Time Bandits, Elite’s final season, and more new TV this week

The big agenda item for anyone who’s following entertainment media this week is, of course, San Diego Comic-Con, which kicks off on Wednesday and goes through the weekend. That will give us plenty of tantalizing plans for television, movies, comics, games, and more that will be on the horizon (ranging from “stuff releasing next week” to “stuff that we’ll see years from now, if ever”). There’s going to be a lot to digest, is what I’m saying.

But in the meantime, there’s some good TV premiering this week, and a diverse lineup at that. Here’s the best new TV to add to your watchlist this week.

Genre: Teen soap
Release date: July 26 with all episodes
Showrunner/creator: Carlos Montero and Darío Madrona
Cast: Mina El Hammani, Omar Ayuso, Valentina Zenere, and more

Everyone’s favorite soapy teens are back for their final season. If you’re not riding with this Netflix behemoth by now — well, there’s no time like the present to catch up on all seven(!) previous seasons. But if you’re in, you’re all in by this point, and you know what a mess these kids weave. Happy Elite day to all who celebrate!

Genre: Crime drama thriller
Release date: July 25
Showrunner/creator: One Hitoshi
Cast: Ayano Go, Toyokawa Etsushi, Koike Eiko, and more

Real estate prices are rising in Tokyo and a small group of criminals is looking to exploit the situation by carrying out real estate fraud. With the police in hot pursuit, it’s a three-way showdown between the detectives, those deceived, and those doing the defrauding.

Genre: Period comedy
Release date: July 25 with all episodes
Showrunner/creator: Kathleen Jordan
Cast: Amar Chadha-Patel, Tony Hale, Tanya Reynolds, and more

In an effort to escape the bubonic plague, a group of Italian nobles (and their servants) retreat to a lavish villa. What could go wrong?

Genre: Family-friendly timey-wimey adventure
Release date: July 24 with two episodes
Showrunner/creator: Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi
Cast: Lisa Kudrow, Kal-El Tuck, Sarah Darkin, and more

Based on Terry Gilliam’s 1981 film of the same name, Time Bandits follows a young boy who discovers his bedroom is home to a time-traveling portal. When the titular Time Bandits stumble upon him, they decide they can’t kill him, so they bring him along on their journey of misadventures.