10 TV Shows to Watch this Winter

Who doesn’t remember the phenomenon this series became upon its release? A searing critique of the voracious and dehumanising nature of South Korea’s capitalist society, it was an instant hit, dominating social media with countless references and memes. Finally, fans can look forward to a second season, which won’t be the last. The series will once again centre on Seong Gi-hun, now on a mission to dismantle the organisation behind the macabre games. To do so, however, he’ll have to re-enter the deadly competition — and above all, survive.

As Disney has taught us well, this galaxy always has room for one more adventure. However, this time, we won’t be following any familiar faces. The story introduces us to four children who, after discovering a mysterious spaceship, find themselves lost in outer space. Just from reading the premise, the influences of The Goonies and E.T. are already evident. Nonetheless, that doesn’t mean an older audience won’t enjoy it. The series still features the classic action and adventure typical of the franchise, making it perfect for a broad audience. As an added bonus, alongside the child protagonists, Jude Law leads the cast as a mysterious guide for our heroes in the depths of the galaxy.

Pixar has been dominating big-screen animation for years, but they’re also capable of captivating us on the small screen. This spin-off from one of their most popular modern franchises returns to the world of Inside Out, exploring a largely overlooked aspect: dreams. As usual, the plot unfolds inside Riley Andersen’s mind. However, this time, the series focuses on the eponymous ‘studio’ responsible for crafting her dreams. The main characters – a celebrated director and a rookie with a more artistic touch – must collaborate to create Riley’s most memorable dream yet. The series will consist of four shorts, and naturally, the five emotions from the original film will make significant appearances.

If you’re still reeling from the suspense of the first season, we’ve got good news: the second season is set to release on 17 January. This hit show from a couple of years ago returns to continue the story of the Lumon Industries employees and their fight to reveal the dark secret behind this mysterious company. However, they remain forced to live two completely separate lives, one inside and one outside the company, unable to remember anything about their alternate life — at least for now. The first season was met with outstanding critical acclaim, and this second instalment aims to maintain that high standard.

This espionage thriller, blending political drama and action, may have only just premiered on Netflix, but it’s already garnering critical acclaim. The plot follows Helen Webb, a spy for the Black Doves organisation who leads a double life as the wife of a prominent politician. However, things spiral out of control when her lover is murdered, forcing her to unravel a political conspiracy to protect her identity. Like many modern series, it opts for a concise six-episode format, each with substantial dramatic weight, making it perfect for binge-watching. Netflix has already announced a second season, underscoring their confidence in the series.

After visiting resorts in Hawaii (season one) and Sicily (season two), the third installment of the Mike White-created series is heading to Koh Samui, Thailand. We don’t know much about the plot, but if you’ve watched the first two seasons you know you can expect family dramas, awkwardness, and mystery — good enough to win fifteen Emmy Awards these past two years. 

Our beloved Jennifer Coolidge won’t be checking in the hotel no more (blame it on the gays), but the new cast is incredibly exciting: Natasha Rothwell, Leslie Bibb, Jason Isaacs, Michelle Monaghan, Carrie Coon, Parker Posey, Dom Hetrakul, Tayme Thapthimthong, and Christian Friedel, among many others. Set to release in February in HBO Max.

Video game adaptations have been a hot topic recently, and Amazon Prime has taken note for this Christmas season. Not only will they adapt one game, but they’re tackling several at once. This animated anthology series, already available on the platform, features standalone stories exploring iconic games such as Pac-Man and Dungeons & Dragons. 

The episodes blend different genres and animation styles and boast an enviable voice cast, including Keanu Reeves, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kevin Hart, and many more familiar names. The series promises thrilling adventures and, most importantly, a treasure trove of references to the original games, sure to delight die-hard fans.

It’s never too late to revive TV classics. A few years ago, fans were treated to a belated final season that served as a secondary conclusion to the series. But this winter, they’ll get something even better: a spin-off exploring the origins of this unique vigilante killer. Set in 1990s Miami, the series follows a young Dexter, played by Patrick Gibson, as he begins his career as a forensic analyst while learning to balance his professional life with his homicidal urges.

Fortunately for devoted fans, this spin-off isn’t the end of the franchise. It’s part of a broader project that includes a future sequel to the original series. So, if you’ve ever been curious about this franchise but never took the plunge, now might be the perfect time.

Although the third season is still a couple of months away, this series is already generating excitement. It places us in the shoes of a group of girls who, after an accident, end up stranded in the woods for nearly two years. At the same time, we follow the lives of the survivors twenty-five years later, as the shadows of that traumatic event resurface. The intense finale of the previous season left fans with a partial sense of closure, but that won’t last long. The story will continue in early February, and from what little we know so far, it doesn’t seem like the series is nearing its conclusion. That’s yet another reason to catch up this winter.

This eagerly anticipated addition to the new DC universe, helmed by James Gunn, is an animated mix of The Suicide Squad and classic horror. It exudes Gunn’s trademark irreverent and edgy humour while delivering thrilling action scenes and a storyline with more heart than you’d expect. The plot picks up after the events of The Suicide Squad (2021). With their cover blown, the team must now rely on “non-human” creatures for their missions, which, as expected, will go off the rails within two episodes. The only drawback—if it can even be called that—is its tonal similarity to Gunn’s previous works, like Guardians of the Galaxy and The Suicide Squad. But if you loved those flawed yet endearing characters, this is just more good news.