By Joel Lee
2016 was an interesting year for Netflix, to say the least. Of the many new original series that debuted, a surprising number of them were duds — yet even so, Netflix has a track record that most broadcast and cable networks envy.
Indeed, Netflix added a lot of awesome new series in 2016, including:
- 3%
- Black Mirror (Netflix took over in season 3)
- The Last Kingdom
- Travelers
- White Rabbit Project
And the service isn’t slowing down any time soon, preferring to shrink its catalog in favor of producing more high-quality original content. So if you’re itching for more acclaimed series like Bloodline, Master of None, Orange Is the New Black, and Stranger Things, then 2017 is going to be a fun year for you on Netflix.
1. One Day at a Time
Release Date: January 6, 2017
One Day at a Time is a reimagining of the 1975 sitcom of the same name with a twist. It centers on the life of a Cuban-American family that consists of a separated mother who is a military veteran, a strong-headed feminist daughter, and a socially inept teenaged son. Also starring as the family’s grandmother is Rita Moreno, who is one of only 12 performers to have ever won all four major entertainment awards (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony).
2. A Series of Unfortunate Events
Release Date: January 13, 2017
Based on the eponymous children’s novels by Lemony Snicket, this eight-episode mystery-drama series follows Count Olaf (Neil Patrick Harris) as he tries to steal the inheritance of the Baudelaire orphans and orchestrate their deaths. The first season has already received critical acclaim for its enjoyably dark tone and its mature handling of themes like loss, grief, and hope.
3. Frontier
Release Date: January 20, 2017
Historical dramas are becoming quite popular these days, especially on Netflix with examples in Marco Polo, The Last Kingdom, and The Crown. The next one to join that list will be Frontier, which takes place during the 1700s North American fur trade and has already been described by critics as action-packed, uncomplicated, and delicate.
Note that this series premiered on Discovery Channel Canada in November 2016, but was co-produced by Netflix which has international distribution rights in all countries except Canada. Hence, we consider it an original Netflix production.
4. Santa Clarita Diet
Release Date: February 3, 2017
Santa Clarita Diet is a comedy-horror series centered on the life of a wife who dies, comes back as a zombie, and wants to devour everyone except her husband. The husband-and-wife pair is played by Timothy Olyphant and Drew Barrymore, and the series will feature returning characters played by Nathan Fillion and Mary Elizabeth Ellis.
5. Iron Fist
Release Date: March 17, 2017
Iron Fist is the fourth title in the Marvel Cinematic Universe series of shows being produced by Netflix, following in the footsteps of Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and Luke Cage. The premise involves Danny Rand, a martial arts expert who can call upon the power of the Iron Fist to defeat his enemies. If you’re a fan of the other MCU shows, then you absolutely cannot afford to miss this one.
6. Girlboss
Release Date: April 2017
Based on the autobiography of Sophia Amoruso, Girlboss is the dramatic retelling of a woman who started her own business selling vintage clothes on eBay and turned it into a multi-million dollar brand by the age of 28. The show, which is a comedy in case it wasn’t clear, is written and executive produced by one of the writers of 30 Rock, so expect it to be both funny and riveting.
7. Mindhunter
Release Date: Sometime in 2017
If you love crime television, then you’ll want to add Mindhunter to your watchlist, because it’s going to be unlike any other crime show you’ve seen. Set in 1979, it will follow two FBI agents who specialize in behavior science as they interview imprisoned serial killers in order to solve ongoing cases. On paper it sounds similar to Hannibal, and the best part is that it will be executive produced by David Fincher.
8. Bill Nye Saves the World
Release Date: Sometime in 2017
Netflix is already home to a lot of educational science TV shows, such as White Rabbit Project (which all Mythbusters fans should watch), but the catalog will be getting one more high-profile addition in 2017: the famous Bill Nye. This will be a talk show where Nye examines the intersection of modern science, politics, pop culture, and society — and it will involve a lot of mythbusting of its own. 12 Science TV Shows to Watch on NetflixTwo new science TV shows are coming to Netflix in the near future, but here are 12+ amazing science TV shows to keep you going in the meantime.READ MORE
9. The Defenders
Release Date: Sometime in 2017
The Defenders will be a crossover miniseries starring the main characters from the four Netflix-produced Marvel Cinematic Universe titles. The miniseries will be developed by the same showrunner duo that made Daredevil, and looks to be a climactic culmination of the individual series. If executed properly, this could be one of the most impressive feats ever performed in the history of television.
10. The Punisher
Release Date: Sometime in 2017
With The Punisher being an unexpected favorite among fans of Daredevil, it’s no surprise that Marvel and Netflix decided to give him his own series. Written and executive produced by Steve Lightfoot, who also wrote and executive produced Hannibal, The Punisher looks like it’s going to be a wild ride for Marvel fans. Though it takes place in the same Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Punisher will not be appearing in The Defenders.
11. 13 Reasons Why
Release Date: Sometime 2017
13 Reasons Why will be a drama series based on the Thirteen Reasons Why young adult novel with Selena Gomez as executive producer and lead star alongside Dylan Minnette. The story centers on a high school student who takes her own life, leaving behind a shoebox full of cassette tapes addressed to 12 peers and explaining how each one played a role in her suicide.
12. Gypsy
Release Date: Sometime in 2017
Gypsy will follow Jean Holloway, played by Naomi Watts, who stars as a therapist who develops dangerous and intimate relationships with the people in her patients’ lives. The first two episodes will be directed by Sam-Taylor Johnson, the director of Fifty Shades of Grey. Not much else about the story is known at the time of writing.
13. Anne
Release Date: Sometime in 2017
Anne will be a retelling of the classic children’s novel Anne of Green Gables with much more drama and heart. The series will be adapted by Moira Walley-Beckett, who wrote and produced Breaking Bad and created Flesh and Bone. With an Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series under her belt, you can be sure that Anne will be a compelling experience.
14. Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later
Release Date: Sometime 2017
Did you enjoy Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp? Then you’ll be happy to know that Netflix is continuing the series with a sequel titled Ten Years Later, which will be set in the year 1991 and take place both at the camp and in New York City. Most of the cast will be reprising their roles, and there will be several new characters as well.
15. Ozark
Release Date: Late 2017
Ozark is still a long way off so not much is known about it at the time of writing. However, here’s what we do know: Jason Bateman (of Arrested Development fame) will be playing a city man who moves to the Ozarks (a mountainous region in the middle of the United States) and must pay off the debt he owes to a Mexican druglord. It sounds interesting enough, particularly due to the Breaking Bad vibes in its premise.
Which One Are You Most Excited to Watch?
I’m personally excited about A Series of Unfortunate Events, Frontier, Santa Clarita Diet, and Ozark. What can I say? I love drama of the deepest and darkest variety, though always with a bit of levity sprinkled in. But to be honest, all of the shows on this list have potential, especially 13 Reasons Why. I wouldn’t be surprised if that one turned out be be surprisingly good.
It’s this kind of ambition that leaves me unconcerned when Netflix raises its price. As long as Netflix keeps its catalog ad-free and as long as they keep experimenting with original content, I will remain a happy and loyal subscriber. And I hope you will too. Why You Should Be Happy to Pay More for NetflixEvery time Netflix increases its prices, millions of binge-watching users balk at the prospect of paying a couple of dollars more. But this is dumb, because Netflix is an absolute steal.READ MORE
Need something to watch right now? Check out these awesome Netflix shows that you’ll probably enjoy.
Source: www.makeuseof.com
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