What a relief it is to close 2023, an annus horribilis for the entertainment industry (and the world).
After the May-November twin strikes shut down most production, the doors reopened to a landscape forever changed. The reality of the streaming bubble and the divide between legacy media and Silicon Valley companies became much clearer during the strikes, and whether some of the legacy studios survive next year unscathed is a very real question. (As we were finishing writing this introduction, as if to underscore the point, news broke of a possible merger between Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Global.)
Specifically, the TV preview for 2024 means that consumers will watch fewer programs starting next year: But whether people will even notice when there is still so much content is an open question – especially when the start of the year is so busy is like never before.
Because one tangible result of the strikes is that shows that would have premiered in fall 2023 – like HBO's “True Detective: Night Country” and FX's “Feud: Capote vs. The Swans” – have been postponed into the new year. The result is an insane pile-up in January, as you'll see below (and of course we're not taking everything into account).
Another side effect of the strikes is that the first quarter of the year will also see the debut of network television programs, most of which went into production right after the actors' strike ended, including shows like ABC's “Abbott Elementary” and NBC's “One Chicago” cast premieres on the spots normally reserved for mid-season replacements. What impact this shift will have on established network shows remains unclear.
Although we included 34 shows in this preview, the new methodology in the streaming age (even for non-streamers) is to continue playing hide-and-seek on premiere dates to maintain maximum flexibility. So the latest date that has ever been announced is the split third season of Netflix's “Bridgerton” (May 16 and June 13). Aside from the Olympics in July, there's only “Summer” for the second season of “House of the Dragon” on HBO and “Fall” for Disney+'s “Agatha: Darkhold Diaries” (the “WandaVision” spinoff, which revolves around Kathryn Hahn's breakout villain).
The channel with the most prominent undated projects is of course Netflix, as the dominant streamer still has the largest number of shows, period. Viewers can look forward to the final seasons of “Cobra Kai” and “Umbrella Academy,” along with Andrew Scott in “Ripley” (likely in the spring Emmy window). Finally, Netflix audiences will also see “Dead Boy Detectives,” Hayley Atwell as the titular star of “Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft,” and David E. Kelley’s long-awaited adaptation of Tom Wolfe’s novel “A Man in Full starring Jeff Daniels and Diane Lane.
HBO and Max also have a slate of highly anticipated undated shows, starting with the Robert Downey Jr. satire “The Sympathizer” (due for Emmys purposes this spring), followed later in the year by the big IP pieces of Batman spin-off “The Penguin” (starring Colin Farrell!) and “Dune: Prophecy,” a prequel series to the blockbuster film series – both air on Max. For new seasons on Max, the second season of “Tokyo Vice” and the third season of “Hacks” and “The Sex Lives of College Girls” return.
We have a number of Apple TV+ shows on this list, but Dark Matter, Blake Crouch's adaptation of his own novel directed by Joel Edgerton, and Lady in the Lake, the limited series starring Natalie Portman, are still on the program series (based on Laura Lippman's 2019 crime novel) – among many others. And then there's the small matter of the return of the Emmy-nominated “Severance” for Season 2, which we've heard, despite reports to the contrary, will be outstanding.
Netflix, Apple TV+, and HBO/Max aren't the only ones who won't fucking announce dates for shows we're excited to see: eventually. The date has yet to be set for Hulu's adaptation of Georgia Hunter's bestselling novel “We Were the Lucky Ones” – starring Joey King and Logan Lerman – about a Jewish family during World War II. This also applies to Hulu's “Interior Chinatown,” Charles Yu's 2020 adaptation of his own novel, which used a screenplay structure to serve as a commentary on race and representation in popular culture. In addition to “Agatha,” Hulu's sister company Disney+ will also feature Leslye Headland's take on “Star Wars” in “The Acolyte,” and Marvel Studios will join in with the animated film “X-Men '97,” making this franchise the first Just.
These are just some of the undated shows from the dominant players. We're also looking forward to finally seeing Orphan Black: Echoes on AMC, which will also host the second season of Interview With the Vampire. Speaking of second season, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power should also return next year – and here's hoping it doesn't compete with House of the Dragon again this time, if only for its own sake. There's also Showtime's “Gentleman in Moscow,” starring Ewan McGregor. Speaking of star power, Julianne Moore and Nicholas Galitzine play mother and son in the Starz takeover of Mary & George, which we think has the shittiest trailer for a period series in years. (Check it out here!)
Now we turn our attention to the shows that have done us the favor of announcing their dates! They're listed in chronological order – and we wish you all a Happy New Year and good viewing success in the future.