"Kleo" and more - The series highlights for the month of July
## "Sunny": Starting July 10th on Apple TV+
The German success series "Kleo" returns with bloody gladiator fights in ancient Rome and extravagant parties in Italian medieval times - July holds a large number of highlights for series fans. Here's an overview of the most highly anticipated series premieres and new series in July.
"Sunny": Starting July 10th on Apple TV+
The American Suzie (Rashida Jones, 48) lives in Japan but feels a little alienated from her new home. When her Japanese husband Masa (Hidetoshi Nishijima, 53) and their common son disappear in a plane crash, Suzie's world collapses. From Masa's company, she receives as a form of consolation the house robot Sunny, which her husband had developed. Initially skeptical, Suzie and the robot form an unexpected bond, and they begin to investigate Masa's mysterious disappearance.
The new, black-humored mystery series "Sunny" takes place in a near future where self-driving cars and helpful household robots are part of daily life. With as much humor as insight, this show explores both the ease and the discomfort that technological development brings.
Behind the new, ten-episode show of the streaming service Apple TV+ is the legendary production company A24, which in the past was responsible for intelligent hits like "Everything Everywhere All at Once" or the teen series "Euphoria." "Sunny" boasts an excellent cast in the lead roles, with the former "Parks and Recreation" star Jones and the Japanese actor Hidetoshi Nishijima, known from the Oscar-winning Indie drama "Drive My Car."
"Those About to Die": Starting July 19th on Prime Video
On Amazon's streaming service Prime Video, the historical series "Those About to Die" premieres on July 19th. The show, which was directed by Roland Emmerich (68), the maker of "Independence Day," takes viewers back to ancient Rome and the bloody world of gladiator fights.
In the year 79 AD, Rome is the center of the known world. While in the capital of the Roman Empire, slaves perform menial labor, the Romans themselves are bored and restless. They are entertained by spectacular gladiator fights, which are controlled by four patrician corporations. Shares in these corporations are the most valuable assets in this time in Rome. The increasingly apathetic population must be kept entertained with increasingly spectacular chariot races, gladiator and animal fights, and amusements.
The mammoth project "Those About to Die" is reportedly said to have swallowed a budget of 140 million US dollars. The high-profile cast includes Oscar winners Sir Anthony Hopkins (86) and the former "Game of Thrones" villain Iwan Rheon (39). All ten episodes of the new series will be available at once on Prime Video.
"Kleo": Starting July 25th on Netflix
The fast-paced German agent series "Kleo" returns to the screens of Netflix with season two. Jella Haase (31), who recently celebrated successes with the "Fack ju Göhte" sequel "Chantal im Märchenland," once again embodies the title character DDR-assignment killer Kleo.
In the new, second season, Kleo continues her search for the coveted red briefcase and its contained confidential documents. For they play a decisive role in the reordering of Germany and Europe after the Cold War. Alongside Kleo, therefore, are the powerful intelligence agencies CIA and KGB in pursuit of the desired object. However, police officer Sven (Dimitrij Schaad, 38) offers help to the main character as shown in the trailer for the six new episodes.
"The Decameron": Available on Netflix from July 25
When the city of Florence is visited by the plague in the year 1348, a group of nobles along with their servants take refuge in a luxurious villa. In the supposed safety of their secluded bubble, they intend to wait out the passing of the Black Death and celebrate a wild, debauched party. This goes well for a while until the mood shifts, and a murderous fight for survival ensues.
"The Decameron" is described by streaming service Netflix as a dark-humored medieval sitcom. The show is being produced by Jenji Kohan, the executive producer of "Weeds" and "Orange Is the New Black" (54). The cast includes Zosia Mamet, known from the HBO series "Girls" (36), Tony Hale from "Veep" (53), and Saoirse-Monica Jackson from "Derry Girls" (30).
- In the future, technological advancements like self-driving cars and household robots become common, as depicted in the upcoming Apple TV+ series "Sunny," featuring Rashida Jones and Hidetoshi Nishijima.
- As Suzie grapples with the aftermath of her husband's plane crash in Japan, she forms an unexpected bond with the robot Sunny and embarks on a quest to uncover his mysterious disappearance.
- Lauded production company A24 brings the black-humored mystery series "Sunny" to Apple TV+, exploring both the benefits and downsides of technological progress through humor and insight.
- Prime Video's new historical series "Those About to Die," airing on July 19th, takes viewers back to ancient Rome, promising an epic showdown in the bloody world of gladiator fights.
- The mammoth production, directed by Roland Emmerich, features an all-star cast including Sir Anthony Hopkins and Iwan Rheon, and will be available to stream in its entirety upon release.
- From July 25th, Netflix will stream the second season of "Kleo," where Jella Haase reprises her role as Kleo, the DDR agent assigned a dangerous mission to retrieve confidential documents.
- Meanwhile, on July 25th, Netflix will also introduce "The Decameron," a darkly comedic medieval sitcom directed by Jenji Kohan, featuring a star-studded cast including Zosia Mamet and Tony Hale.
