By Alex Edwards
It’s now summer and it’s that point in the season when you realised you’ve binge-watched everything good on T.V. already, and you don’t want to shell out hundreds to do something adventurous in the heat. Luckily, Netflix has you covered. We’ve rounded up the most-exciting new shows and films coming to your screens that should keep you entertained all summer long.
She’s Gotta Have It
If you’re a Spike Lee fan, get ready because the all-star director is back, but this time with a Netflix series. ‘She’s Gotta Have It’ is a series adaptation of Lee’s 1986 debut film, and the short teaser suggests it’s going to be epic. The 10-episode instalment will follow Nola Darling (DeWanda Wise), a twenty-something artist attempting to balance her job, her friends and trying to find herself. Amongst all that, the Brooklyn-based Darling is entwined with three lovers, Greer Childs (Cleo Anthony), Jamie Overstreet (Lyriq Bent), and Mars Blackmon (Anthony Ramos). Chyna Layne, Ilfenesh Hadeara, Margot Bingham, Sydney Morton, and Joie Lee also join the cast of the show, set to be released on the 23rd November.
To the Bone
An incredibly thin Lily Collins stars in this Netflix film based on the life of writer/director Marti Nixon and her battle with anorexia as a 20-year-old. The trailer follows Collins as Ellen, as her emotional disorder leads her to a group home with an unconventional doctor (Keanu Reeves) and his quirky methods of finding meaning behind life. The movie then follow the group as they battle their addictions and try to navigate their way out of their individual journeys. Carrie Preston makes a debut as Ellen’s mother and the trailer shows glimpses of their unusual relationship. Overall, it looks like a film that will tear at the heartstrings, with some laughs thrown in along the way. It’s set to be released in the U.K. on 14th July.
The Incredible Jessica James
If you haven’t heard of Jessica Williams from her minor roles yet, you will after this summer as she stars in what looks to be a hilarious new movie, ‘The Incredible Jessica James.’ The trailer opens with main character Jessica, an aspiring playwright, disappointed and annoyed with Tinder and the dating world after her recent break-up. She meets Boone (Chris O’Dowd), who is recently divorced and the two share a connection as they go through similar struggles. The film comments on the modern world of dating and working odd jobs as it follows Jessica’s quirky and comical life. Written and directed by Jim Strouse, the movie will be released on Netflix 28th July.
Wet Hot American Summer
The camp crew is back, but even “hotter” and “wetter” than before with the series’ 10 year reunion. Camp Firewood will have most of the same all-stars as the 2001 class and 2015 prequel series, with some new cast members thrown into the mix. Returning cast includes Amy Poehler, Chris Meloni, Chris Pine, Elizabeth Banks, Kristen Wiig, Molly Shannon, Paul Rudd and so many more. New cast members include Skyler Gisondo, Dax Shepard, Alyssa Milano, Adam Scott and more. The trailer teases more outrageous adventures and mishaps than ever before, sure to garner plenty of laughs and scoffs at the absolute stupidity. It’s not set for release until 4th August, but that gives you plenty of time to re-watch the old episodes. Here’s to hoping the third, eight-part series is just as good as the previous two.