The most anticipated summer TV shows

The sun is coming out, the days are getting longer, and life somehow just seems that little bit happier. But even as nature beckons us out of doors, the lure of the fluorescent blue-light box remains, especially as a season once associated with reruns and stagnation only seems to get more packed with appointment viewing.

- LUCY FORD

The enticements include the return of shows like House of the Dragon, Bridgerton, and The Bear and small-screen debuts from the likes of Jake Gyllenhaal and Natalie Portman, as well as fond and final farewells to beloved series like Cobra Kai. There is so much on the TV calendar between Memorial Day and Labor Day that there's reason to believe the seat indent of our sofa cushions might never spring back into shape.

Whether you're in it for the discourse or the dragons, here is a guide to summer TV for every kind of viewer.

WATERCOOLER SHOWS

BRIDGERTON SEASON 3, PART 2

JUNE 13 ON NETFLIX

The ton is still abuzz as Shonda Rhimes' corset ripper caps off its latest season, with four final episodes landing a month after the season's first half. The new installment focuses on Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and his slowburn friends-to-lovers relationship with Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan).

HOUSE OF THE DRAGON SEASON 2

JUNE 16 ON HBO

A new season returns to the simmering stages of Targaryen civil war, as Matt Smith's Daemon, Emma D'Arcy's Rhaenyra, and Olivia Cooke's Alicent Hightower jockey for the Iron Throne.

THE BEAR SEASON 3

JUNE 27 ON FX/HULU

With the titular, newly renovated fine-dining restaurant finally ready to open, this run is sure to bring even more stress as Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) pushes his team harder than ever.

RINGS OF POWER SEASON 2

AUG. 29 ON PRIME VIDEO

In the next installment of the Lord of the Rings prequel, we can expect more of the Dark Lord's quest for power as he envisions the creation of the ring in Mount Doom.

DOCUSERIES

REN FAIRE 

JUNE 2 ON HBO