From Ted Lasso to The Shards: 10 Must-Watch Series in August

Late summer television is unusually crowded this year. Caryn James from BBC Culture has selected ten productions set to air throughout August: comebacks, adaptations, and genre experiments.

1. Fightland (July 31 — Starz / August 27 — Sky & NOW)

A revenge drama set in the world of boxing and drug cartels. Produced by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson. Heavyweight champion Duke Kilroy (Howard Charles) returns to London to confront the drug lord who framed him, after serving eight years in prison for a murder he didn't commit.

2. Ted Lasso (August 5 — Apple TV)

The series we thought was over returns after three years. Ted (Jason Sudeikis) returns to London from Kansas City to coach Rebecca's (Hannah Waddingham) newly formed Richmond women's team. The cast includes Brett Goldstein, Juno Temple, Jeremy Swift, and newcomer Tanya Reynolds.

3. The Shards (August 5 — Hulu / August 6 — Disney+)

A Ryan Murphy production, adapted from Bret Easton Ellis's 2023 semi-autobiographical novel, the series is set in 1981 Los Angeles. High school senior Bret (Igby Rigney) is drawn into a coming-of-age story under the shadow of a serial killer named "The Traveler" when new student Robert (Homer Gere) arrives at school. Kaia Gerber is also in the cast.

4. Sterling Point (August 5 — Prime Video)

A teen melodrama full of family secrets, created by Megan Park, known for "My Old Ass." Twin siblings Annie (Ella Rubin) and Connor (Keen Ruffalo) inherit an island in Canada from grandparents they never knew.

5. Alley Cats (August 7 — Netflix)

An adult animated British comedy created and voiced by Ricky Gervais. A gang of street cats asks existential questions and swears a lot. Gervais's description is clear: "I hope you like cats and swearing."

6. Reacher (August 12 — Prime Video)

Alan Ritchson's Jack Reacher returns for a new season; the Lee Child adaptation is August's most guaranteed hit for action lovers.

7. My Brilliant Career (August 13 — Netflix)

A new adaptation of Miles Franklin's classic Australian novel; the story of a young woman who wants to become a writer at the end of the 19th century.

8. Lanterns (August 16 — HBO Max)

DC's new superhero series; Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre's Green Lanterns transform the superhero format into a rural detective story.

9. Conan O'Brien Must Go (August 21 — HBO Max)

Conan O'Brien's travel comedy, where he travels the world to visit fans he met online in their homes, returns with new episodes.

10. Dark Matter (August 28 — Apple TV)

The parallel universe thriller adapted from Blake Crouch's bestselling novel continues with its second season; Joel Edgerton reprises his lead role.

Source: BBC Culture — Caryn James, "10 of the best TV shows to watch this August".