August is arriving with a TV lineup that’s going out with a little firepower. This week’s new shows on Netflix, HBO Max and more of the best streaming services bring plenty of heat to your watchlist, from dragon-sized drama and sci-fi absurdity to heartfelt romance and the return of one very charming football coach.
First up, "Ted Lasso" season 4 brings back everyone's favorite coach for another round of locker-room laughs and life lessons. Meanwhile, "The Shards" explores Bret Easton Ellis' world of teen style and mystery, "Futurama" season 14 keeps up the oddball chaos, and "My Life With the Walter Boys" season 3 returns with more ranch romance and rivalries.
And then there’s "House of the Dragon" season 3, which brings its latest chapter to a fiery close as the battle for Westeros reaches a boiling point. Here’s my guide to what’s new on TV this week.
‘Futurama’ season 14 (Hulu)
The vibes: The future is still weird.
The plot: Fry, Leela, Bender and the Planet Express crew are back for another cosmic mess, with space pirates, lab-grown meat and shady romantic schemes on the menu. But the real surprise is Dr. Zoidberg’s lost love Marianne resurfacing, forcing everyone’s favorite sad-sack lobster to revisit unfinished business.
Premiere date: Episodes 1-2 on Monday, Aug. 3 at 12 a.m. ET
Where to watch: Hulu
‘Ted Lasso’ season 4 (Apple TV)
The vibes: A feel-good comeback with a whole new playing field.
The plot: After a long stint back in the U.S., Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) returns to Richmond, but this time, he’s coaching the club’s women’s team. Ted, Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham), Keeley (Juno Temple) and Roy (Brett Goldstein) welcome a new generation of Greyhounds, guiding them through underdog victories and the very real hurdles facing women in soccer.
Premiere date: Episode 1 on Wednesday, Aug. 5 at 12 a.m. ET
Where to watch: Apple TV
‘The Shards’ (FX/Hulu)
The vibes: “American Psycho” by way of “Riverdale.”
The plot: It’s 1981, and privileged teen Bret (Igby Rigney) is cruising through his elite Los Angeles bubble until the arrival of mysterious transfer student Robert Mallory (Homer Gere) sends his world spinning. As a killer called the Trawler stalks the city, Bret’s glamorous circle of friends starts to feel a lot less untouchable.
Premiere date: Episode 1 Wednesday, Aug. 5 at 9 p.m. ET
Where to watch: FX and Hulu
‘My Life With the Walter Boys’ season 3 (Netflix)
The vibes: A ranch with romantic tension? You don’t say.
The plot: Jackie (Nikki Rodriguez) can’t outrun her feelings forever after Cole (Noah LaLonde) hears her confession, and Alex (Ashby Gentry) is left picking up the pieces. As the Walters recover from George’s health scare, new risks emerge: Cole revs up his interest in drag racing, Alex saddles up with rodeo riders and Jackie’s past returns in the form of a tempting old friend.
Premiere date: All 10 episodes on Thursday, Aug. 6 at 3 a.m. ET
Where to watch: Netflix
‘House of the Dragon’ season 3 finale (HBO)
The vibes: The board is set. Unleash the dragons!
The plot: After a season of maneuvering and table-setting, the pieces are set to collide in explosive fashion. Rhaenyra, Alicent, Daemon, and the rest of Westeros’ dysfunctional royal family hurtle toward a fiery reckoning, with shifting alliances, betrayals and dragon battles changing the game (of thrones).
Premiere date: Episode 8 on Sunday, Aug. 9 at 9 p.m. ET
Where to watch: HBO and HBO Max
