Top TV Picks of 2018: Part 2

Cameron Lee ’20 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer
A new year means a new slate of exciting programming that will entertain, challenge, and inspire us. Between streaming services and cable TV, this year promises more exciting programs that will enter into our pop culture landscape. In no particular order, here are some upcoming shows that should be on your radar:
Sharp Objects: (Summer, HBO)
The above image is a still from the upcoming Amy Adams miniseries based on the Gillian Flynn novel of the same name and directed by Big Little Lies director Jean-Marc Vallee. The mini series follows a crime reporter with a dark past investigating the murder of two little girls. This seems tailor-made for HBO and with this kind of talent behind it, the question shouldn’t be if it will be good but how good will it turn out to be.
Stephen King has been on a roll for the past year with the huge success of It. Now J.J Abrams has turned the fictional town of Castle Rock–where most of Stephen King’s novels take place or make reference to–into a show intertwining characters from all of King’s best works. The concept is genius enough by itself but the cast, which includes Andre Holland, Sissy Spacek, Scott Glenn, and Pennywise himself, Bill Skarsgard, is phenomenal. Hulu had a breakout year last year with The Handmaid’s Tale; here’s hoping this show will create new nightmares for us to savor for years.
John Krasinski is set to potentially have a great 2018 with his directorial debut horror film, A Quiet Place, and with this new incarnation of the beloved Jack Ryan character. This series will reportedly be based on Ryan’s early days as a CIA analyst as he gradually rises up the ranks of command. The series is taking cues from Harrison Ford’s stint as Jack Ryan in the 90’s. The series’ is showrunner Carlton Cuse, who was the showrunner for Lost and Bates Motel. Hopefully Jim from The Office will succeed in both of his endeavors this year, but especially this show, as Amazon really needs some good PR after their recent misfortunes in the fall.
Netflix’s most expensive show to date, Altered Carbon, was once going to be a film but due to its R-rated content, complex storyline, and high budget was shelved on numerous occasions. But thanks to Netflix, this ambitious science fiction show will have a great platform to tell its story. If you’re sad that Sense8 only has a two hour special to finish its series, this show could be the medicine to get over the loss that was Sense8, from the trailers it looks to share some similar themes and ideas with Sense8, but with cyberpunk and robots.
Maniac: (Date TBD, Netflix)
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs: (Date TBD, Netflix)
Black Lightning: (Jan. 16th, 2018, CW)
Disenchantment: (Date TBD, Netflix)