A new year is here and with it comes a look at the most anticipated titles of the coming year in terms of television.
After a strike impacted 2024, 2025 will see a bumper load of new and returning TV hitting screens, so much so it’s confusing how much is coming out. So here’s a handy guide to help you with our top 80 most anticipated titles along with plenty of honorable mentions.
It’s such a long list it has had to be broken up into five pieces and here’s the first which covers those new series that just missed out or are returning series so familiar that there’s not much need for a preview write-up.
Included here are shows ranging from a new video game anime adaptation to plenty of domestic psychological thrillers, gritty procedurals, high-concept spy thrillers, one of the most anticipated spin-offs of the year, and new works from the likes of J.J. Abrams, Harlan Coben and Craig Gillespie:
HONORABLE MENTIONS – NEW SERIES:
“All Her Fault” (Peacock) – Sarah Snook leads this adaptation of the Andrea Mara novel about a mother who goes to pick up her son from a playdate, only to find it’s a false address and her son is missing.
“Amanda Knox” (Hulu) – A limited series about the case of Amanda Knox who was wrongfully convicted for the murder of her roommate Meredith Kercher and her 16-year odyssey to set herself free. Grace Van Patten and Sharon Horgan lead the cast.
“Anansi Boys” (Amazon Prime) – Filming wrapped mid-2022 on this fantasy miniseries adaptation of the Neil Gaiman novel about the two sons of the spider-god Anansi. Its fate seems decidedly uncertain right now.
“Apple Cider Vinegar” (Netflix) – The Australian limited drama series is about early social media wellness guru and convicted scammer Belle Gibson who falsely claimed to have multiple cancer pathologies and managed them through natural and alternative medicine therapies.
“The Better Sister” (Amazon Prime) – A mystery thriller series based on Alafair Burke’s 2019 novel. It explores the relationship between two estranged sisters, Chloe (Jessica Biel) and Nicky (Elizabeth Banks) who reunite following the mysterious murder of Chloe’s husband, Adam (Corey Stoll) and confront their tumultuous past. Craig Gillespie (“I, Tonya,” “Cruella”) directs.
“Black Rabbit” (Netflix) – “King Richard” and “Gran Turismo” scribe Zach Baylin created this series starring Jude Law as a New York City club owner who allows his chaotic brother (Jason Bateman) back in his life.
“Butterfly” (Amazon Prime) – The comic adaptation is a character-driven spy thriller series about a highly unpredictable former US intelligence operative (Daniel Dae Kim) living in South Korea whose life explodes when an impossible decision from his past has led to a deadly consequence in the present. Reina Hardesty plays a sociopathic young agent assigned to kill him.
“Cold Water” (ITV) – “Walking Dead” alum Andrew Lincoln plays an unhappy middle-aged man who moves to an isolated Scottish village strikes up a friendship with his oddball next door neighbour (Ewen Bremner). Eve Myles and Indira Varma co-star.
“The Death of Bunny Munro” (Sky) – An event series adaptation of the Nick Cave novel about a middle-aged lothario (Matt Smith) who takes his son on an increasingly wild road trip after his wife’s suicide, at the same time a serial killer closes in.
“Devil In Disguise: John Wayne Gacy” (Peacock) – A scripted series take on the infamous serial killer who posed as a clown to entertain sick kids and murdered at least 33 young men and boys. Michael Chernus stars.
“Devil May Cry” (Netflix) – A new animated adaptation of the acclaimed video game series being steered by Adi Shankar who handled the acclaimed “Castlevania” animated series also at Netflix. Studio Mir is doing the art for the series.
“Dexter: Resurrection” (Paramount+) – Picks up after the events of “Dexter: New Blood” and the flash forwards seen in the currently airing prequel. Dexter has seemingly survived having bled out in the cold and this will explore what happens to him next. Michael C. Hall and James Remar return, as does showrunner Clyde Phillips.
“Dope Girls” (BBC) – A six-part historical drama series set about the female-led criminal enterprises that dominated London’s Soho underground club scene during the early 20th century. Julianne Nicholson, Eliza Scanlen and Umi Myers lead the cast of the series which aims to be a spiritual successor to “Peaky Blinders”.
“Duster” (Max) – J.J. Abrams co-created this 1972 series starring Rachel Hilson as the first Black female FBI agent who finds herself partnered with a daring getaway driver (Josh Holloway) to take down a crime syndicate operating out of the American Southwest. Keith David, Sydney Elisabeth and Greg Grunberg co-star.
“Dying for Sex” (FX) – Based on the podcast by Nikki Boyer, Michelle Williams stars as a woman with metastatic breast cancer who decides to end her fifteen-year marriage and embark on a journey to explore her sexuality and self-identity. Jenny Slate, Jay Duplass, Rob Delaney and Sissy Spacek co-star.
“The Four Seasons” (Netflix) – Tina Fey’s remake of the Alan Alda film follows three couples who vacation together annually, a dynamic that changes when one splits and the husband brings a much younger woman on subsequent trips. Steve Carell, Colman Domingo and Will Forte co-star.
“The Girlfriend” (Amazon Prime) – A psycho-thriller series about a mother (Robin Wright) and her reaction to her son’s new girlfriend (Olivia Cooke) the young woman’s perceived motivations. Based on the Michelle Frances novel.
“Good American Family” (Hulu) – An eight episode series inspired by the true events of Natalia Grace, a Ukrainian-born young woman with dwarfism who was abandoned by her adoptive family at age 9 as they believed she was older than she claimed (she wasn’t). Ellen Pompeo and Mark Duplass play the adoptive parents.
“Government Cheese” (Apple TV+) – David Oyelowo and Simone Missick lead this surrealist family comedy set in 1969 San Fernando Valley about a just released from prison man whose family has moved on without him. The project hails from “Bulletproof Monk” director Hunter.
“The Hunting Party” (ABC) – Melissa Roxburgh leads this crime procedural as a former FBI profiler leading a task force to track down the most dangerous serial killers in the world who have just escaped from a top-secret government underground prison called ‘The Pit’ which houses its own mysteries.
“Lockerbie: A Search For Truth” – A five-episode limited series is inspired by the true story of the 270 people killed when Pan Am Flight 103 exploded over Lockerbie 38 in 1988. Colin Firth’s doctor character becomes the spokesperson of the town after losing his daughter in the crash – and demands justice.
“Malice” (Amazon Prime) – A “Saltburn”-esque psychological thriller in which comedian Jack Whitehall finagles his way into the world of a wealthy family (led by David Duchovny and Carice van Houten).
“Man on Fire” (Netflix) – Yahya Abdul-Mateen II leads this new take on A. J. Quinnell’s novel about a wounded former mercenary on a quest for revenge for the loss of his only companion while defending the daughter of his dead colleague.
“Missing You” (Netflix) – The newest New Year’s Day limited series based on a Harlan Coben novel. Rosalind Eleazar plays detective Kat Donovan who comes across the love of her life via dating app over a decade after he disappeared without a trace. The mystery ties back to her father’s murder and past secrets.
“Paradise” (Hulu) – “This Is Us” creator Dan Fogelman’s new series centers around the security guard (Sterling K. Brown) for a former president (James Marsden) who dies under his watch at a wealthy community.
“The Pitt” (HBO) – Noah Wyle leads the cast of this medical ensemble drama following frontline heroes working in a Pittsburgh hospital.
“Prime Target” (Apple TV+) – Leo Woodall plays a math prodigy seeking a pattern in prime numbers that would allow him to access every computer in the world – and efforts being made to destroy his work.
“Shifting Gears” (ABC) – Tim Allen’s new sitcom sees him as a stubborn, widowed owner of a classic car restoration shop. His estranged daughter (Kat Dennings) and her kids move into this house. Seann William Scott and Daryl Mitchell co-star.
“Suits LA” (NBC) – The popular legal drama that ended years ago gets a LA-set spin-off led by Stephen Amell and with much of the same creative team behind the original back along with an almost all-new cast.
“Too Much” (Netflix) – Lena Dunham’s new rom-com stars Megan Stalter as a woman starting a new life in London after a disastrous breakup and finds a connection with a local man (Will Sharpe).
“Under Salt Marsh” (Sky) – Clare Oakley writes and directs this crime mystery thriller about a small British town rocked by a child’s drowning and a potential connection to an unresolved case three years earlier. Detectives must investigate before a massive storm wipes away any evidence.
“Undertow” (Netflix) – Jamie Dornan and Mackenzie Davis star in the story of a loveless marriage shaken up by the return of the husband’s estranged identical twin.
“Watson” – CBS tries a modern Holmes procedural again (ala. “Elementary”), this time with a bit of “House” thrown in as it follows Dr. Watson after Sherlock Holmes’ death and has him working at a clinic.
“Win or Lose” (Disney+) – Pixar’s new animated series about eight different characters as they each prepare for their big kids championship softball game. Will Forte leads the voice cast.
“Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man” (Disney+) – The animated series explores Peter Parker’s early days as Spider-Man in an alternate timeline where Norman Osborn becomes Parker’s mentor rather than Tony Stark. Jeff Trammell serves as showrunner.
HONORABLE MENTIONS – RETURNEES:
“1923” Season 2, “Alice in Borderland” Season 3, “And Just Like That” Season 3, “Batman: Caped Crusader” Season 2, “The Bear” Season 4, “Black Mirror” Season 7, “Cobra Kai” Season 6 Part 3, “Dark Winds” Season 3, “For All Mankind” Season 5, “Foundation” Season 3, “The Gilded Age” Season 3, “Hacks” Season 4, “Harley Quinn” Season 5, “Hijack” Season 2, “Invincible” Season 3, “Love, Death & Robots” Season 4, “Mayfair Witches” Season 2, “The Night Agent” Season 2, “Outlander” Season 7, “Platonic” Season 2, “The Recruit” Season 2, “Rick & Morty” Season 8, “The Righteous Gemstones” Season 4, “Squid Game” Season 3, “Star Wars: Visions” Season 3, “The Traitors” Season 3, “Twisted Metal” Season 2, “The Walking Dead: Dead City” Season 2, “The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon” Season 3, “The Wheel of Time” Season 3, “Will Trent” Season 3, “Yellowjackets” Season 3, “You” Season 5
NOT UNTIL 2026:
“3 Body Problem” Season 2, “Blue Eye Samurai” Season 2, “The Boys” Season 5, “Daredevil: Born Again” Season 2, “Dark Matter” Season 2, “The Day of the Jackal” Season 2, “Fallout” Season 2, “From” Season 4, “The Handmaid’s Tale” Season 6, “House Of The Dragon” Season 3, “Lanterns,” “Margo’s Got Money Troubles,” “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters” Season 2, “Neuromancer,” “Sweetpea” Season 2, “VisionQuest,” “X-Men ‘97” Season 2.
The Full Guide
DH’s Anticipated TV In 2025: #1-20
DH’s Anticipated TV In 2025: #21-40
DH’s Anticipated TV In 2025: #41-60
DH’s Anticipated TV In 2025: #61-80
DH’s Anticipated TV In 2025: Honorable Mentions
