With 2016 on the verge of coming to an end, it’s time for us to look forward. Previously, we shined a light on all the TV shows that came to an end this year and, let’s be frank, it sure was a lot! But, with the big holiday behind us and New Year’s Eve on the horizon, it is time to head into 2017 with our hopes (and heads) held high.
The Winter/Spring season for television usually comes with a mixed bag of new arrivals. But, the curse of the mid-season replacement doesn’t feel as present here as it has in previous years. Maybe it’s the new year-round schedule in which programming on a number of platforms is released; it could be the sheer number of new shows consistently entering the TV landscape vying for your attention.
Regardless, the coming months will feature some new shows that are garnering plenty of buzz and excitement among the Screener staff. To help guide you through these treacherous television waters, here are 21 new shows to keep an eye on.
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‘The Mick’
Mid-season shows don’t always fair the best on FOX, but there’s something about “The Mick” that gives us pause. While some of the adverts for the new series, from “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” alumni John and Dave Chernin, leaves something to be desired, there is a certain flair in these spots reminiscent of early “New Girl.” Kaitlin Olson — who you may recognize from “Always Sunny” — stars as Mackenzie Murphy and, as you can see from the above clip, she’s super great with children. Sure, it could be a trainwreck — but we’re hopeful with this one.
“The Mick” premieres Sunday, Jan. 1 directly after NFL coverage before moving to its regular time slot on Tuesday, 8:30 p.m. on FOX.
‘Emerald City’
A few years ago, it felt as if there were a large amount of “Wizard of Oz”-inspired TV series making their way to the small screen. We’re still waiting for a bunch to make their debut, but one that is finally almost here is “Emerald City.” To say this is a different take on the classic story would be an understatement. The grown-up tale features “True Detective’s” Adria Arjona as Dorothy and Vincent D’Onofrio as the Wizard of Oz. One look at the trailer above and it feels as if NBC is trying to find their own “Game of Thrones”-style niche. With Tarsem Singh helming the 10-episode season, the least we can expect is some groundbreaking visuals to captivate the senses. Here’s hoping the story follows suit.
“Emerald City” will air its two-hour premiere on Friday, Jan. 6 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.
‘Taboo’
We don’t know too much about “Taboo,” aside from it being a revenge story that takes place in the 1800s… But with Tom Hardy in command, it’s hard not to take notice. Hardy not only stars, he helped develop the story with his father Chips (yes, that’s his name) and Steven Knight — the guy behind the BBC America series “Peaky Blinders.”
With a cast that also includes Jonathan Pryce (“Game of Thrones”), Franka Potente (“Copper”) and Michael Kelly (“House of Cards), prepare yourself for some top notch performances.
“Taboo” premieres Tuesday, Jan. 10, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on FX.
‘Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events’
Neil Patrick Harris stars as Count Olaf — the role Jim Carrey attempted to make famous in the film of the same name. But where one take may have missed the mark, the new Netflix family series may hit it on all fronts. The show is based on Daniel Handler’s popular books, and Handler himself is writing each episode. With Barry Sonnenfeld taking the leap to the small screen, it feels like “A Series of Unfortunate Events” will be a fortunate series for Netflix.
“Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events” premieres Friday, Jan. 13 to Netflix.
‘Sneaky Pete’
Originally meant for CBS, the new Amazon series has a lot going for it. Starring Giovanni Ribisi, “Sneaky Pete” was created by Bryan Cranston (“Breaking Bad”) and David Shore (“House”) and “Justified” EP Graham Yost is on board here as showrunner. Ribisi plays a con man who takes on the role of his old prison cellmate’s identity — which involves moving in with the man’s family — to hide from a criminal boss he wronged years ago. With Marin Ireland and Margo Martindale in lead roles, and Cranston guest starring, this show is sure to make waves once it hits.
“Sneaky Pete” premieres Friday, Jan. 13, to Amazon Prime.
‘The Young Pope’
What if there was an American-born Pope? How would that historical turn of events transpire? It’s a notion HBO is exploring in its new miniseries “The Young Pope.” Starring Jude Law as the Pope in question — this being the first major TV role of his career — and Diane Keaton plays opposite him as Sister Mary. There’s already big buzz behind the series which should fare quite well for HBO.
“The Young Pope” premieres Sunday, Jan. 15, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO.
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‘Riverdale’
“Archie Comics” come to life like never before in “Riverdale,” st in the town with pep as it copes with the mysterious death of a high school student. All your favorites are here — Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead, Josie and the Pussycats — but with a modern and very dark spin. With a DNA that resembles everything from “Gossip Girl” to “Twin Peaks,” this definitely isn’t like any other comic book show you’ve seen before.
“Riverdale” premieres Thursday, Jan. 26, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on The CW.
‘Powerless’
Are you tired of comic book shows yet? Well, hold onto your hat because another one is hitting the small screen very soon. Unlike previous DC shows — which have been either hit or miss, depending on the network — this one is an office sitcom. “Powerless” explores the world of insurance adjusters who help protect citizens against the damage caused by superheroes. Vanessa Hudgens stars as an insurance adjuster who helps protect people against the unintended damage caused by some of your favorite crime-fighting superheroes.
“Powerless” premieres Thursday, Feb. 2, at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.
‘Santa Clarita Diet’
From the creator of “Better Off Ted” and “Andy Richter Controls the Universe,” comes a new Netflix comedy series. Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant play a married couple working in the world of suburban real estate, with a twist — and with Ruben Fleischer (“Zombieland”) behind the camera, expect some dark and quirky antics to ensue.
“Santa Clarita Diet” premieres Friday, Feb. 3 to Netflix.
’24: Legacy’
Without Jack Bauer, can a “24” series work? That’s the question FOX is about to answer as the reboot of the former hit show is set to kick off. Keifer Sutherland and Mary Lynn Rajskub are sitting this one out, though, to make room for a new threat and new cast of characters. Corey Hawkins — Dr. Dre from “Straight Outta Compton” — steps into the lead role of Eric Carter in “24: Legacy.” You can probably expect another big terrorist attack and Carter will undoubtedly team up with CTU to take the bad guys down. While there are mostly new faces here — Miranda Otto, Jimmy Smits, Dan Bucatinsky and Teddy Sears, to name a few — we will see the return of Carlos Bernard to bring Tony Almeida back for one more ride.
“24: Legacy” two-night premiere will begin immediately following the Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 5, at 7 p.m. ET/PT and will wrap up in its normal timeslot on Monday, Feb. 6, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on FOX.
‘Legion’
What would you say if “Fargo” showrunner Noah Hawley was looking to take on Marvel Comics’ “X-Men” franchise? Sounds like an intriguing concept, no? Well, that is exactly what is happening over at FX with “Legion.” Dan Stevens (“Downton Abbey”) plays David Haller, a man plagued with extreme mental issues since childhood. But, is he schizophrenic or a mutant with amazing powers? We’re thinking it’s the second option…
Aubrey Plaza, Jean Smart, Jemaine Clement and Bill Irwin also star in the eight-episode first season.
“Legion” premieres Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on FX.
‘Big Little Lies’
Liane Moriarty’s best-selling book is coming to the small screen, thanks to David E. Kelly, and the seven-episode limited series has a pretty stellar cast. You’ve got Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Shailene Woodley, Alexander Skarsgard, Laura Dern, Adam Scott and Zoe Kravitz all involved. With Jean-Marc Vallée (“Dallas Buyers Club”, “Wild”) directing every episode, the HBO series is sure to keep people talking.
“Big Little Lies” premieres Sunday, Feb. 19, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO.
‘The Good Fight’
For fans still reeling from the end of CBS’s “The Good Wife,” a spinoff is coming to ease those TV woes. As new lead Maia (Rose Leslie) and Diane Lockheart (Christine Baranski) are pushed out of Lockheart & Lee due to a massive financial scam, the two find themselves teaming up with Lucca Quinn (Cush Jumbo) at a prestigious law firm in Chicago. Sarah Steel also reprises her role as Marissa Gold in CBS All Access’s first original scripted series.
“The Good Fight” will premiere its first episode on Feb. 19 to CBS with following episodes airing exclusively on CBS All Access.
‘Taken’
Clive Standen is one busy dude. While continuing to play Ragnar’s brother Rollo on History’s hit series “Vikings,” the actor is also taking on the role of Bryan Mills — who Liam Neeson made famous in the “Taken” films. Here, though, we will follow as Mills acquires that particular set of skills needed to take down all sorts of villainous characters in the craftiest ways possible. Look out, “MacGyver,” a formidable opponent is coming.
“Taken” premieres Monday, Feb. 27, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.
‘Marvel’s Iron Fist’
The final Defender is about to arrive. Netflix’s fourth Marvel series will complete the group heroes who will eventually rise up as “The Defenders.” Starring Finn Jones as Danny Rand (aka “Iron Fist”), the series will follow the story of Rand who returns home after 15 years to reclaim his family business. Of course, he’s also got some super abilities that allow him to punch things really hard. But, if the above trailer tells us anything, there’ll be more than mere punching in the show’s first 13 episodes. Prepare yourselves for some intense martial arts action!
“Iron Fist” Season 1 will drop Friday, March 17 on Netflix.
‘American Gods’
If you would’ve told us a few years ago that Neil Gaiman’s best-selling novel “American Gods” was to become a TV series, we would’ve told you that was a bad idea. But, with Bryan Fuller attached as showrunner, everything immediately! This fantasy series has quickly become one of our highest anticipated new shows of the spring. One look at the show’s roster and it’s clear Starz is out to up the caliber of its genre slate. Ricky Whittle stars as Shadow Moon and Ian McShane is Mr. Wednesday… And then you’ve got actors like Gillian Anderson, Pablo Schreiber, Crispin Glover, Peter Stormare and Orlando Jones rounding out the cast. The battle between Gods — Old and New — is about to begin, and we can’t be any more excited.
“American Gods” will premiere in April, 2017 on Starz.
‘The Handmaid’s Tale’
In the future, a totalitarian society rules Gilead, a former segment of the United States. With a declining birthrate and environment, the regime treats women as property of the state. Elisabeth Moss plays Offred, a fertile Handmaid in the Commander’s household. The series follows Offred as she lives a life of sexual servitude, with the goal of repopulating the world — where one wrong word can get you killed. Based on Margaret Atwood’s highly acclaimed novel, “The Handmaid’s Tale” also stars Joseph Fiennes, Yvonne Strahovski, Samira Wiley and Max Minghella.
“The Handmaid’s Tale” premieres April 26 to Hulu.
‘Twin Peaks’
It’s time to head back to that small Washington town for a slice of cherry pie and a damn fine cup of coffee. David Lynch is resurrecting his TV masterpiece “Twin Peaks” on Showtime. There’s a big question mark over the plot, though. We know much of the cast is returning and a ton of guest stars are slated to stop by but everyone’s keeping mum about what the actual story will be. All we know is it’s coming soon and we couldn’t be more excited to see Lynch revisiting this world.
“Twin Peaks” will premiere in early 2017 on Showtime.
‘Prison Break’
With the success of previous TV show reboots — along with the undying chemistry that exists between Wentworth Miller (sup, Captain Cold) and Dominic Purcell (hey there, Heatwave) — FOX has moved forward in bringing back its hit escapist drama for another go-round. Sure, we have a lot of questions regarding some story continuity after watching how the final season of “Prison Break” went down. But, honestly, we couldn’t be any more excited to watch as Michael Scofield assembles a new team to break out of another prison. With Lincoln Burrows getting the band back together, to help his brother from the outside, this new “Prison Break” series will hit the small screen with all sorts of potential.
“Prison Break” premieres Spring, 2017 on FOX.
‘Midnight, Texas’
Hey, would ya look at that? Another horror series is coming to the small screen. But before you start thinking “Midnight, Texas” looks like this year’s “Heroes: Reborn” — NBC has a knack for giving us some silly genre shows — it’s worth noting that this is the same place that brought us “Hannibal.” Plus, there something quite appealing about the tone and subject matter presented here. Based on the books by Charlaine Harris — her “Southern Vampire Mysteries” book series was the basis of HBO’s “True Blood” — it looks like the Peacock is about to step into CW territory. “Supernatural” may about to get some serious competition.
“Midnight, Texas” will premiere Spring, 2017 on NBC.
‘Star Trek: Discovery’
It’s been roughly 12 years since we’ve enjoyed a new “Star Trek” television series. After a long wait — and a couple shakeups behind-the-scenes — “Star Trek: Discovery” has begun building up its cast. “The Walking Dead’s” Sonequa Martin-Green will take a break from beheading zombies to lead the new show. Originally, the new science fiction series was set to premiere in January. But with Bryan Fuller leaving the production, the shows was pushed back a few months. Still, even though that one detail gives us pause, we’re still stoked to boldly go where no one has gone before — again.
“Star Trek: Discovery” will premiere its first episode in May, 2017 to CBS with following episodes airing exclusively on CBS All Access.