Rife with tyrannical leaders building walls, the constant drivel of Brexit polluting our newsfeeds, and the colossal embarrassment of the Oscars mix up that had our toes curling from behind our screens, 2017 has been a tumultuous year to say the least.
Potentially more distressing than all of this, 2017 left the state of television in turmoil with the long dreaded ends to some of our most beloved TV series. And yes, this may seem somewhat melodramatic, but for those of us with nothing better to do on a Wednesday night than set up camp in our freezing cold flats with only The Vampire Diaries for company, the thought of losing our favourite series seems somewhat traumatic.
But fear not twenty-something social recluses, we now have all the excuses that we need not to drink away our sorrows at TimePiece, because TV is only about to get that much better, and you’re not going to want to miss out on what 2018 is bringing with it.
New and never seen before
Castle Rock (Hulu)
It appears that Stephen King is making his comeback in full force. First with 2017’s offerings of IT and Gerald’s Game, now we have Castle Rock, from the directors of Star Wars. The psychological horror series is set in a small town in Maine and draws on aspects from an array of King’s works, successfully bringing some of his most feared creatures to life. American Horror Story lovers, it’s time to clear out your TV schedule, this will most definitely be one to watch this coming year.
Vanity Fair (ITV)
Olivia Cooke takes on a substantially different role from her cancer patient sidekick persona in Bates Motel, and instead portrays the headstrong Becky Sharp from Thackeray’s 1848 novel Vanity Fair. This 7-part series promises to include passionate affairs, devious crimes and scandal, as Sharp climbs her way to the top of English society under the backdrop of the Napoleonic wars. If tenacious women and calumny is your thing, then be sure to give Vanity Fair a watch.
Altered Carbon (Netflix)
Get ready to binge. Filling a long-suffering Sci-Fi sized hole on the Netflix-sphere, Altered Carbon is based on Richard Morgan’s 2002 cyberpunk novel. Set 300 years in the future where the rich and famous can have their minds transferred into other bodies in order to cheat death, one murdered billionaire hires an ex soldier to investigate his own death. As the show is the most expensive production to hit our screens after Game of Thrones, we’re pretty sure this one will be worth the wait.
The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (BBC2)
Although we thought it would be impossible to top the first season of American Crime Story following OJ Simpson’s trial, we think the new season following Gianni Versace’s murder might just do that. The series will follow the dubious murder of the founder of Versace, and the nine- day manhunt that took place to catch his killer. Starring some of our most beloved Glee cast and Penelope Cruz as Donatella Versace, we’re in for a treat this January.
Collateral (BBC1)
And as if that wasn’t enough for murder mysteries this winter, the BBC brings us Collateral. Starring multi-award winning Carey Mulligan, the 4-part drama follows Mulligan as she attempts to uncover the dark truths behind the seemingly senseless murder of a pizza delivery boy. The gutsy Mulligan refuses to let anyone stand in her way, bringing a feminist stance to the series that makes it just that much more enticing.
Back for more
Ozark (Netflix)
By summer 2017, Ozark was racking up a colossal 16.7m viewers, making it Netflix’s most viewed show. So obviously, a season 2 is on the cards. If you haven’t seen Ozark before, it follows the story of Marty Byrde, a financial planner who gets in too deep with his Mexican drug cartel boss so has to move his whole family to the Ozark’s in order to launder millions of dollars for his boss. This fast paced thriller always keeps you wanting more, and with its release date yet to be confirmed, it only leaves us more hungry for its return.
Luther (BBC)
At the end of 2015 we thought it was all over. The sun had set on our favourite detective and his crime fighting escapades. But never fear, we’re in for one last hurrah as Idris Elba puts the coat back on for the fifth (and final) season of Luther. Set to return to the BBC for 4 last episodes in 2018, it’s currently unknown exactly who Elba will be fighting, but we’ll definitely be watching either way.
So take a break from those coursework essays, sack off your gym class and get the snacks ready, because the TV coming to your screens this year will have you glued to your seats!
– Zahra Hulf
Featured image source.
RAZZ 
