We’re making our way through June, which means the flow of new shows continues but not at the pace it was during the season. Still, you might be wondering what of these new shows is worth the investment. Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new scripted series this summer. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks.

Tuesdays:
Ironheart, Streaming Tuesdays on Disney+ (Premiered June 24)
About: This is the latest from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The series follows Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne), who was introduced during Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in 2022. It’s been nearly three years since then, but finally she’s getting her own story. As we pick up, the brilliant Riri is working on finishing her suit but is kicked out of school, leaving her to head home to Chicago. Desperate for money to finish her work, she falls in with Parker Robbins (Anthony Ramos), who seems a common thief but has a much darker side. She also connects with a fellow creator, Ezekiel (Alden Ehrenreich), who is harboring his own secret. The first three episodes dropped Tuesday, with the rest of the six-episode series dropping July 1. It’s been a while since we met Riri, and though she figures to be a part of projects moving forward, this series isn’t the greatest way to jump back in. The episodes released in the first batch were uneven, though the third of the episodes was the best so far, indicating positive hope for the back half. But this show suffers from the same issues as other recent Marvel series in that it feels disconnected from the larger world and a bit too unfocused for its own good. I like Thorne, and I think there’s potential for a solid ending, but so far this is just OK.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C

Wednesdays:
Countdown, Streaming Wednesdays on Prime Video (Premiered June 25)
About: This new series from Prime Video is a hard-boiled cop drama from frequent Dick Wolf collaborator Derek Haas (Chicago franchise). It’s set in Los Angeles where maverick officers from the FBI, DEA, and Los Angeles Police Department are brought together for a task force after a Homeland Security officer is found murdered. It leads them to a bigger plot with the fate of the city hanging in the balance. The first three episodes of this 13-episode series dropped Wednesday, with subsequent episodes dropping weekly. It’s a strong cast, including Jensen Ackles, Eric Dane, Violet Beane, and Jessica Camacho, among others. The pilot has some good moments, gritty sequences, and a solid hook. The premise wore a bit thin in the second and third episode, though there is still plenty to be interested in. For those that like a good, hardened cop drama, this will fill the void this summer. It feels somewhat on brand with a set of Prime Video series, and I could see it becoming a modest hit.
Pilot Grade: C+
Second Episode: C

Thursdays:
Revival, Streaming Thursdays on Peacock (Premiered June 19)
About: This series, based on a comic book series of the same name, is sent in a Wisconsin town where the recently deceased have come back to life. Now the Sheriff (David James Elliott) and his daughter (Melanie Scrofano), also a deputy, are charged with keeping order in a town under lockdown that’s gone a little mad. I thought the pilot had a weird, chaotic energy. The second episode, which dropped Thursday, was a little more engaging. It broadened some of the world and gave a better hook. Still, this is something of a genre piece. If you’re into the undead, or were a fan of the source material, you’ll be excited by this. If not, it may not be solid enough to hold your attention.
Pilot Grade: C-
Second Episode: C

Fridays:
Smoke, Streaming Fridays on Apple TV+ (Premiered June 27)
About: This new crime drama from Apple is from Dennis Lehane. It’s based on the podcast Firebug, which followed the arson crimes of John Leonard Orr. This is a fictionalized tale, though it borrows some of the facts from the real crimes. It pairs Lehane with star Taron Egerton, who led his project Black Bird on Apple TV+ in 2022. Egerton plays a fire investigator and family man who is pursuing a pair of serial arsonists. He’s paired with a detective (Jurnee Smollett), who isn’t thrilled by the assignment but is determined to crack the cases and earn a transfer. The pilot plays like a mostly straightforward cop series. I loved the moody script and the way it was put together. It was engaging and one of the better pilots of the year. The second episode is solid but features a huge twist at the end. That might change how you feel about the series moving forward. The first two episodes dropped on Friday while the rest of the nine-episode series drops weekly. This is a solid series and should be an engaging watch.
Pilot Grade: A-
Second Episode: B

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.