Bridgerton, Drag Race,
Published on April 20, 2026 EDT See EW’s top pop culture picks for the week of May 17 — also featuring a twisty mystery novel and a new album from Jessica Pratt.

Can you feel it? Summer’s getting closer. And what better way to celebrate the season of sun and fun than by… staying inside watching TV. Following our Summer Movie Preview, this week we launched our TV Preview with a gorgeous cover celebrating HBO’s House of the Dragon. A special thanks to Chase Hall, the brother of EW editorial director Gerrad Hall, who helped our creative team choreograph actual chess moves to tell the story of Westeros’ two queens at war. Go watch the cover to see it in action. —Patrick Gomez, Editor-in-Chief

PS. If you want to receive the Must List in your inbox, sign up for our “Entertainment Weekly and Awardist" newsletter. You'll receive all three each week — the trifecta of entertainment information.

CBS; Netflix; Paramount +

Liam Daniel/Netflix

For two seasons, Bridgerton has delivered steamy romance, stunning wardrobe, and a near-perfect score. And the great news, dearest gentle reader, is that season 3 has all that and more as the Netflix series focuses its attention on Colin (Luke Newton) and Penelope (Nicola Coughlan). There’s just something about watching two characters you already know fall in love that makes everything feel richer. And the season is only helped by the Lady Whistledown drama, now that at least one person knows the prolific writer’s true identity. By the end of this one, you’ll be reminded why the friends-to-lovers trope is a classic. —Samantha Highfill, Senior Editor

Ross Gilmore/Redferns via Getty

On her fourth album, Jessica Pratt expands her intimate folk with spacious, dreamy arrangements that never once overpower the strength of her songcraft — or her haunting, singular voice. Personal faves include orchestral-pop opener “Life Is,” bossa nova-inflected “Better Hate,” and woozy ballad “World on a String.” This Pitch is perfect. —Chuck Kerr, Creative Director

Albert Sanchez/World of Wonder/Paramount+

Mama Ru’s returning Drag Race queens are dressed to the nines on All Stars 9. But they’re also serving congenial realness in episodes that see eight competitors vying for a $200,000 charity check — with a no-elimination twist to boot (or, uh, not to boot, in this case!). —Joey Nolfi, Senior Writer

Simon and Schuster

Author Emiko Jean gives us a “missing girl” mystery novel like we’ve never read before. Ellie Black has been found in the woods after disappearing two years ago, but the teen won’t say what happened — and Chelsey, a Japanese American detective, is determined to find answers. Haunting and evocative, with magnetic prose and shocking twists, I was locked in through the very last page. —Morgan Sanguedolce, Associate Producer

CBS

Survivor 46 has been nothing but chaos — which makes for can't-miss TV. But I would be completely lost without The Ringer’s “The Pod Has Spoken,” hosted by legendary Survivor winner Tyson Apostol. It's required listening ahead of the May 22 finale as Tyson, co-host Riley McAtee, and rotating Survivor alums expertly break down every illogical vote-out and idol sent home in someone’s pocket. —Sydney Bucksbaum, Staff Writer

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