Here's a dozen contenders to kick off the year:
1.Banshee
What's It About? An ex-con who poses as a murdered sheriff. Apparently includes kick-ass martial arts and violence (sorry, the PC term is, 'action sequences'). Sadly, no mention of actual banshees.
Why Watch It? Because Banshee is the new show from Alan Ball, creator of True Blood and Six Feet Under (not a bad track record!).
What Else? The promotional poster made me think the show was animated. Trying for the look of a pulp novel cover, perhaps?
2. Cult
What's It About? You had to ask, didn't you? It's a tv show about people who watch a tv show. The tv show is about a cult, but I think the fans become a bit of a cult? And there's missing people. Or something. (Hey, there's a lot of cutaways in the trailer!)
Why Watch It? For the conspiracies and the Big Brother aspect (by which I mean grim Orwellian-style cleverness and not reality tv bastardisation of the concept).
Who's in it? Matthew Davis, who played Alaric in The Vampire Diaries, and Alona Tal, who played Meg in Veronica Mars and Jo in Supernatural. Two actors that I love, so I'm in.
3. Zero Hour
What's It About? A guy whose wife is kidnapped after she buys a timepiece that gets them tangled in a Da Vinci Code/National Treasure-style conspiracy. Expect more metaphors/puns/play on words involving the concept of time than any one show should ever indulge in.
Why Watch It? Not for the dialogue, if the trailer's anything to go by. Those are some SERIOUSLY generic lines. "Some say the Nazi's stole that secret in an attempt to harness evil... return the clock to me, or she dies." Actually, the voicover's worse: "To find his wife, one man will have to unravel one of the greatest conspiracies of all time." COME ON. But let's be honest, most of us are suckers for a treasure hunting/save the world tale.
Who's In It? That actor from ER with the kind face, Anthony Edwards (also from Northern Exposure back in the day) and Jacinda Barrett, one of my favourite Australian actresses.
4. The Following
What's It About? An (ex) Federal Agent finds out the serial killer he helped put away has a cult-like following of fellow serial killers spread across the United States. One thing's for sure, with this premise, they're not going to run out of storyline options anytime soon.
Why Watch It? I'd say the network's attempting to tap into the Dexter market, albeit with a slightly different angle. A very dark, intelligent procedural, which I'm guessing will appeal to a large audience.
Who's In It? Kevin Bacon and James Purefoy, both very talented. There's also an Ashmore brother in the mix (Shawn this time around, aka Iceman in the X-Men movies). I am so there!
Why Watch It? I'd say the network's attempting to tap into the Dexter market, albeit with a slightly different angle. A very dark, intelligent procedural, which I'm guessing will appeal to a large audience.
Who's In It? Kevin Bacon and James Purefoy, both very talented. There's also an Ashmore brother in the mix (Shawn this time around, aka Iceman in the X-Men movies). I am so there!
5. The Americans
What's It About? A normal American family during the Reagan's reign, who just happen to be Russian spies. Attempting to entertain American audiences by forcing them to empathise with undercover Russian operatives during the Cold War era is an interesting idea, but will it work?
Why Watch It? For the sleeper spies, a concept I have always found utterly fascinating, especially if the faux couple have children. The creator of the show is a former member of the CIA, so I'm expecting authenticity.
What else? I think Keri Russell (yes, Felicity) will surprise everyone with the calibre of her performance.
6. Red Widow
What's It About? A woman whose husband is killed as a result of his links with organised crime must handle the aftermath to ensure her children's safety. Rhada Mitchell stars. (So many Aussie's in US tv shows right now.)
Why Watch It? Because Melissa Rosenberg is the creator, and she was the head writer on Dexter for the first few years. The lady sure knows how to tell a story (putting aside the Twilight film adaptations).
What Else? There's a bit of a Good Wife vibe here, in the sense that a homemaker has to step up to the plate and deal with the fallout of her husband's shady actions.
7. Ripper Street
What's It About? Basically a cop show set in the East End during the Jack the Ripper period. (Yes, same music as used in The Great Gatsby trailer, but I don't blame them for the double-up, this track excels at creating atmosphere.)
Why Watch It? Because the BBC so often delivers. I don't like gory procedurals, but I do appreciate quality costuming, clever sets, strong cinematography, intelligent narrative and brilliant performances, all of which the BBC demands from its talent. I can see this making money for the network globally.
Who's In It? Matthew Macfadyen, who has one gorgeous voice to go with those startling blue eyes.
Why Watch It? Because the BBC so often delivers. I don't like gory procedurals, but I do appreciate quality costuming, clever sets, strong cinematography, intelligent narrative and brilliant performances, all of which the BBC demands from its talent. I can see this making money for the network globally.
Who's In It? Matthew Macfadyen, who has one gorgeous voice to go with those startling blue eyes.
8. The Carrie Diaries
What's It About? The teenage years of Carrie (yes, THAT Sex and the City character). After her mum passes away, as a way to help her deal with the tragedy, her dad secures Carrie an internship in Manhattan. Expect high school adventures with a dash of inner city cool.
Why Watch It? Because there has to be one lighthearted teen soap on the viewing schedule, for days when you've already used up your thinking quota.
What Else? The show is from the CW network, who needed something to replace Gossip Girl. The series is set in the eighties, so expect a lot of bold fashion and hair, which would look wild and crazy if there wasn't so much pseudo-eighties neon around right now...!
9. Deception
What's It About? A woman returns to the wealthy family she grew up with, working undercover to investigate the murder of the heiress daughter. Think glamour, sex, secrets, and cruel rich people. General soapie-esque staples, really.
Why Watch It? Because while Brits have murder mysteries set in aristocratic country houses, nowadays Yanks are all about murder mysteries in upper echelon families, the kind who own holiday homes in the Hamptons. Instead of "Miss Scarlett in the library with a candlestick", think more "Blake in the poolhouse with daddy's revolver."
What Else? Stylistically, the trailer tries to draw parallels between Deception and Revenge, which makes sense, considering the ratings Revenge pulls in.
Why Watch It? Because while Brits have murder mysteries set in aristocratic country houses, nowadays Yanks are all about murder mysteries in upper echelon families, the kind who own holiday homes in the Hamptons. Instead of "Miss Scarlett in the library with a candlestick", think more "Blake in the poolhouse with daddy's revolver."
What Else? Stylistically, the trailer tries to draw parallels between Deception and Revenge, which makes sense, considering the ratings Revenge pulls in.
10. Do No Harm
What's It About? A successful neurosurgeon is forced to deal with his alter-ego, a reckless individual (apparently) hell bent on ruining his life. The show's being sold as a modern day take on Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
Why Watch It? Alternate personalities makes for entertaining fare, but the material needs to be handled with care. The quality of the writing and acting is key here, so only time will tell if this show works.
What Else? There's not much to say about this yet. It doesn't boast any standout talent I'm familiar with, and so far, there doesn't appear to be a lot of hype. Even though this is technically a medical drama (a genre that usually enjoys a certain longevity), I'd be surprised if it lasts past the original twelve episode order.
Why Watch It? Alternate personalities makes for entertaining fare, but the material needs to be handled with care. The quality of the writing and acting is key here, so only time will tell if this show works.
What Else? There's not much to say about this yet. It doesn't boast any standout talent I'm familiar with, and so far, there doesn't appear to be a lot of hype. Even though this is technically a medical drama (a genre that usually enjoys a certain longevity), I'd be surprised if it lasts past the original twelve episode order.
11. Defiance
What's It About? Aliens who need somewhere new to live feel compelled to invade after the citizens of Earth prove less than accommodating (shocker). The planet gets accidentally (kind of) terraformed during the war. The show follows the trials and tribulations of life in a now less-than-friendly environment and a post-war mixed species society.
Why Watch It? Because the concept is challenging and could make for interesting television, if the writing is equal to the premise.
What Else? This doesn't hit screens till April, but I thought it was worth a mention because, hello, new scifi. Let's just hope the scripts are sharper than the first season of Falling Skies...
Why Watch It? Because the concept is challenging and could make for interesting television, if the writing is equal to the premise.
What Else? This doesn't hit screens till April, but I thought it was worth a mention because, hello, new scifi. Let's just hope the scripts are sharper than the first season of Falling Skies...
12. House of Cards
What's It About? Francis Underwood is going to be President, but first, it's going to get ugly. (Well, that's the tagline I would have run with.) Even his own party have Underestimated Underwood's ambition (see what I did there?). Cue multi-layered political machinations.
Why Watch It? Because it's an adaptation of a BBC miniseries. And let's face it, the road to the White House really does provide endless story fodder.
Who's In It? Kevin Spacey, who rarely puts in anything but an Oscar-level performance. Robin Wright also appears. Definitely one to check out.
