Channeling
Previewing the Best in Upcoming TV Fare
Written by Julio Martinez
June 18 , 2026
NETFLIX
This summer, Netflix is inviting audiences to the mystery of ‘The East Palace’ in the ancient Far East. When the crown prince is found dead in a pond, a chilling rumor paralyzes the palace: the pond spirit has returned to wipe out the King’s bloodline. The King (Cho Seung-woo) fiercely dismisses the killings as mere conspiracy, until his last remaining son, Prince Yeongan collapses. Driven to desperation, the King secretly summons Gu-cheon (Nam Joo-hyuk), who can traverse the Realm of Gwi and defeat them. To ensure his loyalty, the King pairs him with Saeng-gang (Roh Yoon-seo), a court lady born with the ability to hear spirits. Gu-cheon embarks on the life-or-death mission to destroy the spirit and lift the curse of the East Palace, or die within its walls. But as Gu-cheon hunts the spirit and Saeng-gang secretly spies on his every move, the two draw closer to the dark truth of the East Palace that lies beneath the pond. Written by Kwon So-ra, Seo Jea-won and directed by Choi Jung-kyu, the series debuts July 17, produced by Showrunners, Imaginus.
STARZ
STARZ has acquired the exclusive U.S. and English Canada rights to “Tip Toe,” a darkly witty yet harrowing and explosive thriller from BAFTA award-winning writer Russell T Davies that explores the most corrosive forces facing the LGBTQ+ community today. Starring Alan Cumming (“The Traitors”) and David Morrissey (“Sherwood”) as warring neighbors, the five-part series will premiere exclusively on STARZ later this year (TBA). “Tip Toe” was commissioned by U.K. Broadcaster Channel 4 from Quay Street Productions, part of ITV Studios and recently premiered in the U.K. to critical acclaim and unanimous praise for its performances and storytelling. Leo (Cumming) and Clive (Morrissey) have lived next door to each other in Manchester for almost 15 years. Leo runs Spit & Polish, a bar on Canal Street and Clive is an electrician with two teenage sons. But just as life should be settling down for both, the world around them is growing more tense. Words become weapons, opinions become radicalized and gradually the two neighbors become deadly enemies in a tense, thrilling drama that spotlights the prejudices that have started to creep back into our lives, in a story that speaks not just to the queer community, but to the world at large. Filmed entirely in Manchester, the series also stars Pooky Quesnel as Clive’s wife, Marie; Jackson Connor as Clive’s youngest son, George; Joseph Evans as George’s older brother, Saul; Elizabeth Berrington as Leo’s best friend, Stephanie; Iz Hesketh as Zee, and Shakeel Kimotho as Hanna, who both work at Spit & Polish; Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo as the bar’s manager, Judy; Paul Rhys as Melba, a Canal Street fixture; Charlie Condou as Leo’s ex-husband, Curtis; and Denise Welch as Diane. “Tip Toe” is produced by Quay Street Productions, with Nicola Shindler, CEO of Quay Street Productions, Russell T Davies, Peter Hoar and Alan Cumming serving as executive producers. The series is produced by Phil Collinson, directed by Peter Hoar and is cast by Andy Pryor. “Tip Toe” is produced in association with ITV Studios which also distributes the show internationally. The deal with STARZ was brokered by Katie Buchanan and Rob Kaplan at ITV Studios.
VIAPLAY
NEW JULY SCREENERS FROM EUROPEAN STREAMER VIAPLAY U.S.
Thu., July 16: The Activists (U.S. Premiere, Miniseries) - A gripping Finnish political period thriller that dramatizes the events leading up to the assassination of their Russian ruler in 1904. With a modern, fast-paced narrative style, it explores the emotional and psychological toll of activism, the complexities of resistance and the human cost of fighting for freedom.
Thu, July 30: Home in You (U.S. Premiere, Series) - Compelling and timely family drama follows the immigrant Haddad familyon the verge of eviction in their Stockholm suburb home.
New Weekly Episodes through Thurs., July 9
Save Me (Complete 8-Eps. Series Screeners) - As international crime drama expands beyond Nordic noir, Greece is beginning to emerge with darker, psychologically driven thrillers of its own. Set in the atmospheric landscapes of northern Greece, Save Me follows a missing persons search that quickly spirals into a tense hunt for a serial killer.
DISNEY +
Disney+ is offering Best Of The World With Antoni Porowski. Audiences can follow chef and TV host Antoni Porowski as he travels the globe to uncover what makes a destination unforgettable—from iconic landmarks and hidden gems to the people, flavors, and experiences beyond National Geographic’s annual Best of the World franchise. Best of the World with Antoni Porowski premiered June 7 (9/8c) on National Geographic and streams next day on Disney+ and Hulu.