Most Anticipated Television of 2020

THE COUNTDOWN (20-1)

20. The Wheel of Time

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime  Creator: Rafe Judkins  Cast: Rosamund Pike, Josha Stradowski, Marcus Rutheford, Zoë Robins, Barney Harris, Madeleine Madden, Daniel Henney, Michael McElhatton, Álvaro Morte, Hammed Animashaun, Alexandre Willaume, Johann Myers, Priyanka Bose, Emmanuel Imani, and Taylor Napier.

-Today's television offerings boast no shortage of epic fantasy novels that been adapted for the screen. Sadly, the problem that has plagued most of them is how the keyword "epic" often tends to get diminished (or lost) in the translation. To successfully adapt a fantasy series requires more than just compelling drama and characters, but transferring the "magic" that those many pages were able to evoke in the reader's imagination to a medium that has to SHOW us instead of DESCRIBE to us. It is no easy feat, and one that many an adaptation of a beloved source material has struggled with. The strongest example of it being done successfully would probably be Game of Thrones, regardless of how you feel about its narrative shortcomings in the final two seasons. Which is why Amazon and showrunner Rafe Judkins are seriously going to have their work cut out for them as they attempt to adapt Robert Jordan's sprawling and ambitious series. Aside from a densely plotted story (which I won't even attempt to explain here) and a plethora of characters that together span over 14 novels (and that's not including the prequels and companion pieces), The Wheel of Time also boasts some of the most intricately layered and richly textured world-building to ever emerge from a fantasy series. Drawing elements from both European and Asian mythology, the story also incorporates concepts and ideas found in numerous philosophical influences- including Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, and even Taoism. Like I said, its ambitious stuff, and the obstacles it poses in its translation to the screen are so incredibly challenging that if successfully pulled off, would only be described as some kind of miracle. Perhaps its slim odds are the reason I've placed it so low at number 20, however, the fact that I've even included it on this list in spite of those odds is also evidence of how badly I want it to succeed all the same (a feeling that I'm sure is reflected by the series' devoted fan base as well.) With over 80 million copies sold worldwide, inspiring a slew of comic books, video games, and even its own soundtrack, there is no doubt that Jordan's highly acclaimed series holds a special place in both the hearts and imaginations of his readers, and for that alone they deserve an adaptation that does his work proud. The wildcard in all this is showrunner Rafe Judkins, whose filmography includes some writing and producing work on Chuck and Marvel's Agents of SHIELD, with this show marking his debut as a series creator. Judkins' previous credits are reasonably solid, although not altogether extraordinary, making me skeptical and unconvinced at this point that he's the man to knock this material out of the park. That being said, I would love to be proven wrong. 

Release: TBA (I'm hoping late 2020, but there is a slight chance we won't see this until 2021. Filming for Season 1 began last September, so anything is possible.)

 

19. Impeachment: American Crime Story

Where to Watch: FX  Cast: Beanie Feldstein, Sarah Paulson, Annaleigh Ashford, Clive Owen, and Margo Martindale (with more casting announcements to come.)

-One of the most extraordinary things about the art of film is how is how it can often hold up a mirror to our society, and encourage us to examine (or reexamine) certain aspects and facets of our culture in an entirely new dimension. It is those types of stories that have the ability to reshape our thinking and perspective, and in turn, change the world we live in. American Crime Story, the hit anthology series on FX from executive producer Ryan Murphy, is certainly one of those shows that has engaged and challenged us to do just that, casting a light on subjects that we think we know and understand (but probably don't) and conveying them through a story that speaks to our shared humanity. In the series' first season, The People vs OJ Simpson, the show sparked urgent conversations about the topic of race and the ways it systematically influences the proceedings of our justice system, and the following season, The Assassination of Gianni Versace, explored how our country's fears and prejudices towards the gay community fostered a culture that was willing to turn a blind eye to their struggles and pain, even if it resulted in a body count. The subject of the series' third season comes not a moment too soon, as it covers the impeachment trial of former President, Bill Clinton, and the women who found themselves in the heat of the scandal that led to it. Based on the bestselling book by Jeffrey Toobin, A Vast Conspiracy: The Real Story of the Sex Scandal That Nearly Brought Down a President, and told through the eyes of Monica Lewinsky- who will also serve as a producer on the upcoming season- Impeachment will provide a platform to tell a story that reverberates with some of today's most polarizing and weighty topics. Lewinsky, who had to bear the the weight of a giant Scarlet Letter after her affair with Clinton was dragged into the spotlight, has become a fascinating public figure in today's culture. Her story and personal insight is not only an indictment of how quick our society is to shame women, but also the ways in which our leaders abuse the power that has been ordained to them. The very fact that Lewinsky was brought on board as a producer to help tell a story that is mostly told from her perspective speaks volumes in itself, making this production more than just a byproduct of the revolutionary MeToo movement, but a manifestation of the cultural awakening that is finally beginning to recognize how vitally important it is that women should tell their own stories. But most importantly, I'm hoping that the show's subject of a President's impeachment provokes its audiences to contemplate the standards we hold to our leaders and how they conduct themselves in the both the public eye, and the eye of the law. The state of our current political landscape demands those kinds of thought-provoking questions, and it is absolutely essential that we recognize their relevancy as we approach our upcoming election this November. On top of all that is the casting, which is nothing short of brilliant. Beanie Feldstein, of Ladybird and Booksmart fame, has both the sharp wit and vulnerability it would take to embody the complexity of Monica Lewinsky, and her uncanny resemblance makes her casting a true stroke of genius. And Clive Owen, who can convey hegemonic masculinity with ripples of sensitivity, or even malice (sometimes both at the same time), should prove to be quite remarkable as the disgraced President, Bill Clinton. The public's continued fascination with the Clinton-Lewinksy scandal is one that is both perplexing and completely understandable, one that is made even more relevant today given the current state of events. Those factors should make the third season of American Crime Story not only one of the most watched and debated shows to come out this year, but also one of the most culturally important and significant.
Release: The show is slated to premiere on September 27th, but could be pushed a few weeks back depending on how fast production wraps.

   

18. His Dark Materials: Season 2

Where to Watch: HBO  Cast: Dafne Keen, Ruth Wilson, Clarke Peters, James Cosmo, Ariyon Bakare, James McAvoy, Lin Manuel-Miranda, Amir Wilson, and Andrew Scott, including the voices of Kit Connor, Helen McCrory, Phoebe Scholfield, Cristela Alonzo, and David Suchet.

-It's been less than a month now since the season finale of His Dark Materials, and according to reports, Season 2 (which began filming shortly before the premiere of Season 1) is steadily moving forward. For some, this will be exciting news, and for others...well, they probably just won't care. As for me, I'm probably somewhere in between, although definitely leaning more towards the former. Based on the acclaimed fantasy series of books by Philip Pullman, this handsome adaptation from HBO and BBC seemed like it was destined to serve as a kind of antidote to the hole left by Game of Thrones, which had its series finale less than six months before HDM had its season premiere. Indeed, Pullman's highly imaginative world of spirit animal counterparts, armored bears, sociopolitical intrigue, and interdimensional travel had all the trappings of pure fantasy escapism. And yet, despite the fact that Season 1 arrived like the roar of a giant armored polar bear- boasting stellar visuals, superb performances, a gorgeous score by composer Lorne Balfe, and earning mostly positive acclaim from both critics and audiences- it was a roar that mostly echoed back on itself. While ratings in the UK soared, with an average of about 6.5 million viewers per episode, viewership in the US failed to even make half of that, with none of the episodes managing to break even 1 million views. Perhaps it was the result of disgruntled customers cancelling their HBO subscription following the disappointing finale of Game of Thrones, or perhaps the poor response to The Golden Compass (New Line Cinema's rendering of the material back in 2007) is truly an indicator that there just isn't a large enough audience that wants to see Pullman's work adapted for the screen. Whatever the case may be, it doesn't change the fact that this was a mostly solid start to what could be an excellent series. The HBO-BBC production has done an admirable job of translating Pullman's weighty themes of dogmatism, religious oppression through oligarchy, and the liberation and free will of the soul, although I do believe there's still room to convey those themes more artfully than how the show has chosen to do so far. But if there's one major criticism I have that I would like to see improved upon in the following season, it would be establishing a stronger sense of magic that was found in the books. The new series has focused so earnestly on establishing strong characters and drama, that it's sacrificed some of the wonder and sense of discovery that can truly bring these kinds of stories to life. All we can say for now is that that the game has been set and the pieces are moving. It will be up to the combined efforts of the two studios to see whether those pieces move to anywhere extraordinary. 

Release: TBA But I suspect that Season 2 will premiere around the same time as its predecessor in November. 

17. Atlanta: Season 3

Where to Watch: FX  Creator: Donald Glover  Cast: Donald Glover, Zazie Beetz, Brian Tyree Henry, and Lakeith Stanfield. 

-One of the biggest letdowns of 2019 was FX reporting that their hit series, Atlanta, had been pushed to 2020. The show's creator and star, Donald Glover, had kicked the year off with his musical short film, Guava Island (which debuted at last year's Coachella Festival), before lending his voice to Disney's live-action version of The Lion King as the adult Simba, and it seemed like the Childish Gambino sensation would cap the year off with the third season of his award-winning series. But as is often the case, great things take time, and in the case of Atlanta, we certainly wouldn't want Glover to rush the final product. Since the show first hit airwaves in 2016, it has emerged as one of today's most revolutionary television series. Glover's Faulkner-esque odyssey of two cousins navigating Atlanta's music scene has not only succeeded as a fascinating and biting social commentary on relationships and the ways in which economic disparity, race, and pop culture become intertwined in America, but also firmly establishes Glover as one of cinema's most singular and visionary auteurs. His undeniable talent as an artist has been evident for years (even long before the show existed), to when he first began flexing his acting chops in NBC's Community, before spreading his wings as a Grammy award-winning musician. But his work in Atlanta- which is without a doubt, the pinnacle of of his career thus far- has solidified his spot as an artist who is here to stay, and someone who should only prove to be more exciting as his career progresses. The show's complex juggling of tones and genres that can veer from comedy to urban thriller, then character study to absurdism, has produced truly sensational and genuinely unexpected results, with a virtuoso approach that echoes the likes of David Lynch's Twin Peaks while still feeling entirely unique and fresh. In addition to catapulting Glover's star status, the show has also served as a launch pad for the main actors of its stellar cast, who have since gone on to star in some of today's biggest films and blockbusters. Glover's show has achieved all of this in the span of just two seasons, and it makes the prospects of Season 3 all the more exciting. Now if only FX and Marvel would let him do his animated Deadpool series, then all might be right with the world.
Release: TBA The third season is slated to begin production this spring, which should put its premiere somewhere in mid-to-late fall.

  

16. Killing Eve: Season 3

Where to Watch: BBC America Showrunner: Suzanne Heathcote  Cast: Sandra Oh, Jodie Comer, Fiona Shaw, Harriet Walter, and Danny Sapani. 

-Is there any show in the last decade that's been as deliciously twisted and fun as BBC's Killing Eve? Sure, there's plenty of great television out there, but the Sandra Oh/Jodie Comer cat-and-mouse thriller, with its acid-laced comedy trappings, has definitely earned the title of being one of my favorites! (And rightfully so!) Last year's jaw-dropping cliff hanger in the season finale certainly left plenty of intriguing possibilities open for Season 3, and Suzanne Heathcote- whose work in the third season of Fear the Walking Dead has been lauded as some of the best writing the spinoff series has had to offer- should bring some manic creativity as Killing Eve's new showrunner. Heathcote is the third writer to be handed the reins to BBC's award-winning series, following Phoebe Waller-Bridge (who got the ball rolling with Season 1) and Emerald Fennell (who took over Season 2.) The passing of the "showrunner torch" between seasons- from one brilliant female writer to the next- has been a risky move, but one that (so far) has ultimately paid off in spades, giving each new season distinctive layers and textures that set it apart and allow the series to evolve. Each showrunner has since gone on to do exciting new projects in the wake of their respected work on the show- Fleabag's Phoebe Waller-Bridge (who recently won her first Golden Globe award) wrote the script for the upcoming Bond film, No Time To Die, and Emerald Fennell will premiere her feature directorial debut, Promising Young Woman, at this year's Sundance Film Festival. Their successful careers are not only indicative of the show's own brilliance and artistic merits, but resounding proof that female-driven entertainment like Killing Eve can open doors to a world of possibilities where female talent is able to grow and thrive; an accomplishment that remains hard fought in today's film and television industry, even if the culture has slightly improved in the last couple of years. That being said, I am very excited to return to these characters and their world, and can't wait to see what kind of surprises Heathcote has planned for their story.

Release: TBA Although I'm crossing my fingers that the series makes its annual return in April as per usual. 

15. I Know This Much Is True

Where to Watch: HBO  Written for the Screen and Directed by: Derek Cianfrance (Blue Valentine, The Place Beyond the Pines)  Cast: Mark Ruffalo, Melissa Leo, Rosie O'Donnell, Archie Panjabi, Imogen Poots, Juliette Lewis, Kathryn Hahn, Aisling Franciosi, Simone Coppo, Marcello Fonte, John Pracaccino, Tom Stratford, Michael Greyeyes, Donnie Masihi, Rocco Masihi, Matt Helm, and Bruce Greenwood.

-Welcome back, Derek Cianfrance! After a four-year hiatus following his fifth feature, The Light Between Oceans, the Blue Valentine director is back behind the camera again, only this time he's helming a miniseries for HBO (his first ever foray into television), in which he'll adapt Wally Lamb's heart-wrenching bestseller for the screen. Lamb's thoughtful and poignant novel traces the complicated, but troubled relationship between a middle-aged man and his schizophrenic twin brother, the bonds of which are only further tested when his twin is committed to a dangerous asylum from which he must be freed. Adapting Lamb's novel presents a challenging task, as the book explores deep philosophical themes by re-conceptualizing them in a contemporary lens, such as the Hindu myth of confronting one's demons to attain a kind of salvation, and how the character's relationship with his identical brother forms an introspective journey of the self. The book was able to convey these themes through a multigenerational story that's layered with feeling, without ever becoming overblown or cloyingly melodramatic. Thankfully, this is a challenge that director Cianfrance should be able to meet with aplomb, given that his aesthetic and skills as a filmmaker have already seen him elevate the "kitchen sink drama" with an artful and poignant touch. However, the most exciting news comes in the form of Mark Ruffalo's casting, who will deliver dual performances as both identical brothers. Ruffalo (who is also an executive producer on the series) is one of today's most thoughtful and sensitive actors, and his performance in this- which is sure to be both brilliant and demanding- should provide the glue that holds this production together and makes the material soar. The rest of the ensemble is exceptionally rounded out as well, with Kathryn Hahn, Melissa Leo, and Juliette Lewis all cast in significant roles that are sure to create opportunities for other award-caliber turns. 

Release: April.

14. The Undoing

Where to Watch: HBO  Creator: David E. Kelly (Big Little Lies)  Director: Susanne Bier (The Night Manager)  Cast: Nicole Kidman, Hugh Grant, Donald Sutherland, Noah Jupe, Fala Chen, Édgar Ramirez, Michael Devine, Lily Rabe, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Matilda De Angelis, and Noma Dumezweni. 

-The story of the "Monterey Five" may have come to a close last year, but that hasn't stopped producer David E. Kelly from working with his Big Little Lies star, Nicole Kidman, as they further their trend  for telling fascinating stories focused on complex female characters. Reunited with the folks at HBO, their next project- an adaptation of Jean Hanff Korelitz's harrowing bestseller, I Should Have Known- definitely provides the producer and star with enough new meaty material to sink their teeth in. Kidman will star as Grace Sachs, a successful New York City therapist who has a seemingly perfect life: a devoted husband, a loving son who she's able to send to an elite private school, and the upcoming launch of her first published book- a self-help guide that admonishes women to take control of their fractured lives, instead of making excuses for the men who have failed them. In a tragic turn of irony, one that leaves in its wake a violent death and a missing husband, Grace's "perfect" life becomes upended, shattering the walls she's built around herself and leaving her with revelations that's she failed to live by her own keen advice. If Big Little Lies was about the untruths we tell each other and the repercussions they cause, then Korelitz's novel is all about the lies we tell to ourselves, as well as a cautionary tale about how those fallacies- aided by our own privilege and perspective- can blindside us by hindering our ability to truly empathize. It also poses an important statement about how intrinsically vital it is that women truly support one another. After all, Grace is a character who makes a living telling other women how they should live and what they could be doing better- advise that is structurally sound and wise, and yet rings disingenuous because of its transactional value and superiority complex- and it isn't until she's gone through her own tragedy that she's able to comprehend what it might feel like to stand in their shoes. These topics should generate some important discussions, and turn The Undoing into another home-run for HBO and all involved. The addition of Susanne Bier is only icing on the cake, whose experience directing The Night Manager suggests that she will be able to handle the story's psychological-thriller aspects with sophistication and ease.
Release: May.

13. Mrs. America

Where to Watch: FX on Hulu  Creator: Dahvi Waller  Cast: Cate Blanchett, Uzo Aduba, Rose Byrne, Kayli Carter, Ari Graynor, Melanie Lynskey, James Marsden, Margo Martindale, Sarah Paulson, John Slattery, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Tracey Ullman, and Elizabeth Banks.
-It's 1972, and the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)- having been reintroduced by Representative Martha Griffiths- has just been approved by the US Senate, thus submitting the ERA to the state legislators for the ratification process and claiming a huge victory for the women's liberation movement (WLM.) Everything seemed to be moving progressively forward, and the movement might've secured the 38 necessary state ratifications, had it not been for the oppressive (or more appropriately, regressive) efforts of Phyllis Schlafly; at least, that's what political scientist Jane J. Mansbridge concluded in her history of the ERA. A staunch conservative who believed in "traditional family values" and the separation of the sexes in their orthodox gender roles, Phyllis Schlafly was adamantly opposed to the ERA, believing that it's enactment would ultimately hinder women by depriving them of the comfortable privileges that had been afforded to them as housewifes and mothers. A mother and housewife herself, Schlafly lived a comfortable and economically advantaged existence which, combined with her devout Catholic faith, made her consciously immune to the circumstances and perspectives of any woman whose life was even remotely different from her own. Her narrow-minded assessment of the ERA, and the WLM in general, provoked her to rally other like-minded conservative women in an effort to obstruct it. Schlafly's actions are just as baffling now as they were then- she herself was a career woman, with experience as a lawyer, newspaper editor, professional speaker, and political activist- and the ramifications of those actions are still felt to this day, as her oppositional movement in the culture wars of the 70s played a pivotal role in the upsurge of the Moral Majority (the Republican religious-right organization that helped give us Reagan, the current GOP, and ultimately Donald Trump as President. and the rest is history.) Mrs. America, the new miniseries from FX that will stream exclusively through Hulu, will cover these monumental events and how they incrementally shaped our country and its current political landscape. Created by Dahvi Waller, who won an Emmy for her writing in Mad Men, and told through the eyes of the women who lived this event- both Schlafly and second-wave feminists Gloria Steinem, Betty Friedan, Shirley Chisholm, Bella Abzug, and Jill Ruckelshaus- Mrs. America tells a story that's stinging relevancy has the potential to connect with today's audiences on a multitude of levels. It's appropriate and ironic that it should follow The Undoing on this list, as both stories are similar (albeit radically different in their approach) in how they underline the importance of women supporting and empathizing with one another, as well as how classism creates barriers that blur and hinder our ability to do that. With an all-star cast led by the great Cate Blanchett (who will have to embody pure villainy as the immutable Phyllis Schlafly), Mrs. America is already looking like one of the most essential and biting pieces of television in 2020.
Release: April 15th.

12. Small Axe

Where to Watch: BBC One Director: Steve McQueen (Hunger, 12 Years a Slave)  Cast: Malachi Kirby, Gershwyn Eustache Jnr, Thomas Coombes, Jodhi May, Shaun Parkes, Rochenda Sandall, Letitia Wright, John Boyega, Joshua Viner, Nigel Boyle, Alex Jennings, Jack Lowden, Calum Callaghan, Sheyi Cole, Zakiyyah Deen, Elliot Edusah, Ellis George, John Prophet, Jay Simpson, Joy Richardson, Sam Spruell, Ciarán Owens, and Shaniqua Okwok. 

-In the last 10 years, Sir Steve McQueen has not only emerged as one of Britain's finest directors, but one of today's most influential artists and storytellers. His 2014 Oscar-winner, 12 Years a Slave, became his crossover from minimalist, bleak indie dramas (like Hunger and Shame) to epic, star-studded bleak dramas, while also making him the first black man to win an Oscar for Best Picture. But the results of his last film- the gritty, female-driven crime thriller and drama, Widows- which wasn't able to fulfill the expectations of its box office and awards-player potential (despite strong reviews from critics), has found the director taking a break from the lure of mainstream studio filmmaking. His next project has brought the esteemed auteur back to his British roots, while also incorporating the same raw and stripped-down style of storytelling that has highlighted his earlier, career-making work. An anthology series that spans the course of 46 years, Small Axe tells an expansive story that traces the history of minority oppression and resistance in London's West Indian Community, beginning with Enoch Powell's controversial 'Rivers of Blood' speech in 1968 before culminating in a more familiar 2014-setting for its final episode. Just to give you a brief history lesson, Powell's infamous speech was a hate-filled criticism of mass immigration and the proposed race relations bill, the side-effects of which resulted in heated race tensions, racially motivated attacks, and a rise in white nationalism. In other words, it's not too different from the harmful, baseless rhetoric that poisons our country today, which is why Small Axe is likely to become one of the most incendiary and powerful pieces of protest art in 2020. The fact that it's an anthology is a risky, although fascinating approach that if executed properly, should make it all the more extraordinary.
Release: TBA

11. Avenue 5

Where to Watch: HBO  Creator: Armando Iannucci (Veep)  Cast: Hugh Laurie, Suzy Nakamura, Rebecca Front, Zach Woods, Josh Gad, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Lenora Crichlow, Ethan Phillips, and Himesh Patel.

-Selina Meyer's final term ended in the hilarious, tragic irony that only Veep could've successfully pulled off, and with it came the sad farewell to one of the decade's best television series. Thankfully, we didn't even have to wait a year before Armando Iannucci gave us something new to look forward to, which (if the trailers do the new series any justice) will hopefully ease the sting of losing his acclaimed political satire. With Avenue 5, Iannucci has set his sights to the future through the setting of space travel, following the course of an interplanetary cruise ship and its diverse crew of passengers as they struggle to maintain order, even as the space craft encounters a hilarious series of obstacles and technical malfunctions. It sounds like a brilliant extension of Iannucci's sharp and observant brand of satire, one that should find the showrunner exercising great fun as he mines the comedic potential of its astronautical premise (hopefully to better effect than Seth MacFarlane's, The Orville.) Space has recently become a trendy platform for promising comedy sketches- like the aforementioned The Orville (which didn't quite hit its intended marks), FX's Archer, and the upcoming Netflix-produced Space Force from Steve Carell and Greg Daniels- so hopefully Avenue 5 is able to carve out its own distinct niche that sets it apart from the rest of the crowd. Seeing as how Veep was universally adored though, I doubt that will be an issue, especially if aided by the smart comedic instincts of Hugh Laurie and Josh Gad. 

Release: January 19th.

         

10. The Stand

Where to Watch: CBS All Access  Creators: Josh Boone and Benjamin Cavell  Cast: James Marsden, Amber Heard, Greg Kinnear, Odessa Young, Henry Zaga, Whoopi Goldberg, Jovan Adepo, Owen Teague, Brad William Henke, Daniel Sunjata, Marilyn Manson, Alexander Skarsgård, Nat Wolff, Eion Bailey, Katherine McNamara, Hamish Linklater, and Heather Graham.
-He's one of the most prolific and admired American authors of the last century, and it seems every year we're bequeathed with a new cinematic rendering of one of his many popular bestsellers (for better or for worse.) However, in the case of The Stand, which is arguably Stephen King's best novel (its definitely his most popular), there is extra reason to be excited. King's sprawling magnum opus is an epic concoction of sci-fi, fantasy, and horror that is so dense and richly plotted, that any filmmaker's attempts to undertake the material would be nothing short of ambitious. Perhaps that's why it's only been done before once, and perhaps that's why the previous adaptation (a four-episode miniseries from ABC) hasn't aged very well since its release in 1994. The new series from CBS All Access hopes to remedy that, delivering an exciting new vision that will not only honor King's beloved book, but also delve deeper into the material. The famed author has even written a new ending for the 10-hour series, and has given one of his most enthusiastic stamps of approval in regards to how the production has shaped out. A huge part of the reason for that has to do with series creators Josh Boone and Benjamin Cavell. Both avid fans of King's work (Boone himself received a personal letter from the author/writer as a kid after sending him some exuberant fan mail), the two creators have poured out a lot of energy and creativity to breath new life into the classic story, and King has referred to the scripts they wrote as "dynamite." Boone, who is also an executive producer on the show and the sole director of all ten episodes, has had a difficult past few years. His X-Men spinoff, The New Mutants, has had its release consecutively pushed since 2018, a problem that was only exacerbated when Disney took control of Fox last year, landing the project in a state of limbo with an unknown future. But 2020 seems to be looking up for the writer/director so far. Not only will his long-gestating passion project of bringing The Stand to life finally come true, but it looks as though his New Mutants film will finally see the light of day as well, having just been confirmed for a release on April 3rd. Only time will tell if the fruits of his labor will make it a truly great year for him, but no one could argue that it's definitely shaping up to be an interesting one.
Release: TBA

9. Utopia

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime  Creator: Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl, Sharp Objects)  Cast: Sasha Lane, Rainn Wilson, Dan Byrd, Cory Michael Smith, Ashleigh LaThrop, Desmin Borges, Farrah Mackenzie, Christopher Denham, John Cusack, Jessica Roth, and Jeanine Serralles.
-None of us our strangers to seeing a series we love get cancelled before its prime. It's a sad truth that it's often the most original and exciting shows that are cut off too soon- whether it's because of budget concerns, creative differences, or simply because the show took too long to find its audience and get those necessary ratings. Of course, when it does eventually find its audience, by that point it's already too late, and we're left lamenting the fact that we didn't discover its brilliant offerings sooner. Such was the case with Utopia, Dennis Kelly's inspired British television series, which ran for a year and a half (between 2013 and 2014) before it was abruptly cancelled due to low ratings and an expensive $50 million budget. Sadly, we'll never know what kinds of exciting twists and reveals Kelly had in store for us, but I'm hoping the new American adaption from Amazon studios will be able to deliver a more completed vision, one that satisfies fans while reinvesting their interest and attracting new followers in the process. The story focuses on a group of young adults who discover a bizarre, cult-underground graphic novel of mythic and prophetic proportions. Within the pages of its text contain the answers to the world's most mysterious and perplexing conspiracy theories, answers that soon put them at risk of being hunted down by a deep, shadowy organization known only as "The Network" and burdening them with the responsibility of saving the world. Gillian Flynn, the famed writer who went from best-selling author to award-winning screenwriter, is the mastermind behind this new interpretation, and her involvement is the most exciting aspect of this production. Flynn has already used her brilliant writing to explore a variety of themes- such as mental illness, white privilege, marriage, power dynamics, and the unspoken horrors and anxieties of small-town suburbia- with a voice that remains entirely unique, fresh, and exciting. The original Utopia was praised for how it navigated a range of social and political themes in such imaginative, visceral, and striking fashion, and I'm confident that Flynn will be able to embrace the potential of the material while making it entirely her own.
Release: TBA

8. We Are Who We Are

Where to Watch: HBO  Creator: Luca Guadagnino (Call Me By Your Name, A Bigger Splash)  Cast: Jack Dylan Grazer, Jordan Kristine Seamon, Spence Moore II, Francesca Scorsese, Benjamin L. Taylor II, Corey Knight, Chloë Sevigny, Alice Braga, Kid Cudi, Faith Alabi, Tom Mercier, and Sebastiano Pigazzi.

-Few directors capture the essence of youthful longing and meandering confusion that go hand-in-hand with transitioning to adulthood like Luca Guadagnino. The director's 2017 feature, Call Me By Your Name, painted a portrait of sexual awakening, first love, and blossoming adulthood that was so beautiful, intimate, and achingly human in its execution, it came out of 2017 as my favorite film of that year. After blowing the doors off theaters with his wild, brilliant, equal-parts-gorgeous-and-grotesque remake of Suspiria less than two years ago, Guadagnino has returned to the coming-of-age drama, this time in the form of a miniseries for HBO (his first foray into television.) Set on a military base in Guadagnino's native country of Italy (a familiar setting that's become a frequent staple of the director's work), the story follows the summer of two American teenagers as they navigate the complex and continually-shifting waters of love, friendship, and identity. It's not the first time Guadagnino has used the Italian countryside and hot summer sun as a kind of human pressure-cooker to foster and draw out a range of complex feelings and emotions, but I'm certainly not complaining. While the terrain may feel a little too familiar to elicit strong excitement from some, anyone who appreciates Guadagnino knows that the journey itself is always so much more with the brilliant auteur.

Release: TBA

7. The Outsider

Where to Watch: HBO  Creator: Richard Price (The Night Of)  Cast: Ben Mendelsohn, Bill Camp, Jeremy Bobb, Julianne Nicholson, Mare Winningham, Paddy Considine, Yul Vazquez, Jason Bateman, Marc Menchaca, and Cynthia Erivo. 

-As I stated earlier, we can't seem to go through a year without a new adaptation of one of Stephen King's many popular works. In addition to the upcoming The Stand from CBS All Access, HBO has prematurely got the Stephen King-ball rolling, kicking the new year off with a miniseries based on one of King's more recent novels. Written for the screen by Richard Price- who delivered outstanding work in The Night Of, as well as some key episodes of The Wire- The Outsider takes place in a small Oklahoman town, where a gruesome tragedy sets in motion a shocking chain of events. After the murdered body of a young boy is found raped and mutilated, all the clues point to the locally-revered Terry Maitland (Jason Bateman)- a devoted family man, respected coach and teacher- who swears by his own innocence of the crime he's been accused of. When his testimony reveals clues directly contradictory to the evidence that's been gathered, things become more complicated for the earnest detective (Ben Mendelsohn) at the heart of the investigation, whose faith becomes challenged when he realizes be must begin opening his mind to the strange and unexplainable if he is ever to discover the truth. The trailers have teased a dark and chillingly scary mystery-thriller, one that feels like a cross between last year's True Detective and King's own personal brand of supernatural horror. Also, any opportunity to see Ben Mendelsohn in a lead role- who is still one of today's most underrated actors- is a rare treat worth savoring.
Release: January 12th.

6. Lovecraft Country

Where to Watch: HBO  Creators: Misha Green (Underground) and Jordan Peele  Cast: Jonathan Majors, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Wunmi Mosaku, Aunjanue Ellis, Michael Kenneth Williams, Abbey Lee, Courtney B. Vance, Jamie Harris, Jamie Chung, Jordan Patrick Smith, Jamie Neumann, Mac Brandt, and Tony Goldwyn.

-Jordan Peele as been on a role lately. The writer, director, and producer had a productive 2019, earning widespread acclaim and ample box office revenue for his allegorical horror film Us and helping jump-start the latest revival of The Twilight Zone, and with a promising slate for 2020, he's certainly showed no signs of stopping anytime soon. Part of that promising slate includes the upcoming series for HBO, Lovecraft Country, which Peele has adapted for the screen with Underground showrunner, Misha Green. Based on the popular novel by Matt Ruff, Lovecraft Country is a horror-esque odyssey that follows a young black man named Atticus, who embarks on a journey through a Jim Crow-era America in search of his missing father. Accompanied by his friend Leticia and Uncle George, they encounter demons and monsters of both the supernatural kind and the frighteningly real, struggling to survive and overcome obstacles that are terrifying manifestations of the country's sociopolitical climate. After doing such a brilliant job of examining the fears and anxieties of a black man living in white America with the deftly allegorical Get Out, leave it to Jordan Peele to tackle a novel that presents new and exciting territory to further deepen and expand upon those themes. In other words, it sounds AWESOME and right within Peele's wheelhouse. With the additional talents of executive producers J.J. Abrams and Ben Stephenson, and a promising cast led by Jonathan Majors (whose deeply felt performance in The Last Black Man in San Francisco was the heart and soul of the movie), this is definitely shaping up to be one of the most exciting television events in 2020!
Release: TBA

5. Westworld: Season 3

Where to Watch: HBO  Creators: Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy  Cast: Evan Rachel Wood, Thandie Newton, Thandie Newton, Jeffrey Wright, Tessa Thompson, Ed Harris, Luke Hemsworth, Simon Quarterman, Rodrigo Santoro, Aaron Paul, Lena Waithe, Vincent Cassel, Kid Cudi, Marshawn Lynch, Jefferson Mays, John Gallagher Jr., Michael Ealy, and Tommy Flanagan. 

-Since its outstanding first season, Westworld might be the only series from HBO to give Game of Thrones a run for its money. Thoughtful and richly intellectual, with an epic-sized canvas that boasts some of the most stellar visuals and sequences that television has had to offer this past decade, Westworld has all the ingredients of both a heady, full-blooded sci-fi stunner and an explosive pop culture phenomenon. And although reactions to season 2 were more mixed than its predecessor, the hype surrounding this thrilling and electrifying series has not waned. Season 3 (which has been titled, The New World) promises to be a radical new development from what we've seen so far, which will finally take the story beyond the fantasy theme-park setting of its first two seasons. While creators Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy have confirmed the return of familiar characters and continuation of those story arcs, the new season will also be a "re-piloting" of sorts, introducing a cast of new characters that deepen the story while expanding on its themes of humanity, totalitarianism, and existentialism. Plot details remained tight-lipped as ever, but after an exciting and dazzling trailer that was unveiled at last year's Comic-Con, it is clear the ambitious scope of Season 3 is more than just hyperbole. Nolan and Joy have so far done a remarkable job of fleshing out the story's complex characters (both A.I. and human), crafting a richly detailed dystopian universe for them to inhabit, and I can not wait to see what sort of daring new horizons they explore in their promising New World.

Release: March 15th.

4. The Eddy

Where to Watch: Netflix  Creator: Damien Chazelle (Whiplash, La La Land)  Cast: André Holland, Joanna Kulig, Amandla Stenberg, Tahar Rahim, Leïla Bekhti, Randy Kerber, Liah O' Prey, Yannick Bouanga, Vincent Heneine, and Melissa George.
-It's been six years since Damien Chazelle's sweaty, electrifying debut (Whiplash) shook audiences to the core when it premiered at Sundance, and in that time, the director has become one of the fastest-rising talents working in Hollywood today. At 32, he became the youngest recipient to win an Oscar for Best Director, which was awarded to him for his masterful sophomore work in La La Land- the jazzy, starry-eyed musical that won over AMPAS voters in 2017. Even his third feature, First Man- which was far from perfect- was further proof of Chazelle's undeniable talent, demonstrating the director's ability to venture outside his comfort zone with a non-fictional biopic centered on Neil Armstrong and The Space Race. It's such a radical departure from Whiplash and La La Land, made all the more remarkable that Chazelle boldly approaches the material with  extraordinary depth and verisimilitude, even if it falls short of the energy and creativity of his first two films. But if the director's "comfort zone" lies within the cross-section where drama and music melodically meet, then his upcoming miniseries, The Eddy, should feel like a welcome home for the respected auteur. Set within a French nightclub nestled in the heart of Paris, The Eddy follows the day-to-day ordeals of the club's owner (Moonlight's André Holland), as he struggles to navigate the chaos of running and maintaining a live-music venue; a struggle that's only exacerbated by the debt collectors who continually circle his establishment, and the unexpected arrival of his estranged teenage daughter (The Hate U Give's Amandla Stenberg.) Other players in the promising cast include Joanna Kulig (coming off her sultry and star-making performance in Pawel Pawlikowski's, Cold War) as a singer and Holland's romantic interest, and A Prophet's Tahar Rahim. So far, in the director's still blossoming career, Chazelle has managed to avoid the kind of major misfire that can often appear almost out of blue to leave a pesky dark smear on an otherwise impressive filmography. Hopefully, the familiarity of his new story won't be a ball and chain that anchors it in a state of redundancy and creative stagnation, but rather provides a platform to explore those ideas with fresh and exciting new beats.
Release: TBA However, all 8 episodes are slated to premiere at this year's Berlin Film Festival.

 

3. The North Water

Where to Watch: BBC Two Written and Directed by: Andrew Haigh (Weekend, 45 Years, Lean on Pete)  Cast: Jack O' Connell, Colin Farrell, Stephen Graham, Tom Courtenay, Peter Mullen, Sam Spruell, Roland Møller, Philip Hill-Pearson, Eliza Butterworth, Stephen McMillan, and Kris Hitchen.
-There aren't many directors working today who know how to balance heartbreaking devastation with intimate and compassionate humanity, but you can definitely count Andrew Haigh among the few who do. His raw brand of drama is so poignant and layered with feeling, that you can't help walking away from his films without being moved. With three impressive films under his belt in just under a decade (two of which are now Criterion films), Haigh has proven to be an auteur from whom we can continue to expect great things. He's no stranger to television either, having written and directed some of the best episodes of HBO's Looking, and after five years, he'll be making his return to the medium very soon. BBC Two will broadcast his new four-part miniseries- a bleak and icy drama that pits the forces of human nature against mother nature in the Arctic wasteland- and I'm already 100% sold. Based on the novel by Ian McGuire, The North Water traces the stories of two characters whose paths become intertwined when they set sail aboard the same whaling vessel. The first of these characters is Patrick Sumner, a disgraced ex-army surgeon who signs up as the ship's doctor, hoping to find peace from the dreadful horrors of his past. However, he soon discovers that peace will be hard to come by aboard his new sordid quarters, which are also host to the barbarous Henry Drax- a brutish harpooner whose cruelty is as unforgiving as the environment's harsh climate. Meanwhile, the ship's captain is planning to double-cross them all by scuttling the vessel in an insurance fraud scam. No doubt, people will assume [after reading this brief summary] that McGuire's novel is nothing more than a dark, nihilistic journey into the abyss that should be avoided at all costs, and to a certain extent, they would be right. While the book was indeed a brutal read, it was also a rewarding one too. McGuire's material never feels gratuitous or contrived, but rather springs from a place of raw and untamed reality, and the emotions at its center are so genuinely palpable (even when they're ugly) that it achieves a stark poetic lyricism that is worth commending. His writing is also a perfect match for director Haigh, who [I believe] will be more than apt at translating the story's emotional current (perhaps even more so than the book) while intricately navigating its rough and jagged exterior.
Release: TBA

2. Devs

Where to Watch: FX through Hulu  Written and Directed by: Alex Garland (Ex Machina, Annihilation)  Cast: Sonoya Mizuno, Nick Offerman, Jin Ha, Zach Grenier, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Cailee Spaeny, Karl Glusman, Jefferson Hall, and Alison Pill.
-Before his directorial debut, Alex Garland was already one of the industry's sharpest and most original writers. Films such as 28 Days Later, Sunshine, and Never Let Me Go provided a launch pad for his talents that boosted his industry credibility, before paving the way to him finally directing his own material (first with Ex Machina in 2015, followed by Annihilation in 2018.) Between the technical and narrative brilliance of his first two films, Garland crafted one of the most superb debuts of the last decade, while masterfully avoiding the sophomore slump that can deter so many promising new filmmakers; conclusively making a statement that Garland probably should've been directing his own material from the beginning. This year will provide the auteur with his largest canvas yet, and perhaps his most ambitious challenge to date- an 8-hour sci-fi miniseries from FX that will stream exclusively through Hulu. The freedom of having 8 hours to tell whatever story you want, however you want to tell it, is the kind of luxury every director dreams of (but which very few are afforded), and it's just as much an opportunity for creative success and it is a temptation for turgid self-indulgence. However, Garland's recent work has been so polished and intellectually sophisticated, that I have faith in his ability to avoid that pitfall. Writing and directing 8 hours of story is certainly no easy feat, but as this is sci-fi (a genre in which Garland has demonstrated a natural flair and mastery) and not something experimentally outside the auteur's wheelhouse, I'm confident he'll be right within his element. He's also reunited with his Annihilation producers- Oscar-winner Scott Rudin, Eli Bush, and Andrew Macdonald- whose involvement not only gives the production an extra layer of prestige, but also sends a token of good faith that the director is surrounded by a team that's dedicated to cultivating his best work while honoring his vision. The plot itself has a very Garland vibe to it as well, which focuses on a computer engineer who begins investing a shadowy tech division, believing its activities may be linked to the sudden disappearance of her boyfriend. When the director spoke about his latest project at last year's Comic Con, he explained how the story explores the philosophical concept of determinism, and the relationship it creates between mankind and our rapidly evolving technology. Evolution. Technology. Free will. These are all ideas that Garland has touched on in his late work, and it seems as though he has crafted another fascinating and ambitious story that only further explores those themes, but through a new and exciting dimension. I'm also very intrigued by the idea of Nick Offerman taking on a darker, more dramatic role, who will star as the mysterious and duplicitous CEO of the sinister tech company.
Release: March 5th.

 

1. The Underground Railroad

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime  Director: Barry Jenkins (Moonlight, If Beale Street Could Talk)  Cast: Thuso Mbedu, Chase W. Dillon, Aaron Pierre, Joel Edgerton, Damon Herriman, William Jackson Harper, Amber Gray, and Lily Rabe. 

-The arrival of 2020 not only marks the dawn of a brand new decade in film and entertainment, but has also inspired a moment of reflection on all the films that stood out most since 2010- the ones that genuinely moved us, left an indelible impression, or simply created an experience we wanted to revisit again and again. Barry Jenkins' Moonlight- the critically adored Oscar-winner for Best Picture in 2018- is unequivocally one of those films, popping up in dozens of "Best Of" lists and still resonating in the hearts of audiences who were overwhelmed by its beautifully human story. It is also my favorite film of the last ten years, which is why there was never a second thought in my mind that The Underground Railroad shouldn't be anything other than number one on this list. The series is based on Colson Whitehead's Pulitzer prize-wining novel of the same name, which follows the journey of two slaves, Cora and Caesar, who flee their plantation in a desperate bid for freedom and opportunity in the north. Whitehead's brilliant novel employs the use of alternate history to weave a poetic piece of allegorical fiction, where the Underground Railroad is in fact a literal railroad deep below the American soil- a physical manifestation of Black America's hopes and dreams for self-liberation and a life free from slavery and oppression. It's a beautiful and lyrical spin on the American myth trope that was absolutely deserving of every one of its prestigious accolades, and its the kind of material that was tailor-made for a director like Barry Jenkins, who understands the language of cinema and the powerful affect it can have on an audience. The auteur's last film, If Beale Street Could Talk, did something similar in that it melded history and fiction with an almost dream-like effect that bordered on the surreal, which makes me even more excited about how he will approach this novel and its translation to the screen. There is plenty of promising television that is slated to premiere this year, but if there was one particular series that I believe has the potential to stand out as a timeless piece of culturally profound art, then I would put all bets on Barry Jenkins' The Underground Railroad.
Release: TBA.