2020 is looking bright
With so many TV shows and movies delayed in these current times, it may seem like the future isn't all that bright when it comes to what we'll be watching for the foreseeable future. However, there have been plenty of TV shows and series that have either wrapped filming and are proceeding with the editing of their show, or are adapting how they plan on returning to our screens this year.
In terms of the immediate future, there are a number of top TV shows on the way in April and May that have piqued our interest, as well as some more planned for further down the line in the near future. Here are just 20 TV shows in 2020 that will keep you interested and entertained as we begin to head towards the summer and beyond.
'The Graham Norton Show' season 27
When: April 10
Where: BBC One
He's back! Graham Norton is back to save us every weekend, and enlighten us with plenty of special guests lined up to join the host via video link. The first episode of the new series arrives on Friday, April 10, and will even see the big red chair making a welcome return, as people tell their stories from the comfort of their own home.
'Killing Eve' season three
When: April 13
Where: BBC One
Villanelle is set to make a tumultuous return this April for the third instalment of the award-winning drama series starring Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh. This time around, plenty of new faces will be joining the cast, such as 'Game of Thrones' actress Gemma Whelan, and Harriet Walter from 'The Crown'. Expect more roller-coaster drama and action than you can shake a stick at this spring.
'Run'
When: April 15
Where: Sky Comedy & NOW TV
What happens when you and your college boyfriend make a pact 17 years ago, and decide to meet up as much more mature adults many years later? 'Run' is what happens. Vicky Jones and Phoebe Waller-Bridge have teamed up to bring us this comedy series starring Domhnall Gleeson and Merritt Weaver as they embark on an awkward adventure together.
'Gangs of London'
When: April 23
Where: Sky Atlantic & NOW TV
Starring Colm Meaney and Michelle Fairley, 'Gangs of London' is the modern-age 'Peaky Blinders' where double-crossing in the order of the day. Following the death of London's biggest crime lord, every other gang in the city is vying for that all-powerful spot in the pecking order. But with a vengeful family looking for the culprit of the murder - who will come out on top?
Colm Meaney stars in the Sky Atlantic series Gangs of London
'After Life' season 2
When: April 24
Where: Netflix
After a very popular debut last year, Ricky Gervais' dramedy was certain to be picked up for a returning season. Heading back to Tambury all over again this April on Netflix, in season two Tony is still trying to turn his life around following the death of his wife Lisa (played by Kerry Godliman). Will he be able to embrace the cards he's been dealt, or continue to shut out everyone in his life?
'Upload'
When: May 1
Where: Amazon Prime
A brand new comedy series from the mind of Greg Daniels ('The Office US' and 'Parks and Recreation'), this ten-episode series is firmly based in the not too distant future, where computers are much more advanced than we ever thought possible. When people die, they can be "uploaded" into a virtual reality, and live out the rest of eternity either living in luxury, or scrounging for food - depending on their budget of course.
'Central Park'
When: May 29
Where: Apple TV+
From the creators of 'Bob's Burgers' comes a new musical comedy series which is based on the lives of random New Yorkers going about their days. With a strong voice cast that includes Kristen Bell, Stanley Tucci, Josh Gad, and Tituss Burgess, you know exactly the type of high jinx humour you can expect.
'Space Force'
When: May 29
Where: Netflix
Recently announced as having a May release date, Steve Carell's newest comedy series is shaping up to be the best sitcom this year. The Netflix series is created by the man himself, as well as his 'The Office US' colleague Greg Daniels (who created Amazon's 'Upload' up above). Carell also stars in the series, which is a satirical take on US President Trump's military recruits, and he'll be joined by Lisa Kudrow, John Malkovich, and Ben Swartz. This could potentially be one of the best TV shows in 2020.
Steve Carell leads an all-star cast in Space Force
'Normal People'
When: Spring
Where: RTE One
Coming later this spring is the first series based on the coming-of-age series of books by Irish author Sally Rooney. Based on her second novel, the series will revolve around the complex lives of Connell and Marianne, who attend secondary school, and later college, together. Anticipation is high for 'Normal People', so much so that the team behind the series, 'Room' director Lenny Abrahamson and executive producers Ed Guiney and Emma Norton, are already busy working on bringing Sally Rooney's debut 'Conversations with Friends' to TV screens too.
'The Third Day'
When: Summer
Where: Sky Atlantic & NOW TV
Due to be released earlier this year, but delayed until the summer months, 'The Third Day' is an intriguing new two-part series starring Jude Law and Naomie Harris. Split into two parts, entitled 'Summer' and 'Winter', Sam (Law) finds himself stranded on a remote island off the coast of England, where various mysterious happenings begin to take place.
'Great British Bake Off'
When: Autumn
Where: Channel 4
With Sandi Toksvig stepping down from presenting duty opposite Noel Fielding, 'Little Britain' star Matt Lucas has been drafted in as a worthy replacement. The fourth season of the Channel 4 version of the show is due to begin filming as normal this summer, so hopefully the new series won't be delayed too far into the autumn months - if not, how else will we cringe at the amateur bakers attempts to get a sought-after handshake from Paul Hollywood?
'Fargo' season four
When: Irish and UK release date unknown
Where: Channel 4
The long-awaited return of Noah Hawley's 'Fargo' has been in production for a while now, and 2020 is finally the year that we'll get to see the fourth entry in the series play out. With Chris Rock leading the charge this time around, the action moves to 1950's Kansas City. If you're a fan of the previous seasons, viewers will know what to expect this time around - dark humour and devilish double-crossing. There's been no announcement yet of when we'll be able to catch 'Fargo' season four over here.
'Ratched'
When: Unknown
Where: Netflix
Based on the classic novel 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' by Ken Kesey, Ryan Murphy has created a chilling new TV series based on the novel's "Big Nurse" herself, Nurse Ratched. Murphy has recruited his 'American Horror Story' star Sarah Paulson for the titular role, and we'll follow her evolution as she goes from a mental health nurse to the monster she's known for today. If you're familiar with 'American Horror Story: Asylum', you know exactly what to expect here.
'Two Weeks to Live'
When: Unknown
Where: Sky One
Starring 'Game of Thrones' actress Maisie Williams in her next big action TV series, 'Two Weeks To Live' sees her play Kim Stokes, a young girl who is attempting to live a normal young person's life (while trying to also hunt down the killer of her father - whose ashes she carries around with her everywhere). A natural fit for such a role, Williams will be joined by a very overprotective mother in the wonderfully droll Sian Clifford, who you'll know from Phoebe Waller-Bridge's 'Fleabag'.
Maisie Williams stars in the action-packed Two Weeks to Live
'The Haunting of Bly Manor'
When: Unknown
Where: Netflix
Luckily for us fans of the first series, 'The Haunting of Bly Manor' wrapped filming the second instalment of Mike Flanagan's anthology series back in February. Moving on from the Crain family in 'The Haunting of Hill House', this new series will instead focus on a different family who are haunted by another ghostly presence. 'The Turn of the Screw' horror novella by author Henry James is believed to have been a big influence in what we will see unfold this time around in the supernatural TV series. The first series won best show back in 2018 - could 'Bly Manor' be crowned the best TV show in 2020?
'Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich'
When: Unknown
Where: Netflix
When multi-millionaire Jeffrey Epstein was arrested in 2019, he had spent decades sexually abusing underage girls, using a deep network of powerful enablers to help cover up his crimes. This four-part Netflix documentary series aims to expose a horrifying story of relentless manipulation and sex trafficking as Epstein’s survivors serve as the series’ voices, providing powerful testimonials about their experiences, and inspiration in their strength and resilience.
'Lovecraft Country'
When: Unknown
Where: Sky
A drama horror that we can certainly get behind, 'Lovecraft Country' has been developed for HBO by executive producers Jordan Peele and J. J. Abrams. With both creators well-established minds in their own right, anticipation is high for the two to combine forces for this series. Set in 1950's America, the storyline will follow Atticus Black as he and his uncle as they experience racist terrors of white supremacist while travelling across the land of the free - be sure to look out for this later as it sounds like one of the must-watch TV shows in 2020.
'Jupiter's Legacy'
When: Unknown
Where: Netflix
With their deal with Marvel coming to an end last year, Netflix have recruited another heavy-hitter in Mark Miller to provide subscribers with some superhero goodness. Based on the graphic novels by Millar and Frank Quitely, 'Jupiter's Legacy' is set to be an epic superhero drama that spans decades and navigates the complex dynamics of family, power, and loyalty. Starring Josh Duhamel, the world's first generation of superheroes must look to their children to continue the legacy.
'Star Trek: Lower Decks'
When: Unknown
Where: Unknown
The 'Star Trek' series is getting the satirical treatment later this year, with the arrival of 'Star Trek: Lower Decks'. The comedy animation series will see the unsung heroes of the Starfleet command finally step into the limelight and explore what life is like under the bridge. The first non live-action series for the fandom in decades, it'll be interesting to see if this will begin to appeal to those amongst us who aren't massive "Trekkies". 'Rick and Morty' creator Mike McMahon has helped create the series, which has yet to announce a broadcaster over this side of the Atlantic.
Star Trek: Lower Deck is a satirical take on the franchise.
'Unsolved Mysteries'
When: Unknown
Where: Netflix
The iconic series that debuted in the 1980's is back! Fusing signature elements from the original series with contemporary immersive, character-driven storytelling, the 12 new episodes are rooted in the experiences of ordinary people who have lived the unthinkable. Brought to us from the creators of the original series, as well as the producers of 'Stranger Things', we'll encounter bizarre paranormal occurrences while hearing from detectives and journalists who are looking for clues for the unsolved mysteries. We are too excited for this.