These streaming series serve up period pieces, gripping plots, and just enough intrigue—all led by queens who pass the Bechdel Test, and then some. Whether you’re falling into a summer romance or diving back into a returning favorite, this season’s lineup has no shortage of drama, depth, and dazzling female leads. Here’s what to watch this summer.
Ginny & Georgia (Season Three)
When does it start? June 5, 2025
Where can I find it? Netflix
What is it about? What would happen if Lorelai Gilmore were a blonde Southern belle with two kids and a penchant for using violence as a means of survival? Meet Georgia (Brianne Howey), a single mom just trying to do right by her kids. Even if it means murder. Season Three picks up immediately after Georgia’s arrest for the murder of Cynthia’s (Sabrina Grdevich) husband during her wedding to Paul. Ginny is again forced to play the part of an adult as her mother is hauled away on murder charges, facing emotional fallout and the possible destruction of her family.
Why should you binge this? The performances of Georgia’s Howey and Ginny’s Antonia Gentry offer a fresh take on the complexities of modern family life and the mother-daughter dynamic. Darkly funny at times, well written with strong performances, this is Lorelai and Rory if their love language was murder.
Who would love this? People who love the Gilmore Girls but find Stars Hollow a bit too tame for their tastes; audiences who enjoy family dramas with an edge; people who obsessively watch coming-of-age stories; fans of flawed femmes (think Fleabag, Rory, all the ladies on Girls)
We Were Liars (Miniseries)
When does it start? June 18
Where can I find it? Prime Video
What is it about?: Based on E. Lockhart’s bestselling young adult mystery novel, We Were Liars follows the story of the Sinclair family, a well-to-do clan of New Englanders who are in the habit of spending summers on their private island. One summer, 15-year-old Cadence suffered an incident that caused amnesia and debilitating migraines. After a couple of years, she returns to the island with her family where she slowly begins to piece together the events of the fateful day.
Why should you binge this? Dark and twisted, E. Lockhart’s We Were Liars is M. Night for the teen scene. As the mystery of what happened that summer and what caused Cadence’s accident begins to unravel, the book plays with the reader’s perception of reality, creating an almost dream-like quality to the narrative. Perhaps the miniseries will do the same.
Who would love this? People who enjoy coming-of-age tales and mysteries, and the stories that mix the two; fans of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson or One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus; people who appreciate Rahul Kohli in any form
The Buccaneers (Season Two)
When does it start? June 18
Where can I find it? Apple TV+
What is it about? Apple TV+’s adaptation of Edith Wharton’s unfinished final novel returns for a second season—now with more secrets, scandals, and silk shirtwaists than ever before. The period drama follows five young American women who journey to England in search of aristocratic husbands. Dubbed “dollar princesses” (think Cora from Downton Abbey), their offbeat and captivating story receives a modern twist, complete with feminist themes, a diverse cast, and a femme-forward soundtrack that reimagines the genre for a new generation. The series stars Leighton Meester, Christina Hendricks, Imogen Waterhouse, Grace Ambrose, Kristine Froseth, Matthew Broome, Guy Remmers, and Aubri Ibrag.
Why should you binge this? The Gilded Age is all the rage. Both HBO’s The Gilded Age and Apple TV+’s The Buccaneers make their grand return during the summer season, bringing a welcome dose of decorum, formality, and structure to the streaming landscape. However, The Buccaneers offers a more contemporary take, weaving modern themes such as feminism and diversity into its otherwise antiquated setting.
Who would love this? Downton Abbey fans; people who attend Jane Austin–themed parties and conventions; viewers who enjoy their history with a side of unconventional idealism
When does it start? June 24, 2025
Where can I find it? Disney+
What is it about? After a brief and somewhat overlooked introduction in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Dominique Thorne returns as teenage prodigy Riri Williams, also known as Ironheart. A devoted fan and student of Iron Man, Williams builds her own armored suit and sets out to achieve what few MCU heroes have managed: a functional work-life balance. Her journey soon brings her into conflict with Parker Robbins, aka The Hood (Anthony Ramos), as she works to make the world a little better. The six-episode series also stars Alden Ehrenreich and Lyric Ross, with guest appearances by Sacha Baron Cohen and Jim Rash.
Why should you binge this? Poet and screenwriter Chinaka Hodge (Snowpiercer, The Midnight Club) leads the charge on this, which already sets this MCU entry into a different headspace. Ironheart is also part of the next wave of MCU heroes leading the way for Marvel and is Tony Stark’s spiritual successor. If there is going to be a Young Avengers initiative, Riri is part of it.
Who would love this? Devoted fans of the MCU Marvel, Riri, and Wakandans; folks who believe the future of the MCU is female; comic-book completionists
The Gilded Age (Season Three)
When does it start? June 2025
Where can I find it? HBO/Max
What is it about? Julian Fellowes’ deliciously rich period drama explores life, love, and scandal in New York’s high society during the Gilded Age, as new money clashes with old for a seat at the table. The series features a compelling blend of fictional families—like the ambitious Russells, led by Carrie Coon’s Bertha Russell, and the tradition-bound van Rhijns, headed by Christine Baranski’s formidable Agnes Van Rhijn—alongside real historical figures such as Ward McAllister and the Astors. In the third season, Bertha’s social climbing hits new heights after winning the “Opera War,” but at what cost to her home life? Meanwhile, there is a shift in dynamics after Ada (Cynthia Nixon) becomes the new mistress of the van Rhijn household.
Why should you binge this? Aside from the glorious set design, the vibrant costumes, and the bevy of assorted award-worthy performances from the expansive, talented cast, The Gilded Age is a delightful romp through history, meshing fictional folks with real people to recreate a lavish era of the past. The stories not only re-create the drama of the time but tell the story of the people who lived in the era.
Also: that cast. Holy moly. Carrie Coon, Christine Baranski, Cynthia Nixon, Nathan Lane, Donna Murphy, Louisa Jacobson, and new addition Phylicia Rashad.
Who would love this? Downton Abbey enthusiasts (don’t forget, this show was teased as a prequel to the much beloved Brit series, so keep an eye out for a young Cora Levinson romping around); historical drama lovers; folks who follow Fellowes; people who appreciate extravagant productions
The Summer I Turned Pretty (Season Three)
When does it start? July 16, 2025
Where can I find it? Prime Video
What is it about? The third and final season of the hit series, based on Jenny Han’s best-selling trilogy of romance novels, finds Isabel “Belly” Conklin and Jeremiah still going strong as a couple in college. A few years have passed since we last saw them, and while things seem stable at first, their relationship is soon tested by the return of Jeremiah’s brother, Conrad—who still has feelings for Belly. With Conrad’s reappearance, long-buried emotions resurface, reigniting the love triangle that once tore them apart. The season promises an emotional, heartfelt conclusion to the beloved coming-of-age romance.
Why should you binge this? It’s a good old-fashioned love triangle filled with romance and bittersweet moments of heartbreak, tears, and joy that will send the sentimental sort on a rollercoaster of emotions—a perfect summer fling.
Who would love this? Fans of the original book series; hopeless romantics; people who enjoy coming-of-age dramas
Wednesday (Season Two)
When does it start? August 6, 2025
Where can I find it? Netflix
What is it about? Everyone’s favorite melancholy teenager is back for another round of kooky, creepy antics as Wednesday Addams returns for another year at the Nevermore Academy. Tim Burton’s macabre coming-of-age mystery promises more murders, more supernatural scares, and more family secrets threatening to be spilled, along with perhaps a little blood. Jenna Ortega reprises her role as Wednesday along with Catherine Zeta-Jones as Morticia, Luis Guzmán as Gomez, Emma Myers as Enid, and Fred Armisen as Uncle Fester. New faces for the new semester include Lady Gaga, Joanna Lumley, Christopher Lloyd, and Steve Buscemi as Nevermore’s new principal Barry Dort.
Why should you binge this? The wonderful weird Wednesday was a megahit for Netflix, Burton, and Ortega, shooting the trio into the stratosphere. It managed to capture the campy creepiness of the show, the comic strip, and the movie, while Ortega became a new icon for deadpan goths everywhere. It had heart, charm, hilarity, and enough horror to keep Fangoria fans happy.
Who would love this? Fans of the original Addams Family films, comic strip, and show; highly sardonic, emotionally neutral individuals looking for a role model; fans of horror-lite; people who enjoy dark, dark comedy
Images Courtesy Of: (Ginny & Georgia) Netflix; (We Were Liars) Prime Video; (The Buccaneers) Apple Tv+; Ironheart) Disney+; (The Gilded Age) Hbo/Max; (The Summer I Turned Pretty) Prime Video; (Wednesday) Netflix
