From the return of serial killer Dexter Morgan (again!) to a new comedy from Girls’ Lena Dunham, we round up our our top 10 shows to watch this week
1. Better Late than Single – Tuesday, July 8, Netflix | Series Premiere
Netflix’s latest offbeat take on the reality dating genre is a South Korean program that follows a diverse collection of full-grown adults who have never been in a romantic relationship. In Korea, they’re known as motae-solos, which translates to “eternal singles.” But now, a select few are ready to ditch that label and seek out intimate connection for the first time in their long, lonesome lives.
Keep in mind, this is no tawdry dating competition — but rather an honest, docu-style look at the complexities of love, told from a most unique perspective.
As the press release teases: “These dating rookies — hilariously awkward yet incredibly lovable as they navigate their first real steps in love — receive expert coaching in this groundbreaking makeover-style dating reality show. Their endearing missteps and heartfelt efforts are sure to spark laughter, empathy and plenty of rooting from viewers around the world . . .
What starts as a charming comedy-of-errors soon evolves into something deeper.”
On hand to offer advice for our novice daters (along with some chuckle-worthy commentary for the viewers) is a panel of famous “Cupid experts,” composed of actress Kang Han-na, comedian Lee Eun-ji, and pop-music stars Seo In-guk and Car, the Garden. Click here to watch trailer.
2. Renaissance: The Blood and the Beauty – Tuesday, July 8, WTVS & KCTS | Series Premiere
Three of the greatest artists of the Renaissance era are brought to life in this historical docu-drama starring Charles Dance (a.k.a. Game of Thrones’ scheming Tywin Lannister) as legendary Michelangelo Buonarroti, who famously painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Blending dramatic re-enactments and documentary elements, the three-part series takes viewers to 16th-century Florence to explore the rivalry between Michelangelo and fellow visionaries Leonardo da Vinci (Jonny Glynn) and Raphael (Joshua Duffy) as they compete to create some of the greatest art the world has known, in the midst of an era of immense violence and political upheaval.
Featuring narration by Sophie Okonedo and the contributions of such contemporary artists as Antony Gormley, Alison Lapper and David LaChapelle, the series utilizes dialogue taken directly from Michelangelo’s correspondence.
3. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia – Wednesday, July 9, FXX Canada | Season Premiere
The endearingly debaucherous Paddy’s Pub Gang extend their record as TV’s longest-running live-action sitcom with a 17th season.
This latest slew of misadventures opens with the long-awaited second half of their crossover with fellow Philadelphia-set comedy Abbott Elementary. Airing on ABC back in January, that episode of Abbott found Mac, Charlie et al. showing up at the school for court-ordered community service. Adopting a sort of Rashomon approach, part two will now tell the exact same story — except now from the perspective of “the Gang.”
As Rob McElhenney — who is both star and co-creator of Sunny — explained to the Los Angeles Times, Abbott’s mockumentary format was the real key to merging the two shows’ divergent tones. “That’s what allowed for us to still be authentic and step into the world of Abbott — because these characters are going into a school and they’re constantly monitored by cameras, so they would put on an act. If we’re not acting the way that our Sunny characters would, it’s because we know we’re being filmed . . . We might not use the same language. We might not make our intentions so obvious or known. We might not be wearing our id on our sleeves. Conversely, when they came over to us, we thought it would be fun to see what their characters would be like when the bell rings and the cameras are not on them.”
But that’s actually just one of two new episodes that kicks off the season. In the second, Mac, Charlie and Dennis are on the hunt for “money and parasitic social privileges” as they pitch their new business venture to Philadelphia’s elite. Meanwhile, with Frank on his deathbed, Sweet Dee suffers through the five stages of grief.
4. Too Much – Thursday, July 10, Netflix | Series Premiere
HBO Emmy magnet Hacks has been a boon for the careers of all involved. Among the breakout stars is Megan Stalter, who never met a scene she couldn’t steal as loose-cannon Hollywood talent manager Kayla.
While Stalter remains a member of that ensemble, now she also gets a chance in the spotlight with this Netflix rom-com series from Girls’ Lena Dunham.
She plays Jessica, a bombastic young New Yorker who finds herself in need of a full-life reset after her reaction to a breakup goes from messy to borderline prosecutable. So, she moves to London with dreams of fairytale romance in her head. She does, indeed, meet a suitor in the form of sexy musician Felix (The White Lotus’ Will Sharpe) — but he’s less a dashing Colin Firth type and more of a “sleep-until-noon” sorta dude. Before long, Jessica realizes that “London — and love — are less like Notting Hill than she thought.”
Speaking with Tudum, creator Dunham reflected: “When I first started coming to the U.K. for work . . . I thought to myself, ‘I want to write something about the experience of being a foreigner here, and the fantasies we have of it vs. the realities.’ Then when I met my husband, Luis [Felber, who co-created Too Much with his wife], I felt like I was experiencing all of that . . . but in the context of a relationship.” Click here to watch trailer.
5. Back to the Frontier – Thursday, July 10, Magnolia | Series Premiere
The latest from Chip and Joanna Gaines follows four families as they live like 1800s homesteaders. “This series taps into something we’ve always believed — that stepping away from the noise of everyday life can bring you closer to what matters most,” the couple said in a statement. Click here to watch trailer.
6. Big Brother – Thursday, July 10, Global & CBS | Season Premiere
Julie Chen returns for a 27th instalment along with a new group of houseguests for what’s described as the show’s “biggest season ever.” Following tonight’s 90-minute premiere, hour-long episodes air on Sundays and Wednesdays, with each week’s eviction taking place during a 90-minute edition on Thursdays.
7. Lie Detector: Truth or Deception – Thursday, July 10, A&E | Season Premiere
This provocative new series examines individuals long suspected of serious crimes who voluntarily submit to taking a polygraph test administered by former FBI agent George Olivo. Hosted by investigative journalist Tony Harris, the season kicks off with Shannon Price, ex-wife of late Diff’rent Strokes star Gary Coleman, who takes a polygraph test in hopes of quashing lingering rumours that she had something to do with the fall that ultimately caused his death. Click here to watch trailer.
8. Dexter: Resurrection – Friday, July 11, Paramount+ | Series Premiere
Cinematic history is rife with monsters who miraculously return from certain death. Dracula, Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger . . . and now, Dexter Morgan.
Dex joined that ignominious club in 2021’s Dexter: New Blood, when the Miami PD blood spatter analyst who moonlighted as a killer of serial killers came back from faking his own death at the end of the original series. That revival saw our antihero living incognito in Upstate New York, when now-teenaged son Harrison (Jack Alcott) tracked him down and proved to be a chip off the old block when he shot dear old dad in the heart. That was supposed to be it for the Murderous Mr. Morgan, but it turns out neither star Michael C. Hall nor Paramount+ were quite ready to say goodbye.
Now, hot off the success of prequel Dexter: Original Sin (starring Patrick Gibson as a young Dex), Hall returns in Resurrection, which picks up a few weeks after New Blood, as Dexter awakens in the hospital. It turns out, the frosty climes slowed down his heart rate and kept him from bleeding out for just long enough to be revived. Alas, while his heart is still pumping, it’s also broken. With Harrison in the wind, Dex resolves to find his son and make amends for the legacy he forced upon him. That search leads from New York State to New York City, where Dexter and Harrison meet back up and promptly stumble into something rotten at the core of the Big Apple. To make matters worse, Dex’s old Miami PD pal Detective Angel Batista (David Zayas) arrives searching for answers, intent on dredging up the past our protagonist is so eager to outrun. On that note, after sitting out New Blood, original co-star James Remar also returns as Dexter’s late father/ghostly conscience, Harry Morgan.
Meanwhile, new cast members include a stunning array of A-listers: Peter Dinklage, Uma Thurman, Neil Patrick Harris and Krysten Ritter. Click here to watch trailer.
9. Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Destination Wedding – Friday, July 11 | Netflix
Marking the 13th Madea film in 20 years, this latest farce finds the outrageous grandma (played, as ever, by writer-director Tyler Perry) taking her family on a trip to the Bahamas after her grandniece announces she’s met the love of her life and is gettin’ hitched in two short weeks. Click here to watch trailer.
10. The Wild Ones – Friday, July 11, Apple TV+ | Series Premiere
This six-part series offers viewers the rare opportunity to visit some of the most remote, rarely seen places on the planet — all from the comfort of your recliner. Your guides are former Royal Marines commando Aldo Kane, leader of the expedition; ecological storyteller and wildlife cinematographer Vianet Djenguet; and camera trap expert Declan Burley. This elite trio of experts utilize cutting-edge camera technology to capture footage of elusive endangered species in order to help scientists save them from extinction. “With crafty camerawork and survival skills, the team race to find, record and protect these elusive creatures before it’s too late,” shares the Apple TV+ synopsis.
The first stop is Malaysia, where the team tracks the rare Malayan tiger, a critically endangered species with fewer than 150 left. Subsequent episodes will bring viewers face to face with Gobi bears, Caucasian leopards, Javan rhinos, North Atlantic right whales and Western lowland gorillas.
“By deploying over 350 custom-built remote cameras, thermal drones, wearable underwater tags and AI-powered imaging technology, the team is breaking new ground in wildlife filmmaking, capturing intimate animal behaviour never seen before while supporting active conservation missions on the ground,” the synopsis adds. Click here to watch trailer.