Thank goodness for new TV premieres in January because on the film side, things are looking bleak. There are plenty of new series to stream and binge with the creative minds behind “Veep” and “The Big Sick” debuting their latest outputs. We’re also coming to the end of beloved series such as “Bojack Horseman” and “Schitt’s Creek,” the latter of which has earned some late in life love from fans who found the little show that could through Netflix.
It’s striking just how eclectic the January lineup is, from political satire, to musicals, and vibrant animation. There’s something for everyone and as we bury ourselves away for the winter months to hibernate, there’s plenty to explore that may never have been on your radar otherwise.
“Schitt’s Creek”
What You Need To Know: One of television’s acclaimed comedies embarks on its final season on PopTV and having been nominated for their first Emmy Award this year, the series ends on a high note. The series is headlined by two legendary comedic talents: Eugene Levy, who is probably best known for his role as Jim’s dad in the “American Pie” movies, and Catherine O’Hara, known for her work in the “Home Alone” films, “Beetlejuice” and previously playing Levy’s wife in cult classic “Best In Show.” The series is a family affair, having been created by Levy and his son David Levy, with his sister Sarah Levy appearing in the series as well. The cast is rounded out by talented young actress Anne Murphy and notable comedian Chris Elliot. The show follows a rich family that abruptly loses their fortune and ends up settling in a small Canadian town that family patriarch Johnny Rose originally purchased as a joke. Just as wholesome as it is funny, we are sad to see it go but you might consider watching (or re-watching) the series during your next Netflix binge session.
Release Date: The final season premieres January 7 on POP
“Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist”
What You Need to Know: Network television is having a bit of a resurgence right now, possibly made all the more noticeable because of the overwhelming oversaturation of streaming services to pick from. “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” is the latest show trying to marry humor and music into its narrative, a tricky balancing act. Starring the often undervalued Jane Levy (look to “Suburgatory” for her sitcom chops) and Skylar Astin who has sung in roles such as “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” and “Pitch Perfect,” something about the trailers so far strikes us as a touch too twee, but perhaps the charms of the performers can overcome any hurdles.
Release Date: The series premieres January 7 on NBC
“Party of Five”
What You Need To Know: This new series is a reimagining of the popular ’90s series of the same name, starring a young Neve Campbell, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Matthew Fox. Unlike the original where the parents were killed in a tragic vehicle accident, this incantation is pulled right from today’s headlines in that the parents end up being suddenly deported to Mexico. Outside of these major changes, the Acosta siblings mirror the same themes of the original series which with its premise, expects to hit audiences closer to home. With family separations, immigration, and deportation constantly appearing in today’s headlines, there is no doubt that the series will be palpable for audiences and potentially more heart wrenching than the original series. The new show stars Brandon Larracuente, most recently seen in the Netflix series “13 Reasons Why,” as the eldest who reluctantly takes the role of head of the family. Additional cast members include newcomers Niko Guardado, Emily Tosta, and Elle Paris Legaspi.
Release Date: Season 1 premieres January 8 on Freeform
“The Outsider”
What You Need To Know: There is no shortage of television shows and films based on Steven King’s compelling novels and short stories, and “The Outsider” is just adding to that list. Based on the bestselling book of the same name, the series is headlined by notable stars Ben Mendelsohn and Jason Bateman, who both serve as executive producers on the series, in the titular roles alongside Tony Award winner Cynthia Erivo, Bill Camp, Mare Winningham, and Paddy Considine. For enthusiasts, the premise is classic Steven King: mysterious, fascinating, monstrous, and horrific. The series involves the investigation of what appears to be a cut and dry murder case but soon evolves into something more when unknown and unexplained forces complicate the case. Bateman is serving as the most valuable player on this project because on top of acting as well as producing, he also is listed as a director for the first two episodes of the HBO series. Needless to say, this series is expected to be haunting and intriguing, which will definitely keep viewers glued to the screen all season long.
Release Date: Season 1 premieres January 12 on HBO
“The New Pope”
What You Need To Know: This show was announced as a continuation of the popular 2016 series “The Young Pope” starring Jude Law and should be considered the second season of the series. The show starts where the previous series left off, adding renowned actor John Malkovich to the cast in the titular role as the new Pope slated to replace Law’s Pope Pius XIII who we last saw in a coma at the end of the last season. The series is helmed by Paolo Sorrentino whose received tons of accolades throughout his career, including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe and a multitude of film festival awards from the Cannes and Venice Film Festivals. The new series recently made headlines for their casting choices which surprisingly include alternative rock singer Marilyn Manson, as well as notable film actress Sharon Stone who will both have guest-starring roles in the limited HBO series. Malkovich is a captivating and spellbinding actor with a huge volume of acting accolades in his own right. His addition to the cast as well as Sorrentino’s stylized and opulent directing style will undoubtedly make for a very interesting look into the mysterious world of Vatican City. It will be interesting to see how these two titans will interact in this series’ latest batch of episodes.
Release Date: The series premieres January 13 on HBO