The month of May is in the rearview mirror as we begin to transition from Spring to Summer. But we’re still getting new series to watch, so which of these shows is worth checking out? Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new scripted—and select unscripted—series this Spring. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks.

Tuesdays:
The Acolyte, Streaming Tuesdays on Disney+ (Premiered June 4)
About: The latest series in the Star Wars extended universe is set well before the events of the Skywalker Saga. It was created by Leslye Headland, focusing on a time when there was peace in the land and the Jedi were a respected part of the Republic. As we begin, a young acolyte, Mae (Amandla Steinberg), begins a mission to confront a group of Jedi. It pulls in her twin sister, Osha (Steinberg), who once trained as a Jedi under Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae). This series has a great look and is something fresh, unattached to previous Star Wars films and series. That makes it a breath of fresh air for those who are looking to dive into something without a lot of backstories. The performances are good, the look is crisp, and I appreciated the characters and story development in the two-episodes that premier today. The season runs eight episodes, with some around 40 minutes and others closer to 30 minutes. Headland created and directed the first two episodes, crafting the look and tone she wants. And it works. The episodes move at a good pace, hook you early, and draw you into the world. I’m excited to see where this goes as it’s one of my favorite new series of the year so far.
Pilot Grade: A-
Second Episode: A-

Streaming Series:
Camden, Now Streaming on Hulu (Premiered May 29)
About: The latest for Hulu is a docu-series on the Camden region in the United Kingdom that’s long been a hotbed for music and world-renowned musical artists. The series counts Camden native Dua Lipa among its producers and spends episodes telling stories of artists and music from the area. Some of those covered in early episodes include Amy Winehouse and Chris Martin. It’s an interesting exploration of a region, musical artists, and the creative process. For those who enjoy documentaries, particularly from the music world, this will be a welcome addition to the landscape. All four episodes, each running 40-50 minutes, are now available to stream on Hulu.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C

Eric, Now Streaming on Netflix (Premiered May 30)
About: This series is set in New York in the 1980s. Vincent Anderson (Benedict Cumberbatch) is a prickly man but a talented artist and puppeteer. He has a volatile marriage to Cassie (Gaby Hoffman) that is further strained when their son goes missing. A dogged detective (McKinley Belcher III) is assigned to the case and believes it might be linked to other shady dealings he’s been investigating. But Vincent, mired in grief and coming apart at the seams, begins seeing his puppet, Eric, come to life. Can this unseen force help guide Vincent in the right directing and back to his son? The series comes from writer Abi Morgan with all six episodes directed by Lucy Forbes. The whole series is available to stream, with episodes running about an hour. The early episodes are dark and somewhat disjointed as they build the world and mystery. The series has a strong cast, including Clarke Peters, David Denman, and Dan Fogle, among others. I thought the moody setting worked but I wasn’t as taken with the story. Cumberbatch is quite good in the lead role but your interest in this will likely depend on how you feel about the grim setting and the grim story.
Pilot Grade: C+
Second Episode: C+

Geek Girl, Now Streaming on Netflix
About: This new teen comedy is based on the book series of the same name from Holly Smale that launched in 2013. The series follows an awkward girl, Harriet Manners (Emily Carey), who is something of an unpopular, social outcast. When she unexpectedly becomes a model, her life and the way she’s perceived by others begins to change. The first season, 10 episodes all about a half an hour, are now available to stream. Carey does a nice job in the lead role and the episodes moved at a good pace. For those who are fans of the genre—young adult comedy/drama—this will likely feel like a fun binge. For others, it might feel a bit under-whelming.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C

How to Ruin Love: The Proposal, Now Streaming on Netflix (Premiered May 31)
About: There’s a lot of pressure on a marriage proposal. It has to be just right and most of the time we want it to be special and memorable. But what if you try so hard to craft the right secret proposal that it sends the wrong signs. And, what if you misinterpret the signs and make a mess of what seems like dream proposal, derailing your relationship, your careers, and your families in the process. That’s the basic premise for this four-episode limited series. An actress and her boyfriend, an app developer on the verge of a sale, are seemingly cruising toward marriage. But when she starts getting mixed signals, she begins to suspect he’s pulling away. Finally, she makes a grand confrontation, throwing him and his family under the bus, only to learn it was all in service of crafting the perfect proposal. When the scene becomes a viral video, it threatens both their careers and threatens to tear the families apart. Can she recover and set things, right? That’s the challenge here in a series that feels a bit like a standard romantic comedy premise stretched to four episodes. The series moves at a decent pace and makes for a decent binge for those who are fans of the genre.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.