I watch too many series and need to make it productive so here's something.
2017 has been an excellent year for TV with so many great series airing or announcing returns for next year, here are some of my highlights and a few to watch out for.
Trollhunters (Netflix)
Legitimately my favourite show on TV at the moment. Guillermo del Toro created a neat series with Dreamworks Animation featuring the voice talents of Ron Pearlman, Kelsey Grammer and the late Anton Yelchin. Based on the book of the same name (which is actually gory as hell), Jim Lake discovers an amulet which makes him the first human Trollhunter, protector of the trolls which inhabit a town beneath his own. (why someone called a TrollHUNTER protects trolls, I'm not sure, but if you can get over that hurdle you'll enjoy yourself)
The Expanse (Syfy)
Almost word for word from the novels by James S.A. Corey, this adaptation is probably the closest thing to a masterpiece I've seen on TV. Several factions fight for control over resources and power in this epic space opera, and it makes you care about every single damn character.
Please Like Me (ABC)
Okay, this ended in December 2016 but remains one of my favourite series today. Four short seasons explore the adventures of Josh, his family and friends in this semi-biographical telling of being 20-something and coming to terms with adulthood.
Luther (BBC)
For some reason Idris Elba is returning to this iconic role as a hard working yet tormented homicide detective in 2018 (total cliché but you'll forgive that). Incredibly dark but will stay with you for a long time after watching.
Honourable Mentions:
Celtics/Lakers: Best of Enemies - a 4 hour doco about the rivalry between these two teams, highlighting the Bird, Kareem and Magic era.
Atypical - slice of life comedy about a young man on the spectrum and his family.
American Vandal - true crime parody about a young man who gets expelled for drawing dicks on every teachers car.
Dear White People (100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes)
La Casa De Papel - an elaborate plan to rob a spanish mint, think Oceans Eleven meets Smokin' Aces.
One Punch Man - satirical anime that parodies the superhero genre returns in 2018, think DBZ except hero, Saitama, hates monologues.
The OA - I can't really tell you what this show is about without spoiling anything.
Manhunt: Unabomber - Sam Worthington and Paul Bettany star in this true crime drama about one of the most elusive serial killers in US history.
What to Avoid:
Almost anything Marvel
Neo Yokio - why Westeners shouldn't try anime
Castlevania - same reasons as above except the sound design was incredibly bad. It's the one thing that bugged me the most, watching a fight scene where the sounds don't match the blows, and the dudes are fighting in huge cloaks and armour yet there's no metallic noises or even footsteps?
Travelers - there's just no point