2016 was one of the best years for television and film, so what will 2017 bring? In store so far are a handful of sci-fi shows, comic book adaptations, reboots and comedies to look forward to. There are still a few shows, such as Twin Peaks, expected to release in early 2017 but which still have no release date. Below, are the new and returning shows that do have a confirmed premiere date in order of how excited we are.
Iron Fist - Netflix, March 17
K'un-Lun saved him. Lei Kung trained him. And now, Danny Rand is back to fight for what's his.
Prison Break Season 5 - Fox, Spring 2017
In the drama’s new chapter, when clues surface that suggest a previously thought-to-be-dead Michael may be alive, Lincoln and Sara reunite to engineer the series’ biggest escape ever, as three of Fox River State Penitentiary’s most notorious escapees, T-Bag, C-Note and Sucre, are pulled back into the action.
Legion - FX, Feb. 8
Since he was a teenager, David has struggled with mental illness. Diagnosed as schizophrenic, David has been in and out of psychiatric hospitals for years. But after a strange encounter with a fellow patient, he’s confronted with the possibility that the voices he hears and the visions he sees might be real.
Beyond - Freeform / Hulu, Jan. 2
Holden, a young man who wakes up from a coma after 12 years, discovers new abilities that propel him into the middle of a dangerous conspiracy. Now Holden must try and figure out what happened to him during those 12 years, how to survive a world that changed while he was gone, and answer the question, why did this happen to him?
A Series of Unfortunate Events - Netflix, Jan. 13
A Series of Unfortunate Events recounts the tale of the orphaned children Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire at the hands of the villainous Count Olaf, as they face trials and tribulations, misfortunes, and an evil uncle in search of their fortune, all in their quest to uncover the secret of their parents' death. The books have sold more than 65 million copies and have been translated into 43 languages. The epic series will be executive produced by Barry Sonnenfeld, who will also direct a number of episodes, and Daniel Handler, legal, literary and social representative for Lemony Snicket.
The Expanse Season 2 - SyFy, Feb. 8
Unlikely allies Joe Miller and the crew of the Rocinante led by Jim Holden uncover more about the conspiracy to release the protomolecule on Eros Station.
Star Trek Discovery - CBS, May 2017
“There is no better time to give Star Trek fans a new series than on the heels of the original show’s 50th anniversary celebration,” said David Stapf, President, CBS Television Studios in the announcement . “Everyone here has great respect for this storied franchise, and we’re excited to launch its next television chapter in the creative mind and skilled hands of Alex Kurtzman, someone who knows this world and its audience intimately.”
American Gods - Starz, April 2017
The plot posits a war brewing between old and new gods: the traditional gods of biblical and mythological roots from around the world steadily losing believers to an upstart pantheon of gods reflecting society’s modern love of money, technology, media, celebrity and drugs. Its protagonist, Shadow Moon, is an ex-con who becomes bodyguard and traveling partner to Mr. Wednesday, a conman but in reality one of the older gods, on a cross-country mission to gather his forces in preparation to battle the new deities.
The Path Season 2 - Hulu, Jan. 25
"There will be a couple of new characters," show creator Jessica Goldberg told TV Line. "There may be a bit of a romance for Eddie," she said of Aaron Paul's character.
The Young Pope - HBO, Jan. 15
The beginning of the pontificate of Lenny Belardo, alias Pius XIII, the first American Pope in history.
The 100 Season 4 - CW, Feb. 1
Series creator Jason Rothenberg teased to Variety, "The City of Light is gone, the flame exists, and all the minds of the commanders are in the flame," Rosenberg said at Comic Con, per"The finale was designed from day one ... we always knew Lexa was coming back in the finale, we always knew there was going to be this triumphant, emotional return, but it was also designed as a finale. So Lexa's gone, she's not coming back to the show, but ultimately the flame is an important thing, it's a political artifact."
Riverdale - CW, Jan. 26
As a new school year begins, the town of Riverdale is reeling from the recent, tragic death of high school golden boy Jason Blossom — and nothing feels the same… Archie Andrews (KJ Apa) is still the all-American teen, but the summer’s events made him realize that he wants to pursue a career in music — not follow in his dad’s footsteps—despite the sudden end of his forbidden relationship with Riverdale’s young music teacher, Ms. Grundy (Sarah Habel). Which means Archie doesn’t have anyone who will mentor him — certainly not singer Josie McCoy (Ashleigh Murray), who is only focused on her band, the soon-to-be-world-famous Pussycats. It’s all weighing heavily on Archie’s mind — as is his fractured friendship with budding writer and fellow classmate Jughead Jones (Cole Sprouse). Meanwhile, girl-next-door Betty Cooper (Lili Reinhart) is anxious to see her crush Archie after being away all summer, but she’s not quite ready to reveal her true feelings to him. And Betty’s nerves – which are hardly soothed by her overbearing mother Alice (Mädchen Amick) aren’t the only thing holding her back. When a new student, Veronica Lodge (Camila Mendes), arrives in town from New York with her mother Hermione (Marisol Nichols), there’s an undeniable spark between her and Archie, even though Veronica doesn’t want to risk her new friendship with Betty by making a play for Archie. And then there’s Cheryl Blossom (Madelaine Petsch)… Riverdale’s Queen Bee is happy to stir up trouble amongst Archie, Betty, and Veronica, but Cheryl is keeping secrets of her own. What, exactly, is she hiding about the mysterious death of her twin brother, Jason? Riverdale may look like a quiet, sleepy town, but there are dangers in the shadows…
Big Little Lies - HBO, Feb. 19
The seemingly perfect lives of three mothers begin to unravel.
The Handmaid’s Tale - Hulu, April 26
Margaret Atwood's popular dystopian novel The Handmaid's Tale explores a broad range of issues relating to power, gender, and religious politics. Multiple Emmy and Golden Globe award-winner Claire Danes (Temple Grandin, Homeland) gives a stirring performance of this classic in speculative fiction, one of the most powerful and widely read novels of our time.
After a staged terrorist attack kills the President and most of Congress, the government is deposed and taken over by the oppressive and all controlling Republic of Gilead. Offred, now a Handmaid serving in the household of the enigmatic Commander and his bitter wife, can remember a time when she lived with her husband and daughter and had a job, before she lost even her own name. Despite the danger, Offred learns to navigate the intimate secrets of those who control her every move, risking her life in breaking the rules in hopes of ending this oppression.
Santa Clarita Diet - Netflix, Feb. 3
The single-camera comedy "Santa Clarita Diet" centers on married couple Joel (Olyphant) and Sheila (Barrymore), realtors leading a vaguely discontented lives in the Los Angeles suburb of Santa Clarita -- until Sheila goes through a dramatic change that sends both of their lives down a road of death and destruction... but in a good way.
Sneaky Pete - Amazon, Jan. 13
In "Sneaky Pete", con man Marius, with nowhere else to turn, takes cover from his past by assuming the identity of his cellmate, Pete, and then "reunites" with Pete's estranged family--who have no reason to suspect he's not their long-lost loved one. When a gangster holds his brother hostage for ransom, Marius must find a way to free him while at the same time struggling to keep his lies from backfiring. Meanwhile, his new "relatives" are a colorful group who give him a taste of the loving family he's never had, but have secrets and lies of their own that threaten to drag Marius into a world every bit as dangerous as the one he's trying to escape.
Crashing - HBO, Feb. 17
A New York comic is forced to make a new start for himself after his wife leaves him.
Voltron Season 2 - Netflix, Feb. 2
Four Earth teens - Keith, Lance, Hunk, Pidge and, their leader, Shiro - who become the last line of defense for the galaxy in an intergalactic battle against the evil alien force led by King Zarkon.
Colony Season 2 - USA, Jan. 12
Showrunner and creator Carlton Cuse told The Hollywood Reporter after the season 1 finale, "Early on in the second season, we’ll pick [Will’s] storyline up and find out whether or not he finds Charlie. Everything Will has done is driven by his desire to get his kid back. He’s determined to finish what he started.”
Sherlock Season 4 - PBS, Jan. 1
Season 4 begins with the mercurial Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch), back once more on British soil as Doctor Watson (Martin Freeman) and his wife Mary (Amanda Abbington) prepare for their biggest challenge yet: becoming parents.
24: Legacy - Fox, Feb. 5
The clock ticks again! 24: LEGACY chronicles an adrenaline-fueled race against the clock to stop a devastating terrorist attack on United States soil.
