Lina LecaroAs COVID-19 cases continue to spike, it looks like television and film production will continue to be in stunted production mode for the time being. But the entertainment industry is still looking ahead. In recent weeks and more so, in recent days, announcements have been made about renewals and cancellations of your favorite shows. Here, we take a look at returning TV treasures, shows that got trashed due to low ratings or simply because their time has come, and what’s worth streaming right now either way while we wait.
RUSSIAN DOLL (Netflix)
Netflix
Top Renewed Pick: The announcement this week that the Christina Applegate gem Dead to Me would be coming back, but only for one more season was bittersweet. The dark comedic drama features some of best acting on Netflix, or TV in general. (Emmy noms for Applegate and co-star Linda Cardellini are a must!) The first season dealt with grief and secrets — Cardellini’s Judy killed the husband of Applegate’s Jen in a hit and run, unbeknownst to her angry new bestie until the end of the season, which climaxed with another death that put the ladies on more level ground.
By season 2, the neurotic friendship here is solid and super enjoyable to watch, even as the pair get themselves into even more convoluted situations and criminal activity. Season 1 had us wondering who to root for, but by season 2 we were all in for this complex, sometimes cray but always pretty lovable pair. The supporting cast — including James Marsdon in a somewhat ridiculous but still pleasant dual role in season one and two, and Kelly Bundy’s mom herself, Katey Segal as Judy’s jailed mother in season 2 — all do a formidable job, but it’s the leading ladies that give Dead to Me life. We cant wait to see how they wrap it up for the third and final season, but we’ll probably ugly cry like Jen and Judy do (often) no matter what happens. Binge it if you haven’t yet.
More: The America Ferrera-produced, L.A.-based Latino family drama Gentefied and the Natasha Lyonne mindfuck Russian Doll will be both be back for a second season, as will Lucifer, Love is Blind, Locke and Key, Sex Education and Atypical, plus the much buzzed/beloved/bad-mouthed Ozark returning for a final season. The sketch comedy dud Astronomy Club has been canceled after one season, while other notable kills include 13 Reasons Why, Next in Fashion and The Chilling Adventure of Sabrina. More below.
Renewed Highlights: #blackAF, After Life, Aggretsuko, Big Mouth, Bonding, Cable Girls, Castlevania, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, The Circle, The Crown, Dark, Dating Around, Dear White People, F Is for Family, GLOW, Grace and Frankie, The Kominsky Method, Lost in Space, Love, Death and Robots, Sex Education, Stranger Things, Trinkets, The Umbrella Academy, The Witcher, You.
SHRILL (Hulu)
Hulu
Harlots and Reprisal have been canceled, while highlight shows we’re happy to see coming back include Shrill (renewed for season 3), PEN15 (renewed for season 2), and Wu-Tang: An American Saga (renewed for season 2). More below.
Renewed Highlights: Crossing Swords, Dollface, The Great, The Handmaid’s Tale, Holly Hobbie, Ramy, Reprisal, Solar Opposites.
THE BOYS (Amazon)
Amazon
Returning shows worth your time include The Boys, Carnival Row and Upload (all renewed for a second season) and the award winning The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (renewed for a fourth). More below.
Renewed Highlights: Absentia, The Expanse, Flack, Goliath, Hanna, Homecoming, Jack Ryan, Lord of the Rings, Modern Love, Undone.
WESTWORLD (HBO)
HBO
HBO MAX has been killing it with new content, and its standout series, Love Life starring Anna Kendrick, was just renewed for a second season. Other returning faves include: the classic cringer Curb Your Enthusiasm (renewed for season 11), the Zendaya drug drama Euphoria (renewed for season 2), Issa Raye’s powerhouse Insecure (renewed for season 5). The feel good reality of We’re Here and the dark quirk of Los Espookys, both return for second seasons. And after a stinker of a third season, Westworld gets a chance to redeem itself with season 4. More below.
Renewed Highlights: A Black Lady Sketch Show, Barry, High Maintenance, His Dark Materials, My Brilliant Friend, Random Acts of Flyness, The Righteous Gemstones, Room 104, Succession.
DAVE (Pamela Littky/FX)
FX & FXX
The Martin Freeman series Breeders and one of our favorite new comedies, Dave, received renewals for second seasons pretty early after they debuted due to impressive viewership. Additionally, the vampire affair What We Do in the Shadows also received a much deserved renewal for a third season. Perhaps the most intriguing decision by FX is its planned revamp of Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Story which is getting a spin-off called American Horror Stories a la Creephow, Tales from the Crypt, etc. And we’re happy to say things are staying sunny, as FX announced It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is back for a record 15 season. More below.
Renewed Highlights: American Crime Story, Atlanta, Archer, Better Things, Cake, Fargo, Mayans M.C., Pose, Snowfall, Taboo, The Weekly.
VIDA (Starz)
Starz
YouTube Premium series’ Step Up, based on the film franchise of the same name, will be added to Starz soon, while the network’s crime drama Hightown will be back. We’re still upset about Latinx drama Vida ending, but The Spanish Princess will still reign for another season, at least. More below.
Renewed Highlights: American Gods, The Girlfriend Experience, Outlander.
THE MORNING SHOW (Apple TV)
Apple TV
RENEWED HIGHLIGHTS: The Morning Show, Servant and See have been renewed for season 2. Read our reviews of all three here.
THE GOLDBERGS (ABC)
Network TV (ABC, CBS, NBC)
On NBC, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist starring Jane Levy will be back for a second season of musical mind reading, while The Black List, Good Girls and This Is Us were no-brainer renewals as were all the Chicago-themed shows. On CBS, The Amazing Race and Survivor, of course, survived as did all the NCIS‘s (there’s three). On ABC, black-ish is on track for its seventh season (and should have plenty of material to work with in light of current events) and 20/20 (we still pronounce it like Barbara Walters) got renewed for an astounding 43rd season.
Other long running ABC shows not ready to die include America’s Funniest Home Videos, The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, Dancing with the Stars, Grey’s Anatomy and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. Still giggle-worthy comedy The Goldbergs will be back but its spin-off Schooled is out for more than Summer, as in canceled. Likewise, Kids Say the Darndest Things, which has been silenced permanently after one season. More below.
Renewed CBS Highlights: Big Brother, Blood & Treasure, Blue Bloods, Bull, Evil, Love Island, MacGyver, Magnum P.I., Mom, The Neighborhood, S.W.A.T., SEAL Team, Undercover Boss.
Renewed ABC Highlights: American Idol, The Conners, mixed-ish, The Rookie, Shark Tank.
Renewed NBC Highlights: America’s Got Talent: The Champions, American Ninja Warrior, The Blacklist, Blindspot, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Law & Order: SVU, Manifest, Superstore, The Voice, World of Dance.