Summer lineup packed with thrilling drama
Put the snacks within arm’s reach and claim the comfiest armchair in the house, because this summer brings a blazing hot season of TV. This summer’s lineup looks promising for both returning shows and debuts, providing plenty of excuses to tune in and veg out after days in the sun.
How much is enough? · Skylar (Anna Gunn) and Walter White (Bryan Cranston) will return to conclude the fifth and final season of Breaking Bad beginning August 11. Walter will have to face the consequences of his drug-dealing after he is discovered by his brother-in-law Hank, a DEA Agent. – Courtesy of AMC Networks
72 Hours
Thursday, June 6 — 9 p.m. — TNT
This new TNT survival drama features nine contestants who are helicoptered into the wilderness with bottles of water and GPSes. Their mission, given by host Brandon Johnson, is to find a briefcase with $100,000 in 72 hours. Battling the dangers of exposure, maneuvering through unforgiving land and fighting to cooperate with group members, the three teams’ goal is to make it out alive. Since the reality TV “adventure race” concept is hardly new to television, the real survival drama might come from 72 Hours’ fight to offer a fresh enough take on a stale formula to survive the summer.
Graceland
Thursday, June 6 — 10 p.m. — USA
Based on a true story, the series focuses on Mike Warren (Aaron Tveit), a new FBI agent reassigned from a job in DC to an undercover assignment in Graceland, a Southern California beach house where a handful of young undercover agents from various law enforcement organizations also reside. With sarcastic, witty senior FBI agent Paul Briggs (Daniel Sunjata) as a mentor, Warren appears to be in good hands. But Warren’s deadly undercover assignments perilously thrust him into the world of the Mexican Federal Police. Drug-busts and near death experiences hurtle toward the rookie at full force in Jeff Eastin’s crime drama. For fans of the genre, or even of Brandon Jay McLaren, Graceland looks like a definite must-see this summer.
Pretty Little Liars
Tuesday, June 11 — 8 p.m. — ABC Family
Season four of the Pretty Little Liars series brings even more danger and lies. The four best friends are back to battle against “A,” risking the lives of their loved ones as well as their own. Is it even possible to have another season of drama and terror? For Aria (Lucy Hale), Spencer (Troian Bellisario), Emily (Shay Mitchell), and Hanna (Ashley Benson), it seems that thrill and near-death experiences are limitless, especially since a fifth season is already on the horizon.
Under the Dome
Monday, June 24 — 10 p.m. — CBS
In Chester’s Mill, Maine, the tightly knit small-town community is about to get a little too close. This story focuses on a town’s struggles after a large, clear dome appears out of nowhere, encasing the town like a bubble. The police and military desperately attempt to save the trapped citizens from the mysterious dome; however, such law enforcement is unable to help quell the violence and chaos that has broken out within the dome’s confines. Those caught “Under the Dome” will have to fend for themselves in this sci-fi drama adapted from the Stephen King novel of the same name.
Whose Line is it Anyway?
Tuesday, July 16 — 8 p.m. — CW
America’s favorite game show returns after a six-year break, bringing side-splitting improvisation to the CW network. New episodes will include the original cast of Colin Mochrie, Ryan Stiles and Wayne Brady, but feature a new host: stand-up comedian and daytime TV star Aisha Tyler. Also new to the show is a slot for celebrity guest stars (Spoiler alert: get excited to see Lauren Cohan from The Walking Dead, Wilson Bethel from Hart of Dixie and U.S. Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson). Shot in six days at Raleigh Studios in Hollywood with a killer audience, prepare for big laughs.
Suits
Tuesday, July 16 — 10 p.m. — USA
Get that skinny tie out of here! Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht) and his slick, open-collared legal shenanigans continue with Season 3 of Suits on USA Network. This 16-episode season promises even more drama as Specter fights against the merger that managing partner Jessica Pearson (Gina Torres) so heartily supports. The Suits community is abuzz with anticipation of a new cast member hailing from across the pond: Dark and dishy Brit Max Beesley recently scored a recurring role with the program as Stephen Huntley, a British “closer” who will serve as Specter’s transatlantic counterpart.
Breaking Bad
Sunday, August 11 — 9 p.m. — AMC
After a mid-season hiatus, Part II of Season 5 aims to end the show with a bang. DEA Agent Hank Schrader’s (Dean Norris) shocking epiphany at the end of Part I threatens to unravel Walter White’s (Bryan Cranston) tenuously crafted efforts towards familial stability. Now that the end has come, will all secrets be revealed? Will White’s penance for his sins involve the sacrifice of the family he holds so dear? The breathlessly anticipated finale for Vince Gilligan’s crime drama is sure to tie up loose ends in explosive fashion.