2016 Promising New TV Dramas - Or NOT
Hot new dramatic television series or loser? Check out my comments which I add as the show airs and how many stars I give it.
This list is the most extensive list of 2016 TV dramas on IMDb. I'm always adding new material as it becomes available so check back from time to time to see what's new.
This list is the most extensive list of 2016 TV dramas on IMDb. I'm always adding new material as it becomes available so check back from time to time to see what's new.
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- CreatorBrian KoppelmanDavid LevienAndrew Ross SorkinStarsPaul GiamattiDamian LewisMaggie SiffNew money means no mercy as Mike Prince takes the Axe Capital throne. Chuck Rhoades is convinced no one should have that much wealth - or power. As all the players seek out new alliances, only one thing's for certain - wealth means war.This one gets 9 stars right out of the gate. This series is sterling on all fronts--writing, directing, acting--for the entire season. How can you go wrong with Paul Giamatti, Maggie Siff and Damian Lewis?
9 stars. - DirectorDominic CookeStarsTom BeardMax BennettHugh BonnevilleFollowing his father's early death and the loss of possessions in France young Henry VI comes to the throne, under the protection of the duke of Gloucester. He is unaware that there are other claimants to the throne, Plantagent of York and Somerset of Lancaster, whose factions will ultimately cause the Wars of the Roses. Ignorant of the schisms Henry tries to unite them in the Hundred Years War, capturing Joan of Arc, before he marries Margaret of Anjou to unite England and France, but there is no dowry, angering the court. Margaret finds the pious Henry a dull husband and embarks upon an affair with Somerset as well as crossing Gloucester's wife Eleanor. When Gloucester is arrested for alleged treason because of Eleanor Henry is too feeble to prevent his death or the country slipping into civil war.
- CreatorRobert KirkmanStarsPatrick FugitPhilip GlenisterWrenn SchmidtA young man searches for answers as to why he's been suffering from supernatural possessions his entire life.This opening episode was shocking and deeply disturbing, but then, it is meant to be. Demonic possession ala The Exorcist. Not for the faint of heart. With comicbook trope being all the rage these days and Robert Kirkman, (creator of the comicbook version and The Walking Dead), on board, this looks like a winner. Great to see Philip Glenister in an American show doing an American accent and doing it so well.
9 stars. - StarsHarry RichardsonTom HollanderStefanie MartiniPenniless Mary Thorne grows up with her uncle, Doctor Thorne, and develops a friendship with the family at the nearby Greshamsbury Park estate.Written by Julian Fellowes, of Downton Abbey reputation, the first episode promises not to disappoint but it wasn't stunning either. With a stellar cast (for the most part) and Anthony Trollope's classic tale, Fellowes would have to work hard to fail, but we won't just let him ride those coat-tails without showing some effort. The music, I have to say, is hideous--not only is it just wrong, but it gives the series a very dated feel.
7 stars. - CreatorBlake CrouchChad HodgeStarsMichelle DockeryJuan Diego BottoTerry KinneyLetty Raines is a thief and con artist whose life is always one wrong turn, one bad decision, from implosion. Which is just how she likes it.I had my doubts that Michelle Dockery, in a polar opposite character from the stiff, ultra proper Lady Mary of Downton Abby fame, could pull off such a departure from the character we know so well, but she absolutely does.
Even though the writing is a little shaky, Dockery & Juan Diego Botto create a chemistry that's mesmerizing. There are lots of moments where I found myself holding my breath. I really look forward to the next episodes.
9 stars. - StarsJoanne FroggattAlun ArmstrongIsla McMonigleA two-part drama about the Victorian serial killer Mary Ann Cotton.Joanne Froggatt could not save this poorly written mini-series no matter how talented she is.
4 stars. - StarsPaul DanoJames NortonLily JamesAs the Russian conflict with Napoleon reaches its peak, five aristocratic families face the possibility of their lives being changed forever.Good. Paul Dano is an unlikely lead but he strengthens with his character as does the rest of the cast. Definitely picks up with each episode.
8 stars. - CreatorAdi HasakStarsJennifer LopezRay LiottaDrea de MatteoHarlee Santos, New York police officer and single mother, is forced to work in the F.B.I.'s anti-corruption task force while dealing with her own financial problems.Nothing unique here except J-Lo playing lead. I just saw the pilot and it seems like a decent cop show but nothing that hasn't been done many times before. Ray Liotta, however, is great in this so far.
7 stars. - CreatorJames DormerStarsKieran BewJoanne WhalleyEd SpeleersHeroic legend Beowulf gallops through the epic and mythical Shieldlands, to his childhood home of Herot, hoping to set right past wrongs.Pretty disappointing. The wardrobe mistress & set designer should be shot. GoT it's not.
5 stars. - CreatorMichelle KingRobert KingStarsMary Elizabeth WinsteadDanny PinoAaron TveitA government employee discovers that the cause of the tensions between the two political parties is a race of extraterrestrial insects eating the brains of the politicians.After watching first episode, I reserve judgement until I see more. It's supposed to be a comedy-drama-thriller-syfy-horror? My initial take is that it needs to decide what it is.
I'll rate it after a couple more shows. - CreatorDavid HudginsStarsDavid LyonsMichael Raymond-JamesLarenz TateA rising attorney finds his perfectly crafted life threatened when his long-lost childhood friends threaten to expose a dark secret from their past.Based on the Turkish series, Suskunlar (The Silent), which was based on Sleepers, the pilot was decent. I don't know how they'll keep it going as series once the story plays out. It should be a mini-series.
8 stars. - CreatorMichael D. FullerGraham GordyStarsLogan Marshall-GreenJodi BalfourDamon HerrimanQuarry, a disillusioned Vietnam War vet, returns home to Memphis in 1972 only to find rejection and scrutiny at every step. A mysterious man known only as The Broker gives him an offer he can't refuse - to work for him as a hitman.Quarry" premieres Friday, Sept. 9 on Cinemax.
Lots of style, not so much substance. Decent acting but the characters are creepy in a trailer trash sort of way. I found little about them that was interesting. Takes itself so seriously that the effect is depressing. But, hey, maybe it will get better.
7 stars. - CreatorGlen MazzaraStarsBradley JamesMegalyn EchikunwokeOmid AbtahiAfter discovering his origins, Damien Thorn must cope with life as the Anti-Christ.This is actually good... it takes up where The Omen leaves off when the kid is now a grown man. The first episode is good - starting out in present day Syria amidst the turmoil there. It's too soon to tell much except that I hope they've used better writers in the upcoming episodes - the dialogue was a bit puerile and disjointed. But I want to give it more time. Afterall, the anti-Christ is complicated... Barbara Hershey is truly creepy and Bradley James as Damien does a good job of being very conflicted.
8 stars. - StarsMelissa GeorgeDave AnnableDon HanyA look at the professional and personal life of heart transplant surgeon Alex Panttiere.I'm a fan of Melissa George, but this series tries too hard to be SOMETHING -- but I'm not sure what... A glam Grey's Anatomy? The female House? It's too frenetically cliché with a twist of narcissism that tries to be clever.
5 stars. - CreatorNatalie ChaidezStarsNathan PhillipsBritne OldfordMark Coles SmithThe disappearance of a decorated FBI agent's wife leads him to a secret government unit assembled to hunt a group of ruthless terrorists--shadowy figures that may or may not be from this world.A sloppy mash up of Alien with Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Britne Oldford is spectacularly bad and only outdone by Mark Coles Smith. Not even in the throes if convulsive boredom would this be watchable.
3 stars. - CreatorJenna BansStarsJoan AllenRupert GravesAlison PillA community is rattled when a politician's son, who was presumed murdered years ago, returns home.I had a feeling I'd seen this before and as it turns out, I had -- the documentary, The Imposter which was exceptional. The Family, however, is not exceptional in any way. Unless you count exceptionally bad dialogue, exceptionally annoying actors, etc,, etc.
5 stars. - CreatorChris CarterStarsDavid DuchovnyGillian AndersonMitch PileggiTwo F.B.I. Agents, Fox Mulder the believer and Dana Scully the skeptic, investigate the strange and unexplained, while hidden forces work to impede their efforts.Caveat: I'm a fan of the original series so I'm prejudiced. Love seeing an older, wiser version of both Mulder & Scully but I admit to a few eye rolls during the 1st episode which made me wonder if there isn't a good dose of tongue-in-cheek behind the writing material... Will only be 6 episodes.
6 stars. - CreatorRyan J. CondalCarlton CuseStarsJosh HollowaySarah Wayne CalliesPeter JacobsonIn the wake of a mysterious alien invasion, a family fights to stay together in a new world order.Yet another dystopian series... Very forgettable...
4 stars. - CreatorBridget CarpenterStarsJames FrancoSarah GadonGeorge MacKayJake Epping, a teacher, gets a chance to travel back in time to avert the death of John F. Kennedy. However, history's aversion to alteration and his love for the era and a woman endanger him.Great premise. Franco is really good, getting better with time. I was hooked after the pilot because the premise is fascinating. The consequences of trying to change the past to save the future seem to be what drives each episode. It's an interesting concept that the past fights back. With pros like Bridget Carpenter & Stephen King writing the screenplays, I'll bet on this one to be a winner.
9 stars. - CreatorJulie PlecStarsDavid GyasiChristina MosesChris WoodThe series follows an epidemic that breaks out in Atlanta, leaving the large city quarantined and those stuck on the inside fighting for their lives.Such bad writing, directing and acting should be illegal. I was interested in the concept, but the story unfolds as if we were 5 year olds who couldn't possibly get the idea unless it was spoon-fed to us. Combine that with fatally annoying characters, stupid dialogue and over acting and I get angry that so much money went to idiots and not decent talent--of which there is plenty.
1 star. - CreatorLisa JoyJonathan NolanStarsEvan Rachel WoodJeffrey WrightEd HarrisAt the intersection of the near future and the reimagined past, waits a world in which every human appetite can be indulged without consequence.It took time for me to warm up to this series but I have to admit, there's never been one quite as original. Apart from loving to watch two old pros Anthony Hopkins & Ed Harris deliver pitch-perfect performances, Thandie Newton is a real standout in this story within a story... I'm not a gamer myself (though I could be) and I suspect that people who are would love it, but Westworld avoids being limited to only that demographic by tackling a bigger philosophic issue like, "What is really the nature of reality?"
Definitely 9 stars. - CreatorOlen SteinhauerStarsLeland OrserMichelle ForbesMina TanderFollows a CIA team in Berlin and their clandestine activities.The cast is excellent and so is the production, which takes advantage of interesting international locations... but there's one big problem--the story is dull. After 5 episodes, I don't care about most of the characters who all seem primarily obsessed with keeping their jobs and screwing over some other character... snore... Once in a while, a terrorist plot. is thrown in... zzzzzzz... The only interesting character is Rhys Ifans.
7.5 stars, - CreatorErica MesserErica MeredithStarsGary SiniseAlana De La GarzaDaniel HenneyAn international unit of the FBI charged with coming to the aid of, and solving crimes involving, American citizens in foreign countries. A spin-off from Criminal Minds.If you don't mind the original formula-laden Criminal Minds, this series won't disappoint. Same show--different actors: Gary Sinise in exotic locations solving international crimes. That's it. That's the whole attraction.
7 stars. - CreatorRob BlackiePeter BlackieStarsJason MomoaLandon LiboironZoe BoyleFollows Declan Harp, a half-Irish/half Cree Native-Canadian outlaw who is campaigning to breach the Hudson's Bay Company's monopoly on the fur trade in Canada.A bit rough around the edges but a good cast and an interesting premise.
7.5 stars. - StarsJoanna VanderhamJohn LynchJulie GrahamA horrific murder rocks the lives of two families living side-by-side in isolated rural Scotland.I lost interest after the second episode because I found the plot tedious and the characters uninteresting.
6 stars. - CreatorPeter MatteiStarsDavid MorseRyan HurstKyle GallnerA story of struggle for power set in the rugged and mysterious hills of Appalachia.So unrealistic on so many levels from the characterizations which are over-blown stereotypes to the ridiculous details to the tired plot lines... the acting is decent but it won't save this train wreck.
2 stars. - StarsSam RileyJames CosmoRainer BockA British homicide detective investigates a murder in a German-occupied England in a parallel universe where the Nazis won World War II.
- StarsToby JonesVicky McClureCharlie HamblettVerloc, the owner of a seedy shop in Victorian Soho, plays a dangerous game spying on an agitating anarchist group that will prove useful to the foreign power he is secretly working for.Tedious and myopic adaptation of Joseph Conrad's novel by the same name.
5 stars. - StarsMax IronsJonathan ArisSam NeillThe remarkable story of the chance meeting that transformed penniless, ostracised archaeologist Howard Carter into a household name following his discovery of the tomb of the boy-king, Tutankhamun.Straight forward historical series that is, so far, historically accurate. (At least the first episode is.) It's a remarkable story all on its own so let's hope they don't ruin it with embellishments.
8 stars. - CreatorDaisy GoodwinStarsJenna ColemanAdrian SchillerTommy KnightThe early life of Queen Victoria, from her ascension to the throne at the tender age of 18 to her courtship and marriage to Prince Albert.Charming bio of the early years of the remarkable Queen Victoria as she becomes queen at a very young age. Sterling cast and well written & directed.
8.5 stars - CreatorRich CohenMick JaggerMartin ScorseseStarsBobby CannavalePaul Ben-VictorP.J. ByrneRichie Finestra, a shrewd record executive from New York, tries to promote American Century, his music label, amidst the changing music scene in the 1970s.Just because this was conceived by Mick Jagger and Martin Scorsese doesn't guarantee greatness. This is a dead dog. I wanted to love this series. Instead, I was more than disappointed, I was disgusted with how it relied on cheap clichés and stereotypes instead of real historic drama. The music as well is a huge disappointment unless you're fond of head-banger heavy metal, HARDLY representative of the original, brilliant music being produced during the 70's.
Sadly, Vinyl ends up being a self-indulgent in-joke by a few old farts who are now so removed from the public that they've squandered the magic which once made them great. This one gets relegated to my 2015-16 Don't Bother list ... And just in case you think I'm off-base with my assessment, read the user reviews posted on its page. Too bad, it had such potential.
4 stars. - CreatorNick DamiciJim MickleStarsJames PurefoyMichael Kenneth WilliamsTiffany MackSet in the late 1980s, Hap and Leonard is a darkly comic swamp noir of two best friends, one femme fatale, a crew of washed up revolutionaries, a pair of murderous psycho killers, some lost loot, and the fuzz.You've got to give this show a few episodes to fall in love with it. James Purefoy & Michael Kenneth Williams don't have an immediate chemistry but it grows on you with their misadventures.
7 stars. - CreatorSteve ThompsonStarsJessica RaineSamuel BottomleyHans MathesonIn the Yorkshire Dales in the 1870s, the shantytown of Jericho is the home of a community that will live, thrive and die in the shadow of the viaduct they've been brought together to build.Hell on Wheels in England and not nearly as good. Watchable on a slow night.
7 stars. - CreatorHarlan CobenStarsO-T FagbenleTom CullenHannah ArtertonA mystery series created by author Harlan Coben. Jesse, a five-year-old boy, goes missing. Twenty years later, his DNA shows up at a crime scene.Excellent well-paced mystery. Well done across the board.
8 1/2 stars. - CreatorPeter MorganStarsClaire FoyOlivia ColmanImelda StauntonFollows the political rivalries and romances of Queen Elizabeth II's reign and the events that shaped Britain for the second half of the 20th century.Netflix original on the young Queen Elizabeth II, the current Queen of England. Excellent bio series. The characters are engaging and interesting. It takes a hellava woman to be the longest-reigning queen regnant in world history and this series does her justice without having the royal stamp of approval all over it.
8.5 stars. - CreatorTom KapinosStarsTom EllisLauren GermanKevin AlejandroLucifer Morningstar has decided he's had enough of being the dutiful servant in Hell and decides to spend some time on Earth to better understand humanity. He settles in Los Angeles - the City of Angels.Tom Ellis is irresistible as Lucifer and Lauren German gives him as good she gets as the detective who reluctantly teams up with him. Wickedly fun repartee... This is a keeper.
9 stars. - CreatorSam CatlinEvan GoldbergSeth RogenStarsDominic CooperJoe GilgunRuth NeggaAfter a supernatural event at his church, a preacher enlists the help of a vampire and his ex to find God.Nasty. Brilliant. Satirical. Heretical. And a cornucopia of black humor. If you are a straight-laced religious person, you will probably be offended. That's part of its charm. If you're expecting this to be an adaptation of the graphic novel that it's based on, you'll be disappointed. This is an INTERPRETATION of the DC comics "Preacher" where everything conventional is turned on its head. This is the new noir -- hip, audacious, unpredictable and deliciously cheeky.
9 stars. - StarsAnna TorvMarcus GrahamJustin SmithBeneath the placid facade of Canberra, amidst rising tension between China and America, senior political journalist Harriet Dunkley uncovers a secret city of interlocked conspiracies, putting innocent lives in danger including her own.This is a really smart mystery involving international high stake politicking, spies, espionage and dangerous journalism. I was hooked in the first 10 minutes. Stars Harriet Dunkley from The Fringe. On Aussie TV (Foxtel) so far, and don't know which US or UK channel will pick it up.
9 stars. - CreatorLodge KerriganAmy SeimetzAnja MarquardtStarsRiley KeoughPaul SparksJulia Goldani TellesExplores the relationships between exclusive escorts and their clients, for whom they provide far more than just sex. Known as GFEs, they are women who provide emotional and sexual relationships at a very high price.Sophisticated and intelligent. Intriguing, intimate approach without the cliche Hollywood glitz. The sex scenes further the plot without being gratuitous or exploitative, The script and acting employ subtlety and nuance without being obtuse. This could be a great series.
9 stars. - CreatorMisha GreenJoe PokaskiStarsJurnee SmollettAldis HodgeJessica De GouwWith the country on the brink of Civil War, the struggle for freedom is more dangerous than ever. Underground follows the story of American heroes and their moving journey to freedom.Underwhelming. Not terrible but there's nothing really outstanding either. And the music? Peaky Blinders got away with using contemp music because the whole production was cutting edge and Underground is no Peaky Blinders. Still, it's worth watching on a slow night.
7 stars. - CreatorJessica GoldbergStarsAaron PaulMichelle MonaghanEmma GreenwellA man who converts to a controversial following suffers from a crisis of faith.If cults fascinate you, you might find this show interesting, as long as your expectations aren't too high. After the third eye roll, I had to fight the urge to switch channels. Even a remarkable talent like Aaron Paul can't overcome such unremarkable, prosaic material & production.
5 stars. - CreatorZal BatmanglijBrit MarlingStarsBrit MarlingJason IsaacsScott WilsonHaving gone missing seven years ago, the previously blind Prairie returns home, now in her twenties with her sight restored. While many believe she is a miracle, others worry that she could be dangerous.Don't miss this one because I predict it will be one of the hottest shows of 2016. Fascinating story line and great cast. Written & produced by by Brit Marling (Another Earth) who is also the lead, so we're guaranteed brilliant exploration of the mystery of the mind. Another one of the Netflix Originals, which are turning out to be amazing.
9 stars (maybe even 10--I'll check back when I've finished the season!). - CreatorCheo Hodari CokerStarsMike ColterSimone MissickTheo RossiWhen a sabotaged experiment gives him super strength and unbreakable skin, Luke Cage becomes a fugitive attempting to rebuild his life in Harlem and must confront his past and fight a battle for the heart of his city.Netflix original & Marvel comic series.
- DirectorBilly GierhartStarsAdrianne PalickiNick BloodMckenna GraceA spin-off from Marvel's "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D."
- CreatorColin TeevanStarsMichael Ford-FitzGeraldJordanne JonesBrian GleesonRebellion is a five part serial drama about the birth of modern Ireland. The story is told from the perspectives of a group of fictional characters who live through the political events of the 1916 Easter Rising.Intense but not terribly historically accurate.
7 stars. - CreatorRyan GriffenJon BellJonathan GavinStarsHunter Page-LochardRob CollinsTasma WaltonIn the very near future, creatures from ancient mythology must live among humans and battle for survival in a world that wants to silence, exploit, and destroy them.Ugg. This could have been so interesting. Instead, it is a badly done mash-up of Planet of the Apes meets X-Men, full of clichés and stereotypes while trading on the backs of Aboriginal peoples of Australia. This is real-life racism pandering to contemporary ignorance. American premiere 1 June 2016
Just for being so offensive:
1 star. - CreatorTom Rob SmithStarsBen WhishawEdward HolcroftJim BroadbentA chance romance between two men from very different worlds, one from the headquarters of the Secret Intelligence Service, the other from a world of clubbing and youthful excess, leads into mystery after one of them is found murdered.Ben Whishaw brings his signature intensity to this intriguing mystery and Jim Broadbent delivers his usual brilliant characterization. Charlotte Rampling lends star weight, particularly on the heels of her brilliant performance in "45 Years" (2015). Written by Tom Rob Smith, the novelist who wrote Child 44 and a relative newcomer to writing for the screen, London Spy is tight, taut and tense. Best of all, it's original. I was hooked from the 1st episode.
It premiered in the US on Jan. 21 on BBC America and is available on Amazon as well.
10 stars. - CreatorDavid HoseltonDavid N. TitcherStarsMichael WestonStephen ManganRebecca LiddiardAt the turn of the 20th century the Metropolitan Police were overwhelmed with bizarre cases so they turned to outsiders including Houdini and Doyle, who collaborated with New Scotland Yard on some unsolved and inexplicable crimes.Meh. Maybe I'll give it a few more episodes but it just reeks of the same old same old...
6 stars. - StarsVahina GiocanteAleksey GuskovViktoriya IsakovaA sex icon becomes a spy during one of the most important wars of the 20th century.According to Variety, "The miniseries will be screened next year on Channel One in Russia, and on the Inter channel in Ukraine."
So it looks like a 2017 premiere date on this one. - CreatorRand RavichStarsRobert KazinskyDilshad VadsariaAdhir KalyanA billionaire bio-engineer brings a dead police officer back to life.Embarrassingly bad...
3 stars. - CreatorLisa Quijano WolfingerDavid ZabelStarsMcKinley Belcher IIISuzanne BertishNorbert Leo ButzFollows the lives of two volunteer nurses on opposing sides of the Civil War - New England abolitionist Mary Phinney and Confederate supporter Emma Green.Good talent. Interesting premise. Supposed to be historically accurate.
7 stars. - CreatorPaolo SorrentinoStarsJude LawDiane KeatonSilvio OrlandoThe beginning of the pontificate of Lenny Belardo, alias Pius XIII, the first American Pope in history.Very sophisticated satire. Stellar performances, writing & directing. There is nothing passive about Sorrentino's work. This series will make you think -- something unusual for us American audiences.
9 stars. - CreatorRichard PriceSteven ZaillianStarsRiz AhmedJohn TurturroBill CampAfter a night of partying with a woman he picked up, a man wakes up to find her stabbed to death and is charged with her murder.John Turturro and Riz Ahmed (The Reluctant Fundamentalist) give brilliant performances. Tightly scripted with genius direction, it takes no shortcuts into formula or cliche, letting the characters embody the innate drama. From the first episode, this was the show I couldn't wait to watch every week. Sterling performances by Michael Kenneth Williams and Amara Karan, too. I predict it will sweep the Emmys. BTW, this was the series that was held back after original star, James Gandolfini, passed away. Was entiled "Crime".
10 stars. - CreatorMatt DufferRoss DufferStarsMillie Bobby BrownFinn WolfhardWinona RyderWhen a young boy vanishes, a small town uncovers a mystery involving secret experiments, terrifying supernatural forces and one strange little girl.Not bad for a series that's targeted towards pre-pubescent boys. Decent concept & story line, and the acting is solid if you don't count Winona Ryder's embarrassing over-acting. Catch the whole series on Netflix.
7 stars. - CreatorScott AlexanderLarry KaraszewskiSarah BurgessStarsSarah PaulsonAnnaleigh AshfordSterling K. BrownAn anthology series centered around America's most notorious crimes and criminals.All the subtlety of a two-by-four. Horrible acting, writing, directing. Almost as disgusting and offensive as the original trial. Fodder for Kardashian-trailer trash.
3 stars. - CreatorBryan CranstonDavid ShoreStarsGiovanni RibisiMarin IrelandShane McRaeA con man on the run from a vicious gangster takes cover by assuming the identity of his prison cellmate Pete, and reuniting with Pete's estranged family, which threatens to drag him into a world just as dangerous as the one he's escaping.I found the premise impossible to believe.
5 stars. - CreatorCris ColeStarsBen ChaplinMichael ImperioliRomany MalcoA group of guys travel to Belize to see an old friend, when things take an unexpectedly dark turn.Nothing special.
6 stars. - CreatorDana CalvoStarsGenevieve AngelsonAnna CampErin DarkeA look at the personal and professional lives of employees at an American news magazine in the late 1960s.Fabulous premise about how the women's movement turned this country on its head -- culturally, politically, economically & personally - beginning in the newsrooms. The pilot was great (it aired in late Nov 2015) and was picked up as an Amazon Exclusive. Premieres October 28, 2016 on Amazon Prime.
9 stars. - CreatorSteve ConradStarsMichael DormanKurtwood SmithMichael ChernusFollows the complicated life of intelligence officer John Tavner, whose latest assignment--to prevent Iran from going nuclear--requires him to forgo all safety nets and assume a perilous, non-official cover.Genius. Fresh. Very funny.
9 stars. - CreatorKate AtkinsonHelen GregoryAllan HeinbergStarsMireille EnosPeter KrauseJay HaydenFollows a female private investigator whose career specialty is exposing fraud for a living. She is drawn to a man whose career appears to be committing fraud for a living.It's hard to tell after only seeing the pilot of any show how good it's going to be since it's always the hardest working episode, setting up people, places & things and because they usually throw the best writers at those first shows. That said, The Catch has an interesting premise, a good cast, but Mireille Enos should shoot her makeup artist. It's better than average just out of the gate but "slick" can't substitute for finesse.
7 stars. - CreatorDan FranckStarsGérard DepardieuBenoît MagimelGéraldine PailhasA tale of power, corruption and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the French port city of Marseille.Maybe I should blame it on the awful English dubbing but I found this series embarrassing to watch, particularly Gérard Depardieu. But translating bad writing from French into English does not improve the writing...
3 stars. - CreatorJeppe Gjervig GramJannik Tai MosholtAnders Frithiof AugustStarsEsben SmedThomas HwanNatalie MadueñoA big Danish sustainable energy company has had an enormous, suspect growth. Problems start, when an employee's body is found and cop detective Justesen starts investigating Energreen.
- CreatorScott BaileyPetro DuszaraAlain ZaloumStarsMichael Douglas CakeLiana MontoroTyrone BenskinEach episode is a crime-solution reenactment of a real murder. The actual detectives offer commentary throughout the show.Totally devoid of hype, this series was a real surprise. The actual investigating detectives describe how THEY were affected with such raw honesty that it drives home the very reality of these murder investigations.
9 stars. - CreatorNicholas MeyerFrank SpotnitzStarsDaniel SharmanAlessandra MastronardiSynnove KarlsenA political family drama set in Florence in the early fifteenth century. Cosimo de Medici finds himself at the helm of his banking dynasty when his father, Giovanni, dies suddenly.Excellent. Almost as good as The Borgias.
9 stars. - StarsInvestigator Kris CoughlinRodie SanchezAubrey St. AngeloA woman's body was dumped in the bayou, and left to decompose for three months. A retired detective comes out of retirement to help solve the case.I'm not normally a fan of these kinds of shows, but, like Real Detective, this show is not Hollywoodized. Unlike Real Detective, it uses no actors and no gimmicks. The actual detectives working the case, Rodie Sanchez and Aubrey St. Angelo, provide plenty of compelling drama as does the case itself. The proof is in the numbers --the show started out with just over 700K viewers and by the 6th episode, had over 2.5 million.
9 stars. - StarsJonathan Rhys MeyersMalachi KirbyForest WhitakerAn adaptation of Alex Haley's "Roots." Chronicles the history of an African man and his descendants sold into slavery in America.The whole point of a re-make is to do even better than the original. The original Roots changed the course of television. Though well-done, this version does not fill those shoes.
7 stars. - CreatorNeil BiswasStan LeeStarsJames NesbittSienna GuilloryDarren BoydFrom the mind of comic book legend Stan Lee comes a bold new action crime series about a brilliant but flawed police officer with the power to control luck.Sort of the super hero for granny. Watchable if you're not too picky about plot holes and you don't look too deep. Nesbitt has his usual range of three expressions and the stories are predictable in every episode. Middle of the road enough to be long-running. Just renewed for second season.
Out of deference to the grandfather of comic books, Stan Lee:
7 stars. - StarsJames NesbittGenevieve O'ReillyPatrick O'KaneThe true-crime story of a respectable dentist and pillar of the community who became a killer in partnership with a Sunday school teacher.Not Nesbitt's best.
6 stars. - CreatorAbi MorganStarsStellan SkarsgårdNicola WalkerAdeel AkhtarJohn River is a brilliant police inspector whose genius lies side-by-side with the fragility of his mind. He is a man haunted by the murder victims whose cases he must lay to rest.Another new favorite show for me. Powerful writing, tour de force performances. Skarsgård, Walker & Akhtar are breathtaking. Eddie Marsan is unforgettable. The fantastic thing about this series is how the most dramatic parts are understated, giving them more meaning and impact.
Catch the whole series on Netflix.
10 stars. - CreatorDavid FarrStarsTom HiddlestonHugh LaurieElizabeth DebickiThe night manager of a Cairo hotel is recruited to infiltrate an arms dealer's inner circle.Staying true to Le Carre's novel, this series is tight, taunt, tense and masterfully done by all the players--including writer David Farr and director Susanne Bier. Hugh Laurie is especially believable as Roper--a role that can only be played right by an actor with power. The rest of the cast is equally superb. One of the best of 2016 so far.
9 stars. - CreatorLouis C.K.StarsLouis C.K.Steve BuscemiEdie FalcoLouis C.K.'s Eugene O'Neill-esque dramatic web series about two cousins, introverted Horace and mentally ill Pete, the current owners of their family's Irish bar "Horace and Pete's", and their dysfunctional family and friends.There isn't a name for the genre of H & P -- a contemporary Chekhov? IDK. What it IS is brilliant. Louis C.K.'s genius for both dialogue and the dynamics between characters, (played by a revolving cast of the best actors in the biz), the relevance of the topics, the extreme intimacy of the emotions and secrets revealed all come together on basically one stage--the Irish pub, Horace & Pete's. You have to watch it to understand why it's not easily described. It's most definitely FRESH and unlike any other TV show I've seen. I'm hooked and can't wait for the next episode.
9 stars. - CreatorMarnie DickensStarsJodie ComerValene KaneRichard Rankin26-year-old Ivy Moxam steps out of an ordinary house, on an ordinary street, on an ordinary day. Ivy hasn't been seen for thirteen years; she was kidnapped in 2003 at the age of thirteen.At first I thought I'd seen this before, but I was wrong. Thirteen dives deeply into the psychology of captivity and shows how little it's understood. Jodie Comer as the kidnapped Ivy does a superb job in playing the complex nature of Stockholm Syndrome and PTSD.
9 stars. - StarsMaddie CormanTrieste Kelly DunnQuinn ShephardCooper is a handsome, eternally single psychiatrist living in New York City. Serial dating and workaholic behavior have successfully helped him avoid long-term commitments, until he meets the girl of his dreams. Unfortunately he fails to get her name, number or any other information. The series follows Jackson on his quest to find her and to finally go about the task of finding himself along the way.It could be charming if most of the supporting characters weren't so annoying. It left me tired...
1st episode 3/22/2016
5 stars - CreatorCorinne BrinkerhoffStarsJuliet RylanceAntony StarrJustin ChatwinThe members of a prominent Boston family suspect that one of their own is working with an infamous serial killer.Your garden variety prime time network drama that plays it safe and therefore has nothing original or brilliant going for it. The acting is decent, however. Series Premiere Wednesday, June 22
6 stars. - CreatorJonathan LiscoStarsShawn HatosyBen RobsonJake WearyCenters on a Southern California family, whose excessive lifestyle is fueled by their criminal activities.Gritty, tightly scripted, sterling acting & direction. Constant tension kept me on the edge of my seat.
The story is based on the Oscar-nominated 2010 thriller of the same title written by David Michôd's, who is also writer, director and executive producer with Jonathan Lisco (Halt and Catch Fire, Southland).
I've seen the film recently and this series is both different and even better. Finn Cole (Peaky Blinders) as the main character is riveting, making me care about him from the very first scene. Ellen Barkin is perfect as the maternal head of these surfing gangsters. Shawn Hatosy (Southland) as Pope, is menacing as the ticking time bomb. Scott Speedman (Last Resort) as Baz anchors this turbulent crime family. This show goes to the top of my list for the summer shows.
Series Premiere Tue, Jun 14 at 9:00 PM on TNT or catch it on Amazon.
10 stars. - StarsDrew GregoryBlythe DannerRichard DreyfussThe rise and fall of Bernie Madoff, whose Ponzi scheme bilked $65 billion from unsuspecting victims; the largest fraud in US history.Four hours of watching the dramatization of one of the most despicable narcissists in history is a about three hours and 59 minutes too long unless the payoff at the end would be a slow, agonizing death... which it isn't, sadly. Dreyfuss is a pro but he played the part so much as a caricature that it really taints the overall mini-series. Don't bother watching unless you're a student of financial history.
6 stars. - CreatorHans RosenfeldtNicola LarderStarsAnna FrielRay PanthakiJack DoolanMarcella Backland left the Metropolitan Police for the sake of her family, only to have her husband leave her. She returns to her job on the murder squad, investigating a case that seems disturbingly familiar to her.I'm giving this a reluctant 8 because the writing, directing and acting improved significantly by the 3rd episode and the plot gets more interesting.
8 stars. - StarsKarla CromeMichael SmileyPeter McDonaldSeries of individual murder dramas unique in the way in which protagonists talk directly to camera when giving their version of events.Murder employs what has to be one of the hardest dramatic techniques because it's so difficult to tell a story without action. That's why it rarely works. But great writing and solid acting and excellent direction makes Murder the kind of story that haunts you for days afterwards.
1st of 3 episodes aired 3/3/2016 on BBC2.
8 stars. - StarsRay WinstoneJames WilbyRupert GravesA collection of lesser known short stories written by one of the greatest science fiction minds of modern literature.Before the Twilight Zone, there was H.G. Wells. Very tongue-in-cheek performances which hint at Wells' sense of humor.
8 stars. - StarsJessica SulaSebastian De SouzaAlexis CarraWhile facing the daily pressures of teenage life, Maddie, a party girl and highly-functioning addict, makes the difficult decision to live with other recovering addicts at a rehab facility.Not very interesting premise about a tired topic.
5 stars. - CreatorCameron CroweStarsCarla GuginoLuke WilsonImogen PootsA road crew helps with a rock band's major multi-city tour.Fabulous. Another new favorite for Summer. Great premise, direction, writing and acting.
9 stars. - CreatorPeter MoffatStarsSophie OkonedoAdrian LesterDaniel EzraA lawyer returns to Britain to become the first black Director of Public Prosecutions. She begins to suspect that everything she knew about the man she has been married to for the past 20 years is a lie.Yea, just not feeling the love... with so many excellent British mysteries, average just can't cut it.
6 stars. - CreatorRichard BellRebecca GibneyStarsRebecca GibneyGeraldine HakewillAnthony PhelanTwo strangers are prime suspects in a murder.Although it's not billed as a comedy, there are some real comical situations in this Aussie series. Geraldine Hakewill pulls off a performance of a character that could be ridiculous at any moment, but is, instead, quite believable. The chemistry between the prim and proper Hakewill and the street-wizened Rebecca Gibney really propels this charming story.
8 stars. - StarsMelanie ScrofanoTim RozonDominique Provost-ChalkleyBattling demons and other creatures with her unique abilities and a posse of dysfunctional allies, Wyatt Earp's great great-granddaughter Wynonna is the only thing that can bring the paranormal to justice.Buffy meets Dawn of the Dead. Could be fun if you're willing to suspend disbelief and most of your critical faculties for some juvenile entertainment. But it gets old fast...
5 stars. - StarsKeeley HawesJosh O'ConnorMilo ParkerLouisa Durrell raises her four children single-handedly after her husband's death. Following a financial crisis, the family moves to the Greek island of Corfu and tries to adapt to life there.Terrific cast playing very well-developed characters in a timeless premise. Very loosely based on Gerald Durrell's biographic books about his family & growing up on Corfu, it's funny and clever without being self-conscious or trying too hard.
9 stars. - CreatorSera GambleJohn McNamaraStarsStella MaeveHale ApplemanArjun GuptaAfter being recruited to a secretive academy, a group of students discovers that the magic they read about as children is very real--and more dangerous than they ever imagined.Harry Potter knockoff with annoying college students... clever at times but very contrived. May appeal to Gen Zs but I found little that was interesting or appealing about any character and no nuance in the stories. Given better direction, it might be good, but as it is, it tries too hard in all the wrong directions resulting in over-acting and over-plotting that's thoroughly under-whelming...
6 stars. - CreatorMichael CooneyStarsAustin HébertRanjit Singh ShubhJeffrey KochSet in an alternate history where gas and coal fuel the world, this genre soap centers on the battle for power between two rival families and a rebellious young woman with a spark of invention that could level both their empires.This could be an interesting series with the writer Michael Cooney behind it and a promising cast. Unfortunately, the producer, veteran Ian Sander just died recently. His wife, Kim Moses, is co-producer, so perhaps it will go ahead.
- StarsJim SturgessLucy WardCharlotte RileyA British intelligence officer has to ensure that a captured German scientist helps the British develop jet aircraft.
- CreatorClyde PhillipsStarsDavid SchwimmerJim SturgessLorenza IzzoTwo friends open up a restaurant together.Just horrible. David Schwimmer has so little talent that he should never have had a role on Friends, much less torture us with his own show...
Series Premiere: Tuesday, May 31
1 star - CreatorLiz FriedlanderLiz FriedmanStarsHayley AtwellEddie CahillShawn AshmoreA brilliant attorney and former First Daughter is blackmailed to heading a unit that investigates cases of wrongful conviction.Same old same old tired re-tread of network TV pablum where stereotype and cliché are substituted for talented writers and directors and the biggest risk they take is saying "Gosh darn"...
5 stars. - DirectorCharles SturridgeStarsMichael GambonRomola GaraiLindsay DuncanBritish Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill (Sir Michael Gambon) suffers from a stroke in the summer of 1953, which is consequently kept a secret from the rest of the world.What you'd expect but well done.
8 stars. - 1980– 2h 39mTV-147.0 (2.2K)TV EpisodeStarsAlan CummingSherlock and Watson travel back to Victorian England, solving the case of the Abomnable Bride.
- CreatorAshley PharoahStarsColin MorganCharlotte SpencerMalcolm StorryWhen a young couple inherit a farm, they are determined to turn it into a success, but strange supernatural forces soon intervene, threatening their marriage and their lives.Excellent old fashion ghost story with a twist.
8 stars. - CreatorAnthony HorowitzStarsMark StrepanBen TavassoliMark AddyThe series follows junior investigators Stefan and Rash, who are brought together by a link between two seemingly unrelated cases.Has potential. Good series overall, but not without its problems like scripting & directing that don't trust the audience to 'get it' so subtlety is nonexistent and great actors like Mark Addy look like they're overacting. But the story is solid and compelling. Good chemistry between the two main characters, Mark Strepan as Stefan and Ben Tavassoli as Rash.
Premieres June 9 on BBC.
7 stars. - CreatorJeremy SlaterStarsAlfonso HerreraBen DanielsKurt EgyiawanFollows two priests dealing with cases of a demonic presence targeting a family and a foster home.Really well-done. Of of the four current series about possession, this one may be the closest to accurate. Based on the original movie by the same name, which was based on the novel, all based on actual events. Ben Daniels is fabulous, as the renegade priest and Geena Davis surprised me with her amazing performance. Well written--just when you think you know where it's going, it heads in another direction.
9 stars. - CreatorTim KilbyShelley EriksenStarsJason PriestleyCindy SampsonBarry FlatmanFormer professional hockey player Matt Shade partners with private eye Angie Everett to solve crimes around Toronto.You've seen this show a thousand times.
4 stars - CreatorM.A. FortinJoshua John MillerStarsAlice BragaHemky MaderaPeter GadiotTeresa flees Mexico after her drug-runner boyfriend is murdered. Settling in Dallas she looks to become the country's reigning drug smuggler and to avenge her lover's murder.Really raw, gritty story that's neither preachy or romanticizing about the border drug traffic and the culture that's grown out of it. Veronica Falcón and Alice Braga are both excellent as the two leads. Series Premiere Thursday, June 23
8 stars. - CreatorJohn HlavinStarsRyan PhillippeShantel VanSantenCynthia Addai-RobinsonA conspiracy thriller that follows the journey of Bob Lee Swagger, a highly-decorated veteran who is coerced back into action to prevent a plot to kill the President.Fans of Stephen Hunter novels may complain but telling a story in print is a world away from telling a story on television. So, fans of the novels should just bite it and enjoy Shooter for what it is--damned good TV.
The plot is not terribly original but that isn't a mortal sin when the characters are so strong and engaging. The acting is superb and the writing & directing are tight and lean. I've got a good feeling about this series after just 2 episodes.
A bit of trivia: USA pushed the series’ debut from July 19 to July 26 in the wake of the July 7 ambush of Dallas police officers which left five dead and several others wounded as well as the other ambush-style attack in Baton Rouge, LA., which claimed the lives of three more law enforcement officers.
8.5 stars. - CreatorCraig WrightStarsMerle DandridgeKim HawthorneDesiree RossThe unscrupulous world of the Greenleaf family and their sprawling Memphis megachurch, dark secrets, and lies.Painfully bad... I've seen daytime soaps that were better written. Series Premiere Tuesday, June 21.
4 stars. - CreatorDavid PastorÀlex PastorStarsSean TealeAllison MillerEddie RamosA man attempts to thwart a giant corporation that seems to have unlimited power.I couldn't get through the first episode. And it wasn't that it poorly made--I just couldn't care about the cookie-cutter, one-dimensional characters or the tedious dystopian plot. But, I will confess to not being a big fan of this genre.
Premiered November 30 on Showcase in Canada.
5 stars.