What to Watch: 2021 Spring and Summer’s Most Anticipated Television

From Marvel shows to Emmy-winning series’ returns, there is something for everyone in the coming seasons

If the pandemic has given us anything, it’s an array of new television shows every month. 2021 is going to be no different, with plenty of new and returning series making up the 2021 line-up of television shows. From Netflix to Hulu to Apple+, here are some new and returning series to be on the lookout for as the year goes on.

Shadow and Bone – Season 1

Premiere date: April 23

Netflix has another big budget fantasy coming to their service, this time based on the Grisha trilogy books by Leigh Bardugo. Set in the land of Ravka, the series will follow Alina Starkov the orphan as she discovers she has powers she can use to help the people around her. The books are very popular, so it’s likely this series will benefit from that in terms of viewership. This one will definitely be in the Netflix top 10 the week it premieres, so don’t miss out. 

The Handmaid’s Tale – Season 4

Premiere date: April 28

The fourth season of the Emmy-winning dystopian series based on the book by Margaret Atwood premieres with three episodes on Wednesday, April 28. In the 10-episode upcoming season, June (Emmy winner Elisabeth Moss) strikes back against Gilead as a fierce rebel leader, but the risks she takes bring unexpected and dangerous new challenges. Her quest for justice and revenge threatens to consume her and destroy her most cherished relationships. The series co-stars Emmy nominee Joseph Fiennes, Yvonne Strahovski, Emmy winner Samira Wiley, Emmy winner Alexis Bledel, Emmy winner Ann Dowd, Max Minghella, Madeline Brewer, Emmy nominee O-T Fagbenle, Amanda Brugel, Emmy winner Bradley Whitford and Sam Jaeger. 

Shrill – 3rd and Final Season

Premiere date: May 7

Aidy Bryant’s Hulu show will come to an end with its third and final season premiering this May. Created by Bryant along with Alexandra Rushfield and Lindy West, the series is based on West’s book Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman. Judas and the Black Messiah director Shaka King has directed several episodes of the series, earning an NAACP Image Award nomination for his direction in season 2 (for episodes 1 and 5). The new season finds Annie (Aidy Bryant) energized by her breakup with dud boyfriend Ryan (Luka Jones) and her newfound momentum at work. Annie feels like everything is finally falling into place for her, but does she actually know how to get what she wants?

Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet – Season 2

Premiere date: May 7

Following a sentimental and hilarious quarantine episode that was released last year, this Apple+ comedy returns with a second season that is sure to deliver plenty of laughs as the crew starts development on a new project. Having missed out at the Emmy’s and the Golden Globes for its first season, perhaps season 2 will allow the show to break into the awards conversation. 

Ziwe – Season 1

Premiere date: May 9

You might know Ziwe Fumudoh from her Youtube show Baited that she adapted to Instagram Live last year during quarantine. You might know her as a Desus and Mero writer. Chances are, you know Ziwe. This new series from Showtime will feature interviews and sketches as Ziwe continues to take over the world. 

The Underground Railroad – Limited Series

Premiere date: May 14

Amazon Studios has another hit on their hands with the first television series from Academy Award winner Barry Jenkins, director of Moonlight and If Beale Street Could Talk. Amazon’s official synopsis for the limited series says it “chronicles young Cora’s (Thuso Mbedu) journey as she makes a desperate bid for freedom in the antebellum South.” Based on the Pulitzer prize-winning novel of the same name by Colson Whitehead, this is sure to be an Emmy contender later this year.

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series – Season 2

Premiere date: May 14

The second season of the hit series from Disney+ will follow the same group of kids as they move through high school. All eyes will be on this series as Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drivers License”, allegedly a song about her castmate Joshua Bassett, continues to ride the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Talk about drama!

Loki – Season 1

Premiere date: June 11

Marvel continues to expand their cinematic universe with Disney+’s Loki series, in which an alternate version of Loki creates a new timeline and travels through time, altering human history. The events of the series reportedly tie in to Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness, as does the events of the Wandavision series. Any dedicated MCU fan will find themselves flocking to this.

Kevin Can F**k Himself – Season 1

Premiere date: TBA

AMC’s at it again, bringing bold new television right to our doorsteps. This series will star Emmy winner Annie Murphy as a woman who discovers the rage inside her, but with a slight twist. The series will shift from traditional multicamera comedy to a sober single camera shooting style within each episode. Watch for a release date for this one. 

Nine Perfect Strangers – Limited Series

Premiere date: TBA

Hulu’s got Nicole Kidman reteaming with David E. Kelley of Big Little Lies for this upcoming limited series. The series will follow nine strangers who show up to a resort that promises healing and transformation, with Kidman being Masha, the director of the resort. Also starring is Tiffany Boone, Bobby Cannavale, Luke Evans, Regina Hall, Manny Jacinto, Samara Weaving, Michael Shannon and Melissa Mccarthy. Expect some serious melodrama. 

What If…? – Season 1

Premiere date: TBA

Jeffrey Wright will narrate this animated series as The Watcher that explores what would happen if major events in the marvel universe would have occurred differently. This series will be directed by Bryan Andrews, who previously has written on Samurai Jack and was a storyboard artist for several Marvel films including Avengers: Infinity War, Captain Marvel, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 and Doctor Strange. This is another series that any dedicated MCU fan will find themselves watching the minute it comes out.

Scenes from a Marriage – Limited Series

Premiere date: TBA

Jessica Chastain and Oscar Isaac (A Most Violent Year) reunite to star in this HBO limited series adaptation of Ingmar Bergman’s 1973 film about a marriage falling apart. Also stars Nicole Beharie, Tovah Feldshuh and Corey Stoll. Written and directed by Hagai Levi, creator of The Affair and In Treatment. He also earned a WGA nod for New Series for The Affair in 2015.

Gossip Girl – Season 1/Reboot

Premiere date: TBA

Kristen Bell is returning to her role as the voice of Gossip Girl for the HBO reboot of this beloved series. HBO has promised a more diverse cast, so be on the lookout for a show that could potentially dethrone the original as the best. The original Gossip Girl never found itself in any real awards conversation (other than Teen Choice Awards), but maybe this reboot can grow on the concept and see itself fighting for awards next year.

Succession – Season 3

Premiere date: TBA

Succession hive, assemble. At long last, we should be getting our third season this year to follow-up to the bombshell final moments of season 2. How will this affect the rest of the Roy family? What will Logan say to Kendall? We will hopefully know soon. The series recently won Emmys for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series, Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series and Outstanding Drama Series. Expect season 3 to be a wild ride.