With all the non CBM related content on here, I thought this would be a good list. In descending order, here are the top five shows (either in development or set to air) that I’m most looking forward to and think should be on your radar.
5.
Paradise Pictures
What: A period drama about the struggles faced by those trying to navigate their way through 1940s Hollywood. Anyone who knows their Hollywood history will understand just how different the landscape of movie making was all those years ago. As Deadline states, the series will explore “…the end of the studio monopolies, the blacklist and the disruptive new technology of television.
Where: USA Network (
Suits, White Collar)
Who: The series comes from
Rick Muirragui and
Aaron Korsh of
Suits fame. In front of the camera expect to see a host of TV talent such as
Denyse Tontz (
Big Time Rush)
Daren Kagasoff (
The Secret Life of an American Teenager), and
Matthew Del Negro (
Scandal).
When: TBC, in development
http://deadline.com/2015/04/paradise-pictures-usa-pilot-1940s-hollywood-drama-suits-producers-1201417539/
4.
The Ranch
What: After a semi-pro football run, a young man returns to the Colorado ranch he calls home and the family he has there. While this sounds like the foundation of a great drama series, it’s actually a described as a multi-camera sibling comedy. 20 episodes have already been ordered, with ten episodes to air first, followed by another ten later in the same year.
Where: Netflix (
Daredevil, Bloodline)
Who: The Ranch marks two reunions for star
Aston Kutcher, first with
Two and a Half Men showrunners
Don Reo and
Jim Patterson and then with his
That 70s Show buddy
Danny Masterson, who is set to play Kutcher’s brother. Another great addition to the cast is screen legend
Sam Elliott (
Hulk), coming off an award winning guest run on
Justified. Elliott will play father to Kutcher and Masterson’s characters.
When: 2016
http://deadline.com/2015/08/sam-elliott-cast-ashton-kutcher-danny-masterson-father-the-ranch-netflix-1201496737/
3.
The Bastard Executioner
What: Fictional 14
th century drama about a knight who vows to lay down his sword for good. But it’s only a matter of time before he’s drawn back into a world of violence again and becomes an executioner. So expect there to be a lot of action and violence and of course some great dramatic storytelling involving plenty of rich characters.
Where: FX (
Sons of Anarchy, Justified)
Who: Coming from
Sons of Anarchy creator
Kurt Sutter, we also have the likes of
Paris Barclay (
Sons of Anarchy) and the incredible
Brian Grazer behind the camera. In terms of actors it’s beyond impressive, with
Katey Sagal (
Sons of Anarachy),
Stephen Moyer (
True Blood) and
Brían F. O'Byrne (
FlashForward) starring. Headlining the series however is Austrailian newcomer
Lee Jones, who may be set for Charlie Hunnam-type success.
When: Fall 2015 a.k.a. soon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bastard_Executioner
2.
The Alienist
What: Based on the 1994 book by
Caleb Carr, the upcoming miniseries is described as a psychological thriller about the hunt for one of New York City’s original serial killers. A team consisting of Dr Laszlo Kreizler, commissioner Theodore Roosevelt , and reporter John Moore hope to utilize tactics of psychology to bring the murderer to justice. Start getting excited.
Where: TNT (
Falling Skies, Major Crimes)
Who: While no cast has been announced as of yet, the book’s author
Caleb Carr has come on board as consulting producer. What might get audiences even more pumped however is the fact that sitting in the director’s chair is none other than
True Detective’s
Cary Fukunaga. On top of that,
Drive scribe
Hossein Amini is on writing duties. Both will be executive producing the series along with Academy Award winning
Eric Roth (
House of Cards). Could very well be set for
True Detective success by the looks of things.
When: TBC, in development
http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/the-alienist-tnt-caleb-carr-consulting-producer-1201544785/
1.
Hap and Leonard
What: Six episode show based on the successful crime series of books from the extremely gifted
Joe R. Lansdale (
Cold in July, Batman: The Animated Series). Hap and Leonard revolves around two best friends, one a white, middle aged plantation worker, and the other a black, homosexual Vietnam veteran. The two martial arts experts face challenges with the law as they try to navigate their way through 1980s Texas.
Where: Sundance TV (
Rectify, Top of the Lake)
Who: As expected with Sundance TV drama, the names attached to this one are nothing less than great. After turning Lansdale’s brutal
Cold in July into an awesome film last year (if you haven’t yet, you need to watch this movie asap) both director
Jim Mickle and writer/actor
Nick Damici are reuniting for Hap and Leonard.
Lansdale will be co-producing the show which already has
James Purefoy (
The Following) and
Michael Kenneth Williams (
Boardwalk Empire) in the lead roles. Joining them are
Christina Hendricks (
Mad Men),
Jimmi Simpson (
House of Cards) and
Bill Sage (
Boardwalk Empire). Wow.
When: 2016
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/sundance-tv-orders-drama-series-747947
So there you have it, five shows to look forward to, some of which will undoubtedly be on everybody’s lips this time next year. Thanks for reading.