Exciting new shows still to come in 2018

Jonah Hill and Emma Stone star in one of the most hotly anticipated Netflix shows of 2018, Maniac. (Michele K. Short / Netflix)
Jonah Hill and Emma Stone star in one of the most hotly anticipated Netflix shows of 2018, Maniac. (Michele K. Short / Netflix)

There’s already been a whole host of great new shows released so far in 2018. The Terror on AMC and Patrick Melrose on Sky Atlantic were two standout new dramas, HBO’s Barry was an underrated comedy gem and Netflix has nailed the docuseries with the likes of Wild Wild Country and Flint Town.

With half the year still to go however, it’s no surprise to learn that there are still plenty of tantalising shows set to be released. These new series include black comedies, hard-hitting horror and unflinching crime drama. In other words, there should be something on the horizon to suit all tastes:

Castle Rock (Hulu – July 25th 2018)

A familiar prison plays a key role in J J Abrams show set in the world of Stephen King. (HULU)
A familiar prison plays a key role in J J Abrams show set in the world of Stephen King. (HULU)

One of the most eagerly anticipated series of 2018 is this J J Abrams horror/thriller based around the works of Stephen King that arrives on Hulu late in July. The titular town is a focal point in many of King’s works, including The Dead Zone, Cujo, The Body and Needful Things, and is referenced in countless others including IT and Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption.

The trailers so far point to an unnerving and chilling tone, as the characters and events from assorted King works come together in one sprawling saga. The cast includes Sissy Spacek, Scott Glenn and Bill Skarsgard, and while the trailers so far aren’t giving too much away, it’s clearly going to be a must-watch for fans of King’s work. Expect chills and King-related Easter-eggs aplenty come July 25th.

Maniac (Netflix – Autumn 2018)

Emma Stone and Jonah Hill are involved in strange experiments in Maniac. (Michele K. Short / Netflix
Emma Stone and Jonah Hill are involved in strange experiments in Maniac. (Michele K. Short / Netflix

Since it was announced that Netflix would be remaking this surreal scandinavian black comedy with Emma Stone and Jonah Hill in the leads, very little has been released on the subject since. Recently however, a number of first-look images were released that gives us a brief glimpse at what we can expect.

The show’s premise revolves around two psychiatric patients who get caught up in some disturbing pharmaceutical trials and find themselves visiting elebarotate fantasy worlds as part of the process. The casting of Hill and Stone will obviously draw a lot of attention, but the presence of True Detective director Cary Fukunaga is also cause for great excitement. Maniac is packing a strong cast and crew and a thoroughly intriguing premise.

Sharp Objects (HBO/Sky Atlantic – July 8th 2018)

Amy Adams as Camille Preaker in Sharp Objects. (HBO)
Amy Adams as Camille Preaker in Sharp Objects. (HBO)

The next big drama to arrive on HBO will be this psychological thriller starring Amy Adams based on the novel by Gone Girl author, Gillian Flynn. The plot will see an emotionally scarred reporter returning to her hometown to cover the horrifying murder of two young girls. Personal demons will soon come to the fore in what looks set to be a powerful and provocative miniseries.

The show will be directed by Dallas Buyers Club and Big Little Lies director, Jean-Marc Vallee and also star Patricia Clarkson. The ingredients all seem to be in place to make this another prestige hit for HBO.

Nightflyers (SyFy/Netflix – Autumn 2018)

Gretchen Mol stars in upcoming Sci-Fi saga Nightflyers. (Syfy/Netflix)
Gretchen Mol stars in upcoming Sci-Fi saga Nightflyers. (Syfy/Netflix)

TV adaptations of George R R Martin’s work have had a fair degree of success in the past, and SyFy and Netflix will be hoping for a repeat performance here. Based on a novella and series of short stories by the author, the sci-fi show will be a dark and bloody space-set thriller. SyFy’s press release states:

Set in the future on the eve of Earth’s destruction, a crew of explorers journey on the most advanced ship in the galaxy, The Nightflyer, to intercept a mysterious alien spacecraft that might hold the key to their survival. As the crew nears their destination, they discover that the ship’s artificial intelligence and never-seen captain may be steering them into deadly and unspeakable horrors deep in the dark reaches of space.

A teaser trailer certainly suggests hints of Alien and Event Horizon, with the author himself referring to it as “Pyscho in space”in one promo trailer. It certainly sounds like an intriguing blend and looks set to be a must-watch for Sci-Fi fans.

Mayans MC (FX – September 4th 2018)

JD Pardo as EZ Reyes in upcoming biker drama, Mayans MC. (Prashant Gupta/FX)
JD Pardo as EZ Reyes in upcoming biker drama, Mayans MC. (Prashant Gupta/FX)

The Sons of Anarchy spin-off series is due to arrive later this year and look set to embrace the same violent and dangerous world the original inhabited. The premise will follow Ezekiel “EZ” Reyes, a prospect in the Mayans Biker gang who is just out of prison and whose family life was torn apart by cartel violence.

The series will be set in a Mexican/California border town a few years after the events that closed out the final episode of Sons Of Anarchy. The after effects of those events will seemingly still be being felt here too. Emilio Rivera returns as Mayans charter President Marcus Alvarez, J D Pardo will play “EZ”, and the excellent Edward James Olmos will appear as his father. While the tone and aesthetic is clearly similar to SOA, those involved are going to great lengths to emphasise that this will be a show that very much stands on its own two feet.

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