While the month of December is a great time for visiting with family, opening presents and playing in the snow, it's not a great time for watching television. Most shows go on a winter hiatus, leaving us high and dry in the holiday months. Thank goodness, then, that it's finally January! Here's your guide to the returning shows we're looking forward to the most in the next three months:
"Community" is a low-rated but critically-adored comedy that attracted a cult following through its unique blend of wacky humor, with episodes dedicated to paintball fights, zombie outbreaks, claymation, musicals, alternate timelines and more. But the show has suffered from mistreatment at the hands of NBC, being given undesirable time slots, being yanked off the air for months at a time, and having its creator and head writer, Dan Harmon, inexplicably dismissed last year, leading to the show's weakest season. But "Community" is finally back on NBC's schedule, with Dan Harmon back in control. He and his team are starting things off right with an episode called "Repilot", an attempt to pull the show's scattered focus back to its original, character-driven roots. Only time will tell if this rejiggering will help the show stay on the air for more seasons, or if it will just be a case of too little too late. But either way, we're certain to enjoy the hijinks of the Greendale gang in the meantime.
The British phenomenon finally returns to the United States. The show last left us reeling with the unexpected death of Mary's husband Matthew, and the new season will largely be structured around coping with that tragic loss. While we all feel classy watching "Downton Abbey" because of its fancy costumes and British accents, it's important to remember that it's really the sudsiest of soap operas, so don't think that Mary will be lonely for long. In fact, this year she'll be courting not one, not two, but three suitors: family friend Gillingham (Tom Cullen), newcomer Blake (Julian Ovenden) and the returning Evelyn Napier (Brendan Patricks).
(Watch the trailer.)
After an experimental and divisive sophomore season, Lena Dunham's awkward-funny comedy about young women living and growing in NYC is back to the first season's more lighthearted ways, if the trailer can be believed. Christopher Abbott may be gone as Marnie's exasperated on-again off-again boyfriend Charlie, but everyone else is back -- yes, including Hannah's roommate, ex-boyfriend, gay bestie, occasional hookup Elijah (Andrew Rannells). And guess who's joining the cast? Danielle Brooks, aka fan favorite Taystee from Netflix's "Orange Is The New Black" as the show's first female black character.
(Watch the trailer.)
Where can "The Following" go now that cult leader Joe Carroll is dead? Well, you know what happened when Hercules cut off the head of the Hydra in that awesome Disney movie. Their leader may be dead, but the cult's still out there, as evidenced by a horrific murder spree that kicks off the second season premiere. Several exciting new cast members are joining the show this year: Sprague Grayden ("24") as a tabloid reporter at odds with Kevin Bacon's Agent Ryan Hardy; Gregg Henry ("Scandal") as a distinguished doctor with a dark secret; Keith Carradine ("Dexter") as a trusted friend of Ryan's; Jacinda Barrett ("Poseidon") as a mysterious femme fatale; and Carrie Preston ("The Good Wife", "True Blood") as Carroll's most loyal groupie.
(Watch the trailer.)
Everyone's favorite detective is back! After a mega-successful winter playing against each other in "The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug" as Smaug and The Hobbit (respectively), Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman are back to their usual hijinks as Sherlock and Watson. The new season picks up exactly two years after last season's finale, where Sherlock seemingly jumped to his death. Events this year will include an explanation for the man's apparent resurrection and the introduction of his new nemesis, Charles Augustus Magnussen, played by Danish actor Lars Mikkelsen. One thing we won't be seeing this season? Irene Adler. (She may pop back up in Season 4.)
(Watch the trailer.)
What better way to spend Valentine's Day this year than snuggling down with your loved one on the couch to binge watch Frank Underwood's machiavellian and murderous manipulations? After Netflix made history this year by being the first non-television-network to garner Emmy nominations, their hit show is back, with all thirteen episodes dropping at the same time. Little has been revealed about the second season's plot -- why would they spill any secrets when they know people will be flocking back to their show anyway? -- but the effective trailer promises more of the political intrigue and Kevin Spacey scenery-chewing that we grew to love last year. "And the butchery begins."
(Watch the trailer.)
The super-tense Cold War spy drama recommences with less of a focus on Philip and Elizabeth's marriage and more of a focus on their family as a whole. That's right, the new season of "The Americans" will continue to play with daughter Paige's suspicions, as hinted at in last season's finale. Both Alison Wright (as Martha, Philip Clark's oblivious new bride) and Annet Mahendru (as Nina, the gorgeous triple-agent) have been promoted to regulars this time around, so expect more subterfuge focused around those two compelling characters. Also, despite her commitment to CBS' "The Millers", Margo Martindale will be back as enigmatic handler Claudia, so you can breath easy.
(Watch the trailer.)
Fannibals rejoice! The world's most notorious cannibal is back for more mind games, slaughter, and artfully-arranged cuisine. Last season ended with poor beleaguered FBI agent Will Graham behind bars, driven to madness by his "friend" and colleague, Hannibal Lecter. If season one was the bromance, then season two is the nasty break-up. The main question of season 2 is, how will Graham navigate his way out of insanity and out of imprisonment, and how will he bring Lecter to justice? Cynthia Nixon ("Sex And The City") joins the cast as the boss's boss -- she'll be playing an FBI Inspector General investigating last season's events and the culpability of Jack Crawford (Laurence Fishburne). Expect more of creator Bryan Fuller's stunningly gorgeous visuals, artistically staged violence, and cleverly macabre murders.
There's no rest for the wicked, and Norma and Norman Bates are most definitely wicked. A&E is bringing in plenty of fresh blood to their popular scripted show, including both a love interest and a brother for Vera Farmiga's Norma. The love interest is George, played by Michael Vartan ("Alias") and the brother is Caleb, played by Kenny Johnson ("The Shield"). And, knowing "Bates Motel", both of these men will undoubtedly turn out to be complete psychos (pun intended). We already know that her brother is a twisted soul, as she told her son that Caleb used to rape her when she was a child (though he has his own side to the story) -- so his re-entrance into her life is sure to set off plenty of delicious drama. Oh, and there's also the fact that Norman probably murdered his teacher in last year's finale, an act that will no doubt have intense ramifications come Season 2.
The popular fantasy series redefined "must-watch television" with this year's shocking murder spree of several protagonists, an event known by fans as the "Red Wedding". TV producers used to hesitate killing off beloved characters for fear of driving away audiences, but expect record ratings when "Thrones" returns this March. Much is known about the events of Season 4 to viewers who have read the books, but little can be said for fear of spoiling the many twists and turns that will take place in Westeros this season. Things you can expect: more death, more dragons, and more quotable one-liners from Tyrion. New cast members this year include Mark Gatiss (Mycroft from BBC's "Sherlock") in an unknown role, Michael Huisman ("Nashville") in an unknown role, and Icelandic rock band Sigur Ros...in unknown roles. (I'm sensing a theme here.)
Tweet us @Stagebuddy and let us know what returning shows you're most excited about!
