Meredith’s Must-Sees for June 2025

Meredith’s Must-Sees is your guide to the most compelling stories airing on KQED, curated by one of our very own—Meredith Speight, Senior Director of TV Programming at KQED, an insider with a passion for great storytelling. Each month, she highlights standout programs that educate, inspire, and spark conversation.

This June, kick off the start of summer with a fantastic lineup of programs on KQED that will transport you from the Scottish Highlands to the heart of American music and beyond. We’re featuring programs for Pride Month and Juneteenth including a luxurious train journey with an iconic actor, a deep dive into the impactful art of a Bay Area artist, and an exploration of the life of a trailblazing musician and advocate. Plus, don’t miss a six-part series that brings dinosaurs to life like never before, heartwarming and heartbreaking stories of caregiving in America, and an eye-opening documentary about a trans woman navigating the world of competitive gaming.

From hosting Masterpiece Mystery! to his sappy songs special to my guilty pleasure of The Traitors,  I cannot get enough of Alan Cumming. I loved traveling with him and Miriam Margolyes in Miriam and Alan: Lost in Scotland, and jumped at the chance to join him on another journey abroad the iconic luxury train the Royal Scotsman. Alan gets the VIP treatment (as he should!) as viewers get to see the inner workings of the famed train, meet the people behind the scenes, experience the lush beauty of Scotland, and learn the history behind the destinations along the route. From Edinburgh to the Isle of Bute to the sacred island of Iona, I have never been more ready to head overseas to see these places for myself.

Airs on KQED PLUS Thursdays at 8pm, starting June 5. Streaming now on the PBS App with KQED Passport.

Oakland-based artist Dewey Crumpler’s work is rooted in history, and his paintings have explored such themes as slavery, Black liberation, globalization, and pop culture. As we commemorate Juneteenth and reflect on the history of slavery in this country, this program offers a unique opportunity to delve into the mind of this incredible Bay Area artist. It’s more than just a showcase of his art; it’s an intimate look into his captivating journey and the profound impact he’s had, and offers viewers an intimate portrait of a working artist in his studio, at home, at the Oakland port, and at a high-profile opening at a New York gallery. It is beautiful and challenging, like art itself.

Airs on KQED 9 Friday, June 13 at 7:30pm, and repeats on KQED 9 Saturday, June 14 at 10:30pm, and Monday, June 16 at 11:30pm. It also airs on KQED PLUS Thursday, June 19 at 9:40pm. Streaming on the PBS App with KQED Passport starting June 13.

As someone who grew up fascinated by dinosaurs (didn’t we all?), I was excited to see that PBS was partnering with the BBC to bring back the legendary Walking with Dinosaurs. A quarter of a century after the first series, these ancient creatures are back as they are brought to life with the latest in CGI. Narrated by Bertie Carvel, each episode of the 6-part series will tell the dramatic story of an individual dinosaur whose remains are currently being unearthed by the world’s leading dinosaur hunters. Thanks to cutting-edge science, experts can reveal how these prehistoric creatures lived, hunted, fought, and died more accurately than ever before. The six episodes will premiere over three nights, June 16–18, as we celebrate with a special “Dinosaur Week” of programming.

Airs on KQED 9 Monday June 16, Tuesday June 17 and Wednesday June 18 from 8-10pm. Also airs on KQED 9 Wednesdays at 8pm starting June 25. Streaming on the PBS App starting June 16.

This American Masters film about Janis Ian is truly a must-see for anyone interested in music, activism, and the power of a single voice. This program examines the life of singer-songwriter Janis Ian and how she rose as a folk icon and gay rights advocate. She broke ground with “Society’s Child” (1966), a bold take on interracial love, and “At Seventeen” (1975), a searing anthem about bullying. Featuring stunning archival footage and interviews including Joan Baez, Arlo Guthrie, Jean Smart, and many more, Breaking Silence is a powerful biography that takes us through an extraordinary life. Ian has said she had turned down many opportunities to make a documentary about her life, and I think this one was worth waiting for.

Airs on KQED 9 Friday, June 20 at 9pm. Streaming on the PBS App starting June 20.

From Executive Producer Bradley Cooper, this documentary examines an incredibly important and often overlooked aspect of our society. Caregiving intertwines deeply personal stories from caregivers with the broader history of the American care system, offering a vital and powerful look at the challenges and triumphs faced by those who dedicate themselves to caring for others. It’s a topic that affects so many of us, directly or indirectly, and I believe this film will resonate deeply, fostering understanding and empathy for the silent heroes among us. I’ve seen it multiple times and have been brought to tears each time, as the stories of love shine through the personal journeys that reflect so many of our stories.

Airs on KQED 9 Tuesday, June 24 at 9pm. Streaming now on the PBS App.

My favorite thing about POV and all of the point-of-view documentary series we air is the ability to drop into a world that I’m not familiar with. While I’ve lived and parented alongside the online game world and streaming sites like Twitch, I don’t have an account and have not experienced what it is really like for the gamer community. Break the Game is an intimate portrait of Narcissa Wright, a world-record-holding gamer who lost her massive fanbase after she came out as a trans woman. To win them back, she attempts to set a new record in “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild,” live-streaming every minute of her quest. Break the Game is a moving exploration of gamer culture, the realities of online harassment, and the mental health implications of living a digital life.

Airs on KQED 9 Monday, June 30 at 10pm. Streaming on the PBS App starting June 30.

Discover the California Condor’s battle for survival along with their conservation efforts.

Airs on KQED 9 Wednesday, June 4 at 8pm and KQED PLUS Saturday, June 21 at 6pm.

The hour-long film takes viewers inside the desperate search for answers: the race to identify a deadly virus, the struggle to treat it, and the relentless fight to be heard.

Airs on KQED 9 Saturday, June 7 at 6pm and Wednesday, June 25 at 11pm.

This 1952 classic stars Gary Cooper as just-married lawman Will Kane, who is about to retire as a small-town sheriff and begin a new life with his bride (Grace Kelly).

Airs on KQED 9 Saturday, June 14 at 8pm.

Season 10 of the KQED viewer-favorite series returns.

Airs on KQED 9 Sundays at 9pm starting June 15. KQED Passport members can stream the whole season on the night of the premiere on the PBS App.

Jean White must pick up the pieces after her husband is in a car accident. Jean gets more information from police chief Caron about a missing ring.

Airs on KQED PLUS Tuesdays at 8pm, starting June 17. New season coming later this year!

Get a look into the complex and controversial life and work of Hannah Arendt.

Airs on KQED 9 Friday, June 27 at 9pm. Streaming on the PBS App starting June 27.

Looking for more programs to watch? Find past recommendations from Meredith:

May 2025
April 2025
March 2025