Valentine’s Day is on the horizon, so let’s take this opportunity to fall in love with a new series. February brings a variety of great television programming starting with the long-awaited release of The Umbrella Academy (No. 1) on the 15th. Adapted from the comic book of the same name, this Netflix original follows an estranged group of superhuman siblings who come together to solve their father’s death. The series brings together an all star cast featuring Ellen Page, Tom Hopper, and Mary J. Blige. Big names moving to the small screen continue to be all the rage as TBS’ launches half-hour comedy, Miracle Workers (No. 2). Daniel Radcliffe stars as a low-level angel responsible for all of humanity’s prayers while working for his disinterested boss, God (played by the one and only, Steve Buscemi). And for the first time ever, ABC will debut a scripted series immediately following the glitz and glamour of this year’s Oscars telecast. On the 24th, Whiskey Cavalier (No. 3), brings the FBI and CIA together to guide an inter-agency team of spies led by Scott Foley and Lauren Cohan.
Back in the streaming world, Netflix will put their own spin on Groundhog Day with original comedy, Russian Doll (No. 4), at the start of the month. Star and co-creator Natasha Lyonne (Orange Is the New Black) plays “Nadia,” a woman caught in a mysterious loop. Viewers will follow her journey on an inescapable 36th birthday party as she dies repeatedly and tries to figure out what’s causing the madness.
Lastly, DC Universe has been making strides with original programming since the streaming service’s 2018 fall debut, and it’s highly likely that Titans spinoff, Doom Patrol, will be just as successful as its predecessor. Coming in at No. 5, the reimagining of DC’s beloved group of outcasts finds The Doom Patrol receiving a mission from Cyborg that will forever change their lives.
February’s eclectic offerings carry into our returning category starting with animated favorite and second entry from TBS, American Dad at No. 1. The show launches its sixteenth season on the 11th, while Netflix sitcom, One Day at a Time (No. 2), makes a comeback after its emotional Season 2 finale, which found matriarch, Lydia, in a bad way. The upcoming season will see guest stars Gloria Estefan, Joe Manganiello, Danny Pino, Alan Ruck, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s Melissa Fumero and Stephanie Beatriz join the cast. Taking the third position and last on the Netflix front, is Season 2 of Italian drama, Suburra. The first Italian original on the streaming service, the series returns for more organized crime, revenge plots, and power struggles on February 22nd.
“A mother’s job is never done,” so Better Things (No. 4) is coming back for a third season. Although details surrounding Season 3 are scant, the FX series is set to introduce a string of heavy hitter such as Sharon Stone and Matthew Broderick to the series, while the show’s star, Pamela Adlon, takes on an even bigger role as the season’s sole director.
Finally, rounding out our February Anticipation Report is French-Belgian thriller, Black Spot aka Zone blanche (No. 5). The series gained an international following after Amazon Prime acquired global streaming rights, and the second season is set to debut on Feb 11th in Europe.
What’s to come in March? Spring television will bring an abundance of returning hits such as Good Girls, American Gods, Billions, and the final season of Jane the Virgin. However, there’s also exciting new content on the way. Will the likes of Starz’s Now Apocalypse, Hulu’s Shrill, and Netflix’s Turn Up Charlie be able to compete? All will be revealed on February 27th!
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