Viewers will be hard pressed to catch up on missed television during the summer TV season. All told, more than 50 new series launch between Memorial Day and Labor Day this year. Several new (AMC’s “Preacher”) and returning (Fox’s “Wayward Pines”) shows only recently debuted and will air through the summer.
If you do find the time for something new, here are 30 new (or new to the U.S.) limited or full-season series that might be of interest. These are new scripted dramas and comedies. Watch for separate stories about returning summer TV shows and summer TV movies and more. All times below are CT.
(I’ll continue to post my monthly premiere calendars that include as much of everything as I find. Here is May and June.)
Summer TV 2016
Roots
8 p.m. May 30-June 2, A&E, Lifetime, History
Based on Alex Haley’s novel, this update of the 1977 miniseries follows the members of one family from Africa to the South and through American slavery. Read more about “Roots.”
Cleverman
9 p.m. June 1, Sundance TV
As fearful humans turn on a physically-gifted non-humans, one young man straddles both sides as he struggles with his own power and responsibility to unite everyone. This dystopian sci-fi drama hails from Australia.
Outcast
9 p.m. June 3, Cinemax
A young man (Patrick Fugit) who has been plagued by demonic possession his entire life begrudgingly teams with minister to fight demons in this moody thriller from “The Walking Dead” comic creator Robert Kirkman. Watch the first episode a top of page.
Feed the Beast
9 p.m. June 5, AMC
Two best friends (David Schwimmer and Jim Sturgess) take one last shot at dream of launching a restaurant in the Bronx, but a mob boss could prevent a smooth opening.
Voltron: Legendary Defender
Streaming June 10, Netflix
Nostalgia runs amok in this reboot of the 1980s anime series. In it, five young pilots command robotic lions that, when combined, form Voltron, defender of the universe.
Still the King
8 p.m. June 12, CMT
Billy Ray Cyrus stars in this comedy as a singer who, 20 years after his one country music hit and appearing as a second-rate Elvis impersonator, fakes being a preacher when he discovers he has a teen daughter. Miley does not play his daughter.
Guilt
8 p.m. June 13, Freeform
A young American in London (Daisy Head) is accused of killing her young roomie after a night of partying with even more young people. Billy Zane and Anthony Head play older people, who no doubt are young at heart.
Braindead
9 p.m. June 13, CBS
Bugs from outer space are eating the brains of Congress members and Capitol Hill staffers in this comedy from “The Good Wife” creators Robert King and Michelle King. And I thought members of Congress were just inept.
Cilla
Streaming June 13, AcornTV
This three-part British import captures the 1960s Liverpool music scene as it charts the rise of pop star Cilla Black (Sheridan Smith, who sings) from her impromptu amateur club performances that impressed the Beatles to working with Beatles manager Brian Epstein.
Animal Kingdom
8 p.m. June 14, TNT
The Cody boys (Scott Speedman, Shawn Hatosy, Ben Robson, Jake Weary) spend their days shirtless in this crime drama, but all their testosterone doesn’t stand a chance against tough matriarch Janine “Smurf” Cody (Ellen Barkin) when she welcomes her grandson (Finn Cole) into the fold. (More about “Animal Kingdom.”)
Uncle Buck
8 p.m. June 14, ABC
Mike Epps stars as the ne’er do well uncle of the title who offers his unconventional wisdom to his brother’s kids. Based on the John Hughes movie.
Wrecked
9 p.m. June 14, TBS
In this modern “Gilligan’s Island”—or is it “Lost?”—a plane crash strands a group of strangers on deserted island.
The Tunnel
9:30 p.m. June 19, PBS
In yet another version of the original Danish murder mystery “The Bridge,” detectives from France and Britain work together to investigate the death of a French politician found in the Chunnel between Britain and France.
Raised by Wolves
Streaming June 20, AcornTV
This comedy is written and based on the childhoods of British author Caitlin Moran (“How to be a Woman”) and her sister, Caroline. The six siblings, home-schooled by their acerbic mother, are isolated from other kids until the oldest daughter drags them into society.
Greenleaf
9 p.m. June 21, OWN
Oprah Winfrey will appear in this soap opera about wicked goings-on at a Memphis megachurch run by Greenleaf patriarch and church bishop James Greenleaf (Keith David).
American Gothic
9 p.m. June 22, CBS
Someone in a prominent Boston family is a serial killer, but will any of the Hawthornes survive as secrets and lies are revealed?
Queen of the South
9 p.m. June 23, USA
A Mexican woman (Alice Braga) becomes a drug “queenpin” in this English-language remake of the telenovela “La Reina del Sur.” The original, currently streaming on Netflix, starred Kate del Castillo, who facilitated the El Chapo-Sean Penn interview.
Thirteen
9 p.m. June 23, BBC America
A woman (Jodie Comer) escapes after being held captive for 13 years, leading to more mysteries and family issues.
Roadies
9 p.m. June 26, Showtime
Cameron Crowe returns to the music world with this comedy about the people who make sure that concert you’ve been dying to attend actually happens. Carla Gugino and Luke Wilson star.
Dead of Summer
8 p.m. June 28, Freeform
Camp Stillwater is terrorized in the 1980s. Not a comedy, but this probably will make you laugh.
Marcella
Streaming July 1, Netflix
After a 12-year career break and a divorce, Marcella (Anna Friel) returns to her detective job in London. When a spate of recent killings appear to be similar to unsolved murders she investigated years before, old feelings are dredged up. Yhe British import comes from “The Bridge” screenwriter and novelist Hans Rosenfeldt.
The Night Of
8 p.m. July 10, HBO
Based on a British original, this limited series stars John Turturro as a New York lawyer who defends a Pakistani student (Riz Ahmed) accused of murder. The case is rife with cultural and political overtones.
Stranger Things
Streaming July 15, Netflix
Top secret experiments, monsters, a strange little girl—and stars Winona Ryder and Matthew Modine—figure in yet another 1980s-set mystery series.
Vice Principals
9:30 p.m. July 17, HBO
Vice principals Danny McBride and Walton Goggins try to one-up each other as they compete for the high school principal position.
Six
9 p.m. July 18, History
You get a double dose of Walton Goggins in July. In this one, he plays a member of Navy SEAL Team Six whose 2014 mission to eliminate a Taliban leader in Afghanistan goes awry when they uncover a U.S. citizen working with the terrorists.
Shooter
9 p.m. July 19, USA
An ex-Marine sniper (Ryan Phillippe) is framed for the president’s assassination. (More about “Shooter.”)
The Get Down
Streaming Aug. 12, Netflix
Baz Luhrmann’s musical drama follows a group of South Bronx kids in the 1970s, when New York gave birth to hip-hop, punk and disco.
Chesapeake Shores
8 p.m. Aug. 14, Hallmark
Based on Sherryl Woods’s novels, this drama tells the story of a stressed single mom/corporate exec who considers moving back to her small hometown to focus on her daughters. Maybe women can have it all.
Gomorrah
9 p.m. Aug. 24, Sundance TV
This Italian import tells story of Naples crime organization Camorra through the eyes of the godfather’s right-hand man. Parli Italiano?
Shut Eye
Streaming Aug. 31, Hulu
Jeffrey Donovan of “Burn Notice” stars as failed magician and fake psychic Charlie Haverford in this dark comedy. When a head injury gives him real psychic powers, Charlie wants to set up a legit shop, but is afraid of what the Los Angeles mob bosses he works for will do.