Fresh Blood

A heap of tv newbies are about to be unleashed on the American small screen. Looking for a new show to love? Here's half a dozen that hold promise.*

1. The Borgias

Set in the fifteenth century, this show explores the lives and loves of history's most infamous papal family. Luckily, they're much more exciting than the mob residing in Rome these days. Think corruption, manipulation and power play politics, a la Renaissance-style. Anyone unfamiliar with the Borgias clan should google them. At the very least, be prepared for high drama.

Will Appeal To Fans Of... The Tudors.

Familiar Faces Include... Jeremy Irons.

Also Worth Mentioning... Executive produced by the director of The Crying Game.

2. Camelot

I don't know about the rest of you, but I can never get enough of Arthurian legend. I've been like that since I was a little kid. Mention Merlin, reference Morgana, and I'm there. (I am purposely ignoring any allusion to that bimbo flake Guinevere, btw). This take on the tale looks rough, almost violent. I think they've tried to imbue a sense of passion by creating an aura of grittiness, which bodes well.

Will Appeal To Fans Of... The round table.

Familiar Faces Include... Joseph Fiennes, Eva Green, James Purefoy.

Also Worth Mentioning... Co-creator Michael Hirst wrote the film Elizabeth.

3. Breaking In

Okay, this one makes the list because Christian Slater is in it. Gleaming The Cube and Heathers flash through my mind whenever I see his face onscreen. Oh yeah, I think the show's about hackers. Or something computer-y. I'm guessing it's meant to be kind of funny. Or something. Did I mention Heathers?

Will Appeal To Fans Of... Chuck and Sneakers, maybe?

Familiar Faces Include... CHRISTIAN SLATER.

Also Worth Mentioning... The guy from Pump Up The Volume is in it.

4. Workaholics

Personally, telemarketing depresses me. Also, when someone mentions telemarketing, I can honestly say my immediate response has never once been, 'comedy gold!'. Fools gold, maybe. But this show, focusing on three guys who work together/live together/get wasted a lot, has been scoring a serious amount of hype.

Will Appeal To Fans Of... The Office.

Familiar Faces Include... Um, noone?

Also Worth Mentioning... Started as a web series.

5. Happy Endings

A group of co-dependent friends face social free-fall when the central couple at the core of their cliche break up. This sitcom, like every sitcom tailing half a dozen twenty-somethings, is blatantly dying to be the next Friends. Luckily, the teaser is actually quite funny, suggesting (at least flashes of) decently written, light-hearted humour.

Will Appeal To Fans Of... Friends (duh).

Familiar Faces Include... Elisha Cuthbert.

Also Worth Mentioning... there's a Bridget Jones-type character in the mix (love or hate the stereotype).

6. Game of Thrones

Ah HBO, you continue to deliver. From the network that brought you True Blood and Boardwalk Empire comes a kick-ass medieval fantasy. The preview trailers are pretty wild, so I'm inferring a chunk of cash was spent on the pilot. Since I'm one of the, what, five people who watched Legend of the Seeker (outside estimate), I'll definitely be tuning in.

Will Appeal To Fans Of... The books series, A Song of Ice and Fire.

Familiar Faces Include... Sean Bean, Jason Mamoa from Stargate: Atlantis.

Also Worth Mentioning... Buffy writer Jane Espenson is onboard.

*NOTE: I've skipped mentioning new procedurals, partly because I'm not a fan, but also because you need to see how a cop show handles episodic unfolding of the who-dunnit-factor before making a definite comment or recommendation. It's just one of the quirks of the genre.