#RATED - Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 25/26

OK so back on April Fools Day I posted my 2026 Q1 streaming favourites. Ranked and RATED.

Now I will combine the last, long six months of summer. Yes that's right. March was OMG hot, April has been warm again after some cooler days. November is shorts/t-shirt weather and October/May can be warm too.

US network TV drama season is wrapping up. Some early this year. FOX, ABC both have seasons wrapping up this month. CBS after a winter olympics break and March Madness, will continue with the old fashioned May finales. Some later than usual like NCIS: Sydney.

These will be covered in my new series, Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26'.

Move over HBO, Amazon takes out the top spot, with local series, Deadloch. Paramount+ is also strong at numbers three and seven. However Paramount+ also got the worse series of the last six months, with the forgotten miniseries, The Serial Killer's Wife.

ABC (Australian) & STAN did well again. Bot earning local titles in the top ten. It was also Ryan Murphy season with three titles in the top 20. Meaning Disney+ had a decent summer.

If you do however need some further shows to add to your watchlist, you can view all my previous lists click through the links HERE

1. Deadloch - Season Two (AU)
2. Heated Rivalry - Season One
3. Landman - Season Two
4. All's Fair - Season One
5. Dear Life - Miniseries (AU)
6. The Madison - Season One
7. Down Cemetery Road - Season One
8. Loot - Season Three 
9. Dog Park - Season One (AU)
10. The Last of Us - Season Two
11. Malice - Miniseries
12. The Beauty - Season One
13. Platonic - Season Two
14. Steal - Miniseries
15. The Day of the Jackal - Season One
16. Slow Horses - Season Five
17. Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette
18. Industry - Season Four
19. Chad Powers - Season One
20. Black Bird - Miniseries
21. Gen V - Season Two
22. RFDS - Season Three (AU)
23. Blue Murder Motel - Season One (NZ)
24. Trigger Point - Season Three
25. Reasonable Doubt - Season Three
26. Paradise - Season Two
27. Task - Season One 
28. Bel-Air - Season Four/Series Finale
29. Spartacus: House of Ashur - Season One
30. Reckless - Miniseries (AU)
31. The Assassin - Miniseries
32. Fallout - Season Two
33. All Her Fault - Miniseries
34. The Better Sister - Miniseries
35. Mother & Son - Seasons One - Two/Series Finale (AU)
36. Homebodies - Miniseries (AU)
37. Goolagong - Miniseries (AU)
38. Sunny Nights - Season One (AU)
39. Return to Paradise - Season Two (AU)
40. 9-1-1 - Season Eight
41. I Love LA - Season One
42. Run - Miniseries (AU)
43. He Had It Coming - Season One (AU)
44. Ghosts (Australian TV series) - Season One (AU)
45. Hotel Costiera - Season One/Series Finale
46. Dept. Q - Season One
47. Squid Game 오징어 게임 - Season Three/Series Finale
48. The Copenhagen Test - Season One
49. It's Florida, Man - Season Two
50. Hostage - Miniseries
51. The Night Manager - Season Two
52. The Narrow Road to the Deep North - Miniseries (AU)
53. The 'Burbs - Season One
54. Watching You - Miniseries (AU)
55. His & Hers - Miniseries
56. English Teacher - Season Two/Series Finale
57. The Chair Company - Season One
58.  ted Season Two/Series Finale
59. Peacemaker - Season Two/Series Finale
60. Animal Control - Seasons One - Three
61. Long Bright River - Miniseries
62. Only Murders in the Building - Season Five
63. The Imposter - Miniseries (AU)
64. Morning Wars - Season Four
65. Happiness - Season One (NZ)
66. The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox - Miniseries
67. Tulsa King - Season Three
68. Power Book IV: Force - Season Three/Series Finale
69. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms - Season One
70. Sirens - Miniseries
71. The Nowhere Man - Season One
72. Murdaugh: Death in the Family - Miniseries
73.  It – Welcome to Derry - Season One (Chapter One)
74. Agatha Christie's Seven Dials - Miniseries
75. Monster: The Ed Gein Story
76. Atomic - Miniseries
77. Red Eye - Season Two
78. The Rainmaker - Season One
79. Tell Me Lies - Season Three/Series Finale
80. School Spirits - Season Three
81. Talamasca: The Secret Order - Season One/Series Finale
82. Film Club - Miniseries 
83. Wonder Man - Season One
84. Boots - Season One/Series Finale
85. Girl Taken - Miniseries
86. The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon - Season Three
87. Palm Royale - Season Two/Series Finale
88. The Lowdown - Season One
89. 56 Days - Season One
90. This City Is Ours - Season One
91. The Serial Killer's Wife - Miniseries

NOT another streaming Movie - The Drama

The Drama is selling out sessions over the Easter long weekend. If Project Hail Mary was already a box office supertstar, The Drama is the new romantic black comedy-drama film written and directed by Kristoffer Borgli that had sessions full this weekend at Broadway.

Starring Zendaya plus Twilight's Robert Pattinson, this has real star power ahead of the return of Euphoria and the second Pattinson Batman film.

The Drama has thus far received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics. It is really nothing like the trailer suggests.

I went in with fairly medium expectations. However when it was revealed what Zendaya as Emma Harwood, the film took a turn.

I mean, best friend Alana Haim as Rachel (yes from the hit band, Haim) was shocked! With the wedding incoming, Pattinson as Charlie Thompson had serious questions about his upcoming marriage.

This film went to some dark places. It tackled issues the US does not often like to talk about.

I was fully immersed for the near two hour run time.

I was loving the drama, plus how the film dealt with a real hot button issue. I am not sure this will go over with some Americans, however it needs to be discussed. I'm not telling you what the worst thing Emma ever did. However, it's not what you expect it to be.

This felt original, well acted and stuck to a good run time. I was impressed. 4 Stars.

If you are looking for a film this Easter, go on, support your local cinema. 

Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' - Bait - Miniseries

Bait is yet another Amazon binge for me whilst being on Easter leave. Gosh pre-Easter, the full moon, it was a lot!

This British limited 6-part television series created by + starring Riz Ahmed. Now Ahmed was in one of the best miniseries of all time on HBO (in my mind). The Night Of was incredible. HBO at its best. In it's 2016 prime!

Now on Prime, or Amazon, Ahmed is a struggling British Pakistani actor as he auditions for the role of James Bond amid public backlash and family relationships.

Bait had its world premiere at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, being released for streaming late last month. Thus far, Bait ha received positive reviews from critics. What did I think? Check out a brief public holiday/long weekend take below the trailer.

An actor (Ahmed) in London suffers an existential crisis while auditioning for the role of James Bond. Alongside Ahmed, Guz Khan, Sheeba Chaddha, Aasiya Shah, Ritu Arya, Weruche Opia & Sajid Hasan also star in the six episode limited series.

This is also a rare 20-30 minute series on Amazon. The last I loved was axed after one season. Dick Wolf's On Call.

I wanted to like this. Amazon has been on a roll. Deadloch was incredible. Cross was a fun ride. The Boys final season starts next week.

So I was a little sad to be disappointed by this.

I love Ahmed, I liked the meta concept, however I just didn't find it that funny.

That said, I may not be the target market. Either way, critics love it, so check it out now on Amazon. If you are keen for some long weekend streaming.

Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' - Cross - Season Two

Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' is the new TV series right up until the new financial year on July 1st.

Now I live in NSW. We have very limited public holidays. However, over the next three months we got:

Good Friday - Today

Easter Monday - Next week

Anzac Day make up day - Monday 27 April

Kings Birthday - Monday 8 June

So it doesn't seem like a lot but July - September, there are none. When I lived in British Columbia, Canada, we had like one a month! So April is exciting AF!

So this allowed me to catch up on some Amazon series (like back in Fiji). Cross (which concluded last month) was first up!

Based on the Alex Cross novel series written by James Patterson, starring Aldis Hodge, Isaiah Mustafa, & Juanita Jennings.

The second season was released back in mid-February, airing episodes weekly. Unlike most Amazon series which of late however been a binge affair.

Last month, the series was renewed for a third season. Upon the second season renewal announcement, Jeanine Mason. Along with Wes Chatham, Matthew Lillard & Michelle C. Bonilla.

Amazon does these Jack Ryan, Reacher, male lead crime/action series well. Cross has a few more twists, with less action sequences. However its still damn fine TV.

Aldis Hodge is hot AF! He fits into every outfit like a glove. Then when he has his shirt off. LORDY!

Season one was a big hit on the service. This is the third incarnation of Alex Cross in films or on television. Season two expands on that and gets deeper than season one did. 

Season two gets more in-depth on Cross (Hodge), Kayla Craig (Alona Tal), and John Sampson (Mustafa).

Each of the three main characters in season two have their own agendas and storylines that they’re involved in. As always, each season of the show is based on an original that was inspired by the book series. 

This season is based on another original story. Pieced together with story elements from season one. This serialised season is broken up to focus on all of the main characters. Each of their stories are very effective in helping to develop their characters and move them forward.

The main story featuring Alex Cross is about a corrupt businessman named Lance Durand (Lillard), the CEO of Crestview Industries. He has a seed that can grow anywhere so he can help people in any country grow food to help starvation and low income families in poor areas of the world. The problem is that he’s using child labor to do his work in his factories around the country. 

To get such a lofty lifestyle, he had to leave some collateral damage in his wake. Which in turn, caused some people to want to seek revenge for that collateral damage. It’s an investigation he’s working on with Kayla Craig from the FBI once again. This is a far-reaching investigation that goes to Chicago, the Texas/Mexico border, and Sunrise, Florida.  It’s the kind of story that I’ve loved regarding this character.

Two supporting stories revolve around Tal’s character and Simpson’s characters. One deals with something from her path that has creeped up through the cracks and could threaten her career. The other is about a family member who has come back into his life after thought gone for years. The problem is this thought gone family member was arrested for murder and her relative has to investigate said murder to try to prove her innocent, but that doesn’t change their relationship at all. Which is very complicated at best. 

The two subplots support the main story very well. They all intertwine together to give the show a well layered experience. Throw in a third with Hodges’ character and the series ups the antenna from season one.

If you like crime thrillers, Cross is 100% for you!

See you for another Amazon series Bait real soon. Bye for now and drive safe, stay safe, this glorious long weekend!

#RATED - Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 26

Hows that humidity? Along with nearly 30 degree days everyday. So much for autumn in March. I'm happy with my Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 26 assessment for the last three months in TV.

Aussie content wise, the first three months of the new year have been big, with Sunny Nights and Dear Life on Stan, Goolagong and Dog Park on ABC & Run on Binge. 

Q2 is looking big too, with catch ups on the final season of Heartbreak High, Bad Company and Urzila Carlson's sketch series both landing on ABC soon.

This quarter (helped along by Fiji streaming) was even bigger than part one of summer streamin'. 46 series this quarter! SHIT! Some catch ups but a lot of content dropping and smashing this summer.

Amazon has continued its dominance. Scoring another number one, with local series Deadloch's second NT based season. I am halfway through Cross and Bait, with a catch up lined up for Scarpetta and The Boys final season kicking off soon. Plus the Legally Blonde. Elle series incoming!

Australian titles from Stan, ABC, SBS and Binge did well making the top 20 this season. Apple TV, gave some of the best (Down Cemetery Road) and worst (Palm Royale) of TV these past few months. With the latter getting served a cancellation. It should have always been the proposed OG miniseries idea if you asked me.

Either way, here is my full list of this steamy, humid, nasty ass summer streaming below.

So until those series debut, here is a look at the past three months. Before that, go waste your time with my previous quarterly RATED's! 

Mega Summer 2023-2024 master list

#RATED - Fall Finales 2023

#RATED - Summer Slack Streaming (2023)

#RATED - Spring 2022 TV Finales

#RATED - Winter 2022 TV Finales

#RATED - Summer Slack (Dec-Feb) TV Finales (2022)

#RATED - Autumn 2022 TV Finales

#RATED - Autumn/Winter Binged 2022

#RATED - Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 23'

#RATED - Winter's Cumin' Streaming 24'

#RATED - New Financial Year 2024/2025 Streaming

#RATED - Summer Streamin' 24

#RATED - Summer Streamin' 25

#RATED - Summer Streamin' 24/25

#RATED - Post Holiday Blues Streaming 25'

#RATED - Winter Warmer Watchlist 2025

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 25

1. Deadloch - Season Two (AU)
2. Landman - Season Two
3. Dear Life - Miniseries (AU)
4. Down Cemetery Road - Season One
5. Dog Park - Season One (AU)
6. The Madison - Season One
7. The Beauty - Season One
8. Steal - Miniseries
9. Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette
10. Industry - Season Four
11. Black Bird - Miniseries
12. Blue Murder Motel - Season One (NZ)
13. Spartacus: House of Ashur - Season One
14. Homebodies - Miniseries (AU)
15. Paradise - Season Two
16. Fallout - Season Two
17. The Better Sister - Miniseries
18. Goolagong - Miniseries (AU)
19. 9-1-1 - Season Eight
20. Run - Miniseries (AU)
21. Sunny Nights - Season One (AU)
22. Dept. Q - Season One
23. The Copenhagen Test - Season One
24. It's Florida, Man - Season Two
25. Squid Game 오징어 게임 - Season Three/Series Finale
26. Hostage - Miniseries
27. The Night Manager - Season Two
28. The Narrow Road to the Deep North - Miniseries (AU)
29. The 'Burbs - Season One
30. ted Season Two/Series Finale
31. Long Bright River - Miniseries
32. His & Hers - Miniseries
33. Power Book IV: Force - Season Three/Series Finale
34. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms - Season One
35. The Imposter - Miniseries (AU)
36. Happiness - Season One (NZ)
37. Agatha Christie's Seven Dials - Miniseries
38. The Nowhere Man - Season One
39. Red Eye - Season Two
40. Tell Me Lies - Season Three/Series Finale
41. Monster: The Ed Gein Story
42. School Spirits - Season Three
43. Wonder Man - Season One/Renewed for Season Two, not a Miniseries
44. Girl Taken - Miniseries
45. Palm Royale - Season Two/Series Finale
46. 56 Days - Season One

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 26 - Paradise - Season Two

Paradise just concluded its second run starring Sterling K. Brown, Julianne Nicholson, & guest James Marsden.

The post-apocalyptic political thriller has received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise for its premise, writing, and performances (particularly those of Brown, Nicholson, and Marsden). At the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, the series received a nomination for Outstanding Drama Series and acting nominations for Brown, Nicholson, and Marsden.

Earlier this month, the series was renewed for a third season.

Season two was never just about the bunker! Xavier searches for Teri out in the world and learns how people survived the three years since ‘The Day’. Back in Paradise, the social fabric frays and new secrets are uncovered about the city's origins.

I did love the first season. The second season was highly enjoyable, with a third season potentially planned as the finale. These shows with bir premises seem to have a short life span. Also unlike a lot of streaming series, this one was back after less than a year.

This is rare in this day and age. So how'd the big finale go down? Doom scroll below for more. Be warned! Season two also saw, Shailene Woodley, Thomas Doherty, Michael McGrady, Timothy Omundson, Ryan Michelle Bathe & Patrick Fischler joined the cast.

Before the disaster, Dylan presents Miller with an AI quantum supercomputer, which Redmond helps to develop. However, the AI, named after Miller’s ill wife Alex, begins to manipulate time and Miller requests for the project to be shut down. 

In the present, Redmond learns that Alex has started to make correct predictions about events, with the next predicted event being her own death. With Redmond gone and the militia approaching, Torabi orders the doors to be opened in order to stabilise the reactors. However, the cooling systems explode, killing Anders and injuring Robinson, and Torabi is forced to order the bunker’s evacuation. 

The militia enters and aids the evacuation, and Collins and Teri reunite with James. Dylan helps Redmond and Collins in rescuing their daughters, Geiger dies trying to fix the cooling system, and the militia rescues Robinson and Jeremy. 

Dylan and Collins experience nosebleeds after seeing each other, and Collins persuades Dylan to abandon Alex after revealing that his and Annie’s daughter is with them. Redmond tells Dylan that she is his mother, and she asks Collins to head to a second bunker containing Alex, before sacrificing herself to contain the reactors’ explosion inside the bunker doors. 

Collins narrowly avoids the doors closing and reunites with his family, while Dylan meets his daughter for the first time.

Bring on season three. Let's hope it continues the release flow and lands early 2027. Can you believe we are talking about 2027 already! Shit! That concludes the Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 26 series.

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 26 - Homebodies - Miniseries

Homebodies is a bold, surprising and heartfelt Australian family drama that explores the courage it takes to accept the ghosts of our past.  

Starring Bump favourite,  Claudia Karvan, Luke Wiltshire & Jazi Hall.

Following  Darcy (Wiltshire), a trans man who reluctantly returns to his regional hometown to care for his estranged mother Nora (Karvan). But home isn’t as he left it. Nora has been living with a secret housemate: Dee (Hall), the teenage ghost of Darcy’s pre-transition self. 

Homebodies is another one of those short and sharp miniseries on SBS On Demand .

This  six × 10 minute series was recently selected for the prestigious Series Mania festival in France. So being that short (compared to recent local series, Deadloch) this was a one night and done affair.

Lead, Luke Wiltshire is terrific, whilst Claudia Karvan brings a name to this SBS original. She will also soon star in The Airport Chaplin. This also takes us back to a shirt lived series on Foxtel, Sprited. Which also starred Karvan.

This felt, original, bold and eye opening. It was beautifully told and shot across NSW.

We have had a solid, diverse and fascinating first quarter of local TV in 2026. I managed to sneak this in ahead of Q2's new blog series.

Tonight Paradise wraps on Disney+, then the RATED for the last few HOT months lands.

See you then!