The unbridled success of TV shows no signs of flagging in 2015. If anything, studios such as HBO and Netflix are diversifying and becoming increasingly bolder with their choices.
2015 is going to see some stalwarts like Mad Men come to an end, whilst new shows such Westworld and American Crime Story will debut. Spin-offs such as Heroes: Reborn and the long-awaited Better Call Saul will hit our screens.
Here's just a small selection of TV shows to look out for in 2015.
8. HOUSE OF CARDS
We don't have much longer to wait for the third season of House of Cards, but it looks like this one's going to be a doozy. Now that everyone's favourite sociopath / politician has got what he wanted - the Presidency of the United States - what will he do with it? That's the question posed in the new trailer and, by all accounts, it doesn't look like it's going swimmingly. Expect plenty of political intrigue and Robin Wright running around in skin-tight jogging pants.
7. TRUE DETECTIVE
With the casting of Colin Jaysus Faddle in one of the lead roles, there's been some consternation about how the second season of True Detective will pan out. Adding Taylor Kitsch, Vince Vaughn and Rachel McAdams did nothing to dissuade those fears. Still, we're hopeful. Showrunner Nic Pizzolatto has promised to continue the high level of quality he's set himself in the first season and the show is basically a career kick-start for all involved. All actors involved are in need of a career resurgence, so undoubtedly they'll bring their best work to the table. We can only hope it's as good as we've dreamed.
6. BROAD CITY
If you haven't watched Broad City, there's still time to jump on it before it becomes the show that EVERYBODY talks about. Following two New York girls in their twenties, it thankfully pulls more toward the Workaholics / It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia style of comedy instead of turning into another Girls. Honestly, who watches that show anymore? (Cue massive torrents of abuse in the comments)
5. AMERICAN CRIME STORY
We've been following the casting updates on American Crime Story and we've gotta say, this is shaping up nicely. The first two episodes will be written by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, who wrote this year's Oscar-bait drama Big Eyes and previously wrote a ton of very good films. For those that don't know, it's a sort of off-shot of American Horror Story - but instead of weird and creepy fairytales, it's weird and creepy true-life crimes. The first season will follow the OJ Simpson Trial, with Cuba Gooding Jr. as OJ Simpson and Friends' David Schwimmer as Robert Kardashian. We've got high hopes for this one.
4. HANNIBAL
Hannibal, for us, continues to be one of the most visually-stunning and dynamically different TV shows of the past few years. Now hitting its third season, it's only start to gain speed. The finale of Season 2 was one of the most talked-about episodes of 2015 and it's got some massively talented castmembers, including Gillian Anderson, Mads Mikkelsen and Laurence Fishburne. If you like your horror cerebral and arty, this one's for you.
3. BLUNT TALK
We're throwing this in because it's A) Patrick Stewart and B) he's ripping the piss out of Piers Morgan. A British TV journalist comes to the States to teach them how the news is done. The catch is, he's a degenerate drug addict and alcoholic who's been divorced several times and is completely off the wall. We all know Stewart's capable of being hilarious - watch Extras and you'll know what we mean - and it's created by Jonatham Ames, the brains behind the criminally-underrated Bored To Death. Think Good Night & Good Luck, but with way more drugs and hilarity. Or The Newsroom if it was actually good.
2. BETTER CALL SAUL
We're counting down the days to Better Call Saul and all of the trailers for the Breaking Bad spin-off have kept us very optimistic. Bob Odenkirk returns as Saul Goodman, the sleazy criminal lawyer who's out for a fast buck. We'll also see Jonathan Banks and the ultimate bad-ass that is Mike Ehrmantraut return to our screens. Also, Spinal Tap's Michael McKean is back on our TV screens. Amazing.
1. WESTWORLD
Let's take a look at the cast for Westworld: Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris, James Marsden, Evan Rachel Wood, Rodrigo Santoro, Jeffrey Wright. Now let's look at the brains behind the TV series: Jonathan Nolan, JJ Abrams, Damon Lindelof, HBO, Jerry Weintraub. What's it based on? The 1973 sci-fi classic about a theme park made up on artificial, human-looking robots that go beserk and start attacking the tourists. Sound like a twisted version of Jurassic Park, doesn't it? That's because it was originally written and directed by Michael Crichton, the writer of Jurassic Park. So, basically, imagine Jurassic Park - if it was done by HBO and had one of the most sought-after writers working today. Exactly.
