Every month, we’ll tell you about new tv shows to hit terrestrial and cable channels, as well as streaming sites in Singapore. We’ll also highlight the television shows that you’ve got to be home (or on your phone) to catch every month.
Overview of new TV shows in June
June is quiet month, which gives us a breather to catch all the shows that have come out recently. That gives June’s gems all the more space to shine, such as Viu’s science fiction Korean drama “Are You Human?” and the second season of Netflix’s “Luke Cage”. If you’re aching for more “Game of Thrones” style intrigue, “Succession” looks like it might scratch that itch — with a contemporary twist.
Succession (4 June, Mondays 10am with an encore telecast)
HBO (StarHub TV Ch 601)
The Roy family – Logan Roy and his four children – controls one of the biggest media and entertainment conglomerates in the world. The brand new HBO Original drama series “Succession” tracks their lives as they contemplate what the future will hold for them once their aging father begins to step back from the company.
HBO cements this series as one for the mature audiences just 20 seconds into the trailer, when the first F-bomb is dropped. What makes this modern-day “Game of Thrones” drama so compelling is that there are so many parallels to real-life institutions, yet it’s broad enough not to apply to any single company (thus preventing any possible lawsuits). Even the second episode itself is clearly NSFW (not that you should watching television at work), which screams edgy at your face. Here’s to hoping that it contains enough drama to warrant that sort of language!
Are You Human? (5 June)
Viu
Nam Shin is a son from a family who runs a large company. After an unexpected accident, he falls into a coma. His mother Oh Ro Ra is an expert on brain science and artificial intelligence. She creates an android named Nam Shin III which identically looks like her son. The android pretends to be Nam Shin and he has a bodyguard Kang So Bong.
Barring the incredible profitability (and danger) of being able to create androids that can pass for humans, “Are You Human?” looks like it might possibly explore the ethical consequences of artificial intelligence. There’s bound to be some melodramatic romance in the show though, and probably a surprise return by the original Nam Shin. The question is — will the Nam Shin android survive to the end of the series, or will it make a noble sacrifice to save the original? We’re calling it now — the android dies to save the original in some contrived situation.
Luke Cage (Season 2) (22 June)
Netflix
After clearing his name, Luke Cage has become a celebrity on the streets of Harlem with a reputation as bulletproof as his skin. But being so visible has only increased his need to protect the community and find the limits of who he can and can’t save. With the rise of a formidable new foe, Luke is forced to confront the fine line that separates a hero from a villain.
This new season of “Luke Cage” sees Iron Fist guest starring (and hopefully getting better at acting) to depict their “Heroes for Hire” relationship. Bonus points if they manage to somehow give Luke Cage an afro and Iron Fist his bright green and yellow costume, as this will be an interesting homage to the 80’s comics. Ideally, the series gives Luke Cage a more worthy opponent, rather than having to resort to magic bullets that can circumvent Luke Cage’s invulnerability. That’s just a copout, plus Iron Fist would punch those bullets out of the air once they’ve teamed up, right?
Cable
HBO (StarHub TV Ch 601)
Succession (4 June, Mondays 10am)
Lifetime (StarHub TV Ch 514 / Singtel TV Ch 302)
A Killer Among Us (6 June, Wednesday 9pm)
Lost Boys: Tale of Two Coreys (13 June, Wednesday 9pm)
The Wrong Man (20 June, Wednesday 9pm)
The Lost Wife of Robert Durst (27 June, Wednesday 9pm)
Streaming
Viu
Dunia (4 June)
Are You Human? (5 June)
What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim? (7 June)
Life on Mars (10 June)
Netflix
Marcella (Season 2) (8 June)
Ali’s Wedding (Season 2) (8 June)
Lust Stories (15 June)
Maktub (15 June)
Set It Up (15 June)
Sunday’s Illness (15 June)
Luke Cage (Season 2) (22 June)
Glow (Season 2) (29 June)
Us and Them (movie) (22 June)
Tau (movie) (29 June)
This article was first written for and published on Yahoo Singapore.
Follow Marcus Goh (yes, referring to myself in third person) on Facebook and Instagram for more (presumably) good updates!
I’m a television scriptwriter who’s written for popular shows like Lion Mums, Crimewatch, Police & Thief, and Incredible Tales. I’m also a Transformers enthusiast and avid pop culture scholar. You can find me on social media as Optimarcus and on my site.
Send me an email if you want to get in touch!
Leave a Reply