If our most anticipated films of 2022 weren’t an indication of the ludicrous year of entertainment ahead, perhaps this list of television shows will be. From fantasy stories of grand scale, to smaller comedy-dramas, and off-beat Sci-Fi’s; there’s so much to choose from next year, our anticipation is almost too hard to contain! Here are our Most Anticipated TV Shows for 2022.
10. Peacemaker
Our passing interest in this series is led wholly by the fact that this series is written by James Gunn himself. Did we enjoy Peacemaker in The Suicide Squad (2021). Absolutely! Did he exceed our expectations? Not quite. Regardless, this Warner Bros series reaches our list due to the exciting talent behind it and the popping of the cherry for the DCEU entering the TV space.
9. Raised by Wolves
This strange, strange series peaked my interest on a deeper level. It was truly the scale of this story, the threads and mysteries it appears to be setting up, and the fascinating characters that lead me to hunger for more. While this series was largely swallowed and forgotten by many, the itch to see more has not subsided. I for one can’t wait to see if this series can grow into the larger story that I hope it will.
8. Moon Knight
Oscar Issac stars as Marc Spector, a Marine who is suffering from dissociative identity disorder as he becomes the channel for the Egyptian Moon god, Khonshu, as his multiple identities helps him become Moon Knight. Very little is known at this stage regarding what path Moon Knight will take and how large his role will be in the wider MCU, but Kevin Feige has advised that Moon Knight’s character will cross over into some MCU films in the future.
The show that elevated the Netflix streaming platform to new heights, Stranger Things: Season 4 has a lot of elements that serve in its favour. Three full seasons behind it with solid character development with a lot of compelling relationships. A high production value that elevates its horror elements and nostalgic goodness. Rich world-building that deepens the lore of the universe with each season. We don’t expect any decrease in quality as the prior three seasons are all roughly similar in their quality and based on the ending of season three, can expect a more complex narrative.
6. The Mandalorian: Season 3
After bidding goodbye to Grogu (Baby Yoda) at the end of Season 2, Din Djarin will have to deal with the loss of his loveable companion. Very little has been revealed as to the plot of Season 3 but we have been told that Season 3 will be exploring the wider universe of the Star Wars franchise, with many twists and turns along the way. One thing we do know is that Pedro Pascal will be returning to the series as everyone’s favourite Mandalorian and just like the past two seasons the visuals will surely knock it out of the park once again.
5. The Last of Us
Another series starring Pedro Pascal, this time he takes the role of Joel who is accompanied by his Game of Thrones alum, Bella Ramsey as Ellie. The Last of Us will be based on the 2013 hit game by Naughty Dog as we follow Joel and Ellie as they traverse across a post-apocalyptic United States while confronting dangerous zombie creatures. A lot can be said about video game adaptations when it comes to film, however with a franchise as beloved as The Last of Us, I am hoping that this series can break that curse of live action video games.
4. Ted Lasso: Season 3
Quickly becoming an Emmy darling, Ted Lasso: Season 2 was met with a little bit of squabble regarding the over-sentimentality nature of the show and lack of obstacles for its characters. Well.. those season ending episodes quickly silenced that discourse as we got to see Nathan Shelley quickly descend into nefarious territory as he joins the West Ham United F.C. coaching staff. It’s unclear where the show will further take its characters but the ending to season two nicely sets up an interesting narrative to explore throughout season three. With AFC Richmond back in the Premier League and Apple TV+ securing a licensing deal with the Premier League, there is lots to be excited for in season three of Ted Lasso.
With the enthralling ending to Season 2, The Boys finally managed to get a win against Vought and the Seven and they have been pardoned from their crimes. The plot for Season 3 is being kept under wraps but we have been promised that Season 3 will be a lot more bloodier that the seasons past. With a new season comes a host of new supes as we will be seeing Jason Ackles as Soldier Boy, Katia Winter as Little Nina as well as three newly created characters in Gunpowder, Supersonic and Blue Hawk. 2022 can’t come soon enough as The Boys: Season 3 is sure to blow many fans’ minds when it airs.
2. Obi-Wan Kenobi
.It has felt like a lifetime since we saw the best part of the dreadfall prequel trilogy – fans have waited years to see Ewan McGregor again as Obi-Wan Kenobi. Taking place 10 years after Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, the series will follow Obi-Wan Kenobi watching over Luke Skywalker in Tatooine. Hayden Christensen is also returning as Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader and we are eagerly anticipating his return to the Star Wars universe, also. If Obi-Wan Kenobi is anything close to the production value of The Mandalorian then the show will be as aesthetically pleasing as its nostalgic elements.
1. The Lord of the Rings
1 billion dollars invested, an absurd degree of meticulous large scale set-pieces rumored, and a stellar cast of knowns and unknowns. Game of Thrones and The Mandalorian may have kick-started the blockbuster television movement, but if anything, the upcoming Lord of the Rings series confirms it. We are officially in a new age of television and we can’t wait to see what kind of fantastical world can be conjured. Even if all our high hopes may not align with reality in the end, the potential here for something truly special is like nothing else on this list.
