Anirban Bhattacharya
We are in the middle of not just a digital revolution, but also an entertainment revolution. And both these revolutions are inextricably tied to each other. Can you imagine the rise of Netflix with the invention of smartphones or tablets? Or conversely, can imagine the rapid development in smart phone or smart TV technologies if people were not so interested in buying them because they want to see new exciting content on platforms like Netflix and Hulu. With every passing year, more and more shows are being created to be consumed on smart devices.
So, if you thought 2018 was an amazing year for TV shows, wait till 2019. While there is a certain undeniable excitement in waiting for the next season of your favorite show, there is also a pleasure in waiting for new shows. So, with that in mind, I thought of curating a list of new TV shows coming out in 2019 that looks very promising — at least on paper. Whether these latest upcoming series are as good as some of the recent ones, only time will tell. Till then, I will let you decide which of these shows you are interested in.
20. The Boys (Amazon Prime)
Let’s kickstart the list with the adaptation of a comic book, ‘The Boys’. The comic was the brainchild of Darick Robertson and Garth Ennis. Erick Kripke, Seth Rogen, and Evan Goldberg is all set to bring the comic book to live in a series of the same name. The series is expected to be dark and violent and will be available on Amazon Prime hopefully by next year. The premise of the series is based completely on the comic book. The story is set in a world where many superheroes have chosen a darker highway to life. Amidst the chaos is a group of vigilante known as The Boys who have taken it upon them to cleanse the society of such unworthy superheroes. They will do whatever it takes to bring down these corrupt heroes and are more than willing to fight dirty. This is the kind of dark superhero stuff I have been wanting to see. Let’s hope they come up with a date soon.
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19. Tuca & Bertie (Netflix)
‘BoJack Horseman’ has over years built a sort of cult following. And why not? It is one of the best animated shows on television. If you are a fan of ‘BoJack Horseman’ — or Ali Wong, and Tiffany Haddish for that matter — here’s a good news for you. Tuca & Bertie is a new animated show comes from the mind of Lisa Hanawalt, an illustrator and graphic novelist best known for designing the characters on BoJack. And like BoJack, the show follows animals Tuca and Bertie — Haddish and Wong — two 30-something birds living in the same apartment building. Sounds interesting!
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18. The Eddy (Netflix)
After giving us three spectacular films — ‘Whiplash’, ‘La La Land’ and ‘First Man’ — Damien Chazelle is making a foray into television. Yes, you heard that right. It seems like even best of the directing talents can’t resist the temptation of TV — in this Netflix. Chazelle will act as the showrunner for The Eddy, a Paris-based show, that will feature dialogues in French, English, and Arabic. It is being touted as being an international production that will cater to audiences not just in America but also in Europe.
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17. Carnival Row (Amazon Prime)
If you like the work of Cara Delevingne and Orlando Bloom then this series might be something to look out for next year. The duo is set to star in a neo-noir styled fantasy drama titled ‘Carnival Row’. The series has been created by Travis Beacham and René Echevarria. The series is set to premier next year and the willing viewers can stream it on Amazon Prime video. The premise of the series is kinda intriguing. It’s a sort of detective story woven into a fantasy setting. The series is set in a city where several mythical creatures have come to seek asylum as they flee from their homeland where there is a war going on. But they are not gonna be at peace in this city either as tensions between the inhabitants and the immigrants is slowly rising. Amidst all this, a series of murder has taken place which might end up destroying the remaining peace.
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16. The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (Netflix)
If we have learned one thing about Netflix over the years it’s that they can create some of the best shows that you have ever seen. So, when I heard they are gonna make a prequel of the movie ‘The Dark Crystal’, I went and saw it. The movie was released in the 80s and had a nice feel to it. I liked the special effects of the movie as they were quite good for its time. The prequel to the series ‘The Dark Crystal : Age of Resistance’ will be airing sometime in the next year and will be consisting of ten episodes in total. If you have seen the movie you might remember the world of Thra. It is that world where this series will be set in. The plot will be revolving around three Gelflings who have set out to find out the truth behind the power of Skeksis.
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15. The Act (Hulu)
Though I sometimes enjoy watching TV series and movies based on true crime, it ends up making me paranoid. But still the thought that this actually happened m akes everything much more intriguing. ‘The Act’ is based on a real life incident which took place in Green County, Missouri in the year 2015. A woman named Dee Blanchard had been found murdered in her house. Her daughter who was really sick was missing. Relatives and Neighbors were quite concerned about the girl but she later turned out to be perfectly fine and healthy living with a guy. Turns out her mother was keeping her sick in the eyes of the public and when Gypsy (the daughter) could take no more she murdered her. The story has been made into a TV series and would airing in March on Hulu.
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14. The Umbrella Academy (Netflix)
Up next on the list we have another superhero genre tv series. So, if you are a sucker for that genre you might wanna Mark your calendar for this one. The series will be premiering on Netflix on 15th February in the coming year. The trailers look promising enough and the plot is kinda interesting too and is based on the comic book series of the same name published by Dark Horse Comics. In the year 1989 several women got pregnant on the same day even though they weren’t the day before. A total of 43 infants were born. A billionaire needed up adopting seven of them and later decided to form a team of individuals to fight crime. But in their teenage years the team disbanded. Now six of the surviving members of the team have come back after they heard the news of their father’s death. Will they be able to work together to find out the truth behind his death and also save the world from the apocalypse which seems to be just around the corner.
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13. The Passage (Fox)
‘The Passage’ is an upcoming action drama that is set to release in the month of January next year. The series will be premiering on Fox. The main casts of the series include Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Vincent Piazza, Emmanuelle Chriqui, and Saniyya Sidney. The plot of the series will be based on the novel series of same name written by author Justin Cronin. The plot revolves around Project Noah. The project deals with scientists working to develop a virus that might lead to the cure of every disease but the virus also has the potential to wipeout the entire human civilization. The scientist need a test subject for the virus and a girl is chosen. A federal agent is tasked with escorting the girl to the scientist s but he ends up becoming attached to the girl and decides to do his best to protect her.
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12. The Godfather of Harlem (Epix)
One of the main reasons I included this series on the list is because Forest Whitaker is gonna be in it. Other reason is, as I mentioned before, I enjoy watching crime dramas based on true events. The series will be airing next year on the network Epix. Forest Whitaker will take on the role of the crime boss Bumpy Johnson who was an associate of Lucky Luciano. The series will focus on his return after a decade behind prison walls. He becomes disturbed the state of his city which is in the control of the Italian mob. He decides to take them on and joins hand with the preacher Malcolm X portrayed by Nigél Thatch. This might end up causing a lot of social disruption and launch a full blown mob war in the middle of the city.
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11. Whiskey Cavalier (ABC)
Though it is mentioned that the series will be an American crime drama the premise warms the ground for lots of funny stuff. The series is all set to air on the television network ABC in the month of February. The series has been produced by Scott Foley who wilmwalso be starring as the protagonist Will Chase who is a federal agent with the codename Whiskey Cavalier. There’s a good news for us Indians. Stand up comic Vir Das wiwill be playing a pivotal role in the series. He will be portraying the character of Jai Dutta, an FBI agent. The series will revolve around the adventures of Will Chase who is an FBI agent. He has recntlyregone through a difficult break up and has been made to team up with a CIA operative Francesca Trowbridge having codename Fiery Tribune. The duo will be the head of an interagency team tasked with saving the world. The team is filled with a bunch of eccentric characters leaving ground for some good comedy.
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10. Black Monday (Showtime)
If you find yourself thinking- wait a minute isn’t Black Monday the name given to October 19th of the year 1987 when the Wall Street experienced the worst crash- then to you I say- You are absolutely right! The show is based on that event. Till today the cause of the gargantuan crash is not known. Various economist has surmised and given various theories. The premise of the show is a ‘What if’ kinda scenario. The TV show tells you the story of three individuals who were responsible for the event which caused billions of dollars of loss in the stock market. The main cast is quite good. It includes Don Cheadle, Regina Hall, and Andrew Rannells. The show sounds really fun and will be premiering on Showtime in the month of January.
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9. I Am Night (TNT)
The television network TNT is all set to air the show ‘I Am Night’ in the month of January. The show falls under the crime mystery genre. It is directed by Patty Jenkind and will have Chris Pine and India Eisley in the lead roles. India plays the character of Fauna Hodel agirl who had been given up at birth. She sets out to find the truth about her. But soknsshe realises that the trail she is on might be much more Sinister and dark than she previously would have thought. The trail leads to a gynecologist who might have some connections to the Black Dahlia murder. The premise is really intriguing and a reimagining of a true event kinda enhances the mystery feel.
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8. Deadly Class (Syfy)
Syfy is not going to stand back and watch while other networks provide us with a platter of some really impressive list of TV shows. The television series ‘Deadly Class’ is set to air in the month of January next year on the Syfy network. The series is based on a comic book series of the same name. I don’t know why but more and more networks and creators are using comic books for their inspirations. I guess the art and concept really appeals to the younger generation. The plot revolves around a secretive academy situated in San Francisco which teach students to become efficient assassins for crime bosses. Benedict Wong is all set to star as Master Lin the headmaster of this school of assassins.
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7. Central Park Five (Netflix)
This another series that is based in true events. It is a mini series which will be directed by Ava DuVernay who has also created the series. The series will be based on the Central Park Jogger case which was one of the most highly publicized case of the 80s. A Jogger was brutally raped and the injuries she sustained put her in a coma for several days. Five black kids were arrested for assault and rape and they were convicted for the crime. Later it was found that they were not guilty of the crime as the real criminal confessed. The series will be airing on Netflix next year.
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6. Good Omens (Amazon Prime)
If you were looking for some Angels and demons based shows to consume in the coming year then look no further than David Tennant and Michael Sheen starrer ‘Good Omens’. The it is based on the novel of the same name written by Neil Gaiman who also wrote the screenplay for the series. Davit Tennant of the ‘Doctor Who’ fame will be portraying the demon Crowley and Michael will star in the series as the angel Aziraphale. The duo has grown accustomed to living in the Earth realm and thus needs to prevent the coming of apocalypse which will mean that Satan will be back.
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5. Devs (FX)
‘Devs’ is a miniseries which will be airing in 2019 on the television network FX. The series will be comprised of around eight episodes. The premise of the series revolves around Lily whose boyfriend is missing. She thinks that the development department of the company she works for has something to do her boyfriend’s sudden disappearance. She begins to conduct her own investigation into the disappearance. Sounds interesting… doesn’t it?
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4. His Dark Materials (HBO)
Finally, we might hope to see Philip Pullman’s celebrated work done justice on the screen. The movie which was based on the book wasn’t all that great but the TV series might be. Dafne Keen of Logan fame is set to portray the character of Lyra. We will be seeing seasoned actor James McAvoy in the role of Lord Asriel. The first season of the series will cover the first book of the series and will be airing next year on HBO.
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3. Fosse/Verdon (FX)
Based on the lives of Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon, whose creative and romantic partnership helped to shape the midcentury Broadway scene, Fosse/Verdon stars Michelle Williams in the lead. If that’s not enough for you to get excited, here’s another interesting information: Hamilton’s Lin-Manuel Miranda and his frequent collaborator, Thomas Kail, will both executive produce; while Steven Levenson—the writer behind Dear Evan Hansen’s Tony-winning book—has been tapped as the series’s showrunner.
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2. Mrs. America (FX)
Cate Blanchett, arguably the greatest actress of her generation, is making US television debut with Mrs. America, a series based on the fight to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. Blanchett will play Phyllis Schlafly, a conservative political activist who supported antifeminism, opposed abortion, and successfully campaigned against ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Emmy winning writer Dahvi Waller, best known for his work on Mad Men, will serve as showrunner.
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1. The Loudest Voice in the Room (Showtime)
If you ever were looking for a TV series with biggest names of Hollywood, look no further. ‘The Loudest Voice in the Room’ that tells the story of Roger Ailes who “molded Fox News into a force stars Russel Crowe, Naomi Watts, Seinna Miller and Seth McFarlene. Crowe is set to play Ailes, while Watts will don the role of Gretchen Carlson, the Fox news anchor who ultimately brought down Ailes. The series focuses primarily on the past decade in which Ailes arguably became the Republican Party‘s de facto leader till the time sexual harassment accusations and settlements brought his Fox News reign to an end.
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