Welcome to First Week Peak, formerly known as What's Premiering on Streaming and retitled due to a slight change in prediction format. This column discusses shows that are about to premiere on Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Paramount+, HBO Max, Hulu, and/or Apple TV. Each discussion concludes with a prediction for the show's weekly peak performance on their respective streaming service's U.S. trending chart, including a reader poll. Final results can be found in our weekly What's Trending On Streaming column. Let us know what you think in the comments!
Not Suitable for WorkPremieres: June 2
Genre: Single-camera comedy
Created By: Mindy Kaling
Synopsis: From comedy hitmaker Mindy Kaling, "Not Suitable for Work" centers around five work-obsessed twenty-somethings striving for professional success and, if they have time, personal happiness in Manhattan's most glamorous neighborhood, Murray Hill.
Going For It
Hulu is not shy in letting everyone know that Not Suitable for Work is created by Mindy Kaling. Kaling also created streaming originals like Running Point, The Sex Lives of College Girls, Never Have I Ever, and The Mindy Project, the latter of which was one of Hulu's first successful original series after its cancelation by FOX. It's enjoyed much press coverage ahead of its premiere, with one review calling it the Gen-Z version of Friends.
Going Against It
As a Mindy Kaling-created comedy, Not Suitable for Work could easily become the type of show that does well with critics but struggles to find a broad audience. It wouldn't be Kaling's first failure, given Kaling also created NBC's short-lived comedy Champions.
The Precedent
Kaling's most recent creation, Running Point, spent five days at #1 on Netflix upon its second season premiere on April 23. The Sex Lives of College Girls was one of HBO Max's most popular series through its finale in January 2025. Reaching #1 on Hulu may involve dethroning The Testaments, a spinoff of The Handmaid's Tale which just aired its series finale. Disney+ is a different beast, currently led by Sofia the First: Royal Magic (Not Suitable for Work is being marketed as a 'Hulu on Disney+' series).
First Week Peak Prediction: #1 on Hulu, #6 on Disney+
The Witness
Premieres: June 4
Genre: Crime drama
Created By: Rob Williams
Premieres: June 4
Genre: Crime drama
Created By: Rob Williams
Synopsis: With their 2-year-old as the sole witness to her murder, Rachel Nickell's partner fights to protect him amid a flawed investigation. Based on true events.
Going For It
Netflix is not starting from scratch with promoting The Witness, as it is based on the infamous murder of Rachel Nickell in 1992. True crime is an extremely popular genre for Netflix at the moment, a trend The Witness could capitalize on.
Going Against It
The Witness is a three-part miniseries British crime drama based on true events. It is not a full-fledged true crime series. This will likely make it harder to capitalize on the popularity of true crime.
The Precedent
Netflix's latest true crime series Trust Me: The False Prophet managed nearly an entire week at #1, only slipping to #2 for WWE Raw. Film The Crash has spent the past 13 days at #1 on Netflix's film chart.
First Week Peak Prediction: #3 on Netflix
Cape Fear
Premieres: June 5
Genre: Psychological horror thriller
Based On: The Executioners, Cape Fear
Premieres: June 5
Genre: Psychological horror thriller
Based On: The Executioners, Cape Fear
Synopsis: The highly-anticipated 10-episode limited series is created, showrun and executive produced by Nick Antosca, with Academy Award winners Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg serving as executive producers. Academy Award winner Javier Bardem stars alongside Academy Award winner Amy Adams, who also executive produces. Golden Globe and Emmy nominee Patrick Wilson, CCH Pounder, Joe Anders, Lily Collias, Jamie Hector, Malia Pyles and Anna Baryshnikov round out the ensemble cast. "Cape Fear" is inspired by the 1991 remake directed by Scorsese and produced by Spielberg. A storm is coming for happily married attorneys Anna (Adams) and Tom Bowden (Wilson) when Max Cady (Bardem), the notorious killer they are responsible for putting behind bars, is let out of prison - and he wants vengeance.
Going For It
While most networks and streaming services carefully watch their budgets and learn how to trim costs, Apple TV is carving a niche with high-budget series. Cape Fear appears to be no exception given the talent attached to it. Cape Fear already has an impressive 6.6 Buzz Score, which is bound to skyrocket once the show actually premieres.
Going Against It
Apple TV's synopsis appears written less with potential viewers in mind and more with Emmy and Academy voters. Of course, it's a huge selling point to have A-list talent in front of and behind the camera, but the actual synopsis of the show is buried underneath all that. Apple appears to care as much, if not more about this getting nominated for/winning awards than topping their viewership chart.
The Precedent
The 1991 movie was a critical and commercial success, grossing $182 million off a $35 million budget (that's a $445 million gross off an $85 million dollar budget adjusted for inflation). Your Friends & Neighbors is currently dominant on Apple TV, topping the chart most days of the week.
First Week Peak Prediction: #1 on Apple TV