for hope can find it in the prequel episode \u201cGary,\u201d which was released by surprise last month and received positive reviews.<\/p>\n

Who\u2019s in it: Jeremy Allen White (\u201cShameless\u201d), Ayo Edebiri (\u201cBottoms\u201d), Ebon Moss-Bachrach (\u201cGirls\u201d), Lionel Boyce (\u201cProject Hail Mary\u201d), Liza Col\u00f3n-Zayas (\u201cIn Treatment\u201d).<\/p>\n

When and where: June 26, HBO Max.<\/p>\n

What it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

The series marks David\u2019s return to the screen after the end of \u201cCurb Your Enthusiasm,\u201d 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 \u201cCurb Your Enthusiasm\u201d and \u201cSeinfeld.\u201d David will star alongside several \u201cCurb\u201d cast members and a string of guest actors as they mock key moments in American history. As with \u201cCurb,\u201d 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 \u201cCurb\u201d in period costume. We\u2019re in.<\/p>\n

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From ‘Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness’ <\/p>\n

(Photo: Courtesy of HBO)<\/p>\n

Who\u2019s in it: Oh wow. Bill Hader (\u201cSaturday Night Live\u201d) and Kathryn Hahn (\u201cAgatha All Along\u201d) as Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln, Jon Hamm (\u201cMad Men\u201d) and Sean Hayes (\u201cWill & Grace\u201d) as the Wright brothers, and a Larry David-Jerry Seinfeld reunion as Lewis and Clark.<\/p>\n

In addition to the select lineup above, Netflix will release a three-part documentary on June 3 titled \u201cMichael Jackson: The Verdict,\u201d perhaps in hopes of offering some balance to the biopic \u201cMichael.\u201d FreeTV will get \u201cHigh Alert\u201d 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 \u201cAdventure Time,\u201d as \u201cAdventure Time: Side Quests\u201d arrives on HBO Max on June 29.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"When and where: June 5, Apple TV+. What it\u2019s about: Thirty-five years ago, Martin Scorsese directed the psychological…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":454618,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[156,111,139,69,437],"class_list":["post-454617","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-tv","tag-entertainment","tag-new-zealand","tag-newzealand","tag-nz","tag-tv"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/454617","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=454617"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/454617\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/454618"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=454617"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=454617"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=454617"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}