Entertainment
In 2016, Netflix cemented its status as one of the best places to find high-quality original TV series. Lady Dynamite, Chelsea, The Crown, and Stranger Things quickly became fan favorites, and viewers eagerly awaited (and then marathoned) new seasons of House of Cards, Orange is the New Black, and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. It's only January, but this year is off to an amazing start. Case in point — the brilliant Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events, which began streaming on Jan. 13, has captivated both adults and children. The 2017 lineup includes a diverse array of new shows from just about every genre — so, regardless of your taste, there will be at least a few Netflix shows that you'll be obsessed with in 2017.
The streaming service has definitely found its niche, and Netflix's original shows will keep coming — we can expect 1,000 hours of original content in 2017, so get ready for some serious marathons. Premiere dates aren't yet available for most of these shows, but it's never too early to get excited about a gritty adaptation of a classic children's book series, the return of Bill Nye (!), and more than one gripping psychological thriller.
Without further ado, prepare to become obsessed with these 11 new Netflix shows.
1
'Anne'
Book lovers, rejoice! Netflix has collaborated with CBC to produce an eight-episode adaptation of the beloved book series Anne of Green Gables — and it's filmed on Prince Edward Island, where the novels take place.
Anne will be a gritty take on the childhood classic — showrunner and co-writer Moira Walley-Beckett (best known for her work on Breaking Bad and Flesh and Bone) told the CBC: "This is a very grounded, real version of the story. Life in Prince Edward Island in the late 1800s was a hard, gritty, scrappy life... It's not doilies and teacups, it's life."
2
'Dark'
If you love Stranger Things, you'll definitely want to check out Dark. Set in present-day Germany, the series will follow the disappearance of two young children — and the family secrets that unravel after they go missing. It's slated to premiere in late 2017.
3
'Girlboss'
A show about feminist empowerment? Yes, please. Based on the book by Sophia Amoruso (who is also the show's producer), Girlboss tells the story of Amoruso's journey from being a broke, aimless rebel to a successful businesswoman who founded the popular clothing company Nasty Gal. Sadly, a premiere date hasn't yet been announced for this 13-episode comedy — but something tells me it'll be worth the wait.
4
'Disjointed'
The Office meets Weeds in this 20-episode sitcom. Ruth (Kathy Bates) is living the dream when she finally gets to open her own cannabis dispensary in Los Angeles. According to Deadline.com, she and her "budtenders" (can that word please be added to the dictionary?), are "more or less constantly high." This sounds like a recipe for hilarity, and I can't wait until a premiere date is announced.
5
'13 Reasons Why'
When I learned that one of my favorite books would become a Netflix series, I jumped for joy — and then I prepared to cry my eyes out all over again. Jay Asher's best-selling young adult book tells the story of Hannah, a teenager who commits suicide after being relentlessly bullied by classmates. She leaves behind 13 audio tapes detailing the events and acts of cruelty that lead up to her heartbreaking decision. The series, which is produced by Selena Gomez and stars newcomer Katherine Langford, is set to premiere this spring — and I highly recommend reading the book before you watch. (Just make sure you have a box of tissues handy.)
6
'Mindhunter'
If crime dramas are your genre of choice, Mindhunters will be your 2017 obsession. Based on former special agent John Douglas' book Mind Hunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit, the series will follow FBI agents who interview serial killers in an effort to solve open murder cases. David Fincher and Charlize Theron are the show's executive producers — so, once a premiere date is announced, I'll be counting down the days until Mindhunters begins streaming.
7
'Bill Nye Saves The World'
Bill Nye believes in science, so we're really going to need him this year. Thankfully, his new Netflix talk show begins streaming in the spring. Each episode will focus on a specific topic from a scientific point of view and there will be plenty of experiments, demonstrations, and special guests to keep things entertaining and engaging.
8
'Gypsy'
A therapist who gets way too involved in her patients' lives is a recipe for disaster — but it sure makes for a gripping psychological drama. Gypsy stars Naomi Watts and Billy Crudup, and I have a feeling this is a series that many of us will marathon in record time.
9
'Dear White People'
If you haven't watched the 2014 movie, Dear White People, you'll definitely want to check it out — and then get excited for the TV adaptation, which will premiere sometime in 2017. The 10-episode series will explore how race, gender, and economic privilege impact the students at a fictional Ivy League University.
10
'Santa Clarita Diet'
Drew Barrymore stars in this new comedy series that's set in (you guessed it!), Santa Clarita, California. She and Timothy Olyphant play husband and wife realtors who experience some unexpected upheaval in their lives. Not only does Santa Clarita Diet have a premiere date, but it's just around the corner — the series will begin streaming on Feb. 3.
11
'Marvel's The Defenders'
Do you love Jessica Jones? (That's obviously a rhetorical question.) The series won't return to Netflix until 2018 at the earliest, but don't despair — she'll appear alongside Daredevil, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist in The Defenders. What will happen when these four superheroes join forces? I can't wait to find out.
Based on this killer line-up, 2017 is going to be an amazing year for Netflix originals — and something tells me that I'll be spending more than a few weekends marathoning these exciting new series.
