Though the traditional TV seasons in the Northern Hemisphere runs from September to June, thanks much in part to services like Netflix, there are now more TV shows than ever that exist outside those boundaries – starting just about whenever they feel like! And in the months ahead, a slew of brand new TV shows will be making their debuts. Here are eight to get excited about…
Colony
When? Starts today in the USA (USA Network)
Fans of the TV series Lost might be keen on this show, with producer Carlton Cuse (of Lost) helming this alongside writer Ryan Condal (Hercules, the film). Set in the near future, the series follows a family headed up by Josh Holloway (Lost) and Sarah Wayne Callies (The Walking Dead) as they struggle to survive living in LA after its occupation from armed forces who may or may not be in cahoots with an alien race. Those who choose to collaborate with the authorities benefit from this new regime whilst those who rebel suffer the consequences. It sounds a bit like District 9 meets Lost with a touch of The 100 and we can’t wait to check it out…
The X-Files
When? Sunday, January 24th on Fox in the USA – Express to Ten in Australia.
OK – so this one isn’t so much “new” as it is “reborn”… But The X-Files from the mid 90’s to early 00’s was a cult-hit and there is little denying the effects the show had on all of television that came thereafter. But the main reason we are excited for its return is the simple fact that this is an opportunity for the fans amongst us to return to the world of Agents Mulder and Scully and maybe get some answers to all those burning questions. Even if it’s only a brief six episode run…
But if that’s not enough, let me list some other reasons why we’re excited for its return:
- Original creator/director/writer/producer/shipper heartbreaker Chris Carter is back at the helm
- Original stars David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Mitch Pileggi and William B Davis all reprising their original characters. As well as a few other familiar faces will be returning too!
- Some of the original writing team is back on board too, including Glen Morgan, Darin Morgan and James Wong, all of whom wrote some of the shows best material in its heyday.
- All new monsters!
The People V OJ Simpson
When? Starts 2nd February in the USA (FX)
True crime seems to be a really popular subject matter of late (see popularity of Making A Murderer and The Jinx) and the story surrounding the case of OJ Simpson is one that ignites that interest like no other. Admittedly this isn’t a documentary, but rather a re-enactment of the events surrounding OJ Simpson and his trial.
The biggest drawcard here is the cast, with Cuba Gooding Jr playing Simpson, John Travolta as Robert Shapiro, Selma Blair as Kris Jenner, as well as David Schwimmer, Sarah Paulson and Nathan Lane. It’s very star-heavy for a series that Hollywood has its own tentative involvement in. Here’s hoping it doesn’t end up like some re-enactment parody and is as compelling a watch as that car-chase was.
However if documentary true-crime is more your thing there’s also ESPN’s 30 For 30 mini-series event OJ: Made In America, a five episode series that covers the entire case from beginning to end (TBA on if that will air in Australia though).
London Spy
When? Screened in the UK last month – expect it in Australia soon.
Danny (Ben Whishaw) comes from a world of excess and clubbing and the nightlife, he chances upon Alex (Edward Holcroft) a rich kid and closeted virgin and a romance sparks up between the two. But what Danny doesn’t know is Alex has a secret life as a spy. The Brits are always great with their character study in their mini-series so I have every faith that this will be the same pus bonus spy-thriller-tension and a gay romance (bonus diversity!) to boot. This just sounds like all kinds of juicy intrigue.
Vinyl
When? February 14th in the USA (HBO) – Express to Showcase in Australia
One of two music focused shows set to premiere this year, alongside The Get Down – which you’ll read about next – this one takes us into the life of a record company president (Bobby Cannavale) in the 70’s. Sex, Drugs and Rock n’ Roll are all set to be included. Boardwalk Empire Terence Winter has written the series, Mick Jagger has produced it and Martin Scorsese has directed it and it will be screening on HBO from Valentine’s Day. If this isn’t proof we’re in the golden age of television, I don’t know what is… let’s just say our expectations are very high.
The Get Down
When? TBC 2016 on Netflix (Worldwide)
“Told through the lives and music of a ragtag crew of South Bronx teens, The Get Down is a mythic saga of the transformation of 1970s New York City.” Baz Lurhmann’s new 13 episode Netflix series about music culture in New York in the 1970s may not have the star power of Vinyl, but it sounds damn fine all the same. Watch the latest trailer HERE.
11.22.63
When? February 15th on Hulu (USA)
Based on Stephen King’s novel about a time traveller who tries to save US President John F Kennedy, this 9 hour series comes to us from JJ Abrams and stars James Franco alongside the likes of Chris Cooper. Oscar-winner Kevin Macdonald is directing it and every indication has it that this is going to be one of the most talked about shows of the next few months. Hulu is sadly geo-blocked to the US at the moment, but no doubt one of the Australian services will pick it up before too long.
Baskets
When: Tuesdays from January 26 at 9.30pm AEST on The Comedy Channel (Foxtel, Australia) – Express from FX in the USA.
Created by Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover), Louis C.K. (Louie) and Jonathan Krisel (Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Portlandia, Saturday Night Live, Man Seeking Woman), Baskets tells the story of Chip Baskets’ (Galifianakis) pursuit of becoming a respected professional clown. Do you really need to know anything more about it?
Article by Carina Nilma and Larry Heath
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