WATCH: 10 of 2023’s most anticipated TV shows
That ’90s Show; Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story; and The Last of Us. Image: Netflix / Shondaland Productions / HBO Max via ETX Daily Up
With the new year comes a raft of new TV shows! From prequels like “Velma” and “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story” to spinoffs like “That ’90s Show” and “Freeridge” and eagerly awaited return of favorite actors like Jason Segel and Natasha Lyonne, here are 10 new TV and streaming shows that you shouldn’t miss in 2023.
‘Velma’
“Scooby-Doo” zaniness returns with this new series focusing on Velma, the head of the gang of young detectives. An animated series with the voice of Mindy Kaling in the main role, the actress and writer will share the spotlight with Constance Wu, who voices the character of Daphne. Sammy will be played by Sam Richardson and Fred by Glenn Howerton. Jane Lynch (“Glee”), Wanda Sykes, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Shay Mitchell (“Pretty Little Liars”) and Nicole Byer will also be part of the voice cast.
The Scooby gang will have to solve a murder that occurred in their high school. The Mature-rated adult-oriented series, which follows the title character’s journey of self-discovery, will also address some sexual tension experienced by Velma, who is of South Asian origin.
Release date: Jan. 12 on HBO Max
‘The Last of Us’
If Netflix has been successful with the adaptation of the video game “The Witcher” starring Henry Cavill, it’s now HBO’s turn to reveal its version of another popular game, “The Last of Us.” Two actors from “Game of Thrones” will play the main roles of Bella Ramsey, aka Lyanna Mormont; and Pedro Pascal, the unforgettable Oberyn Martell. The latter will play Joel, a survivor in a post-apocalyptic world, 20 years after the destruction of civilization, hired to sneak a 14-year-old girl out of a quarantine zone.
Release date: Jan. 15 on HBO
‘That ’90s Show’
This show marks one of the most anticipated reunions of 2023. Netflix is going all out with the launch of a sequel to “That ’70s Show” with “That ’90s Show.” This time, the story will focus on Leia Forman, the daughter of Eric and Donna, played by Topher Grace and Laura Prepon respectively. Leia (Callie Havera) will visit her grandparents Kitty (Debra Jo Rupp) and Red (Kurtwood Smith). The rest of the gang, Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis and Wilmer Valderrama will also be present. Ten episodes will make up this new series, produced by the creators of the original series.
Release date: Jan. 19 on Netflix
‘Poker Face’
After “Russian Doll” on Netflix, Natasha Lyonne is back on small screens with “Poker Face,” from the writer and director of “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,” Rian Johnson. The actress plays Charlie Cale, a woman with the gift of knowing when someone is lying. She will use this power to investigate murders. In the manner of old-school detective shows, the heroine will have to solve a case per episode. In all, 10 episodes will make up this first season, with the first four available on Jan. 26, followed by one episode per week every Thursday.
Release date: Jan. 26 on Peacock
‘Shrinking’
Jason Segel is back on small screens in a comedy. After “How I Met Your Mother,” the actor will share the spotlight on “Shrinking” with Harrison Ford, Bill Lawrence and Brett Goldstein. The actor who played Marshall Eriksen will play the lead role, that of Jimmy Johns, a grieving therapist. After reaching the point of no return, Jimmy begins to say everything he thinks to his clients. An unconventional method that changes his patients’ lives as well as his own.
As for Harrison Ford, the eternal Indiana Jones will trade in his whip for a couch as Dr. Phil Rhodes, a quick-witted, rule-following therapist specializing in cognitive behavioral therapy who learns that he has Parkinson’s disease.
Release date: Jan. 27 on Apple TV+
‘Wolf Pack’
2023 is the time of many a comeback, particularly for our favorite actors from cult series of the past. Sarah Michelle Gellar makes her return this year in yet another supernatural series. She stars as Kristin Ramsey, in charge of investigating arson in California, in “Wolf Pack.” The show follows the journey of Everett and Blake, two teenagers who see their lives change after a supernatural creature is awakened following a forest fire. Upon meeting Harlan and Luna, identical twins adopted 16 years ago by a forest ranger, the four teenagers feel a strong connection with one another and discover that they have been bitten by a werewolf.
Release date: Jan. 26 on Paramount+
‘Freeridge’
After a spinoff from “That ’70s Show,” Netflix continues in the spinoff genre with “Freeridge,” which takes place in the universe of “On My Block!” Taking place in the same neighborhood of Los Angeles, USA, the plot concerns four friends, sisters Gloria and Ines and their friends Cameron and Demi, who have to find a way to get rid of a curse. Older characters may make an appearance in this new ten-episode series.
Release date: Feb. 2 on Netflix
‘White House Plumbers’
This show takes yet another look at the Watergate affair. The new HBO miniseries will tell the story of E. Howard Hunt, played by Woody Harrelson, and G. Gordon Liddy, played by Justin Theroux, who accidentally ruined Richard Nixon’s presidency. Lena Headey, who played Cersei in “Game of Thrones,” plays Dorothy, a CIA agent and wife of E. Howard Hunt. The mini-series is based on the book “Integrity” by Egil “Bud” Krogh and Matthew Krogh.
Release date: March on HBO
‘Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies’
Nostalgia is clearly the watchword of 2023 TV. After “That ’90s Show” and “Freeridge,” Paramount+ wants us to relive the “Grease” era with “Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies.” A musical series of 10 episodes that will take place in 1954, four years before the events of the cult film. Tricia Fukuhara, Marisa Davila, Cheyenne Wells and Ari Notartomaso will star as the Pink Ladies, a group of independent girls who have come together to change Rydell High.
Release date: Spring on Paramount+
‘Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story’
The prequels trend continues with this new show that will trace the young years of Queen Charlotte, from “Bridgerton.” Viewers will discover the young 17-year-old queen’s early days at court and her arranged marriage to the king. We will also be able to discover Lady Danbury in her youth, played by actress Adjoa Andoh. As usual, the “Bridgerton” universe will be all about power, love and friendship.
Release date: 2023 on Netflix
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