TV used to be the medium that actors wanted to escape from – the place to be was on the big screen. That’s not the case anymore. In the last few years, many of Hollywood’s biggest stars have returned to the small screen as there is so much good material in television. Most of the creativity is happening on TV, with ideas and stories allowed to be fully explored and be more daring.
This is no different in 2013. There are many fun new shows hitting our screens, and some of our favourites are coming back for another season and, sadly, some are returning one last time.
Below are the American TV shows that I will be setting to series link, on my set top box, in 2013.
New Shows:
The Carrie Diaries (premiering 14 Jan on the CW in the US)
Set in 1984, and featuring a 16 year old Carrie who has just lost her mother, The Carrie Diaries features Carrie’s first love – New York. However, her other 3 loves Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte are nowhere to be seen. According tohuffingtonpost.com, this is an intentional move, executive producer Amy B. Harris said, “We didn’t want to do the Baby Muppets syndrome, Oh it’s baby Samantha! It’s baby Miranda!’”
AnnaRob Sophia (Soul Surfer, Race To Witch Mountain ) has been cast in the lead role of Carrie. Joining her are Katie Findlay, Austin Butler, Freema Agyeman, Brendan Dooling, Ellen Wong, and Stefania Owen.
The New Normal (9pm, 10 Jan, E4)
Starring Justin Bartha, Andrew Rannels, Georgia King and Ellen Barkin, The New Normal is Glee creator Ryan Murphy’s newest sitcom about a happy gay couple who realise that while they love their life something is missing. That something is a child. They find a willing surrogate in Goldie, but when Goldie’s whole family get involved, that’s when the hijinks arise.
Ben and Kate (9pm, 7 Jan, ITV2)
Ben (Nat Faxon) and Kate (Dakota Johnson, Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith’s daughter) are siblings whose life circumstances have forced them to share a house again.
Returning Shows:
Revenge Season 2 (9pm , Tuesday 8, Jan RTE2 – Double Bill)
When Emily Thorne brought down the Graysons, in season 1 of Revenge, you would be forgiven for thinking that that was the last of her revenge seeking mission, but no it wasn’t. It only opened up another can of worms the search for Emily’s mother, and more revenge, is on this season.
Dallas Season 2 (US air date Jan 2013)
Dallas is all about Larry Hagman’s JR. Sadly, Hagman passed away late last year. He had already filmed a few episodes before his death. Writers and producers of the show have said that these scenes will be included, however, JR will also die during the season. They want to give him the proper send off he deserves.
Dallas will air in the US this month. TV3 have not announced their return date yet but I can’t see that it will be much further behind the US.
Girls, Season 2 (10pm 14 Jan, Sky Atlantic)
This comedy-drama created, written and starring Lena Durnham, focuses on the lives of 4 20-something girls living in NYC. Sound too similar to Sex And The City? The location and number of lead female characters is where the similarities end. Girls is much sharper and wittier.
Smash, Season 2 (US air date – 5 Feb)
This year’s big guest star is Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson. Check out the 5 minute preview below:
Homeland, Season 3
With Brody disappearing after the bomb attack on the Vice President’s funeral, it looks like season 3 may be less about Brody and more about a new case of terrorism. After the season 2 finale, the producers of the show talked about where the new series of Homeland may go, read more about it here:
https://thebellissimofiles.wordpress.com/2012/12/18/homeland-producers-talk-about-season-3/
Mad Men, Season 6
Not much is known about what’s going on in Season 6 of Mad Men but what we do know, is that Don and his wife, Megan, are still together – at the start of the season anyway!
Final Season
Breaking Bad, final season (part 2) (Summer 2013)
Breaking Bad comes to an end this season. The final season has been broken into 2 parts. The first part of season 5 is now available on Netflix. How will it all end for Walter? Not even star Bryan Cranston knows however, we will all know by summer’s end.
Below is the trailer for part 1 of the final season:
30 Rock (February, Comedy Central)
Fans of 30 Rock aren’t the only ones who don’t want to say goodbye, Alec Baldwin has also said he would like for it to continue. He was even willing to take a pay cut. Unfortunately for all of us, though, 30 Rock will air it’s final episode in the US on 31 January, and soon after that over here.
That’s Entertainment!
Sarina 🙂
