Grab the popcorn and remote and brace for a tidal wave of offerings, spanning romantic historical fare, the Wild, Wild West, and forays into space, Middle Earth, and beyond!

BY LAURA D.C. KOLNOSKI

RESERVATION DOGS FX on HULU/ Streaming August
The buzz over this original half-hour dramedy series about four Indigenous teens of Oklahoma’s Muscogee Nation grew over its first season. From creators and producers Taika Waititi and Sterlin Harjo, who both have Indigenous backgrounds, season two debuts August 3. Follow the young quartet as they engage in theft to save enough cash to realize their idealized California dreams, supported by a bevy of colorful characters.

DAY SHIFT NETFLIX (RATED R) Streaming August
Jamie Foxx leads a cast that includes Dave Franco and Snoop Dog through the action/comedy/fantasy story of a hard-working, blue-collar dad who, on the surface, endeavors to provide a good life for his precocious eight year-old daughter. Turns out, his mundane San Fernando Valley pool cleaning job is a front for his real gig: hunting and vanquishing vampires. The producer is Chad Stahelski of John Wick fame, and stuntman J.J. Perry makes his directorial debut.

PERSUASION NETFLIX (RATED PG) Streaming July
Dakota Johnson and Henry Golding lead a new adaptation of Jane Austin’s final classic. Co-written by Oscar winner Ross Bass (Rain Man), the story weaves around the financially compromised family of Johnson’s Anne Elliot, and her non-conformist modern sensibilities. The prospect of a second chance appears with the return of a lost love who puts Anne’s convictions, and future, to the test.

DON’T MAKE ME GO AMAZON PRIME VIDEO (RATED R) Streaming July
From the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival and the screenwriter of This is Us comes a new dramedy in the form of a father/daughter road trip. John Cho plays single dad Max who embarks on a consequential journey with his teenaged daughter, portrayed by newcomer Mia Isaac. While both carry their own burdens, dad additionally tries to hide his terminal illness. Critics praised the film’s blend of comedy and drama, and Cho’s portrayal of the “loveable” Max.

BILLY THE KID EPIX (RATED TV-MA) Streaming August
Ride along on an “epic” adventure based on the romanticized life of the frontier legend. The series tracks the outlaw’s Irish roots and journey west, revealing tragedies that propelled his evolution from cowboy to gunslinger. Tom Blythe, who had a minor role in HBO’s The Gilded Age and will play the young President Coriolanus Snow in the upcoming Hunger Games prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, embodies the title character, whose real name was William H. Bonney.

ME TIME NETFLIX (UNRATED) Streaming August
When a stay-at-home dad (Mark Wahlberg) finds himself alone for the first time in years while his wife and kids are away, he reconnects with his former best friend (Kevin Hart) for a wild weekend of mostly comedic hijinks that nearly upends his life. According to Deadline, the fi lm is part of Hart and his HartBeat Production’s multiyear fi lm deal with Netfl ix, the exclusive home for four feature films starring and produced by Hart. Me Time co-stars Regina Hall, Jimmy O. Yang, and Tahj Mowry.

STAR WARS ANDOR DISNEY+ (RATED TV-MA) Streaming August
Prequel Rogue One (2016) is widely considered the best of the Star Wars spin-o s, depicting the bold heroes who obtained the schematic plans for the Death Star that allowed Luke Skywalker to blow it up in 1977’s A New Hope. The stakes are high as fans debate whether Disney will fumble this ball. It’s a prequel to the prequel, focused on Diego Luna’s Cassian Andor and his journey to become a Rebel to remember prior to meeting Jyn Erso. Alan Tudyk returns as K-2SO. Together, the pair confront danger, intrigue, and the growing rebellion against the Empire. The series is confirmed to be two 12-episode seasons.

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RINGS OF POWER AMAZON (RATED TV-14)
Streaming September Before Bilbo Baggins planted his hairy feet in Rivendell, the Rings of Power were forged in Middle Earth history by creator J.R.R. Tolkien. This prequel, set in the Second Age before The Hobbit, will feature new and familiar names and places. Fans will recognize the Misty Mountains and Númenor, and revel in appearances by a young Lord Elrond, Isildur, Celebrimbor, dwarves, hobbits, and a teen-aged Galadriel. Will Gandalf make an appearance? There is always hope. Filmed in New Zealand, the series is reportedly the most expensive in TV history with a price tag of $1 billion. Skywalker to blow it up against the Empire. The series is confirmed to be two 12-episode season.