TV and Culture Guide: What to Watch, Read and Listen to in June
From the screen adaptations of Dear England and I Will Find You to the highly-anticipated return of Toy Story, there's plenty to see this summer
What to Watch –
In Cinemas
Scary Movie
A whole 26 years since Shorty, Ray, Cindy and Brenda were forced to outrun a suspiciously familiar masked killer in this slasher parody, they find themselves targeted by another mad slasher in Scary Movie (6). See it in cinemas from 5th June.
Toy Story 5
Kids and big kids are already booking tickets to see Toy Story 5 when it releases in cinemas on 19th June. There’s a new threat to playtime for Buzz, Woody, Jessie and the gang, and parents will be taking their kids to fall in love with their favourite characters all over again.
Disclosure Day
Steven Spielberg’s new science fiction film is sure to be a must-watch from 10th June, and stars Emily Blunt, Colin Firth and Colman Domingo. When a huge government conspiracy unravels, a targeted whistleblower races against time to bring about disclosure.
On TV
Dear England
With all episodes available to stream now on BBC iPlayer, don’t miss this four-part TV drama based on the stage play of the same name by James Graham. Skelmanthorpe’s Jodie Whittaker plays Pippa Grange and Newcastle’s Josh Barrow reprises his role as Jordan Pickford in the series which charts the highs and lows of the England men's football team under Gareth Southgate.
I Will Find You
Ready for another twisty Harlan Coben adaptation? This new eight-episode Netflix series, out on 18th June, follows a man wrongfully serving a life sentence for murdering his son. But when he receives word that his son may actually be alive, he is determined to find out the truth.
The Fortune
Airing on Channel 5 on 2nd June, this new four-part series stars Leeds-born Matthew Lewis and follows a married mother as she is told she is receiving an inheritance from a man she has neither met nor heard of before. Filming took place in Hartlepool last year.
What to Read –
We Loved
The Penelopiad
Margaret Atwood
This is the story of Penelope, following her life and the fate of the 12 maids from The Odyssey. Atwood begs the question – why were these maids hung, and what led up to these women losing their lives? Their story is told through songs, poems, plays, all intertwined with Penelope (in the afterlife) taking us through her lonely marriage to Odysseus and the desperate wait for his return from Troy. This is a fantastic short read to show the treatment of the women behind the Gods and Greek mythology icons we know. It was an unjust and horrid world for them, and Atwood reminds us of the importance of remembering the women that suffered for the sakes of the praised men of Ancient Greece.
Jodie Wood, Advertising and Business Development Executive
Small Pleasures
Clare Chambers
I loved how gently this novel unfolded despite its potential to veer into the absurd. We’re immersed in the quiet, plain world of Jean, a journalist in 1950s London who cannot escape the monotony of her life. When her new and charismatic neighbour reveals that her daughter is the result of a virgin birth, Jean’s life begins to fill with possibility. I expected this book to be filled with intrigue and explosive reveals as Jean begins to investigate, but instead the author weaves an endearing story of friendship and second chances.
Neave Herridge, Food Editor
On Our List
Final Harbour
Mark Batey
Northumberland author Mark Batey delves into the fast-changing sphere of geopolitics in his new thriller, Final Harbour. A tense read, set mainly in the UK and Malta, its publication marks a change of direction and genre for Mark, following his trilogy recounting the life stories of Northumberland-born Grace Darling, Josephine Butler and George Biddell Airy. Final Harbour is on sale via Amazon and in all good bookshops now.
Land
Maggie O’Farrell
Publishing on 2nd June and inspired by the mapping of Ireland in the mid 19th-century, Land is the new novel from the author of Hamnet, all about separation and reunion, tragedy and recovery, colonisation and rebellion.
What to Listen To –
The Best Podcasts for Book Lovers
The Book Club
Fans of The Rest is History will already know that the show’s co-host Dominic Sandbrook and producer Tabitha Syrett have teamed up for this new podcast. It’s never less than entertaining, and so far they’ve discussed titles as diverse as The Secret History, Northern Lights, Normal People and even A Court of Thorns and Roses.
Fantasy Fangirls
Two sisters dive deep into your favourite fantasy books – covering the lore behind the fantasy worlds, character motivation and fan theories. They recently covered Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn Saga, and they also do helpful recaps on popular series before new instalments are published.
Weirdos Book Club
Comedians and authors Sara Pascoe and Cariad Lloyd provide an entertaining take on a diverse collection of books, often featuring interviews with the authors of said books. Currently in its fifth series, this podcast has plenty of fans.
New Music
Dinner Party
Niall Horan
The upcoming fourth studio album by Irish singer-songwriter Niall Horan releases on 5th June, following the release of its title track earlier this year. Directioners are highly anticipating the new tracks from this 1D star.
You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love
Olivia Rodrigo
The upcoming third studio album by American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo releases on 12th June, taking inspiration from her time in London.
Reality Awaits
The Strokes
On 26th June, American rock band the Strokes will release their seventh studio album, a long-awaited follow-up to their 2020 release.
