Most Anticipated Shows of 2022

Most Anticipated Shows of 2022

What a time we are living in. We are in the golden age of television 2.0 and 2022 is shaping up to be one of the best so far. There are many shows that are premiering this year but only a handful can be considered the most anticipated. 

1. The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power - Amazon Prime

Amazon Prime is shelling out all the cash for this prequel series to the immensely popular Lord of the Rings trilogy. Amazon secured the rights to adapt the source material for an estimated $280 million, with a whopping $465 million just for the first season alone. The story takes place thousands of years before the events of the films, centered around the origin of the rings of power and the rise of dark lord Sauron. The show is comprised of an ensemble cast that includes Peter Mullan (Ozark) and Benjamin Walker (Jessica Jones). This series is sure to be one of the most ambitious ever. Tentatively premiering on September 2^nd! We cannot wait.

2. House of the Dragon - HBO/HBO Max

Based on George R.R. Martin’s 2018 novel Fire & Blood, this prequel series to Game of Thrones is HBO’s most anticipated release. The show takes place 200 years before the events of the original series, which follows House Targaryen as it leads up to the civil war that would end the family line. The ensemble cast consists of Paddy Considine as King Viserys (The Outsider), Matt Smith (The Crown), and Olivia Cooke (Bates Motel). The show promises to deliver the same level of drama, dragons, and death as its predecessor. The official release date hasn’t been announced, but HBO is preparing for a mid-2022 start date. 

3. Stranger Things 4 - Netflix 

It has been nearly three years since a new season has been released. The pandemic was only part of the reason the show was delayed as cast members Millie Bobby Brown (Godzilla: King of the Monsters) and Finn Wolfhard (Ghostbusters: Afterlife) took on other projects. Season 4 is promising to deliver more of the thrills and chills of previous seasons. Find out what happened to Hopper, Will Byers and his friends as they navigate through high school while facing unparalleled danger. The show is expected to return sometime in 2022, with summer a likely scenario.

4. Outlander Season 6 - Starz

Ah an end to Doughtlander! This historical drama from Ronald D. Moore (Battlestar Galactica) has captivated audiences since its premiere in 2014. Now in its sixth season, experience what happens next between Claire and Jamie and all the exciting action in pre-revolutionary America . The 8-episode season will premiere on March 6^th on Starz that will star Caitriona Balfe (Super 8) and Sam Heughan (A Princess for Christmas). It has been nearly 2 years since the last season and fans are eagerly waiting.

6. Better Call Saul Season 6 - AMC

The sixth and final season of this AMC series has Jimmy McGill finally becoming the character fans have watched him grow into – AKA Saul Goodman. This spinoff to Breaking Bad has been a critical darling, with multiple award nominations since its premiere in 2015. Bob Odenkirk (Mr. Show with Bob and David) and Jonathan Banks (Wiseguy) continue to portray the characters they’ve embodied since 2009. The season is being split into two parts, with the first premiering on April 18^th.  

7. The Crown  Season 5 - Netflix

Another anticipated Netflix release is the fifth season of The Crown. This season will follow Queen Elizabeth II from the early-to-mid 1990’s. Imelda Staunton (Harry Potter) takes over the role of the queen from Olivia Coleman (Fleabag). Jonathan Pryce (Game of Thrones) will also portray Prince Philip and Lesley Manville (Phantom Thread) will portray Princess Margaret. The season is tentatively scheduled for November 2022. Fans can’t wait to see how Princess Diana is portrayed after the performances of the previous season.

8. The Last of Us - HBO

It seems as if post-apocalyptic shows have blossomed in popularity these past few years and now HBO has developed a series based on the action-adventure video game of the same name. The series stars Pedro Pascal (The Mandalorian) as Joel, a survivor who must smuggle a young girl out of a quarantine zone. The U.S. has been fighting a pandemic of sorts that transforms humans into creatures known as the Infected.  The series also stars Bella Ramsey of Game of Thrones fame. The show is expected to premiere in late 2022.

9. Law & Order Season 21 - NBC

It has been twelve years since this groundbreaking drama from Dick Wolf aired, but NBC is bringing back Law & Order for a twenty-first season on February 24^th! Anthony Anderson (Black-ish) and Sam Waterson (The Newsroom) are returning as Detective Kevin Bernard and District Attorney Jack McCoy, respectively. Jump back into the action that sees real life cases in the court room mirrored on television.

10. Westworld Season 4 - HBO

A third entry on this list by HBO, the fourth season of Westworld is projected to premiere in Spring 2022. There aren’t a lot of details released about the new season just yet, but as one of the network’s most critically acclaimed shows, the new season promises to bring the same amount of sci-fi wonder as the previous ones. Evan Rachel Wood (Mildred Pierce), Thandie Newton (Crash) and Jeffrey Wright (Angels in America) are all expected to return.

These shows are sure to keep us on the edge of our seats as the broadcast, cable and streaming channels give us some of the best television we’ve seen in a long time. Which show are you most excited to watch in 2022? Tell us on Twitter with #Xtream.

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