“House of the Dragon” The first season of the “Game of Thrones” prequel was good, but it felt like a long set-up for a more sustained story about the power struggle between Team Alicent and Team Rhaenyra. Fingers crossed on season two. (HBO, June 16)
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“The Bear” Expectations are high for the return of this restaurant comedy-drama, after two very strong seasons. Now that we know some of the Berzatto family history, Carmy’s choices may have even more resonance as he runs the new restaurant. (Hulu, June 27)
“The Umbrella Academy” The fourth and final season is on the way, featuring the misfit superhero family and their alternate timelines. It will be only six episodes, with Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman in the cast. (Netflix, Aug. 8)
“Emily in Paris” The fluffy favorite returns for season four part one, with part two due in September. Now that Camille and Gabriel appear to be over — even though she’s pregnant — will Emily and Gabriel make it happen? (Netflix, Aug. 15)
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“Only Murders in the Building” The beloved podcasting trio will look into who killed Charles’s body double, Sazz Pataki (Jane Lynch), in season four. Guests will include Molly Shannon, Eva Longoria, Eugene Levy, Kumail Nanjiani, Meryl Streep, and Zach Galifianakis. (Hulu, Aug. 27)
“The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” The famously expensive series, which expands on the world of Middle Earth, returns for season two with more news about the person revealed to be Sauron. (Amazon Prime, Aug. 29)
OTHERS: “The Boys” (Amazon Prime, June 13); “Bridgerton” (Netflix, June 13, part II); “That ‘90s Show” (Netflix, June 27); “The Serpent Queen” (Starz, July 12); “Unprisoned” (Hulu, July 17); “Cobra Kai” (Netflix, July 18); “Snowpiercer” (AMC, July 21)
WHAT TO WATCH THIS WEEK
1. This one is a very long way from “Sesame Street.” Set in 1980s New York, “Eric” features Benedict Cumberbatch as an unstable puppeteer named Vincent whose 9-year-old son has gone missing. The creator of a famous kids puppet show, he begins to see and talk to the blue puppet character his son invented, a monster named Eric. Created by Abu Morgan of “The Hour,” it’s a thriller, but it’s also a character study of a troubled guy. Gaby Hoffmann plays his wife, and the cast also features Clarke Peters, David Denman, and Dan Fogler. The six-parter — preview here — comes to Netflix on Thursday.
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2. The movie “The Great Lillian Hall” is premiering on HBO just one day before the Emmy eligibility cut-off, on Friday at 8 p.m. It’s about a beloved Broadway star who seems to be losing her memory as the opening night of her new play approaches. The real draw, though, is the cast, which is led by the great Jessica Lange. Directed by Pulitzer Prize-winner Michael Cristofer, it also features Kathy Bates, Lily Rabe, Jesse Williams, and Pierce Brosnan. (Preview here.)
3. I’d given up hope of seeing a second season of “We Are Lady Parts,” the buoyant British comedy from Nida Manzoor whose first season came out in the US in 2021. But at long last Peaco*ck has announced the return, which is Thursday. (Preview here.) Hey, that gives you just enough time to watch the first season, which is six episodes of satisfying comedy, drama, and music. Set in London, the show follows an all-female punk band whose members are Muslim — but none fits into a stereotype, as women, as performers, and, most clearly, as Muslims. It’s one of my favorites.
4. In the deluge of TV shows over the past few years, there have been many celebratory music documentary series, about music scenes (Lollapalooza, Stax), about groups (the Beach Boys, the Bee Gees, the Beatles), and about individual artists (Beyoncé, J. Lo). Dua Lipa is one of the executive producers of the latest, “Camden,” a docuseries about the London borough that shaped her life and the lives of many other musicians. The four-parter will feature Nile Rodgers, Noel Gallagher, Boy George, Chris Martin, Mark Ronson, Little Simz, and the Libertines when it premieres Wednesday on Hulu. (Preview here.)
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5. On Sunday at 9 p.m., HBO is premiering “Ren Faires,” a docuseries that explores a succession crisis at the Texas Renaissance Festival, the biggest Renaissance fair in America. From Lance Oppenheim, the three-parter looks into the power struggle that ensues when 80-something leader George Coulam — known to employees as King George — announces that he will be stepping down. (Preview here.) Sounds like a real game of thrones.
CHANNEL SURFING
“Fiennes: Return to the Wild” Explorer Ranulph Fiennes and his actor-cousin Joseph Fiennes tour British Columbia. Nat Geo, Tuesday, 10 p.m.; Disney+ and Hulu, Wednesday
“Netanyahu, America & the Road to War in Gaza” Last year’s “Frontline” documentary gets an update. GBH 2, Tuesday, 10 p.m.
“The Outlaws” The community service comedy returns for season three. (Amazon Prime, Friday)
RECENTLY REVIEWED
“Bridgerton” Season three brings a new romance. Netflix
“Hacks” The third season of Jean Smart’s comedy about comedy. Max
“Interview With the Vampire” The gothic drama returns with season two. AMC
“MaryLand” A PBS “Masterpiece” three-parter with Suranne Jones. GBH 2
“Baby Reindeer” A powerful tale of stalking. Netflix
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“The Tattooist of Auschwitz” Two prisoners fall in love. Peaco*ck
“A Man in Full” Jeff Daniels as a billionaire on the brink. Netflix
“Elsbeth” A spinoff from “The Good Wife” starring Carrie Preston. CBS, Paramount+
Matthew Gilbert can be reached at matthew.gilbert@globe.com. Follow him @MatthewGilbert.
