Don’t Miss These 10 Genre Shows Premiering in January!
January 21:
The 100 Season 3 (The CW)
Premise: Another book adaptation, The 100 is a story about humanity retreating to the stars after a nuclear apocalypse laid waste to the Earth. Things are getting dicey on their space station home after almost a century when leadership decides to send 100 prisoners (who just happen to be under the age of 18) to the surface to test whether or not the land is inhabitable yet. Way harsh. Turns out Earth is survivable but not desolate as they were led to believe. Also, just because the Earth is survivable doesn’t mean everyone will survive and hard choices must be made by all.
Items of interest: After hearing the hype I just recently binged all of this one and was really surprised by it. The 100 is part Lost, part Battlestar Galactica and shares cast members from both. Also, if you like “strong female characters” this one has them in spades. If you dislike violence, this one probably isn’t for you.
How to get caught up: Seasons 1 (13 episodes) and 2 (16 episodes) of The 100 are currently streaming on Netflix while episodes and the whole series are available on Amazon and iTunes.
Note: Below is a trailer for Season 3, do not watch if you’re not caught up. (Here’s a link to the trailer for Season 1.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKUuukxrbrU
Also on January 21st…
Legends of Tomorrow (The CW)
Premise: Based on DC Comics characters, this new series is a superhero spinoff from The CW’s Arrow and The Flash. But this time there’s time travel! Ok, we got a small bit of time travel on The Flash but Legends of Tomorrow is all about time travel! It features a time traveling professional who joins together heroes and villains for one epic group meant to save the world from immortal Vandal Savage. Hilarity (and awesome period clothing) ensues.
Items of interest: Arthur Darvill, Rory from Doctor Who, gets to be the Time Lord for a change! It also stars Victor Garber who is an international treasure. I hope they let him sing.
How to get caught up: Well you could watch approximately four seasons of Arrow and two seasons of The Flash but I’m going to say it’s not necessary. Just enjoy the ride and hit up Wikipedia if you’re wondering about any of the characters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUjRiwrdUzQ
January 24th:
The X-Files (Fox)
Premise: The truth is still out there! Mulder and Scully return for a relaunch of the 90s TV series focusing on alien abductions and other unexplained phenomena. If you’re new to the FBI-focused show it’s been said the first and last episodes will tie into the larger mythology while everything in between will be standalone episodes. FYI: While the premiere is on a Sunday night (after the NFC Championship Game), it continues the following night and will eventually settle in its Monday slot. There will be six episodes.
Items of interest: We’re getting the band back together!!!! Yes, this is a big nostalgia trip for most of us. Also, Gillian Anderson is the best.
How to get caught up: Hmm. Quit your job and watch nothing but the X-Files this month? There’s nine seasons and two feature films.
January 25th:
Lucifer (Fox)
Premise: Another comic book adaptation, this time it’s based on the Lucifer character created by Neil Gaiman for The Sandman who eventually got his own self-titled series from Mike Carey. As you might have guessed, Lucifer is the Devil and after a hella long time ruling the underworld, he’s bored and now living on Earth. He’s also causing a bit of havoc along the way thanks to his unnatural abilities. In this TV version he chooses Los Angeles first and helps the LAPD solve cases. Lucifer premieres just after the second episode of the X-Files.
Items of interest: Buffy’s D.B. Woodside stars alongside lead Tom Ellis (who you may recognize from tons of British TV) as Amenadiel, an angel trying to get Lucifer back to hell. True Blood/Arrow actor Kevin Alejandro and Lesley-Ann Brandt (Spartacus) also star.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKs_yiUU_kU
Also on January 25th…
The Magicians (Syfy)
Premise: It’s been said to death this is Harry Potter and The Chronicles of Narnia for adults, but that really is the easiest way to describe The Magicians from author Lev Grossman. Based on a trilogy, this adaptation is my personal pick for most-anticipated new series this season because I’m a sucker for magical tales about magical people and places. The story focuses on Quentin Coldwater, a normal guy from Brooklyn who finds out magic is real, he can do it, and he’s going to a special school to learn more about it. Along the way he and his friends drink and screw a lot and get themselves into some trouble when they learn the fictional land of Fillory (read: Narnia) is a real place.
Items of interest: One of the standouts for me is the story of Quentin’s friend Julia, who learns about the magical world along with him but is denied entrance to the school. Oh, and Supernatural writer Sera Gamble one of the creators of the TV series. Needless to say, if part of you still wishes magic were real and you long to visit another land, get hooked on this immediately.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxB9thaew_c
(header photo via Stef Lewandowski on Flickr, Lucifer pic via IGN)