It’s hard to believe it’s back-to-school and football season! Seems like only yesterday I was celebrating my new book release, Hired to Kill, along with grilling, chilling and fourth of July fireworks.
I talk so much about books here, I thought it’d be fun to cover another source of inspiration for writers: great TV shows. So today, I’m exploring a handful of new series in my favorite genres—action-thrillers and science fiction—that look worthy of adding to a watch list or setting the DVR. Enjoy!
FBI (CBS)
I maintain that any new series produced by Emmy Award winner Dick Wolf (Law & Order), is going to be worth checking out.
Synopsis & Trailer, Courtesy of CBS:
A fast-paced drama about the inner workings of the New York office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. These first-class agents bring all their talents, intellect and technical expertise to tenaciously investigate cases of tremendous magnitude, including terrorism, organized crime and counterintelligence.
Manifest (NBC)
This reminds me of Lost or an episode of Black Mirror, with heartfelt This is Us vibes. Sign me up!
Synopsis & Trailer, Courtesy of NBC:
Once Upon a Time’s Josh Dallas stars in this mystery thriller about passengers on a plane who arrive at their destination after a few-hour flight only to learn that five years have somehow gone by in the world. Presuming the passengers and crew dead, their loved ones have mourned them and already moved on. Thrown into this impossible situation, the people who had been aboard the flight will be forced to figure out how to pick up the pieces of their personal lives, as well as the greater purpose that is their destiny.
https://youtu.be/Dwc27Lsr1EY
The Rookie (ABC)
This show looks like that winning mix of comedy, drama, and action-movie tension that makes for compelling TV. With Nathan Fillion as our unconventional hero, you know he’s going to be the kind of lead we’re all gonna love cheering for week after week.
Synopsis & Trailer, Courtesy of ABC
Inspired by a true story, The Rookie centers on John Nolan (Nathan Fillion), the oldest rookie in the LAPD. At an age where most are at the peak of their career, Nolan cast aside his comfortable, small-town life and moved to Los Angeles to pursue his dream of being a cop. Now, surrounded by rookies 20 years his junior, he must navigate the dangerous, humorous and unpredictable world of being a “young” cop and to make his second shot at life count.
https://youtu.be/k9K06dCP-lc
The Passage (FOX)
You don’t have to like (or dislike) the vampire/zombie element in science fiction to see the potential in this series. With Academy Award winner Ridley Scott (Executive Producer), and penned by the writer of Friday Night Lights, and based on the best-selling novels, this sci-fi thriller is bound to be emotionally resonant, tense, and epic.
Synopsis & Trailer, Courtesy of FOX:
Based on the best-selling trilogy by Justin Cronin, the drama begins as a character-driven government conspiracy thriller and morphs into a post-apocalyptic saga with vampires. The potential series spans over a century and focuses on a young girl named Amy who must save the human race.
The First (Hulu)
From the multiple award-winning creator of House of Cards, The First boasts a serious cast of interstellar-level actors. And when I see/hear a Carl Sagan quote in a trailer, I’m instantly ready to spacesuit up and explore that TV series’ cosmos.
Synopsis & Trailer, Courtesy of HULU:
The First is an American-British drama web television series created by Beau Willimon and starring Sean Penn and Natascha McElhone. The show portrays members of a team of astronauts as they become the first humans to visit Mars.
Magnum P.I. (CBS)
Here’s an interesting one: look at the “likes” vs “dislikes” counts on this trailer (embedded below). It’s pretty much split down the middle. I personally like an irreverent thriller series with as much comedy as action, and the ‘80s classic was an award-winning show.
So, I ask you: do you think this reboot looks worth checking out? I’m on the fence…
Synopsis & Trailer, Courtesy of CBS:
MAGNUM P.I. is back. Special Ops veteran, charming rogue and at home behind the wheel of a Ferrari, Thomas Magnum takes jobs no one else will, with the help of fellow vets T.C. Calvin and Rick Wright. Higgins is back too; but now it’s Ms. Higgins, a former MI6 agent. Based on the Emmy-winning 1980s series.
Are there any new or returning TV shows that you’re excited about? Also, just curious: if Nathan McBride had his own TV series, who would you cast as the major characters?
