What's coming up for the 2016-2017 TV Season?
It's the end of 2015, so let's catch up on the recent rumours and stories about shows coming up in the next 12 months. You may be surprised by some of these.
Wayward Pines un-cancelled by FOX
Despite a slow start Wayward Pines was one of the best shows on TV this summer. It was based on a book trilogy of the same name, so it wasn't a surprise (though disappointing) when it ended. FOX have brought back a lot of shows recently, so Pines getting another life in summer 2016 is nice, but I'm concerned that it will no longer follow a pre-written script. Here's hoping...
Star Trek is returning to CBS in 2016-2017. Kinda...
CBS is trying to jump on the digital streaming wagon by tempting viewers with a new Star Trek series. So far, only the first episode will be shown on CBS proper, with viewers forced to subscribe to the digital platform to watch the rest of the series. Even as a fan of the universe, I'm not sure Star Trek had the following to make this a worthwhile incentive when this was announced last month, but since then the latest film trailer has landed, and has been widely derided. This might end up hurting the chances of the show working even more. I wouldn't be surprised if this series ends up never getting made.
Tremors unearths itself (again)
The first movie is one of the best B-movies ever. Go and watch it now, even if you've seen it 100 times. You won't be disappointed. What you might not know, however, apart from a string of low budget film sequels, Sci-Fi Channel (as it was) aired a 13 episode TV show about a decade ago, taking place after the third movie. It focused on the character of Burt (the gun 'enthusiast'), and aired out of order, so made a bad impression on its audience. Now Kevin Bacon is apparently attached to star in a new remake to air sometime in 2016-2017, though no network is attached yet. Despite his ongoing film career, Bacon has starred on TV recently, most notably 'The Following'.
Netflix expands original content by (almost) 100% in 2016
2015 showed that Netflix could be much more than just a catch up tool for other networks content. Jumping in deep into their own productions has paid off critically and financially, much more than most would have predicted just a couple of years ago. Almost all their new shows have won massive audiences and fans, and they aren't slowing down any time soon.
In the next 12 months, their roster will grow from 16 current shows to 31 currently planned, with a wide range of genres covering drama, sci-fi, superhero and kids stuff. Netflix also has new seasons of established series like Marvel's Daredevil, House of Cards, Orange Is the New Black, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Arrested Development coming up.
Iron Fist still a contender for 'The Defenders'
If you didn't know, the Marvel/Netflix shows are building up to be pretty wide scale. Daredevil came first, and Jessica Jones most recently, soon be followed by Luke Cage. These three will team up with the lead of a fourth show to make a FIFTH show called 'The Defenders'. Which is where the issue comes from. The three current heroes are very grounded, gritty and realistic. The fourth member of the team is in dispute.
Originally announced to be Iron Fist, it was then rumoured that TPTB had decided that Fist touched too much on a 'mystical/magical' aspect to properly work. The Punisher became the lead nomination for replacing Fist with his own show (after appearing in Daredevil S2 next year). Recently though, Fist is once again very much in. Maybe it has something to do with good feedback from the upcoming Dr Strange movie, which should introduce magic to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I look forward to seeing how they handle it, no matter the reason.
Kiefer Sutherland becomes the 'Designated Survivor'
Jack Bauer gets an unexpected promotion from protecting the president to actually being the president. Now THAT would be an fantastic premise. In a new show from ABC (for the 2016-2017 season) Kiefer will play a cabinet member who finds himself forced in to leading the free world after an attack leaves everyone else in the line of succession dead.
Fargo won't be back until 2017
The writing schedule of Fargo took production past winter time, which the producers insist is a main component of the atmosphere of the series. Shooting will now take place late 2016, for broadcast the year after.
Twin Peaks fans get good news and bad news
Reviving a 25 year old TV show is hard. Especially when it's one of the most anticipated shows of the decade, with a rabid fan base and a genius/crazy production crew that made it so unique in the first place. David Lynch has been set to write the show for the last couple of years, but fans were dismayed when he abruptly left the production this summer, citing budgetary concerns. If this was a ploy to incentivise the network, it seems to have worked, and viewers can rejoice now that Lynch is back in control.
This break in production, and maybe some more money being thrown at the show, has meant delays have crept in. Originally supposed to air in the 2016 summer season, rumours now have an airdate being mid-season (Jan) 2017 at the very earliest. Hopefully the 6-12 months extra wait will be worth it for fans who have been holding on for more than 2 decades.
Vin Diesel pitches Riddick-universe TV show
Vin Diesel (fresh off a billion dollar movie) announced that his own production company now has a TV division, and as well as a fourth film in the series, will produce a show set in the same universe based on mercenaries and bounty hunters, which have been seen in the films. Titled (currently) 'Merc City' it's unknown if Vin will reprise his role at all in the show, but fans will be able to catch up with Riddick in 'Furia' in 2017.
Empire of the Dead pitches vampires against intelligent zombies
George A Romero's upcoming zombie series (based on the Marvel comic that he writes) was rumoured to have found a home on AMC, but the network has since denied that, probably because they are worried it might cannibalise (geddit?) their current powerhouse 'The Walking Dead', or vice versa. Based in a world where zombies retain some intelligence, and where humans also have to contend with a small but powerful contingent of vampires, it could be enough of a change from the status quo to be a breakout hit. Wherever it shuffles off to.
Lost In Space to be found once more on Netflix
As part of Netflix doubling of original content (see above), the network is planning to revive the 50 year old sci-fi series. As part of the networks push into 'big scale' entertainment, the series should be an 'epic but grounded science fiction saga'. Given the vast possibilities for stories in an alien universe, let's hope this gives sci-fi fans a reason to flock to the network.
Syfy brings back Van Helsing mythology from the dead
In a world over run by vampires, Van Helsings daughter is resurrected in the future to fight the growing evil. The human characters will find themselves outnumbered and have to learn the importance of working together to ensure their survival.
If this had been pitched last year, I would have laughed, but after very much enjoying '12 Monkeys', which I wasn't expecting, and now 'The Expanse' (which you should be watching), with the right elements, maybe Syfy could make this into something very interesting.
Snowpiercer on track to get small screen treatment
In 2013 Chris Evans (of Captain America fame) starred in a B-movie called Snowpiercer, a story of class war and survival on-board an unstoppable train at the end of the world. Obviously the series will follow other characters, and it's not been announced whether the show takes place before or after the movie, and there's currently no network attached, so take this one with a grain of salt.