Series Snapshot ~ 6/4/2026

By: [email protected] on Thu, 06/04/2026 - 09:56

Welcome to the Series Snapshot, a weekly deep dive into the shows topping the streaming charts.

Netflix original series The Four Seasons returns with its second season this week, taking the top spot in viewership. The dramedy series, created by Tina Fey, Lang Fisher, and Tracey Wigfield is a recreation of the 1981 Alan Alda film of the same name, and tracks the relationships of a friend group in their fifties as they take regular vacation getaways together. Part of the premise is that every two episodes represents one season of the year, and with each season change, we get a new setting for the group to explore. The first season received tepid but overall positive reception, and also stunned viewers with a twist ending that subverted the expectations of those familiar with the film. Season two debuted to a significant boost in ratings compared to the first, which is likely due to improvements in cinematography, expanded scale in setting, and tighter writing, which leans into the bickering dynamic of the friend group with greater comedic result. The Four Seasons stars Tiny Fey, Steve Carell, Colman Domingo, Erika Henningsen, Will Forte and Kerry Kenney-Silver.

Hulu’s top show this week is again, The Testaments, which aired its finale on May 27th, concluding the premiere season. The series may have started with some hesitation from audiences used to the more visceral Handmaid’s Tale, but as Testaments progressed, viewers warmed up to its tonal shift, and rate the series and its first finale highly. Across the board, there’s overwhelming praise for Testaments’ core cast, which saw Ann Dowd step back into the role of Aunt Lydia, now a force of good working for the resistance, and fans have embraced the duo Lucy Halliday and Chase Infiniti, whose charming dynamic is a much needed breath of fresh air in an otherwise bleak setting. The Testaments was recently renewed for a second season, which will likely air sometime in mid-to-late 2027. The creative team, including executive producer Elisabeth Moss, have stated their intentions for three to five seasons. The Testaments and The Handmaid’s Tale were created by Bruce Miller.

HBO’s Euphoria goes out on a high, but flat note- taking the most viewed title of the week, but wrapping with the lowest rated finale in its entirety. The series concluded on May 31st, and its final two episodes featured major character deaths which shocked audiences. Euphoria’s third season frustrated viewers with its big changes including a stylistic shift towards Breaking Bad-esque crime thriller, a completely different musical score, and time-jump that left the original high-school environment of the early episodes. There’s also been some uproar over the more explicit material with Sydney Sweeney’s character Cassie, which some fans call lazy shock-value. Despite the many gripes, many tuned in to see how the series would conclude, and creator Sam Levinson has expressed that the show’s depressing finish is the most honest depiction of how addiction stories end. Euphoria also starred Zendaya, Jacob Elordi, and Hunter Schafer.

At Amazon, new college romance series Off Campus is becoming a phenomenon, clinching the top spot for the third consecutive week in its first season. This is impressive staying power- Amazon released the entire season in a binge drop, so the show continues to draw viewers. Off Campus is built off a classic trope; nerdy girl Hannah (Ella Bright) makes a deal to tutor himbo jock Garrett (Belmont Cameli), and in exchange he pretends to be her boyfriend to make her crush Justin (Josh Heuston) jealous. The series is a huge hit amongst the Gen Z crowd, and is praised for its elevated production value, sex-positive messaging, and sizzling chemistry from its lead couple. Some will nitpick the series for occasional corny dialogue, but many enjoy the “junk food tv” comfort that the series provides. Off Campus received an early renewal order from Amazon in February, and is expected to release a second season in spring of 2027. The original series was created by Louisa Levy.

Your Friends and Neighbors has had a phenomenal, undefeated ten week run as AppleTV’s most streamed series and will air its thrilling season finale tonight at 9PM US Eastern time, with a global release on Friday. While season two has outperformed season one in several ways, its longstanding chart status may also be due to a lack in competitive programming. After receiving an expanded budget from Apple following season one, Your Friends and Neighbors was able to lean into the show’s wealthy aesthetic with more impressive sets, cars, and costumes. That aesthetic is further augmented with the brilliant addition of James Marsden, who slips perfectly into the world and antagonist role with unsettling charisma. The cast receives constant commendation, and the pairing of Jon Hamm and Amanda Peet continues to be an emotional anchor for the series. Your Friends and Neighbors was created by Jonathan Tropper.

For Disney Plus this week, a recent limited series Perfect Crown, takes the most streamed title. The South Korean romantic comedy has amassed over forty-three million hours streamed in its first month. Set in an alt-history monarchical modern South Korea, K-pop star IU plays wealthy corporate heiress Seong Hui-ju, who enters a sham marriage with Prince I-an, (Byeon Woo-Seok) who is grand royalty, but cash poor. Perfect Crown was controversial in South Korea, receiving thousands of petition signatures to get the series pulled. To give context, South Korea fiercely defends its history and sovereignty, and Perfect Crown made several, albeit accidental blunders via wardrobe and dialogue, including a seemingly negligible, but critically important number of tassels on the prince’s crown which unintentionally suggested subservience to China. The cast and creators have all formally apologized for the mistakes, explaining that they were failures of research rather than intentional statements. This controversy likely turbo-charged the series’ momentum, making it a global success, but recently due to pressure, South Korean network MBC has edited the episodes, deleting offending scenes entirely or removing audio that challenges South Korean sovereignty.

Netflix - The Four Seasons

Premiered May 1st, 2025

Starring Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Colman Domingo, Erika Henningsen

Created by Tina Fey, Lang Fisher, and Tracey Wigfield

Hulu - The Testaments

Premiered April 8, 2026

Starring Ann Dowd, Lucy Halliday, and Chase Infiniti.

Created by Bruce Miller

HBO - Euphoria

Premiered June 16, 2019

Starring Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, Jacob Elordi, and Hunter Schafer

Created by Sam Levinson