HANNAH WADDINGHAM, Anya Taylor-Joy and Millie Bobby Brown are the leading ladies bringing the heat to telly schedules this summer.
They are among the stars appearing in red-hot dramas you will not be able to resist binge watching, including sexy thrillers Ride Or Die and Lucky.
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Hannah Waddingham plays a secret assassin who goes on the run with her unwitting best pal in tense Prime Video series Ride Or Die Credit: DuA�an Martinček/Prime
Lexi Minetree takes on the legal role made famous by Reese Witherspoon in this high school years prequel Credit: Getty
There is also the live drama of the World Cup to look forward to, and channels have a host of specials ready to kick off a summer of sport, including boxing and tennis.
Plenty of laughs are on the cards, too, with the arrival of Prime’s Legally Blonde prequel Elle and the return of ITV’s G’Wed.
Plus the gorgeous young things on Love Island and Towie return to scratch that reality itch.
Among the factual summer highlights are Free Nelson Mandela, from Channel 4, and a trip to Tiger Island with the BBC.
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Here, The Jattvibe’s TV experts round up the best on the box, come rain or shine . . .
COMEDY
THE HAWK, Netflix, July 16
Jimmy Tatro and Will Ferrell in golf comedy series The Hawk Credit: © 2026 Netflix, Inc
Will Ferrell comes out swinging, playing a professional golfer looking for his dream sporting comeback.
Lonnie “The Hawk” Hawkins is a former world No1 who has his eye on the PGA Tour. While his body says retire, his heart says he’s not done yet.
His ex-wife, played by Saturday Night Live’s Molly Shannon, and his son Lance (Jimmy Tatro) know he’s through.
But with one more major to win to complete golf’s Grand Slam, Lonnie refuses to give up.
Ever wondered how Elle Woods perfected her “bend and snap” pick-up move?
In Amazon Prime’s Legally Blonde prequel, we meet the bubblegum-pink princess before she was a fish-out-of-water at Harvard Law School.
Encountering tricky friendships, forbidden romances and odd fashion choices, we will learn what paved the way to her becoming one of the sharpest legal minds.
Original Elle, Reese Witherspoon, is producer on the series, with Lexi Minetree playing the teen.
WOULD YOU RATHER: DECIDE TO SURVIVE, Amazon Prime, June
Choosing between two difficult scenarios, Amazon Prime has upped the ante, turning the concept into a hilarious gameshow.
Throw deadpan comic Romesh Ranganathan into the mix as host – alongside social media stars Chunkz, Nella Rose, Max Balegde, Chloe Burrows, Max Fosh, Elz the Witch and King Kenny – and it’s telly gold.
Two teams compete in real-life challenges based on hypothetical questions, deciding on everything from what they eat to who they send home.
G’WED, ITV2, Series 3, June 8
Liverpool-set comedy G’wed is back for third outing
The Liverpudlian teens return for series three, which promises to be bolder than ever.
Reece (Dylan Thomas-Smith), Christopher (Jake Kenny-Byrne), Connor (Max Ainsworth), Ted (Dominic Murphy), Mo (Zak Douglas), Aimee (Amber Harrison), Mia-Louise (Gemma Barraclough) and The Brimble (Evie Ward-Drummond) reunite for ITVX’s most-watched comedy.
Brookside favourite Jennifer Ellison joins the cast as Aimee’s estranged mum Anna.
ANN DROID, BBC One, July
Diane Morgan and Sue in robot drama Ann Droid Credit: BBC
Diane Morgan reunites with her Motherland co-star Paul Ready for this sci-fi sitcom.
It follows Sue, played by The Royle Family’s Sue Johnston, who is given a hi-tech ‘Eldercare’ robot by her well-meaning son.
The helper, portrayed by Diane, is tasked with looking after Sue, who isn’t too keen at first.
But the pair form an unlikely friendship when widowed Sue realises that her robotic aide can be quite helpful with things – like settling scores.
REALITY
LOVE ISLAND, ITV2 and ITVX, on now
A new squad of sizzling singles began their quest for love and, er, fame on Monday – and the villa action is already hotting up.
This year’s cast includes a nurse, a detective and former Arsenal player Hector Bellerin’s ex-Wag.
But tonight, two will be sent home after barely having h time to unpack.
Maya Jama is back as host and has promised a series filled with new twists and turns – plus there’s the hint viewers’ favourite Twitter challenge will return.
Tune in every night at 9pm throughout June and July.
Jeremy Clarkson, Kaleb Cooper and the gang return for a fifth series of the hit rural reality series.
As you’d expect, there are comings and goings with two new types of sheep, as well as geese, snails and guinea fowl.
But some very hard decisions have to be made over Jezza’s beloved pigs.
There’s a terrifying hospital dash for him, too, after a heart scare, but he’s far more concerned about the travellers setting up in The Farmers’ Dog pub car park.
AMERICA’S SWEETHEARTS: DALLAS COWBOYS CHEERLEADERS, Netflix, June 16
A Dallas Cowboys cheerleaderCredit: Refer to source
At this point, the perfectly perky dancers for the Dallas Cowboys American football team are more famous than the players on the pitch.
The Emmy-nominated fly-on-the-wall series returns for a third run and follows the 2025-26 squad through the season.
Thirty returning veterans are vying for just six open spots, so the high-stakes auditions are more gruelling than ever.
And viral fame since Netflix cameras started following the girls has upped the ante on balancing perfection with public scrutiny.
THE PRINCESS DIARIES, ITV2, August
Princess has a third series Credit: Getty
Katie Price and Peter Andre’s plucky children Princess and Junior are back with a third series of their hit show.
Cameras follow the siblings as they explore fame – her as an influencer and presenter and him as a musician.
For the first time, their warring parents will appear on screen together after years of tension.
But all eyes will be on Katie as the run is expected to cover the fallout of her wedding to Lee Andrews.
Princess and Junior talked last series about how they’d learnt of the relationship – in the family WhatsApp group – and series three will pick up where that drama left off.
TOWIE, ITV2, August
The reality show lumbers into its 38th series this summer and shows absolutely no sign of slowing down.
This time round, the gang will head to trendy new holiday hotspot Albania to kick off the drama in the sun – but the theatrics are still raging from last series.
Freddie Bentley is back filming after quitting halfway through the last run, and original cast member Lauren Goodger has joined the group heading abroad.
DRAMA
ALICE AND STEVE, Disney+, June 8
Nicola Walker plays mum Alice Credit: PA
This comedy drama sees the long-awaited return of Nicola Walker, who at one time was almost constantly on our screens.
From family drama Last Tango In Halifax to legal series The Split and crime thriller Unforgotten, it seemed there was nothing she couldn’t turn her hand to.
Now she’s playing it for laughs as middle-aged mum Alice, who thinks she has a pretty stable life with the two men in her life, husband Daniel (Joel Fry) and long-time pal Steve, played by Jemaine Clement.
But all that changes when Steve starts dating her daughter – who is just 26 years old.
CAPE FEAR, Apple TV, June 5
Javier Bardem follows Mitchum and De Niro’s scary path in Cape Fear
It started out as the epic 1962 film, then a 1991 reboot – and now it’s a TV series.
Javier Bardem takes on the role of sadistic, vengeful convict Max Cady in a role previously played by Robert Mitchum and Robert de Niro.
Meanwhile Amy Adams and Patrick Wilson play the Bowdens, a couple who, along with their daughter, are targeted by the rapist who blames them for getting him jailed.
HIT POINT, August, UKTV
Saffron Hocking is a detective in Hit Point
U&Dave’s first drama features Nick Blood and Saffron Hocking playing London detectives who delve deep into the city’s underworld.
But in time-honoured tradition, the six-parter sees the blurring of the lines between the private and working lives of the lead characters, Leo and Bella, as they team up against the criminals.
Hit Point also stars William Abadie, better known as Antoine Lambert from Emily In Paris, as well as Downton Abbey’s Brendan Coyle.
LUCKY, Apple TV, July 15
As a crime thriller, this is certainly star-studded.
As well as having Anya Taylor-Joy topping the bill as lead character Lucky Armstrong, it also features Annette Bening as dangerous mob leader Priscilla.
Plus, there’s hunky Drew Starkey as Lucky’s husband, Cary.
Based on Marissa Stapley’s 2021 novel Lucky, it tells the story of a con artist who gets involved in a heist that goes wrong – forcing her to go on the run from both the FBI and gangsters.
RIDE OR DIE, Prime Video, July 15
Hannah Waddingham plays a secret assassin who goes on the run with her best pal Debbie, played by Octavia Spencer.
Except that Debbie is oblivious to her pal’s real profession, but she quickly gets to understand just how dark her day job is, as they both find themselves dicing with death on a daily basis.
The tense eight-parter also stars Bill Nighy, Ed Skrein and Sylvia Hoeks.
ENOLA HOLMES, Netflix, July 3
Millie Bobby Brown returns as Sherlock Holmes’ younger sister Credit: PA
It’s hard to believe this is now the third series of the loose origins drama, which looks at the younger sister of the world’s most famous detective.
Millie Bobby Brown is back for another sleuthing adventure, in which she has to juggle with the increasingly romantic advances of Tewkesbury, played by Louis Partridge.
Things take another twist as the action shifts from the traditional backdrop of Victorian London to the hotter climes of Malta.
Henry Cavill and Helena Bonham Carter also star.
SPORT
THE REST IS FOOTBALL, Netflix, June 10
Gary Lineker spreads his wings for a first World Cup away from the BBC – and he can’t wait.
He will be joined by Alan Shearer and Micah Richards for daily shows, streamed live from a glossy studio in Manhattan, throughout the 2026 tournament.
Football fans can expect cutting commentary, exciting takes and more, as the maestro of the match lets loose Stateside.
USA 94: BRAZIL’S RETURN TO GLORY, Netflix, June 7
Brazil’s Return To Glory Credit: Netflix
Lovers of the beautiful game can dive into this fascinating period, charting the Brazilian national team’s 1994 World Cup-winning run through exclusive player interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.
It gives an inside look at the low team morale, press scepticism and immense pressure the squad faced to secure their fourth World Cup trophy.
There are intimate moments shot by players themselves, including goalie Gilmar Rinaldi and right-back Jorginho, plus interviews with squad members such as Romario, Bebeto, Dunga and Zinho.
NORWAY: THE DARK HORSE, Netflix, June 9
Hero Antonio Nusa of Norway Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
This powerful and emotional watch depicts the return of the Norwegian men’s national team to a major international tournament after 26 years.
It means a whole generation have never seen their heroes perform on the big stage.
But now, thanks to global stars such as Martin Odegaard, Erling Haaland, Alexander Sorloth and Antonio Nusa, Norway have finally broken the curse.
Through interviews, insight and team footage, we see the World Cup’s dark horses preparing to take on France and Senegal in the group stage.
THE CLASH OF NATIONS: JOE LOUIS VS. MAX SCHMELING, The History Channel, June 19
This iconic bout between heavyweight champions transcended sport to become a symbol of a world on the brink of another World War.
Set against the rise of fascism in Europe and racial segregation in the US, the documentary draws on personal accounts, analysis and rare archive footage to follow the parallel lives, careers and political obstacles of American Louis and German Schmeling.
Their first fight in 1936 shocked the world, while the 1938 rematch at Yankee Stadium came to symbolise a larger clash between democracy and Nazism.
CHRIS & MARTINA: THE FINAL SET, Netflix, June 26
This thrilling special explores Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova’s decades-long dominance of women’s tennis through intimate interviews.
The two women reflect on their parallel journeys from contrasting beginnings, their intense rivalry and, later, their cancer battles.
The archive footage will be a treat for tennis fans, while emotional conversations between the long-standing friends explore the sacrifices the women made on their rise to the top of the game.
FACTUAL
THE ALIEN AUTOPSY SCANDAL, Sky and NOW, June 12
Alien Autopsy picks up the story of grainy film appearing to show the dissection on an alien corpse Credit: ©Sky UK Ltd
In 1995, 18 minutes of grainy film appearing to show the dissection on an alien corpse found in Roswell, New Mexico, stunned the world.
Unearthed by two Brits, Ray Santilli and Gary Shoefield, people questioned if it was real.
A new documentary picks up the story more than 30 years later, seeking to uncover the truth.
Speaking to Santilli and Shoefield, ufologists, ex-intelligence officers and military whistleblowers, it ventures deep into an even darker and more extraordinary chain of events.
MOCK THE WEEK SUMMER SPECIALS, TLC, June 7
Dara O Briain is ready to take on the hottest topics with the return of this satire series Credit: TLC
Dara O Briain is ready to take on the hottest topics with the return of this satire series.
The five-episode special will air in June and July ahead of series two in the autumn. E
Expect lots of laughs as Dara, series regular Rhys James and a panel of comedians cover everything from the men’s football World Cup in America to politics and pop culture.
A rotating panel of guest stars includes Maisie Adam, Ed Gamble, Sara Pascoe, Chris Ramsey and Russell Howard.
TIGER ISLAND, BBC One, June 7
Big cats on Tiger Island Credit: CREDIT LINE:BBC
In Nepal, wildlife film-makers and big cat experts are on an expedition to reveal the secret lives of tigers that are thriving on an extraordinary island.
The two-part series explores one of the natural world’s best-kept secrets – an area containing one of the highest concentrations of tigers on Earth.
An incredible conservation effort has seen numbers increase six-fold. In a world first, drone technology captures the lives of these big cats.
FREE NELSON MANDELA, Channel 4, June 14
A three-part documentary follows the journey of South African anti-apartheid campaigner Nelson Mandela from activist to revolutionary, prisoner to negotiator, and how he led his country to democracy from a prison cell.
Jailed for 27 years, his battle sparked a global movement.
With access to those who fought for his freedom and at the heart of the movement, including some of the world’s biggest music stars, plus hours of unseen material, the series tells the story in full for the first time.
OLIVIA ATTWOOD’S PRICE OF PERFECTION, ITV2, August
The ex-Love Islander’s dive into society’s obsession with image sees her meet celebrities and regular folk grappling with surgery.
She will look at the surging popularity of slimming jabs such as Ozempic and Wegovy, and the rise of trendy “lunchtime” or injectable treatments.
Olivia also explores the perils of travelling abroad to hotspots such as Turkey and South Korea for surgery, and examines the evolving landscape of men having treatments.
