Top 10 Most Anticipated TV Shows of 2023
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Anticipated TV Shows of 2023. For this list, we’ll be looking at noteworthy television shows, whether new or returning, that we’re most excited to watch in 2023. Keep in mind that not all of these shows have official premiere dates yet, and that schedules are always subject to change. Which of these are you looking forward to? Let us know in the comments below!
#10: “Loki” Season 2
As far as Marvel’s attempt at television domination goes, “Loki” is definitely a hit. It helps that he’s one of the franchise’s most popular characters. The delightfully bizarre show works surprisingly well, largely thanks to Tom Hiddleston’s wonderful performance as the titular anti-hero. Its quality and the legacy of its main character have made it a hit, resulting in a much-anticipated second season. A good chunk of episodes will be directed by Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, a creative team who have gained a strong cult status in the independent horror sphere. We can’t wait to see what they and head writer Eric Martin have conjured up for us.
#9: “The Three-Body Problem”
Okay, so the reputations of David Benioff and D. B. Weiss may not be at their strongest right now. But we’re willing to give them the benefit of the doubt with “The Three-Body Problem,” based on a Chinese novel by Liu Cixin. For their first TV project together since “Game of Thrones,” Benioff and Weiss are teaming up with Alexander Woo. They’re still working within the realm of genre fiction, as “The Three-Body Problem” is a Hugo-winning piece of sci-fi about aliens and astrodynamics. It sounds deliciously dense. Various “GoT” alumni are joining, including John Bradley, Liam Cunningham, and Jonathan Pryce. It’ll be great seeing everyone again.
#8: “The Witcher” Season 3
In 2022, Henry Cavill revealed that he would be retiring as Geralt of Rivia at the end of season three, so let’s enjoy his company while it lasts! “The Witcher” has been an enormously successful piece of IP for Netflix, aided by the franchise’s devoted fan base, some magical filmmaking, and Cavill’s magnetic lead performance. When it comes to high fantasy on television, it’s hard to beat it right now. The second season was particularly good and received high praise from critics, so we’re hopeful that the third will continue its blazing momentum.
#7: “Gen V”
The current TV landscape is heavily populated by superhero shows. “The Boys” has been an enormous success for Prime Video, and is easily one of the streamer’s flagship programs. Enter the spin-offs! In terms of timeline, “Gen V” will take place alongside the core show’s critically acclaimed third season. Set within the Godolkin University School of Crimefighting and spotlighting the comics’ G-Men, its logline compares it to “The Hunger Games.” The cast will include Jaz Sinclair of “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” fame and even Arnold Schwarzenegger’s son, Patrick. Those wishing for more superhero carnage and “Boys”-style satire should find lots to love with “Gen V.”
#6: “Secret Invasion”
There’s a lot of great Disney+ stuff coming down the pipeline, including the “WandaVision” spinoff “Agatha: Coven of Chaos.” But we’re especially looking forward to “Secret Invasion.” The line between television and blockbuster cinema continues to blur, and Disney+ is blazing the trail. The show will star a slew of notable names. These include Samuel L. Jackson, Emilia Clarke, Olivia Colman, Cobie Smulders, and Martin Freeman, many of whom are reprising their roles from the MCU movies. The storyline will follow the limited series comic of the same name, which concerns an alien invasion and lots of superhero imposter drama. We’ll only be getting six episodes, but what great episodes they should be.
#5: “X-Men '97”
This show looks to combine the two really hot topics of superheroes and nostalgia. And really, you can’t go wrong with that duo. Fox Kids aired “X-Men: The Animated Series” throughout much of the ‘90s. Despite being animated, it wasn’t exclusively for children and has been praised for its considerate and thoughtful storytelling. It was also an enormous ratings hit and helped bolster the popularity of superhero cartoons. A revival of the show, going by the title “X-Men ‘97,” will debut on Disney+ in 2023. The band is getting back together, and some new faces will also be joining the fray, including acclaimed video game voice actress Jennifer Hale.
#4: “1883: The Bass Reeves Story”
A great show about ranchers and the local Indigenous population, “Yellowstone” proves that the Western isn’t dead after all. It’s been so well-received that it’s led to the development of not one, not two, but three different spin-offs. And one of those is now getting its own spin-off! Venturing off the prequel series “1883,” “The Bass Reeves Story” will follow the titular historic figure. A former slave who became a Deputy U.S. Marshal, Reeves arrested thousands of criminals, and may have inspired the character of the Lone Ranger. It’s unclear how this real figure will tie into a fictional saga, but we do know that he is being played by David Oyelowo of “Selma” fame.
#3: “Avatar: The Last Airbender”
Few animated shows have reached the acclaim of “Avatar: The Last Airbender.” Airing for three beloved seasons between 2005 and 2008, “Avatar” raked in the awards, notably earning an Emmy and Peabody. And now Netflix is set to release a live-action adaptation. Yeah, yeah, we tried live-action once and it was terrible, but let’s just forget about that. Netflix has a great track record, having delivered plenty of quality shows, and we’re sure they’re pumping in the money necessary for a visual and auditory feast. As long as they don’t diverge too much from the excellent story, they should have a genuine winner on their hands. Filming wrapped in June 2022, so it’s only a matter of time now!
#2: “The Mandalorian” Season 3
It seems like every character from the “Star Wars” franchise is getting their own standalone story, like the upcoming “Ahsoka.” This strategy has yielded interesting results, and we can always count on “The Mandalorian” to provide an enjoyable experience. It’s been ages since we’ve visited Mando’s world, with season two concluding back in December 2020. The wait has been long, and it feels even longer thanks to the season’s staggering (and instantly viral) ending. But with Jon Favreau at the helm, we’re positive that the third season will be another exciting, touching, and imaginative entry in one of the franchise’s greatest creations. March 2023 can’t come soon enough!
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“Only Murders in the Building” Season 3
We’re Ready to See This Hilarious Crime-Solving Trio Back in Action
“The Fall of the House of Usher”
Netflix’s Resident Horror Maestro Mike Flanagan Returns for Another Miniseries
“Succession” Season 4
We Can’t Wait to See What Type of Juicy Family Backstabbing Occurs Next
“Bridgerton” Season 3
The Netflix Smash Hit Will Return for at Least Two More Steamy Seasons
“Echo”
A “Hawkeye” Spin-off, “Echo” Will Look to Continue Marvel’s TV Hot Streak
#1: “The Last of Us”
2023 will be the year of Pedro Pascal, who has established himself as one of TV’s most consistent performers. He’ll be playing Joel in “The Last of Us,” an adaptation of the popular video game. Now, video game adaptations don’t always have the greatest track record, but we have full confidence in “The Last of Us.” A ton of money and effort went into filming, it’s filled with excellent actors, and it seems to be following the game’s brilliant story quite closely. This is likely owing to the involvement of the game’s creative director/writer, Neil Druckmann, who is working with Craig Mazin of “Chernobyl” fame. The trailer alone was outstanding. We can only imagine how good the show will be.