All the TV Shows We’re Excited to See in 2021
I know it’s early, but I can already predict what will be some of the best TV shows of 2021. By “best,” I don’t mean the most critically-acclaimed but the ones that will spark weeks-long social media debates, fan theories, and general internet pandemonium. Some of these are returning series—like Matt James’s season of The Bachelor—and others are new, like the Gossip Girl HBO Max reimagining. While we wait out what’s hopefully the last few months of the pandemic, television will keep us thoroughly occupied.
Behold, the best TV shows of 2021 I have a feeling everyone will be talking about:
January 1: RuPaul’s Drag Race
RuPaul is switching things up with season 13, hosting six lip-sync-for-your-life showdowns off the bat. What will that mean for our new queens? Unclear, but I’m excited to find out. 8 p.m. ET on VH1
January 3: Call Me Kat
Mayim Bialik follows up her star turn in The Big Bang Theory with Call Me Kat, in which she plays a 39-year-old woman who uses her wedding fund to open a café in Louisville, Kentucky. Honestly, that sounds like way more fun than a wedding. 8 p.m. E.T. on Fox, then moving to Thursdays at 9 p.m. E.T. on January 7
January 4: The Bachelor
Matt James’s highly-anticipated season of The Bachelor is here, and, based on reported details, there’s going to be drama. Namely, something “crazy” that went down on the first night. I’m already hooked. 8 p.m. E.T. on ABC
January 7: Mr. Mayor
Tina Fey is one of the executive producers behind Mr. Mayor, starring Ted Danson as a rich executive who runs for mayor of Los Angeles with less-than-pure intentions…and winds up winning. 8 p.m. ET on NBC
January 8: Dickinson
Hailee Steinfeld is delightful in this fictional retelling of poet Emily Dickinson’s life. Season two kicks off January 8, so costume drama-lovers get ready. Available on Apple TV+
January 21: Walker
After 15 years on Supernatural, Jared Padalecki is stepping into a new (but equally-as-iconic) role: Cordell Walker. Yes, the actor leads the charge of this Walker, Texas Ranger reimagining, and he’ll be joined by Keegan Allen (Pretty Little Liars) and Lindsey Morgan. 8 p.m. E.T. on The CW
Elizabeth Olsen reprises her role as Wanda Maximoff (Scarlet Witch) in this Marvel/Disney+ original series, in which she and Vision (Paul Bettany) try to live ordinary, suburban lives while hiding their superpowers. You can guess how that turns out. Available on Disney+
January 22: Fate: The Winx Saga
Netflix described this show to us in an email as “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina meets Harry Potter, with a dash of Riverdale,” so, in other words, you’re going to love it. Winx stars five young women attending a magical boarding school where they hone their powers while trying to navigate love and friendships. Streaming on Netflix
February 3: Firefly Lane
Sweet Magnolias fans will love Firefly Lane, starring Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke as two friends who experience 30 years of highs, lows, tragedies, fame, and family drama. Grab your tissues. Streaming on Netflix
February 11: Clarice
Who doesn’t need another re-telling of Silence of the Lambs’s heroine, agent Clarice Starling? This one stars Rebecca Breeds in the titular role, set a year after the events of Lambs. 10 p.m. ET on CBS
February 23: Superman & Lois
Tyler Hoechlin is Superman and Elizabeth Tulloch is Lois Lane in this new series, in which the couple tackles their hardest mission yet: parenthood. 9 p.m. E.T. on The CW
TBA: Gossip Girl
A diverse, addictive reimagining of New York City’s most elite teenagers is coming to HBO Max. We’re just not sure when. Click here to learn more. Coming soon to HBO Max
TBA: Nine Perfect Strangers
Big Little Lies fans will jump for this new series, based on the novel of the same name by BLL author Liane Moriarty. Nicole Kidman and Melissa McCarthy lead this all-star production about nine strangers who go on a wellness retreat. Coming soon to Hulu
We’ll update this post with more TV shows as soon as premiere dates are announced
