Netflix is all set to expand its line of original content in 2017. Additional to its popular returning shows like House of Cards and Orange is the New Black, the streaming service will debut a roster of new dramas and comedies this year.
Last year, Netflix spent a whopping $5 billion on producing original content. This year, the budget has increased to $6 billion. This vast amount of money will result in more TV shows for the streaming network’s fans. So far, we have been able to deduce from the 2017 schedule that the audience is in for some great surprises.
There is something for everyone; stories based on suicidal high school students, women wrestlers, career-oriented young ladies, scientists, and much more. Also, fans can expect to see a lot of big names of the industry both in front of and behind the lens; including Kathy Bates, Naomi Watts, Jenji Kohan, Alison Brie, Paul Rudd, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jason Momoa, Keegan-Michael Kay, Tom McCarthy, Charlize Theron and Neil Patrick Harris. And of course, one can always expect a superhero entry- in this case, a Marvel Comics entry.
With so many great shows coming up, we will make the selection process easier for you. Here are the top new original series from Netflix (in order of their debut dates) to be excited for this year, based on what we know so far about the show, for better insight.
One Day at a Time
This original sitcom will be aired by Netflix and is based on the series of the same name from 1975. The show will revolve around a Cuban-American family headed by a recently divorced ex-military mom- played by Justina Machado, as she pursues her new single life alongside raising her tween son and teenage daughter- played by Marcel Ruiz and Isabella Gomez respectively, with assistance from her old-fashioned mom- played by Rita Moreno and Schneider, a building manager/ friend without benefits- played by Todd Grinnell. The first season is written by Mike Royce and Gloria Calderon Kellett and will feature thirteen episodes. The pilot aired on January 6 and is directed by Pam Fryman.
A Series of Unfortunate Events
With a huge budget behind it, Lemony Snicket’s commendable series will come to life with an all-star cast with Netflix producing a dark and true to content adaptation of ‘A Series of Unfortunate Events.’ The story is based on the popular children’s novel series, and will follow the trials and tribulations of the Baudelaire siblings who are orphaned and sent to live with a distant relative- Count Olaf- played by Neil Patrick Harris, who is determined to steal the orphans’ inheritance. After unsuccessfully plotting and losing guardianship of the children, they are placed in various houses, all the while being pursued by the Count.
Malina Weissman, Louis Hynes and Neil Patrick Harris will star in the first season. All eight episodes are directed by Barry Sonnenfeld who is quite passionate about the project and was passed over as the director for the 2004 film featuring Jim Carrey. Although he was the Executive Producer to that film, this is his chance to showcase his true vision for the story. The series starts on January 13.
Frontier
If you can’t wait to see Jason Momoa star as ‘Aquaman’ on the big screen, see the former ‘Games of Thrones’ actor in this historical drama, that will apparently chronicle the violent and chaotic struggle to seize control over power and wealth of the North American fur trade in the 18th century. The story will be told from different perspective and will take place in a setting where trade negotiations are handled by hatchet fights and the sensitive relations between Europeans and the native tribes are prone to starting bloody conflicts.
Alongside Momoa will be starring Landon Liboiron from Hemlock Grove, Alun Armstrong of New Tricks, Zoe Boyle of Downton Abbey, and Canadian originated newcomer Jessica Matten. Film Director Brad Peyton of San Andreas fame is on board to helm the series, for which he is also credited as the co-creator along with Peter Blackie and Rob Blackie. The series will start on 20th January.
Santa Clarita Diet
Drew Barrymore takes the plunge to TV, and a good storyline will definitely help her land safely. Created by Victor Fresco, this dark comedy will also star Timothy Olyphant as Barrymore’s husband. The series follows Barrymore and Olyphant as real estate agents and a married couple in Santa Clarita, California. Their peaceful lives are disturbed after Sheila- played by Drew Barrymore, undergoes a dramatic change. Supporting actors in the 13-episode first season are Skyler Gisondo, Ricardo Chavira and Liv Hewson. The show starts on February 3.
Iron Fist
The fourth Marvel-based series from Netflix, ‘Iron Fist’ will be the transitionary show before ‘The Defenders’ brings all the small screen heroes to one place. This show will be quite an intriguing follow-up to the shows “Jessica Jones” and “Luke Cage” as the main protagonist will be a white guy- former ‘Games of Thrones’ actor Finn Jones, whereas the formerly mentioned shows were groundbreaking simply due to their main heroes. It will be interesting to see how Marvel and Netflix will manage to keep ‘Iron Fist’ as relevant and fresh as the previous two efforts.
The series will see Finn Jones play the lead role of Iron Fist/ Daniel Rand. The hero, with his ability to harness the energy of the fiery Iron First- that attacks enemies with superhuman power, and masterful kung-Fu skills, struggles to fight the corrupting criminal elements in New York City. The story will pick up from the point when Rand returns to the city after being missing for a few years.
The role of Colleen Wing- Iron Fist’s Samurai partner will be played by Jessica Henwick and David Wenham will act as the role of Harold Meachum- the corporate leader. The freshman series will premiere on March 7 2017.
13 Reasons Why
What initially started as an idea for a feature film by Universal Pictures, is now produced into a serial adaptation with some of the biggest names behind the camera. Director Rom McCarthy of ‘Spotlight’ fame will direct the first couple of episodes, with pop star and actress Selena Gomez as the executive producer for the series. Based on the novel of the same name by author Jay Asher in 2007, 13 Reasons Why revolves around Hannah Baker, a high schooler who committed suicide.
Dylan Minnette will star as Clay-a boy who is given a shoebox from his classmate, containing cassette tapes recorded by Hannah, after she passes away. Hannah explains on the tapes her 12 peers who had a vital role in the cause of her suicide and the 13 reasons why she committed suicide.
Ozark
Jason Bateman will don an avatar like never before in this upcoming series, which is set in the dangerous and dark world of drug-money. The name of the show is after the location of the series- the lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. The show follows the protagonist as he moves from the urban city to the Ozarks in order to pay off a debt to an influential drug lord. Bateman will star as well as be the Director and Executive Producer to the series. The premiere date will be set some time in the second half of the year.
Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later
Fans will rejoice as Netflix reunites the Camp Firewood gang for a Wet Hot American Summer, set ten years later. As the name suggests, the sequel series is set about a decade after the movie, kicking off from the scene in which the character Ben (Bradley Cooper) suggests that all campers return after ten years to see how things turned out for the gang.
The writers of the original movie and the 2015 prequel series- First Day of Camp, Michael Showalter and David Wain return to write the script for Ten Years Later. The eight-episode series will also be directed by Wain. There haven’t been many confirmations yet, but just like First Day of Camp, Ten Years Later will more than likely be bringing back most of the original cast.
Mindhunter
Set in 1979, this drama from Netflix is adapted from the book ‘Mind Hunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit,’ and will star Holt McCallany and Jonathan Groff as FBI agents who attempt to solve open cases by interviewing imprisoned killers. Co-starring will be Cotter Smith and Anna Torv, and the series will be directed by David Fincher, with Charlize Theron as the Executive Producer. The drama is reportedly going to debut in the second half of 2017.
Dear White People
This comedy series is based on the critically acclaimed indie film sharing the same name from 2014, and has the original director and screenwriter Justin Simien on board. Similar to the film, the series will follow the lives of a racially diverse segment of students as they try to survive at a dominantly white college that tends to ignore racial tensions.
According to source The Hollywood Reporter, Tessa Thompson will be replaced in the lead role by Logan Browning, whereas Brandon P. Bell will reprise his original role from the movie.
El Chapo
Netflix partners with Univision to bring this new drama series. True to its title, the show will follow the real-life story of the renowned Mexican drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman. It will first air this year on UniMas, and will then be available to Netflix viewers in the U.S.
The Defenders
As mentioned previously in the description of the TV original ‘Iron Fist,’ The Defenders will unite all four of the Marvel superheroes under the Netflix banner- Daredevil, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, and Iron Fist. This team-up series will premiere sometime this year and will be followed by a miniseries event which will bring the group of superheroes face to face with their biggest nemesis yet.
The show is expected to be helmed by Daredevil’s Marco Ramirez and Douglas Petrie. While there has been no confirmation of a release date, the trends of previous Netflix Marvel shows indicate that the series will most probably kick off sometime in the second half of the year.
Bill Nye Saves the World
Bill Nye, the person best recognized as “the Science Guy” is paving his way back to TV land through a talk show. Ever since the show “Bill Nye the Science Guy” came to an end in 1998 on PBS, Nye has apparently become even more aggressive- advocating against prominent politicians who deny the climate change crisis. For now, all we know about Nye’s latest Netflix show is that it will be an ‘unfiltered’ talk show, tackling various topics each week in the scientific category, like genetically modified foods, vaccinations, and of course, and climate change. The show aims to debunk myths and baseless claims made by religious leaders, politicians etc. Bill Nye Saves the World will debut in spring 2017.
Anne
An adaptation of L.M Montgomery’s book “Anne of Green Gables”, this darker rendition of a series has bagged a prominent showrunner, Emmy winner for the groundbreaking ‘Breaking Bad’ episode titled ‘Ozymandias’ Moira Walley-Beckett. A fresh face has been selected for the lead role- Canadian-Irish actress Amybeth McNulty and Director Niki Caro of ‘Whale Rider’ is on board to helm the premiere two-hour episode.
Even if you are not a fan of “Green Gables,” there is a lot to be excited for. The eight-episode series will kick off worldwide on Netflix this year.
Big Mouth
A surreal and edgy comedy, this half-hour 10-episode animated series follows the puberty adventures of real-life besties Andrew Goldberg of Family Guy and Nick Kroll. John Mulaney and Kroll will voice the protagonists Andrew and Nick respectively. Supporting voice cast includes Jason Mantzoukas, Maya Rudolph, Fred Armisen, Jessi Klein and Jenny Slate. The show will be available on Netflix worldwide.
