What to Watch in June
Lisa Tipton
June 1, 2026
There's a huge amount of worthwhile TV out there nowadays, so it can be hard to choose what to watch. But who better to recommend shows than the person who programs them? Lisa Tipton, WTTW’s Head of Programming and Pledge, constructs the WTTW schedule by searching through offerings from many different sources which include the national PBS network, the BBC, and independent filmmakers to put together a varied and engaging broadcast schedule. Each month, she recommends a few shows that she thinks you should watch.
Find all the ways to watch WTTW here. Many of the below shows are available to stream via the PBS app or will be once they premiere, especially by WTTW Passport members.
Grantchester Wraps Up, and More Mysteries
Before we launch into the final season of Grantchester (Sundays at 8:00 pm beginning June 14) and the second season of Patience (Sundays at 7:00 pm beginning June 14), we're taking a look behind the scenes in two specials at two mysteries returning later this year. First up is Solving the Puzzles of the Marlow Murder Club on Sunday, June 7 at 7:30 pm, then The Susan Ryeland Mysteries on Saturday, June 13 at 6:30 pm, the latter focusing on Magpie Murders and Moonflower Murders before Marble Hall Murders premieres this fall.
You can catch up all of these via the PBS app and with our recaps, plus revisit the whole previous season of Grantchester in a marathon showing on June 14 beginning at 11:00 am.
New Documentaries
We have a number of stories of true courage this month. The Last Twins (Monday, June 15 at 9:00 pm) tells of a doctor who helped save dozens of young twins from death during the Holocaust. Becoming Katherine Graham (Tuesday, June 16 at 8:00 pm) profiles the publisher of the Washington Post while it revealed the Watergate scandal, among other coups. Independent Lens: Assembly (Monday, June 22 at 9:00 pm) follows artist Rashaad Newsome as he prepares an exhibit at New York City's Park Avenue Armory that celebrates Black and queer resistance. And Declarations: Black Americans and the Revolutionary War (Monday, June 29 at 9:00 pm) reveals the overlooked stories of enslaved and free Black people during the founding of our country 250 years ago.
The Kimberley: Australia’s Wild West
Wednesdays at 9:00 pm beginning June 17
Late Acting Legends
The late Dame Maggie Smith was not only one of the most acclaimed actresses but also beloved, thanks to her mix of award-winning roles such as in The Prime of Jean Brodie and popular successes such as in Downton Abbey (which you can watch Sundays at 9:00 pm). Revisit her long career in Discovering Maggie Smith (Sunday, June 21 at 6:00 pm).
Robert Redford had a somewhat similar reputation in this country, with both legendary performances and enduring popular culture characters. Plus, he directed and produced. Robert Redford: Star of the Silver Screen (Friday, June 26 at 8:00 pm) celebrates him less than a year after his death.
Frontline: Baby Brokers
With Retro Report, Frontline investigates how abuse has cropped up in the for-profit adoption industry, with an epicenter of the issues located in Utah.
