The Most Anticipated TV Shows of 2023

It’s a new calendar year and that means plenty of new content for us to stream, binge, and catch up on over the next 12 months. There are plenty of shows to choose from in this mad, content-filled world, but what’s actually worth your time?

Fear not, Primetimer's gathered the most anticipated TV debuts and returns — you know, the ones critics will be talking about and your friends will all ask if you’ve watched yet. From fan favorites like The Mandalorian and Succession to exciting new fare such as Velma and The Last Of Us, here are the TV series that aren't to be missed in 2023.

Velma (HBO Max)

Premieres January 12

Everyone knows Velma was the real star of the Scooby Gang, so it’s high time someone made an origin series about her. That someone is Mindy Kaling, who, along with co-creator Charlie Grandy, brings the character’s story to life through 10 animated episodes. Kaling herself voices Velma as she struggles with high school, her sexuality, and a serial killer. Melissa Fumero, Ming-Na Wen, Constance Wu, and Shay Mitchell also lend their voice talents to the cast. 

The Last Of Us (HBO)

Premieres January 15 

The best-selling video game of the same name makes its long-awaited TV debut this month, introducing viewers to a post-apocalyptic world of survivors and horrific humans turned hunters. Fans have been waiting years for a project like this to come to fruition; several movies were announced and canceled following the franchise’s 2013 introduction. The series stars Pedro Pascal as the smuggler Joel and Bella Ramsey as Ellie, the teenaged girl he’s tasked with transporting. The Last of Us was greenlit in November 2020, so the road from development to screen has also been quite the journey.

That '90s Show (Netflix)

Premieres January 19

That '70s Show made its debut in the late 1990s, so it makes perfect sense that the sequel should take place in the same decade. The continuation kicks off in 1995, to be precise, when Leia Forman (Callie Haverda) visits her grandparents, Red (Kurtwood Smith) and Kitty (Debra Jo Rupp) for the summer. Although this iteration follows a new cast, almost all of the original stars reprise their roles in the 10-episode debut. The only exception is Danny Masterson, who was charged with multiple counts of sexual assault in 2020 (the judge declared a mistrial in December 2022).

You Season 4, Part 1 (Netflix)

Premieres February 9

If you’re in the mood for some light stalking and murder in the New Year, Penn Badgley is here to help. The actor reprises his role as Joe Goldberg for the fourth season of this deadly addictive series, and this time the action takes place in London. There, a wealthy group of friends invites Joe — now known as Professor Jonathan Moore — into their fold. (Of course, they’ll eventually regret it.) The first half of the season drops in February but Netflix is holding the back half until March 9.  

The Mandalorian Season 3 (Disney+)

Premieres March 1 

Din “Mando” Djarin and Grogu (who will forever be “Baby Yoda”) return for a third chapter of this Star Wars spinoff more than two years after the second season wrapped. When the bounty hunter returns, he’s on a mission of redemption and trying to make peace with Mandalore, all while doubling down on his fatherly duties. Giancarlo Esposito, Katee Sackhoff, Carl Weathers, and Amy Sedaris are all confirmed to return, but at time of press, mum’s the word on Ming-Na Wen and Temuera Morrison reprising their respective roles of Fennec and Boba Fett.

Yellowjackets Season 2 (Showtime)

Premieres March 26

When this Emmy-nominated show made its debut at the end of 2021 it sparked a series of questions, theories, and water cooler moments. Heading into the second season there are new and lingering mysteries to solve, and fans are ready to dig in. Christina Ricci, Melanie Lynskey, Juliette Lewis, and Tawny Cypress return to explore the traumatic stories of the adults (that we know of) who survived a horrific plane crash in their teens. The flashbacks, meanwhile, promise to be even wilder as the stranded soccer team faces the bitter, winter months. Season 2 won't premiere until March, but Showtime has already renewed Yellowjackets for a third season. 

Succession Season 4 (HBO)

Premieres spring 2023

The most dysfunctional family on television returns, and part of the fun is seeing what terrible schemes the Roys will plot out next. The Emmy-winning drama came into its own last year and was up more than 50% in overall viewership from Season 2, so there are some hefty expectations heading into these new installments. Then again, if anyone knows how to handle high expectations with entertaining results, it’s the Roys.

The Witcher Season 3 (Netflix)

Premieres summer 2023

Plenty of fans were devastated when Henry Cavill announced he and his character, Geralt of Rivia, were parting ways. However, before Liam Hemsworth officially takes over the White Wolf gig, Cavill is getting a swan song in Season 3 of The Witcher. In the meantime there’s an entire world of witching goodness to get into, including the prequel series The Witcher: Blood Origin starring Michelle Yeoh, which dropped on Christmas Day.

Star Wars: Ahsoka (Disney+)

Premiere date TBD

While Disney’s penchant for Star Wars spinoffs has been met with mixed reviews, it’s hard not to get excited about this Rosario Dawson-led, live-action iteration revolving around Anakin Skywalker’s former apprentice. Ahsoka Tano has been a popular character since her animated introduction in The Clone Wars, but now we’ll get to see some of her notoriously well-developed backstory come to life in a whole new way. Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau developed the new series, which will see Hayden Christensen return to the Star Wars franchise once more. 

Straight Man (AMC) 

Premiere date TBD

After starring in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, it seems as though Bob Odenkirk can do no wrong. That alone is reason enough to anticipate his new dramedy, which hails from the unique showrunning duo Aaron Zelman (The Killing) and Paul Lieberstein (The Office). Based on the novel of the same name by Richard Russo, Straight Man is a mid-life crisis story featuring an English teacher living in the Pennsylvania Rust Belt. Naturally, Odenkirk tackles that leading character, and Mireille Enos is on board as his wife.

Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai (HBO Max)

Exact premiere date TBD

While Gizmo fans await updates on the planned Gremlins 3 movie, the good news is the animated prequel series will indeed arrive in 2023. The adventure comedy follows a younger Sam Wing and Gizmo in China, where an all-star voice cast including Ming-Na Wen, Matthew Rhys, BD Wong, Randall Park, George Takei, and Sandra Oh help bring the story to life. 

Gotham Knights (The CW)

Premiere date TBD

If you’re sick of Batman origin stories, the refreshing news is the Dark Knight has little to do with this superhero romp. The series takes place following Batman’s death and revolves around his adopted son, Turner Hayes (Oscar Morgan), who teams up with the kids of his late dad’s enemies. Together they form — you guessed it — the Gotham Knights, and safeguard the streets of the dark city from a new group of baddies. 

Orphan Black: Echoes (AMC)

Premiere date TBD

It’s been half a decade since we last saw Sarah Manning (Tatiana Maslany) and her sestras in the Canadian phenomenon Orphan Black. But this spinoff is about to change that. Krysten Ritter takes over the Clone Club in a story that’s set in the near future and explores the scientific manipulation of the human existence. Keeley Hawes and Alexandra Castillo also star in the series, which was created by Anna Fishko and is executive produced and directed by original co-showrunner John Fawcett. 

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (Netflix)

Premiere date TBD

Sure, the second season of Bridgerton wasn’t nearly as big a deal as the first, but that isn’t stopping legions of loyal fans from counting down the days until this prequel. The series features a younger version of breakout character Queen Charlotte, played here by India Amarteifio. Shonda Rhimes writes the limited series, which is all about tracing the title character’s rise to prominence and power.

1883: The Bass Reeves Story (Paramount+)

Premiere date TBD

Do we really need another Yellowstone spinoff in 2023? If it features David Oyelowo, we certainly do. Here he stars as Bass Reeves, the first Black U.S. Marshal west of the Mississippi and the man who may have inspired the Lone Ranger. Other than the title and sharing creator Taylor Sheridan, this standalone has little to do with 1883 or 1923. Still, expect to learn lots about the man who is believed to have captured more than 3,000 dangerous criminals without ever being wounded. 

Bupkis (Peacock)

Premiere date TBD

People are clearly obsessed with Pete Davidson, so we expect big things from the former Saturday Night Live star’s semi-autobiographical comedy when it debuts. The half-hour show is a heightened and fictionalized version of the comedian’s life, and may or may not answer all the burning questions viewers have about the man. In the meantime, he’s surrounding himself with an impressive cast, including three-time Emmy winner Edie Falco, who plays his mom, and Oscar winner Joe Pesci, who stars as Davidson's grandfather. 

Ted Lasso Season 3 (Apple TV+)

Premiere date TBD

Although the third (and reportedly final) season of the Emmy-winning show — featuring the most upbeat soccer coach to ever exist) — was initially planned for 2022, production delays and script changes pushed the premiere to 2023. There are plenty of stories and relationship statuses to address when the comedy return, as well as new aspects of the characters to explore, such as the relationship between Ted (Jason Sudeikis) and his mother, played by new show addition Becky Ann Baker (Girls). 

Justified: City Primeval (FX)

Premiere date TBD

If you were sad to see Timothy Olyphant ride off into the sunset as Raylan Givens when Justified wrapped in 2015, you’ll be pleased to know he’s reprising the role in this reboot. The limited series is based on Elmore Leonard’s City Primeval: High Noon in Detroit and sees the character in Detroit, where he crosses paths with a violent sociopath named Clement Mansell (Boyd Holbrook). 

Amber Dowling is a Toronto-based freelancer, CCA member and former TCA president. Her work has appeared in Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Metacritic, The Globe and Mail, Playback and more. Follow her on Instagram: @amber__dowling.