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Thunderbolts* comes by its unexpected tenderness honestly. In the latest installment of Marvel's never-ending superhero saga, the disaffected but charming Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) feels adrift, unfulfilled, and bored.

As her adoptive father Alexei "Red Guardian" Shostakov (David Harbour) observes, the light inside her has gone dim. What started as ennui now looks more like stifling depression.

Remarkably, Yelena's numbness gives way to an openness, a kind of calm curiosity, that becomes Thunderbolts* grounding force as the film explores what more than one character calls "the void."

SEE ALSO: 'Thunderbolts*' review: Florence Pugh can't rescue this flop from the MCU's worst impulses

This emptiness is what follows both a lifetime of disappointments as well as specific traumas that haunt Yelena, her ragtag crew of anti-heroes (aka the Thunderbolts), and even the film's villain. There are visual and verbal references to unforgivable betrayals, mental illness, domestic violence, parental neglect and death, and suicidal ideation.

Against the backdrop of these traumatic experiences, Thunderbolts* mounts an ambitious attempt to leave the viewer with a simple — perhaps simplistic — message: The void is survivable with human connection.

This is applaudable, especially for a could-be blockbuster, expected to match or rival the MCU's past box office performances. But there are also fundamental flaws in the execution.

To tell this story of redemption, Thunderbolts* turns Bob (Lewis Pullman), a civilian with a long history of psychic suffering, into the Big Bad known as The Void. As The Void, Bob's suicidal thoughts are weaponized against the entirety of New York City. From on high, he flattens unsuspecting victims into black shadows, presumably to relieve them of their own pain.

There's a general understanding amongst mental health experts that portraying people with mental illness as murderous helps no one. In real life, outside of Marvel's sprawling IP empire, people with mental illness are more likely to be victims of violence, not the other way around.

Importantly, Bob is not a willing participant in his transformation from an ordinary but desperate guy into Sentry, a superhero of immense powers, including flying and being able to toss Yelena and her fellow assassins across the room like rag dolls.

Instead, Bob participated in medical testing, courtesy of the morally rudderless CIA director Valentina (Val) Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). But he was promised a better, stronger self, not a starring role in the wholesale destruction of countless people's lives. (Note to Marvel: Maybe now would be a good time to cool it with the storylines about medical research misconduct and conspiracies.)

The story, co-written by The Bear's Joanna Calo, largely treats Bob with compassion, which isn't surprising given the way the FX show about a tortured chef sensitively handles topics like anxiety and suicide. Bob is given a complex, if somewhat cliché, backstory of growing up in a household surrounded by mental illness (his mother) and domestic violence (his father). But he also has delusions of grandeur, along with emotional highs and lows, and episodes when he blacks out.

When Val tries to play a nurturing but manipulative mother to Bob, it sets off a chain of events that turns him not into should-be-heroic Sentry, but the villainous Void. It's hard to know it then, but the scene is built on the idea that sons of abusive men will become abusers themselves, under certain circumstances.

Yelena epitomizes the gentle understanding that Thunderbolts* extends to Bob. When The Void unleashes hell on earth, Yelena steps into his black void —  not to end her own emptiness once and for all — but to find Bob and bring him back.

Fighting her way through a series of "interconnected shame rooms" in which she must confront her own horrific acts, she discovers Bob hiding in what appears to be his childhood attic. The scenes that follow could easily be a Marvel dramatization of a number of public service announcements geared toward reaching out to someone who needs help. "Be the friend who listens," implores the suicide-prevention campaign Seize the Awkward.

Yelena is indeed the friend who listens. When that isn't strong enough to ward off The Void, she and the other Thunderbolts find themselves with Bob, trapped in a simulation of the room where the medical experiments took place. The Void's blackened frame harangues Bob as a failure. It's clear, then, that Bob is at the mercy of his own inner critic, on anti-hero steroids.

This is arguably the film's most powerful scene as Bob tries to take control by pummeling The Void into nothingness. Yet the violence only accelerates everyone's doom. The all-consuming void can only be vanquished when Yelena and the Thunderbolts pull Bob off and surround him in a steady embrace. Another way to think about this is silencing one's inner critic with compassion, a counter-intuitive strategy that experts routinely endorse.

One would be well within their rights to view this scene cynically — a pat portrayal of friendship as an antidote to mental illness. It's certainly critical to feel less alone, but loneliness is one among many risk factors for feeling suicidal. Audiences may also watch Bob's or Yelena's stories unfold and see themselves as newly capable — and deserving — of human connection. That's a very good thing.

Still, the weaponization of Bob's mental illness can't be waved a way. Nor is it possible to justify the tail-end of his narrative arc, in which he recalls not a single thing that happened to him — including his own triumph over the proverbial demons that animated him as The Void. He returns to being Bob, but deprived of the details that would truly give his life the purpose and meaning he's long sought.

Perhaps there's more in store for Bob in a forthcoming film, but abandoning him in a state of not-knowing feels cheap. Ultimately Bob becomes little more than a cipher, or a useful but disposable cog in Marvel's billion-dollar filmmaking machine.

Strangely, the final minutes of Thunderbolts* surrender what the film fought so hard for: the sense that a meaningful life is possible, even when it feels against the odds.

If you're feeling suicidal or experiencing a mental health crisis, please talk to somebody. You can reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988; the Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860; or the Trevor Project at 866-488-7386. Text "START" to Crisis Text Line at 741-741. Contact the NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET, or email info@nami.org. If you don't like the phone, consider using the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Chat at crisischat.org. Here is a list of international resources.

Near the center of the Milky Way are enormous filaments of radio energy that sometimes look like bones, and one in particular has astronomers playing orthopaedists. 

If the new picture at the top of this story reminds you of an X-ray, well, that's because it is. Scientists used a space telescope to examine a conspicuous fracture along the bone's 230 light-year length. The images from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, coupled with data from the MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa and the National Science Foundation's Very Large Array, have revealed what likely caused it to crack. 

The assailant, seen right at the point of the break, could be a fast-spinning neutron star, known as a pulsar. Scientists think that, as the object whizzed through the galaxy at breakneck speed, it slammed through the bone and just kept on going. The collision apparently distorted the bone's magnetic field and warped its radio signal.

SEE ALSO: Scientists discover a rebellious star family defying the cosmic order NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory helped scientists study The Snake, a filament of radio energy near the Milky Way's galactic center. Credit: NASA / CXC / J. Vaughan illustration

The discovery not only offers a diagnosis for how the filament fractured but highlights that a single star can rattle the galaxy, even long after its own death. The findings described by NASA this week were published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

Researchers have named the filament G359-dot-something-something-something, but friends and fun astronomers just call it "The Snake." Why, you might ask? Because G359.13142-0.20005 just doesn't roll off the tongue. 

The glowing streak threads through the congested downtown of the Milky Way. Dozens of other such filaments appear in radio waves around the galactic center, lit up by particles spiraling through parallel magnetic fields. The Snake is one of the longest and brightest of its kind.

But why these structures exist — and what makes some longer and more luminous than others — remains a mystery. 

An annotated version of a composite image of The Snake shows a close-up view of the fracture and the object that likely created it. Credit: NASA / CXC / Northwestern University / F. Yusef-Zadeh et al / NRF / SARAO / MeerKat / SAO / N. Wolk

As for the assailant, it's trying to make a quick getaway. Neutron stars form when massive stars explode into supernovas, leaving behind a crushed stellar core, perhaps just 10 miles wide. But a pulsar beams radiation as it revolves like a lighthouse beacon. 

The new images also suggest extra X-rays may be coming from the area around the pulsar. Particles like electrons and positrons — tiny pieces of matter and antimatter — that sped up during the crash may have caused them. 

After a supernova, remnant neutron stars often get an intense kickback from the blast. Scientists estimate this pulsar could be flying at a dizzying 1 million to 2 million mph. 

Scores of new gadgets are introduced every year at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the tech world's biggest showcase. Yet many of these products never make it to market. They're only proofs of concept or prototypes of devices that could maybe one day potentially hit the market.

That makes Bird Buddy's new $129 Petal smart nature camera somewhat of a phenom. After debuting at CES 2025 in January, the Petal and its modular Wonder Blocks system finally went up for preorder on Kickstarter on April 29, becoming an instant smash. A company representative said the campaign raised $1.5 million from more than 5,000 backers in 24 hours, crushing its $100,000 fundraising goal by 1,400 percent. (At the time of writing, it had drummed up over $1.8 million from 6,300 backers.)

Why all the hype? I wanted to share my take as someone who got to check out the Petal and Wonder Blocks on the CES showroom floor this past winter.

Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable Bird Buddy to bee buddy

The Bird Buddy name alone has a big sway. The company's eponymous smart bird feeder, which has a built-in camera that can identify different avian species, has become hugely popular since it first launched in late 2020.

Bird Buddy co-founder and CEO Franci Zidar told me at CES that the company has cultivated an enthusiastic user base that's passionate about connecting with nature. Zidar said the Petal was an obvious next step to help people better understand their local ecosystems, going beyond just birds to capture backyard plants, insects, and pollinators, too.

Credit: Bird Buddy

Design-wise, the Petal is a 12MP camera in a cup-shaped case that comes in several colors. You can install the Petal by clipping it to the side of a pole or planter, or simply by wrapping its squiggly, bendable stem mount around a branch or gate. It's a lot friendlier-looking and less austere than your standard security camera. (To quote my CES writeup, the base and stem combo makes it look sort of "like a minimalist, bionic flower.")

The Petal ships with a swappable macro lens for detailed close-ups and an ovular solar panel that'll keep it running "indefinitely in most environments," according to its press materials. Without the panel, the device's "low-powered architecture" lets it run for over a month between charges.

SEE ALSO: Best of CES 2025: Everything that stole the show, according to our experts

The Petal isn't meant to be a cutesy backyard CCTV system: Its purpose is to get you on a "first-name basis" with your local flora and fauna, Zidar said in January. Its camera can identify more than 2,000 species using visual and audio cues. It can also detect shifts in its surroundings using an "advanced AI layer" called Nature Intelligence, which alerts users to these changes. For example, if a songbird starts building a nest in a nearby tree, you'll get a ping.

Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Per the press release, Petal's companion app has a "built-in storytelling engine" called Nature's Voice that can create "BBC Earth–style mini documentaries" using highlights from its 4K video footage. Its narrator does a pretty good Attenborough impression.

A feature called Impact Score gives the user insights into their backyard's biodiversity and the frequency of pollinator visits. Users hoping to up that frequency can look into Wonder Blocks, a modular habitat system for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds that launched alongside the Petal. Together, they form what Bird Buddy calls a "Smart Nature Observatory."

The core Wonder Block configuration includes a Petal camera, an Observation Pole, and a self-watering planter base called the Habitat. The latter contains a built-in Bee Habitat, a Bee Observatory, and a "micro water feature" called the Stream. It ships with a seed pod that'll grow flowers native to your region. You can also add accessories like a butterfly shelter, hummingbird feeder, and a magnetic trellis.

Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Bird Buddy CEO Zidar originally told me that the Petal would cost less than $100, but Bird Buddy has it priced at $129 on Kickstarter for early backers. (There's also a Duo Bundle with two cameras and an Observation Pole for $249.) Wonder Blocks setups range from $299 to $1,199. A singular Habitat planter sans Petal is also available for $149.

For those who have been waiting to try the Petal and Wonder Blocks since their CES appearance, stay patient: They'll start shipping in mid-2026. I know, I know — that's a long way off.

In the meantime, the Bird Buddy smart bird feeder is available at Amazon and Target for $199.

Meet the Bird Buddy product line The original Bird Buddy smart bird feeder $199 (save $100) Get Deal Coming soon-ish Petal Smart Nature Camera $129 Pre-Order Here Coming soon-ish Wonder Blocks by Bird Buddy Starting at $299 Pre-Order Here

TL;DR: Ditch messy notebooks and let AI take over your note-taking with a lifetime My Notes AI Pro Plan for just $39.99 (reg. $299).

Still scribbling notes like it’s the 90s? It’s 2025, and we can now let AI handle the heavy lifting. My Notes AI Pro can serve as your personal note-taking assistant for life with this lifetime subscription to their Pro Plan, now just $39.99 (reg. $299).

Bring your note-taking into the 21st century

Your brain has enough to juggle. Let AI help you stay on track with My Notes AI. From video calls to in-person meetings, this app transcribes and summarizes everything so you can stay present without missing a detail. It works for Zoom, Google Meet, or Teams meetings, and you can even upload an audio file afterward. 

Stop trying to decipher your chicken scratch thanks to this powerful tool. It takes notes, turns transcriptions into helpful summaries, and even breaks them down into specific action items, so you can save time and effort.

If you need to share notes with a classmate or colleague, exporting transcriptions is just a few clicks away. And you can use My Notes AI’s organization tools to sort notes by topic, date, or project for quick, easy access.

My Notes AI may utilize intimidating AI technology, but the actual app is easy to use, featuring an intuitive interface that you can take advantage of on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. And once you're a pro, you can go on to unlock premium features like unlimited transcription, meeting recordings, instant AI summaries, and even more organizational tools. 

Let My Notes AI tackle all your note-taking needs from now on for $39.99 (reg. $299) with this lifetime subscription.

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Opens in a new window Credit: With Bytes My Notes AI Pro Plan: Lifetime Subscription - AI Note Transcriber & Summarizer $39.99
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TL;DR: Give your workflow a visual upgrade with Microsoft Visio, now just $14.97 for a lifetime license for Windows (reg. $249).

Skip the spreadsheets and bring your ideas to life with Microsoft Visio. Whether you're mapping out a new project or making your reports more eye-catching, this tool helps you create clean, professional visuals in no time. Get a lifetime license for Windows now for just $14.97.

Tell a story with your data

Data doesn't always have the best reputation for being captivating. But that’s where data storytelling comes in — a way to bring meaning to data with both narration and visuals. Visio is your all-in-one diagramming tool for just that, helping you bring ideas to life. From flowcharts to floor plans, it allows you to organize, design, and present complex information in a way that’s easy to understand, with no artistic skills required.

With access to over 250,000 shapes and templates, Visio gives you a head start on just about any project — from org charts to network diagrams. Plus, it works easily with Excel and Exchange, so you can automatically pull in data and skip manual input.

If you're feeling creative and want to put your own stamp on things, Visio lets you personalize your diagrams. You can even sketch out ideas or add notes with a finger or stylus on touch-enabled devices, 

Need to brainstorm? Visio’s got you covered with templates for fishbone diagrams, SWOT analysis, and classic flowcharts to help you work through ideas and solve problems creatively. It's a one-stop shop for visualizing concepts and data. 

This lifetime license for Windows requires a Microsoft 365 or Microsoft SharePoint subscription to get started, and is only available to new users. 

Secure your lifetime license to Microsoft Visio 2021 Professional for just $14.97 (reg. $249).

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Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Visio 2021 Professional: Lifetime License for Windows $14.97
$249.99 Save $235.02 Get Deal

TL;DR: Get through your to-be-read pile with help from Headway, on sale for $59.99 now. 

There's a reason that TBR pile keeps building: reading takes time. A lot of it. And you don't always have hours and hours to sit down with a book, even if you want to. Plus, there's no guarantee you'll even like the book once you get through it. 

If you want to make personal growth and learning a little easier to schedule, try Headway Premium. This intuitive mobile app makes learning fun again, and a lifetime subscription just went on sale. Instead of paying $299, it's now only $59.99. 

Learning can be a hobby

Headway turns best-selling nonfiction books into fifteen-minute summaries you can read or listen to. You get the key takeaways without committing to hundreds of pages. Whether you're focused on productivity, personal growth, business strategy, or wellness, there’s a constantly expanding library of titles to explore.

The app helps you stay motivated by recommending content based on your goals and tracking your progress. There are even game-like achievements to keep things fun. With over 1,500 summaries available and more added every month, you’ll never run out of topics to dive into.

You can use Headway at home, during your commute, while exercising, or whenever you have a few minutes to spare. Each summary is professionally narrated and available offline, so it’s easy to learn on the go without burning through data.

This deal includes lifetime access, which means you pay once and never worry about a subscription fee again. If you're looking for a low-pressure, high-impact way to stay sharp, Headway Premium makes it easy to turn free moments into learning opportunities.

June 1 at 11:59 p.m. PT is the deadline to get a Headway Premium Lifetime Subscription on sale for $59.99. 

No coupon needed. 

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TL;DR: Treat yourself to this bundle of endless entertainment — an Apple iPad and a pair of Beats Flex headphones — all for $139.99 (reg. $299).

Craving some downtime? This bundle is the perfect excuse to indulge. Get lost in your favorite apps on the Apple iPad, then tune into every beat with the Beats Flex headphones — all for the low price of $139.99 (less than each of these items would cost on their own). 

Tune in and tune out with this iPad and Beats bundle

This bundle of fun kicks off with an Apple iPad 6. Enjoy endless entertainment on the 9.7-inch display, and do it all thanks to the Apple A10 chip, which lets you bounce between multiple apps while enjoying top performance. 

Capture memories with the 8MP rear camera, then video chat about it all with family and friends thanks to the FaceTime camera. 128GB of storage lets you save files and download apps with ample space. 

You'll be hearing everything in premium, crystal-clear audio with your Beats Flex headphones. They feature a flex-form cable for all-day comfort and four ear tip options to ensure the perfect fit. And you won't have to worry about tangled cords thanks to a magnetic design. 

These Beats Flex headphones are designed to pair seamlessly with your iPad. They're equipped with an Apple W1 chip, so they seamlessly integrate with any Apple products. They also offer an impressive 12 hours of playtime on a full charge, thanks to the rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

Curious how you're scoring this great deal? The iPad is Grade A refurbished, which means it will arrive in near-mint condition, with virtually no sign of prior use. The headphones are a renewed, open-box return, so they have been tested, cleaned, and repackaged in their original packaging. 

Secure this Apple iPad and Beats Flex headphones bundle for just $139.99 (reg. $299) for a limited time. 

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Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad 6th Gen (2018) 128GB WiFi Space Gray (Refurbished) + Beats Flex Headphones Bundle $139.99
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TL;DR: Create content faster and easier forever with this lifetime subscription to AI Magicx, now $59.97 through June 1. 

Creative projects piling up? AI Magicx can help you handle everything from content generation to design tasks in seconds. And right now, a lifetime subscription to the Rune Plan can be yours for only $59.97 (reg. $972).

Create content in seconds with this AI-powered tool

Whether you're looking to build content for your current gig or trying to start a new company from the ground up, there are dozens of creative projects to tackle.

AI Magicx makes it easy to turn your ideas into polished content, helping you design, write, and create without requiring advanced skills or spending a fortune on freelancers. And it's already trusted by big companies like Microsoft and Intel. 

Curious how it works? You type in a prompt, and AI Magicx handles the rest: creating content while you sit back, from writing like a well-researched blog post to visuals like a brand-new company logo. You can make tweaks or changes until it creates your exact vision.

AI Magicx also doubles as a smart document editor, quickly proofreading your content. And if you’re working with code, its built-in coder can step in to review, optimize, and refine your work in seconds.

While you're creating content for your website, how about an AI chatbot to interact with customers? AI Magicx can tackle that, too, and this Rune Plan even comes with 100 premium chatbot messages. It also includes Unlimited Magicx words, 250 Magicx images, 250 Magicx logos, private generations, and a commercial license.

Make content creation a breeze with this lifetime subscription to AI Magicx's Rune Plan for only $59.97 now through June 1.

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Opens in a new window Credit: AI Magicx AI Magicx: Lifetime Subscription (Rune Plan) $59.97
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Crank up your air conditioning and find the coziest spot on your couch, because it's time for summer television.

SEE ALSO: Summer Movie Preview: What's coming to theaters and streaming?

This summer promises a boatload of TV coming our way, be it old favorites or new obsessions. Beloved smash hits like Squid Game, The Bear, and Wednesday are almost back, while new comedies like Adults and Overcompensating aim to make you laugh your summer vacation away. And keep your eyes peeled for sci-fi series, mystery thrillers, and romances.

All this TV can be daunting, so we've picked out 43 titles for you to peruse across a wide variety of genres. Plus, we've sorted everything by streaming service, so you can figure out which shows you'll have access to, or which streamer you'll need to get in order to catch an upcoming series that strikes your fancy. Here are the TV shows you should keep an eye out for this summer.

What's coming to Apple TV+ this summer?

Apple TV+ has you covered across a wide range of genres this summer. Hungry for sci-fi? Feast your eyes on Murderbot. What about a historical epic? Check out Chief of War. More in the mood for a sports comedy? Stick should be right up your alley. But there's even more where that came from.

The Buccaneers, Season 2 Josie Totah, Alisha Boe, Aubri Ibrag, and Kristine Frøseth in "The Buccaneers." Credit: Apple TV+

You might have ventured into The Buccaneers' first season to satiate your thirst between seasons of Bridgerton without expecting much. However, this Regency romantic drama created by Katherine Jakeways, based on Edith Wharton's final novel, quickly found its own footing, offering diabolical narrative twists, long-simmering love stories, and a Taylor Swift-packed anachronistic soundtrack. 

And now, it's back for a second season on Apple TV+, with the show's core American expats — Nan St. George (Kristine Frøseth), Jinny St. George (Imogen Waterhouse), Lizzy Elmsworth (Aubri Ibrag), Mabel Elmsworth (Josie Totah) and Conchita, Lady Brightlingsea (Alisha Boe) — all returning. But where these England newcomers felt like fish out of water last season, they're now either in positions of immense power or on the run. Drama will ensue! — Shannon Connellan, UK Editor

Starring: Kristine Frøseth, Alisha Boe, Aubri Ibrag, Josie Totah, Imogen Waterhouse, Christina Hendricks, Mia Threapleton, Josh Dylan, Guy Remmers, Matthew Broome, Barney Fishwick, Leighton Meester, Jacob Ifan, Grace Ambrose, Maria Almeida, and Greg Wise

How to watch: The Buccaneers Season 2 premieres June 18 on Apple TV+.

Chief of War Jason Momoa in "Chief of War." Credit: Apple TV+

Jason Momoa takes on acting, writing, directing, and executive-producing duties in Chief of War, which he co-created with Thomas Pa'a Sibbett.

Based on true events, Chief of War transports viewers to Hawaii at the end of the 18th century, when the Hawaiian Islands are at war with one another. Enter warrior Ka'iana (Momoa), who undertakes a bloody campaign to unite the islands in the face of Western colonization. Prepare yourself for epic historical action, and to see the story of Hawaii's unification told from an Indigenous perspective. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

Starring: Jason Momoa, Luciane Buchanan, Temuera Morrison, Te Ao o Hinepehinga, Cliff Curtis, Kaina Makua, Moses Goods, Siua Ikale‘o, Brandon Finn, James Udom, Mainei Kinimaka, and Te Kohe Tuhaka

How to watch: Chief of War premieres Aug. 1 on Apple TV+.

Murderbot

Martha Wells' Hugo–winning The Murderbot Diaries series comes to TV in this sci-fi comedy about an android who claims to despise humanity — but who may actually have more in common with humans than it cares to admit.

Alexander Skarsgård plays the titular Murderbot, a rogue security android who's gained autonomy by hacking its own governor module. Instead of using its newfound freedom to destroy the humans it works for, Murderbot tries its best to keep a low profile and watch all the TV it wants, including the space-set soap opera The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon. But when a mission it's chaperoning goes haywire, Murderbot finds itself getting closer to its scientist clients and facing its most daunting challenge yet: emotions. Come for another high-quality Apple TV+ sci-fi show, stay for Murderbot's snarky —yet super perceptive — inner monologue. — B.E.

Starring: Alexander Skarsgård, Noma Dumezweni, David Dastmalchian, Sabrina Wu, Akshay Khanna, Tattiawna Jones, and Tamara Podemski

How to watch: Murderbot premieres May 16 on Apple TV+.

Smoke Taron Egerton and Jurnee Smollett in "Smoke." Credit: Apple TV+

In 2022, Taron Egerton and Dennis Lehane teamed up for the riveting true crime miniseries Black Bird. The pair look to recreate the magic in the upcoming miniseries Smoke.

Inspired by true events and the podcast Firebug, Smoke stars Egerton and Jurnee Smollett as an arson investigator and a detective investigating two serial arsonists. Smollett earned an Emmy nomination for her leading role in Lovecraft Country, while Egerton received one for his role in Black Bird, so their team-up here sounds extra promising. — B.E.

Starring: Taron Egerton, Jurnee Smollett, Rafe Spall, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Hannah Emily Anderson, Anna Chlumsky, Adina Porter, Greg Kinnear, and John Leguizamo

How to watch: Smoke premieres June 27 on Apple TV+.

Stick Owen Wilson and Peter Dager in "Stick." Credit: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ struck gold in the realm of feel-good sports comedies with Ted Lasso. Can the streamer do it again with Stick?

This golf-centric comedy series stars Owen Wilson as Pryce Cahill, an ex-pro golfer whose career ended prematurely. Now, 20 years down the line, his marriage has collapsed, and he's lost his job at a sporting goods store. So Pryce gambles his future on one last big move and decides to focus all his energy on coaching troubled golf prodigy Santi (Peter Dager). Can these two beat the odds? — B.E.

Starring: Owen Wilson, Peter Dager, Marc Maron, Mariana Treviño, Lilli Kay, and Judy Greer

How to watch: Stick premieres June 4 on Apple TV+.

What's coming to Disney+ this summer?

Get ready for a double dose of Marvel on Disney+ this summer, with a bit of nostalgia on the side. Beloved stepbrothers Phineas and Ferb make their triumphant TV return, while new MCU titles like Ironheart and Eyes of Wakanda await.

Phineas and Ferb

Ferb, I know what we're gonna watch this summer. The Phineas and Ferb reboot, of course! The new season promises 104 more days of summer vacation, reuniting viewers with stepbrothers Phineas (voiced by Vincent Martella) and Ferb (voiced by David Errigo Jr.) as they dream up new ways to spend their summer.

Once again, their sister Candace (voiced by Ashley Tisdale) is on the warpath to bust their shenanigans, and once again, platypus Perry (aka Agent P) must thwart supervillain Dr. Doofenshmirtz (voiced by Dan Povenmire) from taking over the tri-state area. Brace yourself for boatloads of nostalgia — and boatloads of bangers. — B.E.

Starring: Vincent Martella, David Errigo Jr., Ashley Tisdale, Caroline Rhea, Dee Bradley Baker, Alyson Stoner, Dan Povenmire, and Jeff "Swampy" Marsh

How to watch: Phineas and Ferb premieres June 5 at 8 p.m. ET on the Disney Channel, and all episodes are streaming on Disney+ June 6.

Eyes of Wakanda The Lion in "Eyes of Wakanda." Credit: Marvel

The four-episode animated miniseries Eyes of Wakanda takes us back into the history of Wakanda and the MCU. Directed by Todd Harris and executive produced by Black Panther director Ryan Coogler, the series follows the Wakandan warriors known as the Hatut Zeraze as they retrieve dangerous vibranium artifacts from across the globe. Maybe we'll even see the Black Panthers who preceded Chadwick Boseman's T'Challa, or older iterations of the Dora Milaje warriors.* — B.E.

Starring: Winnie Harlow, Cress Williams, Patricia Belcher, Larry Herron, Adam Gold, Lynn Whitfield, Jacques Colimon, Jona Xiao, Isaac Robinson-Smith, Gary Anthony Williams, Zeke Alton, Steve Toussaint, and Anika Noni Rose

How to watch: Eyes of Wakanda premieres Aug. 6 on Disney+.

Ironheart Dominique Thorne in "Ironheart." Credit: Jalen Marlowe / Marvel

Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne) steps into the spotlight in Ironheart, created by Chinaka Hodge. First introduced in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Riri is a genius inventor who's hoping to make a mark on the world. Honestly, she already has! As an MIT student, she built a suit of armor on par with Tony Stark's — and she's just getting started. In Ironheart, she returns to her hometown of Chicago, where she'll cross paths with the mysterious Parker Robbins (Anthony Ramos), aka The Hood. What comes next is a collision between magic and technology that will lead Riri down a dangerous path.* — B.E.

Starring: Dominique Thorne, Anthony Ramos, Lyric Ross, Alden Ehrenreich, Regan Aliyah, Manny Montana, Matthew Elam, and Anji White

How to watch: Ironheart premieres June 24 on Disney+.

What's coming to Hulu/FX this summer?

Strangers, chefs, and aliens are just a sample of the fascinating characters you'll meet on Hulu (and FX on Hulu) this summer. Get ready for the comedy Adults, the Alien prequel Alien: Earth, and The Bear Season 4.

Adults Amita Rao, Lucy Freyer, Malik Elassal, Jack Innanen, and Owen Thiele in "Adults." Credit: Pari Dukovic / FX

Created by Ben Kronengold and Rebecca Shaw (The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon), Adults is an ensemble comedy about five twentysomethings in New York trying to become good people, even if they're barely fully fledged "people" yet. Samir (Malik Elassal), Billie (Lucy Freyer), Paul Baker (Jack Innanen), Issa (Amita Rao), and Anton (Owen Thiele) all crash in Samir's childhood home, where they experience the highs and lows of early adulthood together. From dating drama to work woes, Adults looks to paint a heightened picture of a pivotal moment in everyone's lives — and the groups of friends who are able to see us through.* — B.E.

Starring: Malik Elassal, Lucy Freyer, Jack Innanen, Amita Rao, and Owen Thiele

How to watch: Adults premieres May 28 on Hulu.

Alien: Earth

The Alien franchise comes to TV with Alien: Earth, a prequel series from Fargo's Noah Hawley. Set two years before the events of the original Alien, the show kicks off when a mysterious spaceship crash lands on Earth. As a group of ragtag tactical soldiers investigates, they'll come face to face with Earth's greatest threat. We're guessing face-hugging, chest-bursting, and more delicious sci-fi horror is in store. We’re also guessing the Weyland-Yutani corporation is going to be totally normal about this!* — B.E.

Starring: Sydney Chandler, Timothy Olyphant, Alex Lawther, Samuel Blenkin, Essie Davis, Adarsh Gourav, Kit Young, David Rysdahl, Babou Ceesay, Jonathan Ajayi, Erana James, Lily Newmark, Diêm Camille, Adrian Edmondson, Moe Bar-El, and Sandra Yi Sencindiver

How to watch: Alien: Earth premieres this summer on Hulu.

The Bear, Season 4 Jeremy Allen White in "The Bear." Credit: FX Networks

Perhaps The Bear can overcome its underwhelming third season and get back to top form in Season 4. After all, Season 3 left us with a ton of unanswered questions: What did the restaurant review of The Bear really say? Will Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) finally talk things over with Claire (Molly Gordon)? Did Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) accept a job offer at another restaurant? Who knows! One thing’s for sure: I bet we’re in for a healthy serving of mouthwatering cooking scenes. Here’s hoping they just come with a side of much-needed evolution.* — B.E.

Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Lionel Boyce, Liza Colón-Zayas, Abby Elliott, Matty Matheson, Edwin Lee Gibson, Corey Hendrix, Oliver Platt, Molly Gordon, Ricky Staffieri, and Jamie Lee Curtis

How to watch: The Bear Season 4 premieres this summer on Hulu.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Season 17

The gang's all back in Season 17 of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, which celebrates the 20th anniversary of its series premiere this August. On the docket is the conclusion to Always Sunny's crossover with Abbott Elementary, this time told from the gang's perspective. Surely their volunteer time at Abbott couldn't have been that bad of a catastrophe, right? Right? — B.E.

Starring: Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton, Kaitlin Olson, Danny DeVito, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, and David Hornsby

How to watch: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 17 premieres July 9 at 9 p.m. ET on FXX, with episodes streaming the next day on Hulu.

Nine Perfect Strangers, Season 2

If you desperately want The White Lotus to do a ski resort-themed season, then check into Season 2 of Nine Perfect Strangers.

Set at a wellness retreat in the Austrian Alps, Season 2 re-introduces enigmatic guru Masha Dmitrichenko (Nicole Kidman). Joining her are nine new strangers seeking spiritual well-being, played by big names like Crazy Rich Asians' Henry Golding, Schitt's Creek's Annie Murphy, The Gilded Age's Christine Baranski, and The White Lotus' Murray Bartlett. — B.E.

Starring: Nicole Kidman, Henry Golding, Murray Bartlett, Christine Baranski, Annie Murphy, Dolly De Leon, Maisie Richardson-Sellers, King Princess, Aras Aydin, Lucas Englander, Mark Strong, and Lena Olin

How to watch: Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2 premieres May 21 on Hulu.

Rick and Morty, Season 8

Rick & Morty returns with more high-concept sci-fi mayhem! Season 7 saw Rick face down his vicious nemesis Rick Prime, and Morty tackle his own personal Fear Hole. What could Season 8 possibly do to top those heart-wrenching yet hilarious episodes? Well, for starters, a weird-ass Easter episode, as previewed in Season 8's teaser. 

The trailer above revealed even more, including a death race car, a scream-worthy Matrix-like experiment involving Morty and Summer, a Space Beth adventure, and a clutch of alternate dimension Ricks and Mortys that seem to have escaped Evil Morty's annihilation at the Citadel of Ricks. And if you're aching for more clues for what Season 8 has in store, check out the titles teased for the upcoming episodes: "Summer of All Fears," "Valkyrick," "The Rick, The Mort, & The Ugly," "The Last Temptation of Jerry," "Cryo Mort a Rickver," "The Curicksous Case of Bethjamin Button," "Ricker Than Fiction," "Nomortland," "Morty Daddy," and "Hot Rick." — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

Starring: Ian Cardoni, Harry Belden, Sarah Chalke, Chris Parnell, and Spencer Grammer

How to watch: Rick and Morty Season 8 premieres May 25 at 11 p.m. ET on Adult Swim, and streams on Hulu starting Sept. 1. It also begins streaming on Max Sept. 1.

Washington Black

Based on the novel by Esi Edugyan, limited series Washington Black tells the story of George Washington "Wash" Black (Ernest Kingsley Jr.), an 11-year-old boy who escapes from a 19th-century Barbados plantation. On the run after a shocking death, Wash crosses paths with a number of new characters on his adventures, including gregarious refugee Medwin Harris (Sterling K. Brown), the de facto mayor of Black Halifax, Nova Scotia. — B.E.

Starring: Ernest Kingsley Jr., Sterling K. Brown, Iola Evans, Eddie Karanja, Edward Bluemel, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Rupert Graves, Shaunette Renée Wilson, Tom Ellis, and Charles Dance

How to watch: Washington Black premieres this summer on Hulu.

What's coming to HBO/Max this summer?

Several major Max shows return this summer, including And Just Like That..., The Gilded Age, and Conan O'Brien Must Go. On the new shows front, get ready to roll with crime thriller Duster.

And Just Like That..., Season 3

And just like that... there's a third season of the Sex and the City reboot. After those major cameos, anti-Android sentiments, strangely minimal use of Carrie Bradshaw's (Sarah Jessica Parker) voiceover, and big moments of the finale, And Just Like That... Season 2 threw a lot at us. Season 3 picks up in the summer, with Carrie enjoying her new place in Gramercy Park — and narrating again! Things between her and Aidan (John Corbett) remain fairly undefined, but anything's possible in New York in the summer, right?* — S.C.

Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis, Mario Cantone, Sarita Choudhury, Evan Handler, David Eigenberg, Nicole Ari Parker, John Corbett, Sebastiano Pigazzi, Dolly Wells, Mehcad Brooks, Jonathan Cake, and Logan Marshall-Green

How to watch: And Just Like That... Season 3 premieres May 29 on Max.

Conan O'Brien Must Go, Season 2

There's something deeply enjoyable about watching Conan O'Brien interacting with other human beings, whether they're fans from his podcast, former colleagues that he shares a deep love/hate relationship with, or random celebrities like Javier Bardem and Taika Waititi. All of these feature in Season 2 of comedy travel show Conan O'Brien Must Go, which sees the former late night host visiting the home countries of random people he's met on his call-in podcast Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend — this time Spain, New Zealand, and Austria. The show has plenty of slapstick humor (O'Brien singing and dancing in costume is a regular occurrence), but it's in the more low-key, improvised moments with everyday people in the street that this show really shines. — Sam Haysom, Deputy UK Editor

Starring: Conan O'Brien

How to watch: Conan O'Brien Must Go premieres May 8 on Max.

Duster

Crime drama Duster promises high-octane thrills courtesy of J.J. Abrams and LaToya Morgan (Shameless, The Walking Dead). Set in the American Southwest in the 1970s, the series centers on the FBI's first Black female agent (Rachel Hilson, Red, White & Royal Blue), who teams up with a getaway driver (Josh Holloway, Lost) in order to take down a formidable crime syndicate.* — B.E.

Starring: Rachel Hilson, Josh Holloway, Keith David, Sydney Elisabeth, Greg Grunberg, Camille Guaty, Asivak Koostachin, Adriana Aluna Martinez, and Benjamin Charles Watson

How to watch: Duster premieres May 15 on Max.

The Gilded Age, Season 3

The 1800s-set period series The Gilded Age returns for more old money versus new money squabbles, gorgeous gowns, and lauded Broadway stars sinking their teeth into Julian Fellowes' scripts. Here's hoping that we get more petty beefs between America's uber-wealthy, and that Bertha and George Russell (Carrie Coon and Morgan Spector) get whatever they damn well want.* — B.E.

Starring: Carrie Coon, Christine Baranski, Morgan Spector, Cynthia Nixon, Louisa Jacobson, Denée Benton, Harry Richardson, Taissa Farmiga, Blake Ritson, Taylor Richardson, Phylicia Rashad, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Jordan Donica, Victoria Clark, Merritt Wever, Bill Camp, Leslie Uggams, LisaGay Hamilton, Paul Alexander Nolan, Hattie Morahan, Andrea Martin, Jessica Frances Dukes, Dylan Baker, Kate Baldwin, Michael Cumpsty, John Ellison Conlee, Bobby Steggert, and Hannah Shealy

How to watch: The Gilded Age Season 3 premieres June 22 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and Max.

What's coming to Netflix this summer?

Two of Netflix's biggest titles get new seasons this summer: Squid Game closes out its run with its third and final season, while Jenna Ortega gets creepier and kookier in Wednesday Season 2. But that's just the tip of the Netflix iceberg.

Big Mouth, Season 8 Nick and Andrew in "Big Mouth." Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

With its eighth season, Big Mouth becomes Netflix's longest-running series. But now it's time to say goodbye, as this is also the animated comedy's final season. 

Kicking off in 2017, Big Mouth followed a batch of mixed-up middle schoolers (voiced by the likes of John Mulaney, Nick Kroll, Jessi Klein, and Jason Mantzoukas) through the highs and lows of puberty. Along the way they've faced social disasters, changing bodies, sexual urges, hormone monsters, and a whole array of emotion-centric critters who got their own spinoff with Human Resources. But in Season 8, besties Nick and Andrew have new misadventures and fresh anxieties to tackle. How will they climax? You'll have to tune in to find out. — K.P.

Starring: Nick Kroll, John Mulaney, Jessi Klein, Jason Mantzoukas, Ayo Edebiri, Maya Rudolph, Fred Armisen, Jordan Peele, and Andrew Rannells

How to watch: Big Mouth Season 8 premieres May 23 on Netflix.

Forever

For decades, the books of Judy Blume have spoken to kids and teenagers on their level about life, loss, love, and much, much more. Her frankness about things like sex and menstruation has made her a controversial figure whose books have been banned — as covered in the documentary Judy Blume Forever. Now, one of her most frequently banned books is a new Netflix series. 

Published in 1975, Forever… sought to demystify and destigmatize teen sex by centering on a pair of high school seniors who fall in love and explore that love through physical intimacy. While a lot has changed since this novel first hit shelves, producer Mara Brock Akil felt the story at its core was timeless. So, she reconceived Forever..., setting it in 2018 Los Angeles, where two Black teens, Keisha (Lovie Simone) and Justin (Michael Cooper Jr.) fall for each other, flirting through text messages and facing modern concerns about dating and balance. From the looks of Forever's first trailer, this series will be a must-watch. — K.P.

Starring: Lovie Simone, Michael Cooper Jr., Xosha Roquemore, Marvin Lawrence Winans III, Wood Harris, Barry Shabaka Henley, Niles Fitch, Paigion Walker, and E’myri Crutchfield

How to watch: Forever premieres May 8 on Netflix.

FUBAR, Season 2 Arnold Schwarzenegger in "FUBAR." Credit: Christos Kalohoridis / Netflix

Arnold Schwarzenegger rings in the summer with a whole lot of action in FUBAR Season 2.

Season 1 ended with the bombshell reveal that the show's central CIA operatives' covers have been blown. Now, Luke Brunner (Schwarzenegger) and his daughter Emma (Monica Barbaro) will have to clean that mess — and more — to survive. But they're not alone. Joining the cast this season is The Matrix legend Carrie-Anne Moss, who plays a former East German spy (who's also Luke's ex). — B.E.

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Monica Barbaro, Carrie-Anne Moss, Travis Van Winkle, Fortune Feimster, Milan Carter, Scott Thompson, Fabiana Udenio, Andy Buckley, Jay Baruchel, Adam Pally, Tom Arnold, Aparna Brielle, and Barbara Eve Harris

How to watch: FUBAR Season 2 premieres June 12 on Netflix.

Ginny & Georgia, Season 3

Buckle up, Peaches! We're heading back to Wellsbury, Massachusetts, for Ginny & Georgia Season 3, and things are only going to get more complicated for our titular mother-daughter pair.

Season 2 ended with Georgia (Brianne Howey) under arrest for the murder of Tom (Vincent Legault), and you can bet Season 3 will pick right back up with her trial. Meanwhile, Georgia's daughter Ginny (Antonia Gentry) tries to piece her life back together after her mother's arrest. In true Ginny & Georgia fashion, expect even more drama on the horizon. — B.E.

Starring: Brianne Howey, Antonia Gentry, Felix Mallard, Sara Waisglass, Diesel La Torraca, Jennifer Robertson, Scott Porter, Raymond Ablack, Katie Douglas, Chelsea Clark, Nathan Mitchell, Katelyn Wells, Ty Doran, and Noah Lamanna

How to watch: Ginny & Georgia Season 3 premieres June 5 on Netflix.

Leanne

Looking for a classic multi-cam sitcom? Netflix has you covered with Leanne, co-created by Leanne Morgan and Chuck Lorre (The Big Bang Theory, The Kominsky Method). The series kicks off when Leanne's (Morgan) husband of 33 years leaves her for another woman. Now, she has to pick up the pieces of her marriage and start over, which is the last thing she expected! Luckily, she has the rest of her family to help her through. — B.E.

Starring: Leanne Morgan, Kristen Johnston, Graham Rogers, Hannah Pilkes, Ryan Stiles, Celia Weston, and Blake Clark

How to watch: Leanne premieres this summer on Netflix.

Long Story Short

Anyone who's seen BoJack Horseman will know the power held by creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg to make you cry-laugh at cartoons, so the news that he has a new animated show coming out is a big deal. Details on Long Story Short are fairly slim, but the Netflix series will tell the story of a family over time, including — according to Bob-Waksberg — "the shared history, the inside jokes, the old wounds." In other words, prepare yourself for more clever visual gags and smart humour mixed with the occasional side of crushing despair. — S.H.

Starring: The cast of Long Story Short has yet to be revealed.

How to watch: Long Story Short premieres this summer on Netflix.

The Sandman, Season 2

The Sandman comes to an end in its second and final season, finishing up the story of Dream (Tom Sturridge) as he works to rebuild his kingdom of the Dreaming. This season of the fantasy epic covers the Brief Lives and Seasons of the Mist portions of The Sandman graphic novels, introducing new members of the Endless family, as well as Greek gods like Loki, Odin, and Thor. This season is also the first adaptation of Neil Gaiman's work to be released following allegations of sexual misconduct. — B.E.

Starring: Tom Sturridge, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Mason Alexander Park, Donna Preston, Esmé Creed-Miles, Adrian Lester, Barry Sloane, Patton Oswalt, Vivienne Acheampong, Gwendoline Christie, Jenna Coleman, Ferdinand Kingsley, Stephen Fry, Asim Chaudhry, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Razane Jammal, Ruairi O’Connor, Freddie Fox, Clive Russell, Laurence O’Fuarain, Ann Skelly, Douglas Booth, Jack Gleeson, Indya Moore, and Steve Coogan

How to watch: The Sandman Season 2 Volume 1 premieres July 3 on Netflix. Volume 2 premieres July 24.

Sirens

Julianne Moore, Meghann Fahy, Milly Alcock, and Kevin Bacon swim into the star-studded limited Netflix series Sirens. This dark comedy hinges on the mysterious Cliff House, a sprawling mansion on a lush island, where preppy-in-pink staff manager Simone (Alcock) handles things for glamorous owner Michaela (Moore). Simone's flustered sister Devon (Fahy) turns up on Labor Day weekend, pretty pissed her sister didn't show up after she told her about their father's diagnosis of early onset dementia. But there's something more afoot here, as pastel-clad guests turn up and Michaela wields a scepter to address them all. — S.C.

Starring: Julianne Moore, Meghann Fahy, Milly Alcock, Kevin Bacon, Glenn Howerton, Felix Solis, Bill Camp, Josh Segarra, Trevor Salter, Britne Oldford, Lauren Weedman, and Jenn Lyon

How to watch: Sirens premieres May 22 on Netflix.

Squid Game, Season 3 Lee Jung-jae in "Squid Game." Credit: Noh Ju-han / Netflix

Still reeling from the cliffhanger ending of Squid Game Season 2? Don't worry, you won't have to wait another three years to find out what happens next. The show's third and final season is already shot, and it premieres this summer. 

Hopefully, this season will gives us some answers to our biggest questions: What are the full consequences of Gi-hun's (Lee Jung-jae) rebellion? What happens when he finds out the Front Man's (Lee Byung-hun) true identity? And perhaps most importantly, will Jun-ho (Wi Ha-jun) ever get off that damn boat?* — B.E.

Starring: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-jun, Lee Byung-hun, Gong Yoo, Yim Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Gyu-young, Park Sung-hoon, Jo Yuri, Yang Dong-geun, Kang Ae-sim, Lee David, and Roh Jae-won

How to watch: Squid Game Season 3 premieres June 27 on Netflix.

Too Much Meg Stalter in "Too Much." Credit: Ana Blumenkron / Netflix

Lena Dunham's return to TV eight years after Girls ended comes with Too Much, a romantic comedy co-created with her husband Luis Felber. The Netflix series sees Megan Stalter in the lead as Jessica, a woman who leaves New York for London after a messy breakup. Here, she meets the dashing Felix (Will Sharpe, The White Lotus, A Real Pain), and you know the rest. But prepare for twists and turns along the way — Notting Hill ain't a straight road. — S.C.

Starring: Megan Stalter, Will Sharpe, Adèle Exarchopoulos, Adwoa Aboah, Andrew Rannells, Daisy Bevan, Dean-Charles Chapman, Emily Ratajkowski, Janicza Bravo, Kaori Momoi, Leo Reich, Michael Zegen, Prasanna Puwanarajah, Rhea Perlman, Richard E. Grant, Rita Wilson, and Stephen Fry

How to watch: Too Much premieres this summer on Netflix.

The Waterfront Holt McCallany in "The Waterfront." Credit: Dana Hawley / Netflix

A new dysfunctional family is hitting our screens in The Waterfront, starring The Iron Claw's Holt McCallany. McCallany plays Harlan Buckley, the patriarch of the Buckley family, who have ruled the fishing town of Havenport, North Carolina, for decades. But the Buckleys' grip on the town is loosening as Harlan recovers from two heart attacks. In order to regain the family's foothold, Harlan's wife Belle (Maria Bello) and son Cane (Jake Weary) take some dangerous risks. Will they pay off? Or will the Buckleys sink beneath the waves? — B.E.

Starring: Holt McCallany, Maria Bello, Jake Weary, Melissa Benoist, Rafael L. Silva, Humberly González, Danielle Campbell, and Brady Hepner

How to watch: The Waterfront premieres June 19 on Netflix.

Untamed

Eric Bana stars as a special agent for the National Parks Service in Netflix mystery thriller Untamed. And honestly? You had me at "National Parks mystery." The series centers on Kyle Turner (Bana) as he investigates a brutal death, uncovers dark park secrets, and confronts his own past. Here's hoping we'll get some gorgeous National Parks scenery to go along with his case. — B.E.

Starring: Eric Bana, Sam Neill, Rosemarie DeWitt, Lily Santiago, and Wilson Bethel

How to watch: Untamed premieres this summer on Netflix.

Wednesday, Season 2

Da-da-da-da! Click click! We've been tormented by the tiny clues and behind-the-scenes snippets from Season 2 of Tim Burton's Netflix series, but finally, Wednesday is returning to Netflix. Jenna Ortega is back in the braids and pinstripes as our spooky eponymous queen, returning to the Nevermore Academy with her best teen werewolf friend Enid Sinclair (Emma Myers) and siren Bianca Barclay (Joy Sunday). But what lies in store for the students this time around? We don't know much, but we do know there's going to be a bunch of new faces (just check out that cast list). Remember that dance? It's probably time to break it out again.* — S.C.

Starring: Jenna Ortega, Emma Myers, Joy Sunday, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Luis Guzmán, Bianca Barclay, Moosa Mostafa, Georgie Farmer, Victor Dorobantu, Hunter Doohan, Isaac Ordonez, Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo, Jamie McShane, Fred Armisen, Steve Buscemi, Billie Piper, Evie Templeton, Owen Painter, Noah Taylor, Christopher Lloyd, Joanna Lumley, Thandiwe Newton, Frances O'Connor, Haley Joel Osment, Heather Matarazzo, and Joonas Suatamo

How to watch: Wednesday Season 2 Part 1 premieres Aug. 6 on Netflix, with Part 2 premiering Sept. 3.

What's coming to Paramount+/Showtime this summer?

What do the Star Trek franchise and Dexter Morgan have in common? They're both major players on Paramount+ this summer.

Dexter: Resurrection

Contrary to what the Dexter: New Blood finale would have you believe, Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) isn't dead. Dexter: Resurrection fittingly resurrects the serial killer antihero for one more (last?) ride. This time, he's following his son and would-be killer Harrison (Jack Alcott) to New York City, where I'm sure we're in for a sweet, loving family reunion.

Dexter players like David Zayas, John Lithgow, and Jimmy Smits are all returning for Resurrection, with Peter Dinklage and Uma Thurman joining up as some of Dexter's new enemies. Who will prevail, and who will leave this season in a body bag? — B.E.

Starring: Michael C. Hall, James Remar, David Zayas, Jack Alcott, Peter Dinklage, Uma Thurman, Krysten Ritter, Neil Patrick Harris, David Dastmalchian, Steve Schirripa, John Lithgow, and Jimmy Smits

How to watch: Dexter: Resurrection premieres July 11 on Paramount+ with Showtime.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Season 3

Paramount+ has a dazzling array of Star Trek shows and movies old and new, including 2025's film spinoff Star Trek: Section 31 starring Michelle Yeoh. But only one of these series can be called the delightfully horniest of the bunch, and that'd be Strange New Worlds. 

Centering on a time when Spock (Ethan Peck) was not only young and hot, but also everyone (including Carol Kane as a flirtatious engineer) was hot for him, Strange New Worlds doesn't take itself as seriously as some of the classic Trek shows. To that point, this series has already offered a musical episode that including move-busting Klingons and a crossover episode with the animated comedy Lower Decks, which resulted in all kinds of epic adventure and hilarity.  

What does Season 3 have in store? Paramount gave a glimpse of some of the action and drama to come out of New York Comic Con last fall. But we suspect the show's biggest surprises are being held close to their coms badges. We can't wait to see them.* — K.P.

Starring: Anson Mount, Ethan Peck, Jess Bush, Christina Chong, Celia Rose Gooding, Melissa Navia, Babs Olusanmokun, Bruce Horak, Rebecca Romijn, and Martin Quinn

How to watch: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 premieres this summer on Paramount+. 

What's coming to Peacock this summer?

This summer, Peacock delivers the second seasons of Rian Johnson's whodunnit Poker Face, starring Natasha Lyonne, and video game adaptation Twisted Metal, starring Anthony Mackie.

Poker Face, Season 2

Rian Johnson and Natasha Lyonne put a delightful spin on Columbo in Poker Face, which sees Lyonne sniffing out crime as "human lie detector" Charlie Cale. In Season 1, she solved murders everywhere from racetracks to dinner theaters, so who knows what's in store for her next?

One thing's for sure: Like in Season 1, Poker Face Season 2 will be packed with high-profile guest stars. Among the faces you can expect are John Mulaney, Ego Nwodim (Saturday Night Live), Sam Richardson (Veep), Giancarlo Esposito (The Boys), Cynthia Erivo (Wicked), Kumail Nanjiani (Only Murders in the Building), and Margo Martindale (The Sticky). There's even more where those came from, and that's no lie.* — B.E.

Starring: Natasha Lyonne, John Mulaney, Ego Nwodim, Sam Richardson, Giancarlo Esposito, Katie Holmes, Gaby Hoffmann, Kumail Nanjiani, Sherry Cola, Kevin Corrigan, Ben Marshall, Kathrine Narducci, Cynthia Erivo, BJ Novak, and Margo Martindale

How to watch: Poker Face Season 2 premieres May 8 on Peacock.

Twisted Metal, Season 2

Peacock's adaptation of the Twisted Metal games continues in Season 2. Based on the end of Season 1, we'll be seeing the titular tournament in action, so strap in for some serious car-on-car violence. Plus, get ready to learn more about John's (Anthony Mackie) mysterious sister Dollface, last seen on the hunt for her brother.* — B.E.

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Stephanie Beatriz, Samoa Joe, Will Arnett, Michael James Shaw, Saylor Bell Curda, Lisa Gilroy, Anthony Carrigan, Richard de Klerk, Patty Guggenheim, and Tiana Okoye

How to watch: Twisted Metal Season 2 premieres July 31 on Peacock.

What's coming to Prime Video this summer?

YA drama, crime thrillers, and more await on Prime Video this summer. Teen romance The Summer I Turned Pretty brings its love triangle to a close, while college comedy Overcompensating and crime series The Better Sister are just kicking off.

The Better Sister

Alafair Burke's crime novel The Better Sister gets the TV treatment with Jessica Biel and Elizabeth Banks in the lead. In the new eight-part series from Prime Video, the pair play estranged sisters Chloe (Biel) and Nicky (Banks), whose reunion comes after Chloe's husband, Adam (Corey Stoll), is brutally murdered.

But there's more going on under the surface here, as Adam is actually also Nicky's ex, who married her sister and lived with her along with Nicky's teen son Ethan (Maxwell Acee Donovan). Bit awkward. Suffice to say tensions are high. Chloe and Nicky must wade into family secrets as Detectives Nancy Guidry (Kim Dickens) and Matt Bowen (Bobby Naderi) investigate his death, and the sisters try to keep the press off their lawn. — S.C.

Starring: Jessica Biel, Elizabeth Banks, Corey Stoll, Kim Dickens, Maxwell Acee Donovan, Bobby Naderi, Gabriel Sloyer, Gloria Reuben, Matthew Modine, and Lorraine Toussaint

How to watch: The Better Sister premieres May 29 on Prime Video.

Countdown Uli Latukefu, Jensen Ackles, Elliot Knight, and Jessica Camacho in "Countdown." Credit: Elizabeth Morris / Prime

Jensen Ackles, Eric Dane, and Jessica Camacho lead Countdown, an action series about the murder of a Department of Homeland Security Officer, and the LAPD detective (Ackles) tasked with investigating it. He joins a secret task force of undercover agents who discover a sinister plot that could kill millions. What follows is an explosive race against the clock — but hopefully not too explosive, for the sake of the citizens of L.A. — B.E.

Starring: Jensen Ackles, Eric Dane, Jessica Camacho, Violett Beane, Elliot Knight, and Uli Latukefu

How to watch: Countdown premieres June 25 on Prime Video.

Motorheads Mia Healey and Michael Cimino in "Motorheads." Credit: Samantha Falco / Prime

Rev your engines if you're in the mood for YA drama, because that's what Motorheads looks to deliver in spades. The series takes place in a once-thriving rust belt town, where a group of high schoolers form an unlikely bond over street racing. Could Motorheads join The Summer I Turned Pretty in the ranks of Prime Video teen drama royalty? — B.E.

Starring: Ryan Phillippe, Nathalie Kelley, Michael Cimino, Melissa Collazo, Uriah Shelton, Nicolas Cantu, Drake Rodger, Josh Macqueen, Mia Healey, Matt Lanter, Audrey Gerthoffer, and Johnna Dias-Watson

How to watch: Motorheads premieres May 20 on Prime Video.

Overcompensating

Mourning the loss of The Sex Lives of College Girls and searching for another college-set comedy? Look no further than the absolutely hilarious Overcompensating, created by comedian Benito Skinner and produced by A24. 

The semi-autobiographical series focuses on Benny (Skinner), a closeted former football player and homecoming king navigating the ins and outs of college life, including frat houses, fake IDs, and embarrassing hookups. Oh, and Charli XCX is involved too, wearing multiple hats as executive producer, executive music producer, and star. The mastermind behind brat summer plays herself, yelling in the trailer, "Do you think I want to play fucking 'Boom Clap' in a fucking college? Are you joking?" (Maybe she'll play "365" instead?) — B.E.

Starring: Benito Skinner, Wally Baram, Mary Beth Barone, Adam DiMarco, Rish Shah, Andrea Martin, Connie Britton, Kyle MacLachlan, Kaia Gerber, Julia Shiplett, Tommy Do, Alexandra Beaton, Claire Qute, Elias Azimi, Maddie Phillips, and Charli XCX

How to watch: Overcompensating premieres May 15 on Prime Video.

The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy, Season 2 The crew of "The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy." Credit: Courtesy of Prime

It’s the year 14,002 in a space hospital in the Ergulon galaxy. Alien surgeons and BFFs Dr. Sleech (Stephanie Hsu, Everything Everywhere All at Once) and Dr. Klak (Keke Palmer, One of Them Days) have one doozy of a case on their hands — with the chance to cure anxiety for good. From showrunner, writer, and executive producer Cirocco Dunlap comes The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy, a new animated series with major talent backing it up — Maya Rudolph, Natasha Lyonne, and Danielle Renfrew Behrens are on board as executive producers. Plus, the voice cast and cameo lineup for this one is stacked. — S.C.

Starring: Keke Palmer, Stephanie Hsu, Kieran Culkin, Sam Smith, Maya Rudolph, and Natasha Lyonne

How to watch: The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy Season 2 premieres May 27 on Prime Video.

The Summer I Turned Pretty, Season 3

Prime Video's teen drama The Summer I Turned Pretty comes to a close in its third and final season, and the question remains: Which of the Fisher brothers will be Belly's (Lola Tung) endgame?

For now, the answer appears to be Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno), whom Belly chose over his brother Conrad (Christopher Briney) at the end of Season 2. Season 3 picks up at the end of Belly's junior year of college — that's right, it's a time jump! — and she and Jeremiah are still happily together. But when a surprise turn of events brings Conrad back into her life, Belly will once again have to choose between brothers. We can't guarantee how faithfully The Summer I Turned Pretty will follow the end of Jenny Han's book series, but we can guarantee one thing: There will definitely be Taylor Swift on the soundtrack. It wouldn't be The Summer I Turned Pretty without it. — B.E.

Starring: Lola Tung, Christopher Briney, Gavin Casalegno, Sean Kaufman, Rain Spencer, and Jackie Chung

How to watch: The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 premieres July 16 on Prime Video.

What's coming to Starz this summer?

The biggest story on Starz this summer is the release of Outlander prequel, Outlander: Blood of My Blood.

Outlander: Blood of My Blood

Outlander fans know all about the time-traveling love story of Claire (Caitríona Balfe) and Jamie (Sam Heughan) — but what about their parents' love stories?

Prequel Outlander: Blood of My Blood weaves the romances of the two couples together and delivers origin stories for key Outlander players. Claire's parents, Julia Moriston (Hermione Corfield) and Henry Beauchamp (Jeremy Irvine), cross paths during the horrors of World War I, while Jamie's parents, Ellen MacKenzie (Harriet Slater) and Brian Fraser (Jamie Roy), meet in the Scottish Highlands in the 18th century. Before Outlander airs its eighth and final season, Blood of My Blood is sure to tide over Outlander fans' cravings for sweeping romance. — B.E.

Starring: Hermione Corfield, Jeremy Irvine, Harriet Slater, Jamie Roy, Tony Curran, Séamus McLean Ross, Sam Retford, Rory Alexander, and Conor MacNeill

How to watch: Outlander: Blood of My Blood premieres Aug. 8 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Starz, with new episodes streaming Fridays on the Starz app and Starz streaming and on-demand platforms.

(*) means a blurb has previously appeared on another list.

World, a start-up backed by Sam Altman, has launched in the United States with the goal of verifying your humanity.

TL;DR: Microsoft Office 2024 Home works for Mac or PC, lasts for life, and is on sale for $159 (reg. $249).

One of the only reasons to stick with Microsoft 365 was that it had the most recent versions of apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The subscription is expensive, but the AI upgrades really save a ton of time. 

Good news: that's not the only way to get updated Microsoft apps. Now, you can get Microsoft Office 2024 Home for Mac or PC as a one-time purchase, and it's marked down to 159 (reg. $249).

Why rent when you can buy?

This license lasts for life with no recurring costs of any kind. It connects directly to your Microsoft account and lets you use Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote on a PC or Mac.

Each of these apps have all the recent upgrades. Word now includes real-time co-authoring, which lets multiple users work on the same document simultaneously. You also get to use AI-powered suggestions to help streamline the writing process. 

In Excel, dynamic data handling with new formulas like FILTER, SORT, and UNIQUE can be a serious time-saver for anyone working with complex data sets. That means Excel can now handle real-time updates, so your data visualizations and reports stay accurate and current without the need to manually refresh anything.

PowerPoint has received a major upgrade, too. You can record presentations with voice, video, and closed captions. That's a lot easier than manually inserting everything yourself after recording it on another app. 

And don’t forget about OneNote. The updated app is designed for smoother collaboration so you can share notes and work with others way more efficiently.

Get a lifetime license for Microsoft Office 2024 Home for Mac or Windows for $159. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Office 2024 Home for Mac or PC: One-Time Purchase $159.97
$249.99 Save $90.02 Get Deal

SAVE $150: As of May 3, the 13-inch M4 Apple MacBook Air is on sale for $849 at Amazon. This deal saves you $150 on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $849 at Amazon
$999 Save $150 Get Deal

The latest Apple MacBook Air is still available at its lowest-ever price on Amazon. We assumed that this deal would vanish after a day or two, but it remains live. So if you've been waiting for another price drop, we would suggest that this is the best you're going to get. Of course we could be wrong, but it looks like this is the lowest price we'll get for the foreseeable.

As of May 3, the 13-inch M4 Apple MacBook Air is on sale for $849 at Amazon. This deal saves you $150 on list price. And yes, that's a record-low price on Amazon according to the price tracker camelcamelcamel.

SEE ALSO: Review: I went hands on with the M4 MacBook Air (2025)

The new M4 MacBook Air was released in mid-March, with open-lid support for two external displays and a new 12MP Center Stage camera in addition to the new CPU. Mashable's Stan Schroeder said this model was "impressively powerful" and "the best-buy Apple laptop, period." And tha's exactly why we named it the best MacBook for most people in our roundup.

Pick up the new Apple MacBook Air for under $850 at Amazon.

SAVE OVER $300: The Bluetti AC180 portable power station is on sale for $449 at Amazon. This deal saves you 44% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti AC180 Portable Power Station $449 at Amazon
$799 Save $350 Get Deal

Portable power stations are fantastic bits of kit that can change the camping game. So when we see a popular portable power station drop to its lowest-ever price, we feel the need to make some noise.

The Bluetti AC180 portable power station is on sale for $449 at Amazon. This deal saves you 44% on list price, and marks the record-low price on Amazon according to price tracker camelcamelcamel. If you've been waiting for the right moment to pick up a portable power station, this is your time to shine.

SEE ALSO: Feeling eco-friendly? Save hundreds on a refurbished Samsung Galaxy S24 with a new battery

The Bluetti AC180 packs a 1152Wh LiFePO4 battery that can be fully charged in just an hour. The AC180 boasts 1800W output and 11 outlets to handle almost anything you plug in, and you can even give it a boost to 2700W for your higher energy needs. You also get a built-in MPPT charge controller for up to 500W of solar input that can fully charge in 2.8-3.3 hours with renewable energy.

Save over $300 on this camping essential from Bluetti.

FREE COMIC BOOKS: Free Comic Book Day takes place on May 3, 2025. Get your hands on Marvel's Fantastic Four/X-Men, The Amazing Spider-Man/Ultimate Universe, the latest Energon Universe special, and much more on Free Comic Book Day.

Opens in a new window Credit: Free Comic Book Day Free Comic Book Day 2025 Learn More

May is here, and that can only mean one thing for comic book fans: the return of Free Comic Book Day.

Every year, comic shops all around the world participate in this special event by giving away free books. Fans can get their hands on DC All In: 2025 Special Edition, Marvel's Fantastic Four/X-Men, The Amazing Spider-Man/Ultimate Universe, and so much more during this giveaway. Check out the full line-up of free comic books right here.

SEE ALSO: Building the 'Twilight' Lego set was the therapy session I didn’t know I needed

See something you like? Well you know what to do. Many comic book shops will be participating in this event, but you can make use of this Free Comic Book Day store Locator to find your nearest shop and confirm they'll actually be giving out free comics. And then make plans to attend. Clear your schedule. This is free comic books we're talking about here. This takes priority over whatever else you had planned.

It's important to note that Free Comic Book Day isn't actually free for store owners. They will still need to pay shipping costs for these books, so it might be a good idea to purchase a few comics to go along with your freebie. No pressure, of course. Just an idea.

Make the most of Free Comic Book Day in 2025.

TL;DR: Live stream Sabalenka vs. Gauff in the 2025 Madrid Open final for free on RTVE. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2025 Madrid Open has delivered some really entertaining tennis over the last couple of weeks, and we've now reached the tournament's dramatic conclusion. Sabalenka takes on Gauff in the final of the women's draw, in what looks like an absolutely incredible match between two fierce competitors. We cannot wait.

If you want to watch Sabalenka vs. Gauff in the 2025 Madrid Open final for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to watch Sabalenka vs. Gauff for free

The 2025 Madrid Open final is available to live stream for free on RTVE.

RTVE is geo-restricted to Spain, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Spain, meaning you can unblock RTVE from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2025 Madrid Open by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Spain

4. Visit RTVE

5. Watch the 2025 Madrid Open final for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (2-Year Subscription + 4 Months Free) $139 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading services do tend to offer incentive deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these deals, you can live stream Musetti vs. Diallo without actually spending anything. This isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch the Madrid Open before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for RTVE?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live tennis on RTVE, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Spain

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Sabalenka vs. Gauff in the 2025 Madrid Open final for free with ExpressVPN.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

To remove a lid.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

UNCAP

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Elegance.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 3, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

GRACE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

The cosmos.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 3 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 3, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

ETHER

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Part of the human upper body.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for May 3 Hurdle Word 4 answer

TORSO

Final Hurdle hint

Used to block out profanity.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

BLEEP

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

In a world where online dating and casual hookups have become the norm, dating can still feel exhausting. Sometimes, just the thought of putting on proper clothes, coming up with witty conversation starters, and commuting to the actual meetup spot can be tiring.

No matter what kind of encounter you plan, when it comes to dating, there'll always be some sort of physical effort required. The good news? There is a loophole: Sexting.

What is sexting?

Sexting is the art of sending sexually explicit photos or messages to one or more people via text. Thanks to its recent rise in popularity, there are now apps for sexting and new sexting features in apps that are otherwise for dating in person.

What do you need to know about sexting?

Whether you're interested in giving sexting a try or you're a seasoned pro, there are a few things to keep in mind when downloading and using a new dating app to sext. Sure, there are fewer inhibitions when scoring a new sexting partner when compared to finding a long-term lover, but there are rules you should follow in order for all parties to feel at ease. Here are three big ones:

• Mutual respect — Assess the situation and know your audience. Usually, it doesn't take much more than a few pre-sext texts (or pre-sexts) to gauge whether or not someone is interested in doing the cyber-dirty with you. Take the time to figure that out before you lead with something raunchy and uncalled-for. AKA, don't just start throwing dick pics at people left and right if they didn't ask.

• Mutual trust — Be respectful: Privacy is sacred. The internet has the scary ability to make fleeting moments very permanent. If someone asks you to keep something to yourself, do it. While sexting can be light and fun, it also requires a serious level of trust. If you betray that trust, you're ruining it for everybody.

• Privacy — No app can completely protect your privacy for you — that's your job. Though there are apps that have certain features that are designed to protect your identity/content, they don't rule out all scenarios. For example, someone doesn't need to take a screenshot to capture a picture you send. They could easily use another phone or device to snap or record your photos and/or videos. You should always keep this in mind before sending anything that could be compromising, and do your best to make sure you trust the person who's receiving your messages.

Keep these points in mind when engaging in NSFW messaging.

Should you engage in sexting?

Real-life dating is obviously the best way to get to know somebody long-term, especially if you're looking for any kind of serious, in-person relationship. And real sex will always be better than sexting. However, sexting is an alternative that may help you out in ways you didn't even think about.

• Convenience — Whether you plan to wine and dine on your date or just meet to hook up, it always requires some extra effort. For those with super hectic schedules or those who just don't have room in their life (for whatever reason) for a steady in-person relationship, sexting is practically a saving grace. After all, your sex drive doesn't go away just because you're busy. Sexting allows you to take care of your sexual needs without putting yourself out.

• Exploring trust and intimacy — Getting comfortable with another person in close quarters doesn’t always come naturally for everyone — but opting for sexting gives way to a new level of exploration in terms of intimacy and trust. You don’t ever have to meet the person behind the screen if you don’t want to, but being able to practice feeling vulnerable without any strings attached can be a great lesson in being more open.

• Freedom — As is the case with most behind-the-screen activities, with sexting, you can let go of your inhibitions and get comfortable exploring your sexual side. Knowing there's a certain barrier between you and the other person may allow you to experiment with language and ideas that you wouldn't otherwise explore in person.

• Fun — A little honesty, please. A night of sexting is always going to be a lot more fun than endlessly swiping right on a dating app and starting the same conversation over and over. Having the option of opening an app on your phone and engaging in a little virtual foreplay offers instant gratification and (almost) guaranteed pleasure.

• Safety — We've touched on the reasons why sexting might not be completely safe in terms of privacy, but to its credit, sexting offers an element of safety that in-person meetings don't. Sexting allows you to interact with both people you know and total strangers without putting yourself in dangerous or unwanted physical situations. Your experience should always be what you want it to be, and with sexting, if it's not going in the direction you want, it's just a matter of closing an app.

The benefits are clear for all to see, so not give it a try?

What makes an app good for sexting?

You'll want to look for certain features in an app if you're planning on sexting:

• Ease of use — You don’t want to find yourself in a hot and steamy conversation trying to figure out how to attach an image or a voice note. When it comes to sexting, the more user-friendly the platform is, the better. You’ll want something that’s efficient and fast.

• Privacy features — What happens in a sexting app doesn’t always stay in a sexting app; there are no guarantees that your conversations or selfies won’t wind up a screenshot on someone’s phone. That said, certain apps include instant self-destruction features that delete photos and conversations after a certain amount of time.

• Safety — If you’re looking for a night of no-strings-attached fun online, it doesn’t really matter if the person on the other end of your conversation has been verified — but if you do want to ensure you’re not being catfished or chatting with a bot, consider using an app that links social media or verifies users.

• Subscription pricing versus free features — How much are you willing to pay for bells and whistles? There are several free apps out there, but if you're looking for something a little fancier, you can pay a few pounds a month for premium features.

With these features in mind, you should be ready to select an app and start sexting. You've got this.

What is the best app for sexting?

Since sexting, by nature, comes with a lot of factors to consider (consent and privacy, for example), we've picked out the best sexting apps to get you off — to a good start, that is. We've tried to line up something for everyone, so check out these options, and pick your favourite.

These are the best sexting apps in 2025.

Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: The act of defending

• Green: Parts of a high-speed race

• Blue: Related to the Kentucky Derby

• Purple: Tennis-related

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Protect, as a defense

• Green: Areas at a NASCAR track

• Blue: Horse racing Triple Crown winners

• Purple: ATP Masters 1000 tournaments

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #222 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Protect, as a defense - DEFEND, GUARD, PREVENT, SHIELD

• Areas at a NASCAR track - INFIELD, PITS, STRAIGHTAWAY, TURN

• Horse racing Triple Crown winners - AFFIRMED, JUSTIFY, OMAHA, WHIRLAWAY

• ATP Masters 1000 tournaments - CANADIAN, CINCINNATI, INDIAN WELLS, MIAMI

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferrined pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 3 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 3 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Say "ah"

The words are medical instruments.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are things a physician carries.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Doctors Kit.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for May 3

• Stethoscope

• Syringe

• Gauze

• Doctors Kit

• Tape

• Thermometer

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for May 3 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Slang for amazing

• Green: To beat someone at something

• Blue: Two words combined

• Purple: Seen on a website link

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Awesome

• Green: Defeat soundly

• Blue: "Will" contractions without the apostrophe

• Purple: URL endings plus a letter

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #691 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Awesome: DOPE, FIRE, LIT, SICK

• Defeat soundly: CREAM, LICK, PASTE, SMOKE

• "Will" contractions without the apostrophe: HELL, ILL, SHELL, WELL

• URL endings plus a letter: COMP, MILK, NETI, ORGO

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 3

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.