An American film critic, journalist, university lecturer, and writer, Caryn James has recommended a selection of noteworthy releases, ranging from Taylor Sheridan's thrilling espionage film "Special Ops: Lioness," starring Zoe Saldana and Nicole Kidman, to the highly anticipated returns of beloved series "Futurama" and "Justified."

1. The Horror of Dolores Roach

In this dramedy, "The Horror of Dolores Roach," Dolores finds herself caught between being horrified and embodying horror itself. Jumping on the trend of podcasts turned into television series, the show follows Dolores, portrayed by Justina Machado (known for her role in "One Day at a Time"). After serving a 16-year prison sentence, Dolores returns to her once-familiar, now-gentrifying New York City neighborhood.

Her dubious old acquaintance offers her shelter and a massage table, but as fans of murder podcasts know, a smooth transition into her new life is unlikely. With the nickname "Magic Hands," Dolores can only rely on her skills for so long. As the title suggests, the series is produced by the renowned horror masters at Blumhouse and has been described as "Sweeney Todd-inspired." Brace yourself for a tantalizingly macabre treat.

"The Horror of Dolores Roach" is set to premiere on July 7th, exclusively on Prime Video.

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2. The Afterparty

Season 2 of "The Afterparty," the slyly comic whodunnit series, reunites Tiffany Haddish and Sam Richardson as detectives who have an uncanny knack for never seeing eye to eye. This time, they're faced with a fresh lineup of murder suspects and an entirely new crime to solve. The series' delightful format, a treat for movie enthusiasts, remains unchanged: each episode unveils the story from a distinct character's perspective, presented in various cinematic styles that range from noir to 19th-Century costume drama. And to add to the excitement, there's even a unique take on Wes Anderson's beloved film "The Royal Tenenbaums."

The story kicks off when a bridegroom is tragically murdered at what might go down in history as the worst wedding ever. With everyone present at the ceremony emerging as potential suspects, including the bride, her family, and friends, portrayed by an exceptional cast featuring John Cho, Paul Walter Hauser, Ken Jeong, Elizabeth Perkins, and Zach Woods, the stakes couldn't be higher.

Mark your calendars for the highly-anticipated premiere of "The Afterparty" Season 2, set to debut on July 12th, exclusively on AppleTV+.

Prepare for an enthralling blend of mystery, humor, and an array of cinematic delights.

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3. Full Circle

Steven Soderbergh never takes a breath. He has tended to direct at least one film or streaming series a year recently, from 2019's underrated High Flying Bird to this year's best forgotten Magic Mike's Last Dance. Some of his strongest work has been in television drama, notably The Knick, and his latest is a crime series full of promise, suspense and first-rate actors, including Claire Danes, Timothy Olyphant, Zazie Beetz and Jharrel Jerome. Danes and Olyphant play a couple who receive a call that their son has been kidnapped, and Beetz investigates, turning up family secrets involving crime, cash and the country of Guyana.

Full Circle premieres on 13 July on Max

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4. Survival of The Thickest

Renowned filmmaker Steven Soderbergh is ceaseless in his creative endeavors. With a track record of directing at least one film or streaming series per year, he continues to captivate audiences. From the underrated gem "High Flying Bird" in 2019 to this year's somewhat overlooked "Magic Mike's Last Dance," Soderbergh consistently delivers compelling stories. Notably, some of his most remarkable work can be found in television drama, exemplified by the acclaimed series "The Knick." Now, he presents his latest project—an enticing crime series brimming with promise, suspense, and a stellar cast.

Featuring esteemed actors Claire Danes, Timothy Olyphant, Zazie Beetz, and Jharrel Jerome, "Full Circle" holds the potential to be an exceptional addition to Soderbergh's repertoire. Danes and Olyphant portray a couple who receive a distressing call informing them that their son has been abducted. As Beetz takes on the role of investigator, she delves into the case, uncovering family secrets entwined with crime, money, and the enigmatic country of Guyana.

Prepare yourself for the premiere of "Full Circle" on July 13th, exclusively on Max. With Soderbergh at the helm, a talented ensemble cast, and a gripping storyline, this crime series promises to deliver an enthralling and suspenseful viewing experience.

5. Justified: City Primeval

Challenging the notion that nothing on television remains dormant forever, the beloved crime series "Justified," which originally aired from 2010 to 2015, has been revived with a fresh twist. Drawing inspiration from Elmore Leonard's stories featuring US Deputy Marshal Raylan Givens, the show has been rebooted with a new setting. Stepping back into the iconic role is Timothy Olyphant (pictured), who effortlessly embodies Givens' trademark swagger and dons his familiar Western hat.

In this iteration, Givens has relocated from Kentucky to Florida, embarking on a journey with his spirited 15-year-old daughter, played by Olyphant's real-life daughter, Vivian Olyphant. However, their plans take an unexpected turn when they encounter a group of thugs. The father-daughter duo finds themselves in Detroit, where Givens must hunt down a notorious killer known as the Oklahoma Wildman. Drawing inspiration from Leonard's 1980 novel "City Primeval: High Noon in Detroit," this new location infuses an urban grit into the dynamic between Givens and the Western milieu, providing a fresh and invigorating take on a familiar show.

Prepare for the highly-anticipated premiere of "Justified: City Primeval" on July 18th on FX, followed by its availability on Hulu starting July 19th. With Timothy Olyphant leading the way and the show's intelligent approach to reimagining the series, this revival promises to captivate both loyal fans and newcomers alike.

6. Praise Petey

In a departure from the serious exposés of cults, the timing feels ripe for an animated comedy that brings a lighthearted touch to the subject matter. Created by Anna Drezen, a former head writer on Saturday Night Live, this new series offers an absurdist take on the classic fish-out-of-water and woman-rebuilding-her-life narratives. Meet "Praise Petey," where the protagonist, Petey, voiced by the talented Annie Murphy from "Schitt's Creek," is a cosmopolitan New Yorker whose city life crumbles, leading her to assume control of her father's small-town cult.

Adding to the show's comedic dynamic, John Cho lends his voice to Bandit, a cult member who may also serve as a potential love interest, having grown up within the organization. Stephen Root, known for his chilling and ruthless performance as Monroe Fuches in the later seasons of "Barry," portrays Petey's father, while Christine Baranski embodies her sophisticated mother, who doesn't follow the cult's teachings.

Prepare to dive into the hilarity and absurdity of "Praise Petey," as it makes its highly-anticipated premiere on July 21st, exclusively on Freeform. With Anna Drezen's comedic expertise, the voice talents of Annie Murphy, John Cho, Stephen Root, and Christine Baranski, this animated series promises to deliver a fresh and amusing take on the cult genre, offering a comedic escape from the norm.

7. Special Ops: Lioness

Far from the ranches of Yellowstone and 1923, prolific showrunner Taylor Sheridan takes on the CIA in his latest series, set in the world of counterterrorism. The title refers to his fictionalised version of a CIA programme. Zoe Saldana stars as Joe, the head of a team (like Carrie in Homeland). She sends an agent, Cruz Manuelos (Laysla De Oliveira) undercover to get close to the daughter of a suspected terrorist, so the CIA can, as Joe says in the trailer, "kill the target". Nicole Kidman has a supporting role as a CIA supervisor, and Morgan Freeman is the US Secretary of State. Intrigue and suspense should drive the plots, but Sheridan-watchers will be looking for the subtext too. Sheridan has always said his shows have no political slant, while many commentators see a conservative streak. It will be fascinating to see what the series might say about US policy and terrorism.

Special Ops: Lioness premieres 23 July on Paramount+

8. Futurama

After 10 years away, the long-running animated sci-fi satire returns with new stories and the same off-the-wall characters. In the original, Fry (Billy West) was cryogenically frozen in 1999, only to thaw out in the year 3000, where he met the love of his life, Cyclops Leela (Katy Sagal), and the robot Bender (John DiMaggio), among other eccentrics. The new episodes pick up 23 years later, with an updated spin on social trends. A newsreader reports on a recently discovered virus, Explovid-23, which can be tested for with a gigantic cotton swab up your nose. A banner at an outdoor event says "Back-to-Normal Fest 2021", with 2021 crossed out and 3023 hand-written in. The series was created by Matt Groening of Simpsons fame – and a family resemblance can be seen in the character's wide-jawed faces, and humour that is both skewering and silly.

Futurama premieres 24 July on Hulu

9. Dark Winds

One of television's best under-the-radar series returns for a second season, with Zahn McClarnon (Reservation Dogs and Fargo) as Lt. Joe Leaphorn of the Navajo Police. Based on Tony Hillerman's crime novels set in the US South West during the 1970s, the first season revealed that Joe's son had been killed in a suspicious oil drilling explosion. The new series has him tracking the man he suspects of causing the tragedy. Joining him is Sgt Bernadette Manuelito (Jessica Matten) and his former partner Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon), now a private detective. McClarnon makes Leaphorn an iconic figure, a Native American update on the Western hero, tough, wise and not necessarily beyond taking revenge. Dark Winds' executive producers include Robert Redford and George RR Martin, but it stands on its own as taut, atmospheric and deeply humane, with the texture of life on the reservation and the vast desert landscape vital parts of the show.

Dark Winds premieres 27 July on AMC+ and 30 July on AMC

10. Twisted Metal

Following recent HBO hit The Last of Us, here comes another video-game adaptation set in a post-apocalyptic world. Anthony Mackie, best known as Falcon (and soon to be Captain America) in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is at the centre of this action comedy inspired by the PlayStation title, a demolition derby with lethal weapons. Mackie plays John Doe, who has amnesia, and agrees to deliver a mysterious package. He loads his gun, gets in his beat-up car and races off across the US. Stephanie Beatriz plays a car thief named Quiet, Thomas Haden Church is the villainous highway patrolman Agent Stone, while Sweet Tooth, a demented killer clown, is played physically by the wrestler Joe Seanoa (Samoa Joe) with Will Arnett's voice. The game has been around since 1995, with various further instalments appearing over the years, so the series has a built-in fan base.

Twisted Metal premieres 27 July on Peacock

11. Good Omens

This odd-couple comic fantasy, based on the novel by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, continues for another season, with Michael Sheen as the fussy angel Aziraphale and David Tennant as the brash, anything-goes demon Crowley. Last time they saved the world from the Antichrist. This time their comfy London life is interrupted when they team up to get the angel Gabriel out of trouble after he vanishes from heaven and pops up at Aziraphale's bookshop. Jon Hamm returns as the often befuddled Gabriel, who Gaiman has called "everyone's worst boss". For all its religious and spiritual allusions, Good Omens is the most light-hearted of all the Gaiman adaptations (Netflix's The Sandman and Amazon Prime's American Gods among them), which makes it the most fun.

Good Omens premieres July 28 on Prime Video