By Andrew A. Smith
Tribune Content Agency
The geek have inherited the earth. Or at least television.
Once we were the red-haired step-children of American audiences, subsisting on a thin gruel of giant-insect movies, Famous Monsters of Filmlandmagazines and Star Trek reruns. But now sci-fi, fantasy, superheroes, magic and comic books rule the small screen – and geeks are wearing the Glass Slippers of Triumph to the ball.
In 2019, the number of genre TV shows airing or streaming will be in triple figures. My list – which is certainly not comprehensive – shows 36 new shows that appeal to those who prefer Red Weddings to romance, sci-fi to sitcoms and talking dogs to talk shows. Five of them debut this month:
Photo by: Allen Fraser/Syfy
Master Lin (Benedict Wong, standing) inducts Marcus (Benjamin Wadsworth) into a private high school specializing in assassination in Syfy’s Deadly Class.
- Deadly Class (Jan.16, Syfy): A street kid is inducted into a private high school, and finds he is still at the bottom of the social order. Worse, it’s a high school for assassins, where the knife in your back isn’t metaphorical. (The pilot was previewed in December.)
- Kingdom (Jan. 25, Netflix) Set in the royal court of medieval Korea, Kingdom is blessed with gorgeous costumes, exotic sets and sumptuous production values. Also, there are zombies. It promises to be the most beautiful apocalypse ever filmed.
- The Passage (Jan. 14, Fox): Based on the Justin Cronin novel, this series features an entirely different vampire apocalypse than the ones seen on Van Helsing and The Strain. Please try to keep up.
- Project Blue Book (Jan. 8, History Channel): This series adapts true stories from the Air Force’s famous series of investigations into UFOs. “X-Files” shenanigans ensue, transforming the lead investigator from a skeptic into a believer.
- Roswell, New Mexico (Jan. 15, The CW): A woman returning to her home town discovers her teenage crush is an extraterrestrial, just in time for an actual invasion. If that sounds familiar, it’s because this is the second time the “Roswell High” series of novels by Melinda Metz have been adapted for television.
Peak TV? It should be called Geek TV. And the trend seems very likely to continue, thanks to Netflix.
According to Variety, Netflix came from virtually nowhere to accumulate more than 50 million subscribers in less than six years, with a direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming service. DTC uses the Internet to sidestep traditional media carriers such as cable, satellite and broadcast – eliminating the middleman.
The company built that subscriber list by throwing bushels of money at programming. Netflix has assembled such a massive archive of video sweetmeats, original and otherwise, that Saturday Night Live took a poke at it with a faux commercial:
“We’re spending billions of dollars and making every show in the world,” the announcer brags breathlessly. “Our goal is the Endless Scroll. By the time you reach the bottom of our menu, there are new shows at the top. And thus we achieve the singularity. … It’ll take 12 human lifetimes to watch all of our content, so start watching now!”
They’re not exaggerating by much. Now the other major players are scrambling to catch up.
Amazon Prime, CBS All Access, DC Universe, HBO Now, Hulu, Starz and other services or apps are already here, launching as DTC from the get-go or morphing into swans from whatever ugly ducklings they used to be. AT&T (which owns WarnerMedia), Comcast (NBCUniversal) and Apple (your wallet) have all announced plans for DTC, and have started throwing their own checkbooks around.
The 800-pound mouse will arrive in fourth quarter 2019. Disney+ (pronounced “Disney Plus”) will offer new and archived content from all corners of the huge House of Mouse, which includes Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars.
Photo: Juhan Noh /Netflix
Netflix’s Kingdom, which features a zombie plague in medieval Korea, promises to be both gorgeous and terrifying.
News, sports and opinion streaming services are also in the game, but they are inherently limited to those who are interested in news, sports and opinion shows. Geek TV, on the other hand, has no upper limit – as HBO discovered with Game of Thrones (and AMC did likewise with The Walking Dead), a prestige genre show has the potential to attract every quadrant of the audience.
And since nobody knows where the next Game of Thrones is coming from, every genre show has the potential to become the golden goose – which means the big companies are experimenting with different genres, and not watching the bottom line too closely. If a show hits GoT levels, that money will be well spent. If not … well, there’s an almost endless supply of concepts to mine from sci-fi/fantasy novels and comic books. Maybe the next one will be The One.
Speaking of Game of Thrones, the final six episodes will arrive this year, beginning in April. And it’s probably the most anticipated show of the year. But no matter who ends up on the Iron Throne – I’m rooting for the Night King as a dark horse – it’s hardly the only game in town.
Some other genre favorites are also coming to an end in 2019 – but with a bang. Gotham (Fox) will give us a proper Batman at last, and possibly Joker and Catwoman as well. The Punisher and Jessica Jones – both as much psychological thrillers as they are superhero shows – will likely impress again on Netflix, which seems to be divesting itself of Marvel properties. And the always charming Liv Moore (Rose McIver) will, alas, live less as the quirky“iZombie shambles to its conclusion.
Photo: Ursula Coyote/The CW
Liz Ortecho (Jeanine Mason, left) returns to her home town of Roswell, New Mexico, in the CW show of the same name, where she re-connects with teenage crush Max Evans (Nathan Parsons), who turns out to be an extraterrestrial.
Meanwhile, other popular and cult favorites return in 2019, from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (revived from cancellation) to Westworld. But what really makes our Spider-sense tingle is all the new shows in 2019. Here are some more:
- Doom Patrol (Feb. 15, DC Universe): Robotman, Elasti-Girl, Negative Man and The Chief were introduced on Titans, so we already have a pretty good idea just how disturbing – and funny – Cliff, Rita, Larry and Niles can be. And wait ‘til you meet Crazy Jane!
- Good Omens (TBA, Prime): Adapted from the Neil Gaiman novel, this series stars David Tennant as the demon Crowley and Michael Sheen as the angel Aziraphale, who team up to prevent the End Times prophesied in the Book of Revelations. Don’t give them too much credit – they’re only doing so to protect their comfortable lives. And since they immediately lose track of the Antichrist, don’t expect competence.
- Lovecraft Country (TBA, HBO): Jonathan Majors stars as a black man searching for his father in 1950s America, dealing with both Jim Crow and the occasional Elder God. Which is scarier, Cthulhu or redneck sheriffs?
- The Mandalorian (TBA, Disney+): This live-action Star Wars series, co-created by multi-hyphenate Jon Favreau (Iron Man director/actor), is set between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens. Since Boba Fett wears Mandalorian armor, I think we can assume a connection.
- Swamp Thing (May 10, DC Universe): This show looks to have a much bigger budget than the cheesy version seen on the USA Network years ago. But it’s still not a direct adaptation of the wildly popular Alan Moore run of the comic book series, which seems like a missed bet to me.
- Twilight Zone (TBA, CBS All Access): This series will retain the anthology format of Rod Serling’s 1959 show, and will be helmed by the multi-talented Jordan Peele (Get Out writer/director). Now you have a second reason to get CBS All Access, after Star Trek: Discovery (whose second season begins Jan. 17).
- Watchmen (TBA, HBO): If you’re expecting the characters from the classic graphic novel or the Zach Snyder movie adaptation, you’ll be disappointed – this series is set after those events, and (spoiler) not many of those characters are left in a position to continue adventuring. This series could be terrifically unnerving and thoughtful (like the GN), or plodding and turgid (like the movie), or anywhere in between. Cross your fingers.
- What We Do in the Shadows (TBA, FX) continues the misadventures of the incompetent vampires from Wellington, New Zealand, who were introduced in the movie of the same name. Sadly, Jemaine Clement (Legion) and Taika Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok director/actor) will not reprise their roles as Vladislav and Viago, respectively.
2019 GENRE TV SHOWS
As many as I could find, anyway
- The 100 Season 6 (The CW)
- 3% Season 3 (Netflix)
- Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 6 (ABC)
- Aggretsuko Season 2 (Netflix, animated)
- Alien News Desk Season 1 (Syfy, animated)
- Altered Carbon Season 2 (Netflix)
- American Gods Season 2 (Mar. 10, Starz)
- American Horror Story Season 9 (FX)
- Another Life Season 1 (Netflix)
- Archer Season 10 (subtitled 1999, FX, animated)
- Arrow Season 7B (Jan. 21, The CW)
- Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 1 (Netflix)
- Avengers Assemble Season 5B (subtitled Black Panther’s Quest, Jan. 6, Disney XD, animated)
- Black Lightning Season 2B (Jan. 21, The CW)
- Black Mirror Season 5 (Netflix)
- The Boys Season 1 (Prime)
- Britannia Season 2 (Prime)
- Cannon Busters Season 1 (Apr. 1, Netflix, animated)
- Carmen Sandiego Season 2 (Netflix, animated)
- Carnival Row Season 1 (Prime)
- Castle Rock Season 2 (Hulu)
- Castlevania Season 3 (Netflix, animated)
- Charmed Season 1B (Jan. 20, The CW)
- The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Season 2 (Apr. 5, Netflix)
- Cloak & Dagger Season 2 (Freeform)
- Counterpart Season 2 continues (Jan. 6, Starz)
- Dark Crystal: Age or Resistance Season 1 (Netflix)
- Dark Season 2 (Netflix)
- Deadly Class Season 1 (Jan. 16, Syfy)
- A Discovery of Witches Season 1 (Jan. 17, Shudder)
- Disenchantment Season 2 (Netflix, animated)
- Doctor Who Season 11 finale (Jan. 1, BBC America)
- Doom Patrol Season 1 (Feb. 15, DC Universe)
- The Dragon Prince Season 2 (Netflix, animated)
- The Expanse Season 4 (Prime)
- Fear the Walking Dead Season 5 (AMC)
- The Flash Season 5B (Jan. 15, The CW)
- Future Man Season 2 (Jan. 11, Hulu)
- Game of Thrones Season 8 (HBO)
- gen:LOCK Season 1 (Rooster Teeth, animated)
- The Gifted Season 2B (Jan. 1, Fox)
- God Friended Me Season 1B (Jan. 6, CBS)
- Good Omens Season 1 (Prime)
- The Good Place Season 3B (Jan. 10, NBC)
- Gotham Season 5 (Jan. 3, Fox)
- The Handmaid’s Tale Season 3 (Hulu)
- Happy! Season 2 (Apr. 19, Syfy)
- Harley Quinn Season 1 (Oct. 11, DC Universe, animated)
- His Dark Materials Season 1 (HBO)
- Impulse Season 2 (YouTube)
- Infinity Train Season 1 (Cartoon Network, animated)
- Into the Dark Season 2B (Feb. 1, Hulu)
- iZombie Season 5 (The CW)
- Jessica Jones Season 3 (Netflix)
- Kengan Ashura Season 1 (Netflix, animated)
- Killjoys Season 5 (Syfy)
- Kingdom Season 1 (Jan. 25, Netflix)
- Krypton Season 2 (Syfy)
- Legacies Season 1B (Jan. 24, The CW)
- Legends of Tomorrow Season 4B (Mar. 11, The CW)
- Legion Season 3 (FX)
- Locke and Key Season 1 (Netflix)
- Lost in Space Season 2 (Netflix)
- Lovecraft Country Season 1 (HBO)
- Lucifer Season 4 (Netflix)
- The Magicians Season 4 (Jan. 23, Syfy)
- The Mandalorian Season 1 (Disney+)
- Manifest Season 1B (Jan. 7, NBC)
- The Man in the High Castle Season 4 (Prime)
- Memories of the Alhambra Season 1B (Jan. 5, Netflix)
- Miracle Workers Season 1 (Feb. 12, TBS)
- Missions Season 2 (Shudder)
- Mr. Robot Season 4 (USA Network)
- My Hero Academia Season 4 (Hulu, animated)
- Neon Genesis Evangelion Season 1 (Netflix, animated)
- NOS4A2 Season 1 (Apr. 30, AMC)
- The OA Season 2 (Netflix)
- The Orville Season 2 (timeslot premiere Jan. 3, Fox)
- Outlander Season 5B (Jan. 6, Starz)
- The Outpost Season 2 (The CW)
- The Passage Season 1 (Jan. 14, Fox)
- Preacher Season 4 (AMC)
- Project Blue Book Season 1 (Jan. 8, History)
- The Protector Season 2 (Netflix)
- The Punisher Season 2 (Jan. 18, Netflix)
- The Rain Season 2 (Netflix)
- Riverdale Season 3B (Jan. 16, The CW)
- The Rook Season 1 (Starz)
- Roswell, New Mexico Season 1 (Jan. 15, The CW)
- Santa Clarita Diet Season 3 (Netflix)
- Scooby Doo and Guess Who? Season 1 (Boomerang, animated)
- A Series of Unfortunate Events Season 3 (Jan. 1, Netflix)
- Shadowhunters Season 3B (Feb. 25, Freeform)
- Siren Season 2 (Jan. 24, Freeform)
- Slasher Season 3 (Netflix)
- Stargirl Season 1 (Aug. 9, DC Universe, cartoon)
- Star Trek: Discovery Season 2 (Jan. 17, CBS All Access)
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 7 (Disney+, animated)
- Star Wars: Detours Season 1 (Disney+, animated)
- Star Wars Resistance Season 1 finale (Jan. 13, Disney XD, animated)
- Steven Universe Season 5B (Jan. 7, Cartoon Network. animated)
- Stranger Things Season 3 (July 4, Netflix)
- Supergirl Season 4B (Jan. 20, The CW)
- Supernatural Season 14B (Jan. 6, The CW)
- Swamp Thing Season 1 (May 10, DC Universe)
- The Tick Season 2 (Prime)
- Titans Season 2 (DC Universe)
- The Twilight Zone Season 1 (CBS All Access)
- Ultraman Season 1 (Apr. 1, Netflix, animated)
- Umbrella Academy Season 1 (Feb. 15, Netflix)
- Van Helsing Season 4 (Syfy)
- Vikings Season 5 Season 5B (Jan. 2, History)
- Vikings Season 6 (History)
- V-Wars Season 1 (Netflix)
- The Walking Dead Season 9B (Feb. 10, AMC)
- Watchmen Season 1 (HBO)
- Weird City Season 1 (YouTube)
- Westworld Season 3 (HBO)
- What We Do in the Shadows Season 1 (FX)
- The Witcher Season 1 (Netflix)
- Wynnona Earp Season 4 (Syfy)
- Young Justice Season 3 (subtitled Outsiders, Jan. 4, DC Universe, animated)
Find Captain Comics by email (capncomics@aol.com), on his website (captaincomics.ning.com), on Facebook (AndrewAlanSmith) or on Twitter (@CaptainComics).
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