What to Watch the Week of June 23: Eva Longoria’s Land of Women Is Desperate Housewives Meets Under the Tuscan Sun

Eva Longoria’s new series Land of Women premieres this Wednesday on Apple TV+, and take my word for it when I say the show is so much better than the title of the show. Nothing against a land with women—quite the contrary—but it doesn’t really tell you anything about the series, nor does it sound particularly exciting. (I’d say the same thing if it was Land of Men; what does that even mean, other than some prehistoric series where caveman ruled, I guess?) But in short, a series I didn’t really think I’d care for at all happened to be the most pleasant surprise and perfect for summer.

If you loved Eva Longoria in Desperate Housewives, then you shouldn’t miss Land of Women. She’s at her best when she gets to infuse comedy with drama, especially when she plays an exasperated, fish-out-of-water like she does here. Longoria takes on the role of Gala, a New Yorker living the high life until she discovers that her husband is wanted for some terrible business dealings and owes millions. She must take whatever she can fit into a carryon, get her mother out of assisted living, her daughter out of boarding school, and escape to her grandmother’s village in Spain, which she can hopefully start anew and live under the radar. (It works…kind of…until her past catches up with her.)

“To me, television can be so depressing,” Longoria says of her reason for wanting to bring something fun back into the TV landscape. “[Right now] it’s like a dystopian future where the government falls and the zombie apocalypse and the end of the world…some of it’s a little too real. And I was like, ‘I want escapism television. I want to go somewhere. I want it to be a place where you can escape into these characters’ lives and their stories and their drama. And I want you to laugh.’”

Land of Women does all that and more. The scenery and cinematography are gorgeous, the performances are a delight, and it’s nice to see The Flight Attendant’s Santiago Cabrera (he played Cassie’s boyfriend in season 2) get more of a starring role, where he has perfect chemistry with Longoria. Plus, pay attention to newcomer Victoria Bazúa, who plays Gala’s daughter Kate. We’ll have more with her after the third episode drops next week; without giving anything away, her storyline is one of the most profound and important.

Victoria Bazúa (Kate), Eva Longoria (Gala), and Carmen Maura (Julia) in Apple TV+’s Land of Women. The series is based off the book of the same name, which is one of the reasons why Longoria wanted to keep it. Still, she acknowledges the title doesn’t quite explain what the show is until you watch. “Once people see it, they go, ‘Oh, okay. I get it. I get it. Yeah.’”

Apple TV+

The other big premiere this week is the third season of The Bear, which drops all 10 episodes on Thursday, June 27. As the saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, so expect more of the same brilliance: intense action, high-energy performances, and Carmy striving to find fulfillment through his work (and maybe his personal life).

I guess it’s appropriate that the stress-inducing—though amazing!—Bear premieres the same day as Biden and Trump go head-to-head in CNN’s election debate. As of now, we won’t be getting the typical three presidential debates spread out over September and October as in usual election years, so it will be this debate, plus one more in the fall.

But if you thrive on scary stuff, you’re in luck because A Quiet Place: Day One also premieres this week. As well as another episode of House of the Dragon, which airs tonight on HBO and Max.

On the other hand, there are plenty of new films and shows that won’t spike your anxiety, like the beautiful documentary An Emperor’s Jewel, on Prime Video, as well as Diane von Furstenberg: Woman in Charge on Hulu and I Am: Celine Dion on Prime Video. And Hallmark’s Christmas in July gets underway at the end of the week, so take solace from the heat wave encompassing most of the country and trick yourself into thinking about cooler temps.

With that, I’ll see you back here as Wimbledon gets underway. Perhaps we’ll get another appearance from the Princess of Wales.

Sunday, June 23An Emperor’s Jewel: The Making of the Bvlgari Hotel Roma (Prime Video): Ever wonder what goes into bringing one of the world’s most luxurious hotels to life? In this fascinating doc—featuring Priyanka Chopra Jonas and a special came from Zendaya—you’ll get to see firsthand the creation of the new Bvlgari Hotel Roma, from the Augustus Empire to the grand opening event. In a world where AI, robots, and technology has become the norm to achieve “perfection,” it’s a joy to see the meticulous planning, architectural brilliance, and artistic vision take center stage as the film draws parallels between hotel construction and Bvlgari’s jewelry craftsmanship, emphasizing Roman heritage and Italian creativity. Streaming

Detailed craftmanship on display in An Emperor’s Jewel.

Blvgari/Prime Video

Priyanka Chopra Jonas in An Emperor’s Jewel.

Blvgari/Prime Video

Tuesday, June 25Diane von Furstenberg: Woman in Charge (Hulu): The inspiring documentary about the visionary designer is co-directed by two-time Academy Award-winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and Trish Dalton. Von Furstenberg challenged the status quo by asking, “Why can’t a woman do what a man does?” It’s all the more impressive when you consider that she was raising two kids as a single woman and also facing a cancer diagnosis. Streaming

I Am: Celine Dion (Prime Video): Academy Award nominee Irene Taylor directs this documentary about the iconic star, who has already been the subject of a sit-down interview with NBC’s Hoda Kotb and a People magazine cover story with Melody Chiu. Per the press release for the documentary, it serves “as a love letter to her fans…highlighting the music that has guided her life while also showcasing the resilience of the human spirit.” Streaming

CMA Fest (ABC): The three-hour primetime concert special is hosted by Jelly Roll and Ashley McBryde. 8 p.m. ET/PT, 7 p.m. CT and streaming the next day on Hulu

Wednesday, June 26Land of Women (Apple TV+): Eva Longoria plays Gala, a New York empty nester whose life is turned upside down when her husband implicates the family in financial improprieties and she’s forced to flee the city alongside her aging mother (Carmen Maura) and college-age daughter (Victoria Bazúa). To escape the dangerous criminals to whom Gala’s now vanished husband is indebted, the three women hide in the same charming wine town in northern Spain that Gala’s mother fled 50 years ago, hoping their identities will remain unknown. However, gossip in the small town quickly spreads, unraveling their deepest family secrets and truths. Two episodes streaming at launch, followed by one a week

Thursday, June 27The Bear (Hulu): All 10 episodes will premiere today, but if we learned anything from season two, it’s that you should space them out…you know, for your mental health. There’s not a lot that we know about the new season, except that Ayo Edebiri will direct the sixth episode, which focuses on Tina (Liza Colón-Zayas). Meanwhile, here’s the official synopsis: “Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White), Sydney Adamu (Ayo Edebiri), and Richard “Richie” Jerimovich (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) do what it takes to elevate The Bear, their beef stand turned fine-dining establishment, to the highest level, all while doing their best just to stay in business. Carmy pushes himself harder than ever and demands excellence from his crew, who do their best to match his intensity.” So basically, more chaos with a lot of personalities in the kitchen. Abby Elliott, Lionel Boyce, Liza Colón-Zayas, and Matty Matheson also star, with Oliver Platt and Molly Gordon in recurring roles. Streaming

Presidential Debate (CNN/Max): Perhaps the real must-see event of the day will be this one: the first unofficial, yet official presidential/election debate between President Joe Biden and convicted felon, former President Donald Trump. CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash will moderate the 90-minute debate, which will take place at CNN’s studios in Atlanta. 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT/7 p.m. MT/6 p.m. PT and streaming on CNN.com and Max, and simulcast on ABC, CBS, NBC

My Lady Jane (Prime Video): A period drama with comedic and fantasy elements, it’s not exactly Bridgerton, but the cast is great and it’s an easy binge. Per the official synopsis, “In this radical retelling of English royal history, King Henry VIII’s son Edward doesn’t die of tuberculosis, Lady Jane Grey isn’t beheaded, and neither is her charming husband Guildford.” The main cast includes rising talents Emily Bader, Edward Bluemel, and Jordan Peters, along with Dominic Cooper and Rob Brydon. The series is based on the NYT best-selling novel series, The Lady Janies. All eight episodes streaming at launch

Young. Wild. Free. (BET+): Sanaa Lathan, Mike Epps, Algee Smith, and Sierra Capri star in this coming-of-age film which follows a hot-tempered high school senior as he finds his life thrusted into a dangerous direction after he’s robbed at gunpoint by the girl of his dreams. Alrighty then! Per the official logline, “Brandon (Smith) is a struggling teen who’s charged with caring for his two younger siblings, when Cassidy (Capri) enters his life. Lured in by her whimsy, Brandon seamlessly slips into the role of Clyde to her Bonnie as they make their way down an increasingly perilous path.” Streaming

Friday, June 28A Family Affair (Netflix): Nicole Kidman, Zac Efron, Joey King, Liza Koshy, and Kathy Bates star in this rom-com about a young woman (King) whose movie star boss (Efron) falls for her mother (Kidman). It’s comparable to The Idea of You—which frankly, I enjoyed more—but if you’re looking for an easy weekend watch, this is it. Plus, King is fantastic. Streaming

A Quiet Place: Day One (Paramount Pictures): Starring Yoyo’s mom, Lupita Nyong’o, along with Joseph Quinn, Alex Wolff and Djimon Hounsou, this is the third film in the post-apocalyptic thriller franchise. Nyong’o plays Sam, a young woman on a day trip to New York City who gets caught in an alien invasion by extraterrestrial predators with no eyesight and enhanced hearing. In theaters

Fancy Dance (Apple TV+): The year of Lily Gladstone continues with another unforgettable performance in Fancy Dance. Here’s the synopsis: “Since her sister’s disappearance, Jax (Lily Gladstone) has cared for her niece Roki (Isabel Deroy-Olson) by scraping by on the Seneca-Cayuga reservation in Oklahoma. Every spare minute goes into finding her missing sister while also helping Roki prepare for an upcoming powwow. At the risk of Jax losing custody to Roki’s grandfather, Frank (Shea Whigham), the pair hit the road and scour the backcountry to track down Roki’s mother in time for the powwow. What begins as a search gradually turns into a far deeper investigation into the complexities and contradictions of Indigenous women moving through a colonized world while at the mercy of a failed justice system.” Gladstone stars alongside Deroy-Olson, Ryan Begay, Crystle Lightning, with Audrey Wasilewski and Whigham. Streaming

A Sacrifice (Vertical): Sadie Sink, Eric Bana, and Sylvia Hoeks star in this cult-centered thriller inspired by Nicholas Hogg’s 2015 novel, Tokyo Nobody. The film follows American social psychologist Ben Monroe (Bana), who is investigating a local Berlin cult connected to disturbing events. While he immerses himself in his work, his rebellious teenage daughter Mazzy (Sink) becomes involved with a mysterious local boy who introduces her to the city’s underground party scene. As their two worlds head toward a dangerous intersection, Ben will need to race against the clock in order to save her. In theaters

Daddio (Sony Pictures Classic): Dakota Johnson and Sean Penn star in this character-driven film about a cab driver (Penn) and a passenger (Johnson) who spend their 90-minute drive into the city talking about life, love, and regrets.

Writer/director Christy Hall tells Glamour that the film “explores the power of human connection in our volatile, disconnected, modern world. We are losing the art of what it means to hold a real conversation with someone from another generation and/or worldview than our own. But I believe that when we dare to engage with one another, without judgment, a very imperfect stranger might actually change your life.” In theaters

Horizon: An America Saga: Chapter 1 (New Line Cinema): Kevin Costner directs (and stars in) the first of several films chronicling covering the Civil War expansion and settlement of the American West. Spanning the four years of the Civil War, from 1861 to 1865, the movie also stars Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Jena Malone, Ella Hunt, Luke Wilson, Isabelle Fuhrman, Jamie Campbell Bower, Michael Anganaro, Kathleen Quinlan, Tom Everett, Giovanni Ribisi, and many, many more. The second film will be released on August 16. In theaters

Saturday, June 29Falling Like Snowflakes (Hallmark Channel): Christmas in July is here! In this all-new movie, a photographer (Rebecca Dalton) is determined to complete her exhibit by capturing a rare photo of a 12-sided snowflake, so she enlists the help of a childhood friend (Marcus Rosner) to go on a mission they’ll never forget. 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT