20. “Squid Game” (Season 3)
After becoming a worldwide phenomenon and Netflix’s biggest show ever, by the time you’re reading this, “Squid Game” season two will be just a short few weeks from airing and presumably will be another big hit for the streamer. Once again written and directed by South Korean filmmaker Hwang Dong-hyuk, we don’t even know that much about season two as of right now, but Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) returns, locked in a tense battle with the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun), and new games begin. Either way, Netflix has promised the already-shot final season three will air sometime in 2025.
Premiere Date: End of Year? Via Netflix
19. “Kay Scarpetta”
A crime procedural from TV writer Liz Sarnoff (“Deadwood”) for Amazon Prime Video, based on the popular book series, Nicole Kidman stars as the titular character: a forensic pathologist who employs advanced technology to unravel mysteries and solve crimes. Jamie Lee Curtis co-stars (she produces along with Kidman), and the show also features Ariana DeBose, Bobby Cannavale, Simon Baker, Rosy McEwen, and Jake Cannavale. David Gordon Green directs the first two episodes.
Airdate: It was shot late in 2024, but TV like this turns around fast, so it could be the fall or end of the year.
18. “Department Q”
Ever since he hit Netflix, filmmaker Scott Frank’s career has finally ascended to where it should be: right at the top with productivity off the charts. The creator of the series “Godless,” “Monsieur Spade,” and, of course, the big one, “The Queen’s Gambit.” His latest and third series for Netflix is “Department Q,” another detective story. This one is based on the popular Danish book series about a former top-rated Edinburgh detective assigned to a new cold case while wracked with guilt following an attack that left his partner paralyzed and another policeman dead. Matthew Goode stars alongside Chloe Pirrie, Alexej Manvelov, Kelly Macdonald, and Leah Byrne.
Premiere Date: TBD via Netflix, but it shot early 2024, so the wait may not be too long.
17. “Death by Lightning”
Created by Mike Makowsky (“Bad Education“), this one depicts the presidency of James A. Garfield, leading up to his assassination by Charles J. Guiteau, who had been an admirer of his. Michael Shannon plays Garfield, “Succession” star Matthew Macfadyen features as Guiteau and the rest of the ensemble includes Betty Gilpin, Nick Offerman, Bradley Whitford, Shea Whigham, Kyle Soller, and more. “Game Of Thrones” guys, Benioff and Weiss are executive producers.
Premiere Date: TBD via Netflix.
16. “Dope Thief”
In a crime drama television series created by Peter Craig (“The Town”), Brian Tyree Henry and Wagner Moura star as two Philadelphia friends who pose as DEA agents to rob a house. Unfortunately, it turns out to be a narcotics lab with bigger-than-expected consequences. Ridley Scott is supposed to direct an episode, and David Fincher’s new trusted DP, Erik Messerschmidt, is shooting the show, though the strikes may have complicated some of those plans. Marin Ireland, Kate Mulgrew, and Ving Rhames also appear.
Airdate: March 14, 2025, Apple TV+.
15. “Criminal”
An inter-generational story of families connected through shared criminal history, “Criminal” was created by and is showrun by Ed Brubaker (“Too Old to Die Young”) and Jordan Harper (“The Mentalist”). But the true highlight is the excellent cast which stars Charlie Hunnam, Adria Arjona, Emilia Clarke, Richard Jenkins, Kadeem Hardison, Logan Browning, Luke Evans, John Hawkes, Garrett Hedlund, and more. The series is split between directors Anna Boden, and Ryan Fleck, and Dee Rees.
Release Date: TBD via Prime Video.
‘Criminal’: Luke Evans & Emilia Clarke To Star, Ryan Fleck & Anna Boden To Direct Drama Series At Amazon https://t.co/jHbCEz40Wi pic.twitter.com/kQIpxVY7Yn
— The Playlist (@ThePlaylistNews) July 12, 2024
14. “Black Rabbit”
While Bill Dubuque and Mark Williams created “Ozark,” one can argue that Jason Bateman, who starred and directed most of the critical episodes, got the biggest career boost. Bateman returns with a new series written by Zach Baylin (“The Order”) in which he stars alongside Jude Law. The two play brothers, Law, a successful nightclub owner; Bateman, a chaotic black sheep who re-enters his brother’s life and, through his dangerous behavior, threatens to destroy all he’s built. Dagmara Dominczyk, Troy Kotsur, Abbey Lee, Odessa Young and many more co-star. Batemen directs alongside Justin Kurzel (“Nitram”), Laura Linney, and more.
Premiere Date: TBD via Netflix.
13. “Blade Runner 2099”
Every piece of film intellectual property demands its own TV spinoff, right? The latest is Ridley Scott’s “Blade Runner,” and yes, as its title suggests, it is set after the events of “Blade Runner 2049.” In a limited series created by “Shining Girls” creator Silka Luisa for Amazon Prime Video, Michelle Yeoh stars as a Blade Runner facing the end of her life. Hunter Schafer, Tom Burke, Dimitri Abold, Lewis Gribben, Katelyn Rose Downey, Daniel Rigby, and more co-star.
Premiere Date: TBD via Prime Video, but filming wrapped in the early fall.
‘Blade Runner 2099’: Michelle Yeoh Cast In Prime Video’s New Series https://t.co/d2otqldpOE pic.twitter.com/TYDqSxiNDd
— The Playlist (@ThePlaylistNews) May 7, 2024
12. “The Savant”
A Jessica Chastain project that she stars in and executive produces, Melissa James Gibson (“Anatomy of a Scandal”) pens a series about a top-secret investigator who infiltrates an internet white supremacist organization. Acclaimed documentary filmmaker Matthew Heineman (“Cartel Land”), who has moved into narrative drama in recent years, will direct and serve as executive producer. James Badge Dale, Nnamdi Asomugha, Cole Doma, and Trinity Lee Shirley co-star.
Premiere Date: TBD via Apple TV+.
‘The Savant’: Jessica Chastain To Produce & Star In A New Apple TV+ Series https://t.co/Pe9GBidJC4 pic.twitter.com/dmnu10uDMZ
— The Playlist (@ThePlaylistNews) March 27, 2023
11. “Man On Fire”
Based on the same A.J. Quinnell-penned book series that inspired Tony Scott’s “Man On Fire,” starring Denzel Washington, the series remake stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen ll (“Watchmen”) as John Creasy, a Special Forces soldier looking for a fresh start. Bobby Cannavale, Billie Boullet co-star, with Alice Braga, Scoot McNairy, and Paul Ben-Victor. “Creed II” director Steven Caple Jr. will direct the first two episodes and former “Halo” showrunner Kyle Killen is the writer, showrunner, and exec producer.
Premiere Date: TBD via Netflix.
