Pick of the week
The Bear
It begins with the sound of a thunderstorm breaking. And, as the final season of this furiously intense Chicago restaurant drama begins, the waters are rising all around the gang, metaphorically and literally. They’ve run out of money and the building is up for sale. But also, a catastrophic flood has inundated the kitchen. Sydney is now in charge but her leadership seems to be collapsing before it really starts. As ever, The Bear is chaotic and claustrophobic yet finds tiny moments of beauty and revelation in the things that really matter – food, friendship and families both physical and chosen. Ultimately, a show that often feels like an extended panic attack is actually about love.
Disney+, from Friday 26 June
***
The Root of the Game
São Paolo’s “várzea” tournaments are intense, working-class Brazilian football at its grittiest. Yet for many youngsters, the games offer a potential route out of favela life. The ferocity of the competition and the high stakes for everyone involved mean that it has become a production line for talent – Raphinha and Neymar are two high-profile graduates. This documentary gets up close and personal with this unique representation of the beautiful game, following next-generation talents to explain why it has become so fundamental.
Netflix, out now
***
The Agency
As this sturdy espionage drama returns for a second season, Martian (Michael Fassbender in compellingly jaded form) has committed the ultimate spying sin. He’s fallen in love with Samia and, as a result, is riddled with exploitable vulnerabilities. When an attempt to free Samia is bungled, Martian fears that saving her will be impossible now her captors understand her value. Worse still, London Station faces chaos as a mole is suspected. It’s never quite essential viewing but turns from Richard Gere and Jeffrey Wright keep things bubbling away.
Paramount+, from Sunday 21 June
***
The American Experiment
The 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America has arrived at an interesting time. This five-part documentary (executive produced by Tom Hanks and directed by Brian Knappenberger) is a warts-and-all American origin story. It’s fascinating to note how much relevance deep history – from the disdain for monarchy to the independence of the constitution – holds for the current, somewhat ominous American situation. With Kamala Harris and Ted Cruz among the talking heads, the series spans the political divide but all agree that the country faces a pivotal moment.
Netflix, from Wednesday 24 June
***
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Unusual alliances are beginning to form as the second series of this nicely realised and inventive live-action fantasy adaptation arrives. Aang, Katara and Sokka continue their slightly desperate journey across the Earth Kingdom as the Fire Nation becomes ever more menacing. As the last surviving Airbender, Aang already has his plate full upon arrival in the city of Ba Sing Se – but in order to survive, he’s going to have to learn some new skills. Enter Toph Beifong, the master who has been tasked with tutoring Aang in the ways of Earthbending.
Netflix, from Thursday 25 June
***
Would You Rather: Decide to Survive
Romesh Ranganathan is back on our screens helming this comedy gameshow, which brings Would You Rather? – the party game pondering daft hypotheticals – to absurd life. Would you rather fight one enormous duck or 100 tiny ones? Would you rather fly or be invisible? These burning questions (just about) come to life and are acted out by digital celebrities including Chunkz, Nella Rose, Chloe Burrows and King Kenny. Whether or not it can fill a Last One Laughing-shaped hole will depend on your tolerance levels for screeching self-promoters.
Prime Video, from Friday 26 June
***
Jackass
As Johnny Knoxville and his gang of glorious imbeciles rage against the dying of the light (a final film arrives in cinemas on 26 June), the show’s early episodes now look quaint and low-fi; relics of a more innocent age. Seasons one to three were removed from Paramount at the end of 2025 and have been lovingly restored, as if they’re Rembrandt sketches or Beatles demos. They’re back now and, needless to say, remain extremely funny – as long as footage of young men pushing their friends into bushes in supermarket trolleys is your thing.
Paramount+, from Friday 26 June
