Historically summer has been the worst season for watching TV — something of a super-sucking black hole for entertainment. Enter Netflix to the rescue. Today, the streaming service secured a slew of summer slots on our watchlist by confirming the launch date for the third season of one of its hottest original series, Orange is the New Black (OITNB), and an anticipated new reboot, Wet Hot American Summer, along with details on a handful of other programs.
Those itching to see what’s new with Piper in prison will be able to check out the entire new third season of OITNB on June 12. What will happen in the aftermath of the latest shakeup? (we won’t spoil last season for you).
Meanwhile, Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp, will start on July 17. The 8-episode miniseries will be served up as a prequel to the early movie that developed a cult following, thanks in part to the later successes of many of its cast (who will all be reprising their roles, by the way), including everyone from Bradley Cooper to Amy Poehler, Christopher Meloni, and Paul Rudd.
Related: Check out the first teaser for Netflix’s next Wet Hot American Summer prequel
Several other original series also got release dates from Netflix today.
Between, a show that sounds like it has plenty of promise, will launch some time in May. While it has a played-out apocalyptic theme, there’s an interesting twist: The only people left in the world are millennials – those aged 21 and younger. Can they fend for themselves, presumably without those tech tools they’ve come to rely on? It marks Netflix’s first partnership with a Canadian network, via a partnership with City.
Sense8, a sci-fi show featuring LOST alum Naveen Andrews that follows a group of eight who are somehow all linked after a death, will debut on June 5.
If you’re looking for a good laugh, two stand-up specials have been confirmed: Chris D-Elia: Incorrigible, will be available starting April 17; and Jen Kirkman: I’m Gonna Die Alone (And I Feel Fine) on May 22. D’Elia is perhaps best known for his roles in the NBC sitcoms Whitney and Undateable, the latter of which is still on the air. Kirkman made several appearances on Chelsea Lately, comedian Chelsea Handler’s long-running show on E! (Handler herself, by the way, is gearing up for her own venture on Netflix – the streaming service’s first talk show, set to launch in 2016.)
The documentary What Happened, Miss Simone?, based on the life of the late singer and activist, will launch on June 26.
Narcos, a crima drama that looks at the life of infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar and the Medellin Cartel, still has yet to receive a launch date; along with Club de Cuervos, the service’s first Spanish-language offering. Filming in Mexico, the satirical series will follow the battle among a family after the owner of a professional soccer team passes on.