6 NBC shows worth binge-watching during the summer

BRILLIANT MINDS -- "The Other Woman" Episode 111 -- Pictured: (l-r) Aury Krebs as Dr. Dana Dang, Alex MacNicoll as Dr. Van Markus, Zachary Quinto as Dr. Oliver Wolf
BRILLIANT MINDS -- "The Other Woman" Episode 111 -- Pictured: (l-r) Aury Krebs as Dr. Dana Dang, Alex MacNicoll as Dr. Van Markus, Zachary Quinto as Dr. Oliver Wolf | NBC

Spring is on its way out and summer’s just around the corner, and you know what that means. It’s officially time to slow down, soak up the sun, and catch up on all the great TV you might’ve missed. Whether you're lounging by the fan, enjoying a staycation, or just looking for a new series to get lost in during those long summer nights, now’s the perfect moment to dive into some seriously binge-worthy entertainment. And lucky for you, NBC has a lineup full of shows that deliver just that.

From gripping dramas to laugh-out-loud comedies, NBC offers something for every kind of viewer. In fact, we can think of six must-see NBC shows at the top of our heads right now that are ideal for your next binge-watch session. These series are currently off the air and are set to return this fall, making them the perfect shows to catch up on now so you’re all set when new episodes drop.

Law & Order season 24
LAW & ORDER -- "Look The Other Way" Episode 24022 -- Pictured: (l-r) Odelya Halevi as A.D.A. Samantha Maroun, Hugh Dancy as A.D.A. Nolan Price -- | Will Hart/NBC

Law & Order

There are so many different police procedurals nowadays, but we must give credit to Law & Order for setting the gold standard. If it wasn't for this beloved series, we might not have the rich catalog of crime dramas we enjoy today. After wrapping up with its latest season on May 15, Law & Order will return in the fall with its brand new twenty-fifth installment on NBC. New episodes will air on Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. CT.

Law & Order shows both sides of the justice system. The first half of each episode shows the New York City Police Department investigating a crime and arresting a suspect. Then, in the second half, the prosecutors take over and fight to prove the case in court, often facing tough legal and ethical challenges.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit season 24
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit -- "Soldier Up" Episode 24011 -- Pictured: (l-r) Octavio Pisano as Det. Joe Velasco, Mariska Hargitay as Captain Olivia Benson -- | Scott Gries/NBC

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

If you were worried that Law & Order: Special Victims Unit wouldn't be coming back in the fall, you can rest assured knowing that the long-running series has been renewed and will return with brand-new episodes. An exact premiere date has not been announced yet, but Law & Order: Special Victims Unit season 27 has already been confirmed to start airing on NBC on Thursdays at 9:00 p.m. ET/8:00 p.m. CT this fall. So right after you finish watching a new episode of Law & Order at 8/7c, you can keep your TV on NBC because SVU will continue the night with even more gripping drama and compelling cases right after.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit revolves around the Special Victims Unit of the New York City Police Department as they handle and investigate sensitive cases involving sexual assault, child abuse, and domestic violence, working to uncover the truth and bring justice to the victims.

Happy's Place season 1
HAPPY'S PLACE -- "Pilot" -- Pictured: (l-r) Melissa Peterman as Gabby, Reba McEntire as Bobbie -- | Casey Durkin/NBC

Happy's Place

If you haven’t checked out Reba McEntire’s hit NBC comedy Happy’s Place yet, consider this your reminder. With season 2 reportedly slated to start airing in November on Fridays, there’s no better time to binge the first season and get ready for more laughs.

Reba stars as Bobbie, a woman who suddenly inherits her late father’s bar in Knoxville, Tennessee. Along the way, she finds out she has a half-sister named Isabella (Belissa Escobedo), who she learns has half ownership of the bar. Together, they face the ups and downs of managing the family business while getting to know each other better.

Brilliant Minds season 1
BRILLIANT MINDS -- "The Other Woman" Episode 111 -- Pictured: (l-r) Spence Moore II as Dr. Jacob Nash, Alex MacNicoll as Dr. Van Markus, Aury Krebs as Dr. Dana Dang, Ashleigh LaThrop as Dr. Ericka Kinney | NBC

Brilliant Minds

Surprise, surprise! Not only is ABC's Grey's Anatomy returning in the fall, but also the new medical drama series Brilliant Minds with its second season. NBC has not announced the premiere date just yet, but according to its fall lineup, new episodes of Brilliant Minds will begin airing on Mondays at 10:00 p.m. ET/9:00 p.m. CT.

Zachary Quinto, known to many for his previous roles in several seasons of American Horror Story, takes on the lead role as Dr. Oliver Wolf, an exceptionally talented yet unorthodox neurologist who handles challenging cases while mentoring a group of interns at Bronx General Hospital.

The Hunting Party season 1
THE HUNTING PARTY -- "Tom Beecher" Episode 109 -- Pictured: (l-r) Melissa Roxburgh as Rebecca 'Bex' Henderson, Patrick Sabongui as Jacob Hassani -- | James Dittiger/NBC

The Hunting Party

Back in mid-May, NBC announced the renewals of both Brilliant Minds and The Hunting Party. Like the medical drama series, the procedural drama will return with a second installment in the fall. New episodes are confirmed to begin airing on Thursdays at 10:00 p.m. ET/9:00 p.m. CT, right after new episodes of Law & Order and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

Melissa Roxburgh (Manifest) stars in the leading role as Rebecca "Bex" Henderson, a former FBI profiler who finds herself pulled back into action and tasked with tracking down deadly serial killers who have escaped from a top-secret prison. She joins forces with a diverse team of experts who each bring unique skills to the high-stakes manhunt.

St. Denis Medical season 1
ST. DENIS MEDICAL -- "50 CC's of Kindness" Episode 107 -- Pictured: (l-r) Wendi Mclendon Covey as Joyce, Josh Lawson as Dr. Bruce, Mekki Leeper as Matt, Allison Tolman as Alex, David Alan Grier as Dr. Ron, Kahyun Kim as Serena -- | NBC

St. Denis Medical

In need of more laughter? Binge-watching St. Denis Medical season 1 should do the trick! The show’s second season is set to begin airing new episodes on Mondays this November. That said, you still have plenty of time to catch up on all the hilarious moments before the new season kicks off.

St. Denis Medical takes place in the fictional, small, and underfunded St. Denis Medical Center, located in Oregon, where a diverse team of dedicated doctors, nurses, and staff work together to provide the best care for their patients.