2021's most anticipated new TV shows have one thing in common: they all look amazing. 2021 is primed to be a landmark year for television, arguably ushering in an entirely new era for the medium. There are several highly anticipated shows arriving this year, and several more yet to be confirmed, which span across several genres. 2021 looks to be a year offering quality TV series for everyone's tastes.
Of course, 2020 offered plenty of promise at its start. The COVID-19 pandemic changed the industry, stalling the debut of multiple much-anticipated shows. While the pandemic won't be going anywhere for the better part of 2021, there is still plenty to get excited about in the television realm since productions have resumed in varying capacities.
Many of this year's most anticipated shows are part of a broader world, whether it be the MCU or the The Mandalorian predates this movement, but several shows in 2021 seem primed to solidify it.
The Book of Boba Fett (Disney+)
end of The Mandalorian's season 2 finale. The show will follow the journey of legendary bounty hunter Boba Fett. The post-credits scene showed Boba Fett infiltrating Jabba the Hutt's palace and killing everyone in sight, including Bib Fortuna. The Book of Boba Fett will likely pick up where the scene left off, although the series likely will not be limited to Tatooine. Boba Fett was initially expected to star in his own solo film, so his presence here in a spin-off television series on Disney+ reinforces the industry's newfound focus on blockbuster television as a viable future. The Book of Boba Fett will arrive in December of 2021.
Lord of the Rings (Amazon Prime)
Sprawling cinematic universes seem to be a Disney thing, but Amazon Prime may be carving out its own territory in this space with its $250 million acquisition of the rights to the Second Age of Tolkien's universe, which is all Amazon has the rights to at the moment. Amazon also plans to produce at least five seasons of the show, with room for potential spin-offs as well. Several roles have been cast, and the show is, of course, shot in New Zealand. The first season will also feature a whopping 20 episodes. Fans of the franchise have a lot to look forward to on Amazon Prime, and the show's eventual arrival could signal an absolute transformation for the television industry at large.
Halo (Showtime)
Showtime's Steven Spielberg is producing the series. While other details remain scarce, Halo has the opportunity to be one of the few great video game adaptations.
Mr. Mayor (NBC)
NBC's The Good Place such a hit. Tina Fey wrote and created the new series, which also stars Holly Hunter and Bobby Moynihan. It also seems safe to say that Mr. Mayor takes direct influence from recent political events, namely the rise of Donald Trump. Danson's Bremer is a wealthy businessman who decides to run for mayor of L.A. for purely selfish reasons. Sound familiar? While these sorts of shows always run the risk of being too on-the-nose, Danson's likability should almost surely make Mr. Mayor a much-needed success for NBC.
Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)
Selena Gomez s legendary comedy duo Martin Short and Steve Martin for a murder mystery miniseries. The show follows a trio of characters who are obsessed with true crime and soon find themselves wrapped up in a real-life murder right in their NYC apartment building. Steve Martin created the series, so fans can expect his signature style of humor to make a triumphant return when Only Murders in the Building debuts on Hulu (Disney+ outside the U.S.) later in 2021.
WandaVision
One could look forward to 2021's most anticipated TV shows and only mention the slate of MCU shows coming to Disney+. particularly for Scarlet Witch. WandaVision is primed to be a gamechanger for television when it premieres on January 15th, 2021.
Loki
Aside from WandaVision, Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness. It premieres in May of 2021.
Foundation
Apple TV+ just might have the next great sci-fi series on its hands. Marvel may have many releases set for 2021, as does the Star Wars universe, but a show like Foundation may still emerge as one of the more exciting sci-fi releases of the year.
