Category: Blog

Picture this. You’ve joined a squad at your company that’s designing new product features with an emphasis on automation or AI. Or your company has just implemented a personalization engine. Either way, you’re designing with data. Now what? When it comes to designing for personalization, there are many cautionary tales, no overnight successes, and few guides for the perplexed. 

Between the fantasy of getting it right and the fear of it going wrong—like when we encounter “persofails” in the vein of a company repeatedly imploring everyday consumers to buy additional toilet seats—the personalization gap is real. It’s an especially confounding place to be a digital professional without a map, a compass, or a plan.

For those of you venturing into personalization, there’s no Lonely Planet and few tour guides because effective personalization is so specific to each organization’s talent, technology, and market position. 

But you can ensure that your team has packed its bags sensibly.

There’s a DIY formula to increase your chances for success. At minimum, you’ll defuse your boss’s irrational exuberance. Before the party you’ll need to effectively prepare.

We call it prepersonalization.

Behind the music

Consider Spotify’s DJ feature, which debuted this past year.

We’re used to seeing the polished final result of a personalization feature. Before the year-end award, the making-of backstory, or the behind-the-scenes victory lap, a personalized feature had to be conceived, budgeted, and prioritized. Before any personalization feature goes live in your product or service, it lives amid a backlog of worthy ideas for expressing customer experiences more dynamically.

So how do you know where to place your personalization bets? How do you design consistent interactions that won’t trip up users or—worse—breed mistrust? We’ve found that for many budgeted programs to justify their ongoing investments, they first needed one or more workshops to convene key stakeholders and internal customers of the technology. Make yours count.

​From Big Tech to fledgling startups, we’ve seen the same evolution up close with our clients. In our experiences with working on small and large personalization efforts, a program’s ultimate track record—and its ability to weather tough questions, work steadily toward shared answers, and organize its design and technology efforts—turns on how effectively these prepersonalization activities play out.

Time and again, we’ve seen effective workshops separate future success stories from unsuccessful efforts, saving countless time, resources, and collective well-being in the process.

A personalization practice involves a multiyear effort of testing and feature development. It’s not a switch-flip moment in your tech stack. It’s best managed as a backlog that often evolves through three steps: 

1. customer experience optimization (CXO, also known as A/B testing or experimentation)
2. always-on automations (whether rules-based or machine-generated)
3. mature features or standalone product development (such as Spotify’s DJ experience)

This is why we created our progressive personalization framework and why we’re field-testing an accompanying deck of cards: we believe that there’s a base grammar, a set of “nouns and verbs” that your organization can use to design experiences that are customized, personalized, or automated. You won’t need these cards. But we strongly recommend that you create something similar, whether that might be digital or physical.

Set your kitchen timer

How long does it take to cook up a prepersonalization workshop? The surrounding assessment activities that we recommend including can (and often do) span weeks. For the core workshop, we recommend aiming for two to three days. Here’s a summary of our broader approach along with details on the essential first-day activities.

The full arc of the wider workshop is threefold:

1. Kickstart: This sets the terms of engagement as you focus on the opportunity as well as the readiness and drive of your team and your leadership. .
2. Plan your work: This is the heart of the card-based workshop activities where you specify a plan of attack and the scope of work.
3. Work your plan: This phase is all about creating a competitive environment for team participants to individually pitch their own pilots that each contain a proof-of-concept project, its business case, and its operating model.

Give yourself at least a day, split into two large time blocks, to power through a concentrated version of those first two phases.

Kickstart: Whet your appetite

We call the first lesson the “landscape of connected experience.” It explores the personalization possibilities in your organization. A connected experience, in our parlance, is any UX requiring the orchestration of multiple systems of record on the backend. This could be a content-management system combined with a marketing-automation platform. It could be a digital-asset manager combined with a customer-data platform.

Spark conversation by naming consumer examples and business-to-business examples of connected experience interactions that you admire, find familiar, or even dislike. This should cover a representative range of personalization patterns, including automated app-based interactions (such as onboarding sequences or wizards), notifications, and recommenders. We have a catalog of these in the cards. Here’s a list of 142 different interactions to jog your thinking.

This is all about setting the table. What are the possible paths for the practice in your organization? If you want a broader view, here’s a long-form primer and a strategic framework.

Assess each example that you discuss for its complexity and the level of effort that you estimate that it would take for your team to deliver that feature (or something similar). In our cards, we divide connected experiences into five levels: functions, features, experiences, complete products, and portfolios. Size your own build here. This will help to focus the conversation on the merits of ongoing investment as well as the gap between what you deliver today and what you want to deliver in the future.

Next, have your team plot each idea on the following 2×2 grid, which lays out the four enduring arguments for a personalized experience. This is critical because it emphasizes how personalization can not only help your external customers but also affect your own ways of working. It’s also a reminder (which is why we used the word argument earlier) of the broader effort beyond these tactical interventions.

Each team member should vote on where they see your product or service putting its emphasis. Naturally, you can’t prioritize all of them. The intention here is to flesh out how different departments may view their own upsides to the effort, which can vary from one to the next. Documenting your desired outcomes lets you know how the team internally aligns across representatives from different departments or functional areas.

The third and final kickstart activity is about naming your personalization gap. Is your customer journey well documented? Will data and privacy compliance be too big of a challenge? Do you have content metadata needs that you have to address? (We’re pretty sure that you do: it’s just a matter of recognizing the relative size of that need and its remedy.) In our cards, we’ve noted a number of program risks, including common team dispositions. Our Detractor card, for example, lists six stakeholder behaviors that hinder progress.

Effectively collaborating and managing expectations is critical to your success. Consider the potential barriers to your future progress. Press the participants to name specific steps to overcome or mitigate those barriers in your organization. As studies have shown, personalization efforts face many common barriers.

At this point, you’ve hopefully discussed sample interactions, emphasized a key area of benefit, and flagged key gaps? Good—you’re ready to continue.

Hit that test kitchen

Next, let’s look at what you’ll need to bring your personalization recipes to life. Personalization engines, which are robust software suites for automating and expressing dynamic content, can intimidate new customers. Their capabilities are sweeping and powerful, and they present broad options for how your organization can conduct its activities. This presents the question: Where do you begin when you’re configuring a connected experience?

What’s important here is to avoid treating the installed software like it were a dream kitchen from some fantasy remodeling project (as one of our client executives memorably put it). These software engines are more like test kitchens where your team can begin devising, tasting, and refining the snacks and meals that will become a part of your personalization program’s regularly evolving menu.

The ultimate menu of the prioritized backlog will come together over the course of the workshop. And creating “dishes” is the way that you’ll have individual team stakeholders construct personalized interactions that serve their needs or the needs of others.

The dishes will come from recipes, and those recipes have set ingredients.

Verify your ingredients

Like a good product manager, you’ll make sure—andyou’ll validate with the right stakeholders present—that you have all the ingredients on hand to cook up your desired interaction (or that you can work out what needs to be added to your pantry). These ingredients include the audience that you’re targeting, content and design elements, the context for the interaction, and your measure for how it’ll come together. 

This isn’t just about discovering requirements. Documenting your personalizations as a series of if-then statements lets the team: 

1. compare findings toward a unified approach for developing features, not unlike when artists paint with the same palette; 
2. specify a consistent set of interactions that users find uniform or familiar; 
3. and develop parity across performance measurements and key performance indicators too. 

This helps you streamline your designs and your technical efforts while you deliver a shared palette of core motifs of your personalized or automated experience.

Compose your recipe

What ingredients are important to you? Think of a who-what-when-why construct: 

• Who are your key audience segments or groups?
• What kind of content will you give them, in what design elements, and under what circumstances?
• And for which business and user benefits?

We first developed these cards and card categories five years ago. We regularly play-test their fit with conference audiences and clients. And we still encounter new possibilities. But they all follow an underlying who-what-when-why logic.

Here are three examples for a subscription-based reading app, which you can generally follow along with right to left in the cards in the accompanying photo below. 

1. Nurture personalization: When a guest or an unknown visitor interacts with  a product title, a banner or alert bar appears that makes it easier for them to encounter a related title they may want to read, saving them time.
2. Welcome automation: When there’s a newly registered user, an email is generated to call out the breadth of the content catalog and to make them a happier subscriber.
3. Winback automation: Before their subscription lapses or after a recent failed renewal, a user is sent an email that gives them a promotional offer to suggest that they reconsider renewing or to remind them to renew.

A useful preworkshop activity may be to think through a first draft of what these cards might be for your organization, although we’ve also found that this process sometimes flows best through cocreating the recipes themselves. Start with a set of blank cards, and begin labeling and grouping them through the design process, eventually distilling them to a refined subset of highly useful candidate cards.

You can think of the later stages of the workshop as moving from recipes toward a cookbook in focus—like a more nuanced customer-journey mapping. Individual “cooks” will pitch their recipes to the team, using a common jobs-to-be-done format so that measurability and results are baked in, and from there, the resulting collection will be prioritized for finished design and delivery to production.

Better kitchens require better architecture

Simplifying a customer experience is a complicated effort for those who are inside delivering it. Beware anyone who says otherwise. With that being said,  “Complicated problems can be hard to solve, but they are addressable with rules and recipes.”

When personalization becomes a laugh line, it’s because a team is overfitting: they aren’t designing with their best data. Like a sparse pantry, every organization has metadata debt to go along with its technical debt, and this creates a drag on personalization effectiveness. Your AI’s output quality, for example, is indeed limited by your IA. Spotify’s poster-child prowess today was unfathomable before they acquired a seemingly modest metadata startup that now powers its underlying information architecture.

You can definitely stand the heat…

Personalization technology opens a doorway into a confounding ocean of possible designs. Only a disciplined and highly collaborative approach will bring about the necessary focus and intention to succeed. So banish the dream kitchen. Instead, hit the test kitchen to save time, preserve job satisfaction and security, and safely dispense with the fanciful ideas that originate upstairs of the doers in your organization. There are meals to serve and mouths to feed.

This workshop framework gives you a fighting shot at lasting success as well as sound beginnings. Wiring up your information layer isn’t an overnight affair. But if you use the same cookbook and shared recipes, you’ll have solid footing for success. We designed these activities to make your organization’s needs concrete and clear, long before the hazards pile up.

While there are associated costs toward investing in this kind of technology and product design, your ability to size up and confront your unique situation and your digital capabilities is time well spent. Don’t squander it. The proof, as they say, is in the pudding.

The same holds true for those of us who are currently employed in design and development. Having worked on the web for about three years at this point, I’ve seen the typical wax and wane of concepts, strategies, and systems. Every day we as developers and designers re-enter a routine pattern, a brand-new concept or technology emerges to shake things up and completely alter our world.

How we got below

I built my first website in the mid-’90s. Design and development on the web back then was a free-for-all, with few established norms. For any layout aside from a single column, we used table elements, often with empty cells containing a single pixel spacer GIF to add empty space. We styled text with numerous font tags, nesting the tags every time we wanted to vary the font style. And we had only three or four typefaces to choose from: Arial, Courier, or Times New Roman. When Verdana and Georgia came out in 1996, we rejoiced because our options had nearly doubled. The only safe colors to choose from were the 216 “web safe” colors known to work across platforms. The few interactive elements (like contact forms, guest books, and counters) were mostly powered by CGI scripts (predominantly written in Perl at the time). Achieving any kind of unique look involved a pile of hacks all the way down. Interaction was often limited to specific pages in a site.

The beginning of website standards

At the turn of the century, a new cycle started. Crufty code littered with table layouts and font tags waned, and a push for web standards waxed. Newer technologies like CSS got more widespread adoption by browsers makers, developers, and designers. This shift toward standards didn’t happen accidentally or overnight. It took active engagement between the W3C and browser vendors and heavy evangelism from folks like the Web Standards Project to build standards. A List Apart and books like Designing with Web Standards by Jeffrey Zeldman played key roles in teaching developers and designers why standards are important, how to implement them, and how to sell them to their organizations. And approaches like progressive enhancement introduced the idea that content should be available for all browsers—with additional enhancements available for more advanced browsers. Meanwhile, sites like the CSS Zen Garden showcased just how powerful and versatile CSS can be when combined with a solid semantic HTML structure.

Server-side language like PHP, Java, and.NET took Perl as the primary back-end computers, and the cgi-bin was tossed in the garbage bin. With these better server-side instruments came the first time of online applications, starting with content-management systems ( especially in the blog space with tools like Blogger, Grey Matter, Movable Type, and WordPress ). AJAX opened the door to sequential connection between the front end and back end in the mid-2000s. Immediately, websites may update their information without needing to refresh. A grain of JavaScript structures, including Prototype, YUI, and jQuery, were created to aid designers in creating more trustworthy client-side interactions across browsers with wildly varying standards support. Techniques like picture alternative enable the use of fonts by skilled developers and developers. And technology like Flash made it possible to include movies, sports, and even more engagement.

These new technology, standards, and approaches reinvigorated the market in many ways. As developers and designers explored more diversified styles and designs, website design flourished. However, we also relied heavily on numerous exploits. When it came to basic layout and text styling, early CSS was a significant improvement over table-based layouts, but its limitations at the time meant that designers and developers still relied heavily on images for complex shapes ( such as rounded or angled corners ) and tiled backgrounds (among other hacks ) for the appearance of full-length columns. All kinds of nested floats or absolute positioning ( or both ) were necessary for complicated layouts. The great five’s typefaces were widely varied, and display and photo replacement for tailor-made fonts was a great first step, but both hacks caused convenience and performance issues. And JavaScript books made it simple for anyone to add a dash of connection to pages, even at the expense of double, also quadrupling, the get size of basic websites.

The internet as application platform

The balance between the front end and the back end continued to improve, leading to the development of the latest online application time. Between expanded server-side programming languages ( which kept growing to include Ruby, Python, Go, and others ) and newer front-end tools like React, Vue, and Angular, we could build fully capable software on the web. Alongside these equipment came others, including creative type control, build technology, and shared bundle libraries. What was once mainly a repository for linked papers has evolved into a world of possibilities.

At the same time, wireless equipment became more ready, and they gave us online access in our wallets. Mobile applications and flexible style opened up possibilities for fresh relations anytime, anywhere.

This fusion of potent portable devices and potent creation tools contributed to the growth of social media and other centralized resources for people to use and interact with. As it became easier and more popular to join with others immediately on Twitter, Facebook, and yet Slack, the desire for held personal sites waned. Social media provided connections on a global scale, with both positive and negative outcomes.

Want a much more in-depth account of how we came to this, along with some other suggestions for improvement? ” Of Time and the Web” was written by Jeremy Keith. Or check out the” Web Design History Timeline” at the Web Design Museum. Additionally, Neal Agarwal takes a fascinating tour of” Internet Artifacts.”

Where we are now

In the last couple of years, it’s felt like we’ve begun to reach another major inflection point. As social-media platforms fracture and wane, there’s been a growing interest in owning our own content again. From the tried-and-true classic of hosting plain HTML files to static site generators and content management systems of all kinds, there are many different ways to create websites. Social media fracturing also has a price: we lose essential infrastructure for discovery and connection. Webmentions, RSS, ActivityPub, and other tools of the IndieWeb can help with this, but they’re still relatively underimplemented and hard to use for the less nerdy. Without discovery and connection, it can feel as though we could be shouting into the void when we can create incredible personal websites and continually update them.

Browser support for CSS, JavaScript, and other standards like web components has accelerated, especially through efforts like Interop. In a fraction of the time that they once did, new technologies gain universal support. When I first learn about a new feature, I frequently discover that its coverage is already over 80 % when I check the browser support. Browser support is frequently the only obstacle to using newer techniques today, rather than the limitations of how quickly designers and developers can learn what’s available and how to adopt it.

Today, with a few commands and a couple of lines of code, we can prototype almost any idea. With today’s abundance of tools, starting something new is now simpler than ever. However, as the initial cost of these frameworks may be saved in the beginning, it eventually becomes due as their upkeep and maintenance becomes a component of our technical debt.

Adopting new standards can sometimes take longer if we rely on third-party frameworks because we might have to wait for those frameworks to adopt those standards. These frameworks—which used to let us adopt new techniques sooner—have now become hindrances instead. These same frameworks frequently come with performance costs, making users have to wait for scripts to load before interacting with or reading pages. And when scripts fail ( whether through poor code, network issues, or other environmental factors ), there’s often no alternative, leaving users with blank or broken pages.

Where do we go from here?

Today’s hacks help to shape tomorrow’s standards. And there’s nothing inherently wrong with embracing hacks —for now—to move the present forward. Problems only arise when we refuse to acknowledge that they are hacks or when we refuse to take their place. What can we do to create the web’s future, then?

Build for the long haul. Optimize for performance, for accessibility, and for the user. Weigh the costs of those developer-friendly tools. They may make your job a little easier right now, but how do they affect everything else? What’s the cost to users? To future developers? To standards adoption? The convenience may be worthwhile at times. Sometimes it’s just a hack that you’ve gotten used to. And occasionally, it prevents you from pursuing better options.

Start from standards. Standards change over time, but browsers have done a remarkably good job of staying current with outdated standards. The same isn’t always true of third-party frameworks. Even the most heinous of HTML from the 1990s still function perfectly today. The same can’t be said about websites created with frameworks even after a few years.

Design with care. Whether your craft is code, pixels, or processes, consider the impacts of each decision. Many modern tools have the convenience of having the ability to understand the underlying decisions that have led to their creation and to not always consider the effects those decisions can have. Use the time saved by modern tools to think more carefully and make decisions with care rather than rushing to “move fast and break things”

Always be learning. If you’re always learning, you’re also growing. Sometimes it may be hard to pinpoint what’s worth learning and what’s just today’s hack. Even if you were to concentrate solely on learning standards, you might end up focusing on something that won’t matter next year. ( Remember XHTML? ) However, ongoing learning opens up new neural connections, and the techniques you learn in one day may be useful for guiding future experiments.

Play, experiment, and be weird! This web that we’ve built is the ultimate experiment. Despite being the largest human endeavor in human history, each of us has the ability to make their own money there. Be courageous and try new things. Build a playground for ideas. In your own bizarre science lab, perform bizarre experiments. Start your own small business. There has never been a more empowering place to be creative, take risks, and explore what we’re capable of.

Share and amplify. As you experiment, play, and learn, share what’s worked for you. Write on your own website, post on whichever social media site you prefer, or shout it from a TikTok. Write something for A List Apart! But take the time to amplify others too: find new voices, learn from them, and share what they’ve taught you.

Go forth and make

As designers and developers for the web ( and beyond ), we’re responsible for building the future every day, whether that may take the shape of personal websites, social media tools used by billions, or anything in between. Let’s imbue our values into the things that we create, and let’s make the web a better place for everyone. Create something that you are only qualified to make for yourself. Then share it, make it better, make it again, or make something new. Learn. Make. Share. Grow. Rinse and repeat. Every time you think that you’ve mastered the web, everything will change.

I’d like you to consider this a “yes … and” piece to complement Joe’s post. I’m just trying to contradict what he’s saying, but I’m just trying to give some context to initiatives and opportunities where AI can make a difference for people with disabilities. To be clear, I’m not saying that there aren’t true threats or pressing problems with AI that need to be addressed—there are, and we’ve needed to address them, like, yesterday—but I want to take a little time to talk about what’s possible in hope that we’ll get there one day.

Other words

Joe’s article spends a lot of time examining how computer vision versions can create other words. He raises a number of legitimate points about the state of affairs right now. And while computer-vision concepts continue to improve in the quality and complexity of information in their information, their benefits aren’t wonderful. He argues to be accurate that the state of image research is currently very poor, especially for some graphic types, in large part due to the lack of context-based analysis that exists in the AI systems ( which is a result of having separate “foundation” models for text analysis and image analysis ). Today’s models aren’t trained to distinguish between images that are contextually relevant ( that should probably have descriptions ) and those that are purely decorative ( which might not need a description ) either. Nonetheless, I still think there’s possible in this area.

As Joe mentions, human-in-the-loop publishing of alt word should definitely be a factor. And if AI can intervene and provide a starting point for alt text, even if the rapid reads,” What is this BS?” That’s not correct at all … Let me try to offer a starting point— I think that’s a win.

If we can specifically station a design to examine image usage in context, this may help us more quickly determine which images are likely to be elegant and which ones are likely to be descriptive. That will help clarify which situations require image descriptions, and it will increase authors ‘ effectiveness in making their sites more visible.

Although complex images, such as graphs and charts, are challenging to summarize in any way ( even for humans ), the image example provided in the GPT4 announcement provides an intriguing opportunity as well. Let’s say you came across a map that was simply the name of the table and the type of visualization it was: Pie table comparing smartphone use to have phone use among US households making under$ 30, 000 annually. ( That would be a pretty bad alt text for a chart because it would frequently leave many unanswered questions about the data, but let’s just assume that that was the description in place. ) Imagine a world where users could ask questions about the graphic if your browser knew that that image was a pie chart ( because an onboard model concluded this ).

• Are there more smartphone users than feature phones?
• How many more?
• Exists a group of people who don’t fall under either of these categories?
• How many is that?

Setting aside the realities of large language model ( LLM) hallucinations—where a model just makes up plausible-sounding “facts” —for a moment, the opportunity to learn more about images and data in this way could be revolutionary for blind and low-vision folks as well as for people with various forms of color blindness, cognitive disabilities, and so on. It might also be useful in educational settings to assist those who can see these charts as they are able to comprehend the data in the charts.

What if you could ask your browser to make a complicated chart simpler? What if you asked it to separate a single line from a line graph? What if you could ask your browser to transpose the colors of the various lines so that it works better for your type of color blindness? What if you demanded that it switch colors in favor of patterns? Given these tools ‘ chat-based interfaces and our existing ability to manipulate images in today’s AI tools, that seems like a possibility.

Now imagine a specially designed model that could take the data from that chart and convert it to another format. For example, perhaps it could turn that pie chart ( or better yet, a series of pie charts ) into more accessible ( and useful ) formats, like spreadsheets. That would be amazing!

Matching algorithms

When Safiya Umoja Noble chose to put her book Algorithms of Oppression, she hit the nail on the head. Although her book focused on the ways that search engines can foster racism, I believe it to be equally accurate to say that all computer models have the potential to amplify conflict, bias, and intolerance. We all know that poorly designed and maintained algorithms are incredibly harmful, whether it’s Twitter that keeps bringing you the most recent tweet from a drowsy billionaire, YouTube that keeps us in a q-hole, or Instagram that keeps us guessing what natural bodies look like. Many of these are the result of a lack of diversity in the people who create and build them. When these platforms are built with inclusively baked in, however, there’s real potential for algorithm development to help people with disabilities.

Take Mentra, for example. They serve as a network of employment for people who are neurodivers. They match job seekers with potential employers using an algorithm based on more than 75 data points. On the job-seeker side of things, it considers each candidate’s strengths, their necessary and preferred workplace accommodations, environmental sensitivities, and so on. On the employer side, it considers each work environment, communication factors related to each job, and the like. Mentra made the decision to change the script when it came to traditional employment websites because it was run by neurodivergent people. They lower the emotional and physical labor on the job-seeker side of things by recommending available candidates to companies who can then connect with job seekers they are interested in.

When more people with disabilities are involved in the development of algorithms, this can lower the likelihood that these algorithms will harm their communities. That’s why diverse teams are so important.

Imagine if the social media company’s recommendation engine was tuned to prioritize follow recommendations for people who discussed topics similar to those that were important but who were not in your current sphere of influence in any significant way. For instance, if you were to follow a group of non-disabled white male academics who talk about AI, it might be advisable to follow those who are disabled, aren’t white, or aren’t men who also talk about AI. If you took its recommendations, perhaps you’d get a more holistic and nuanced understanding of what’s happening in the AI field. These same systems should also use their understanding of biases about particular communities—including, for instance, the disability community—to make sure that they aren’t recommending any of their users follow accounts that perpetuate biases against (or, worse, spewing hate toward ) those groups.

Other ways that AI can helps people with disabilities

If I weren’t attempting to combine this with other tasks, I’m sure I could go on and on, giving various examples of how AI could be used to assist people with disabilities, but I’m going to make this last section into a bit of a lightning round. In no particular order:

Voice preservation. You may have seen the VALL-E paper or Apple’s Global Accessibility Awareness Day announcement or you may be familiar with the voice-preservation offerings from Microsoft, Acapela, or others. People who have ALS ( Lou Gehrig’s disease ), motor-neuron disease, or other medical conditions that can prevent them from talking can greatly benefit from having an AI model that can mimic your voice. This is, of course, the same tech that can also be used to create audio deepfakes, so it’s something that we need to approach responsibly, but the tech has truly transformative potential.
• Voice recognition. Researchers are assisting people with disabilities in the collection of recordings of people with atypical speech, thanks to the assistance of the Speech Accessibility Project. As I type, they are actively recruiting people with Parkinson’s and related conditions, and they have plans to expand this to other conditions as the project progresses. More people with disabilities will be able to use voice assistants, dictation software, and voice-response services as a result of this research, which will result in more inclusive data sets that will enable them to use their computers and other devices more easily and with just their voices.
• Text transformation. The most recent generation of LLMs is capable of altering already-existing text without giving off hallucinations. This is incredibly empowering for those who have cognitive disabilities and who may benefit from text summaries or simplified versions, or even text that has been prepared for bionic reading.

the significance of various teams and data

Our differences must be acknowledged as important. The intersections of the identities that we exist in have an impact on our lived experiences. These lived experiences—with all their complexities ( and joys and pain ) —are valuable inputs to the software, services, and societies that we shape. Our differences must be reflected in the data we use to develop new models, and those who provide it need to be compensated for doing so. Inclusive data sets produce stronger models that promote more justifiable outcomes.

Want a model that doesn’t demean or patronize or objectify people with disabilities? Make sure that you include information about disabilities that is written by people who have a range of disabilities and that is well represented in the training data.

Want a model that doesn’t use ableist language? Before ableist language reaches readers, you might be able to use already-existing data sets to create a filter that can intercept and correct it. That being said, when it comes to sensitivity reading, AI models won’t be replacing human copy editors anytime soon.

Want a copilot for coding that provides recomprehensible recommendations after the jump? Train it on code that you know to be accessible.

I have no doubt that AI can and will harm people … today, tomorrow, and well into the future. But I also believe that we can acknowledge that and, with an eye towards accessibility ( and, more broadly, inclusion ), make thoughtful, considerate, and intentional changes in our approaches to AI that will reduce harm over time as well. Today, tomorrow, and well into the future.

Many thanks to Kartik Sawhney for helping me with the development of this piece, Ashley Bischoff for her invaluable editorial assistance, and, of course, Joe Dolson for the prompt.

I am a artistic. What I do is alchemy. It is a secret. I don’t perform it as much as I let it be done by me.

I am a artistic. Certainly all creative people approve of this brand. Not all people see themselves in this manner. Some innovative individuals incorporate technology into their work. That is their reality, and I respect it. Sometimes I even envy them, a minor. But my approach is different—my becoming is unique.

Apologizing and qualifying in progress is a diversion. That’s what my head does to destroy me. I put it off for the moment. I may regret and then qualify. After I’ve said what I originally said. Which is challenging enough.

Except when it is simple and flows like a beverage valley.

Sometimes it does. Maybe what I need to make arrives right away. I’ve learned to avoid saying it right away because people think you don’t work hard enough when you know it’s the best idea when you’re on the go and you know it’s the best idea.

Maybe I work and work and work until the thought strikes me. It occasionally arrives right away, but I don’t remind people for three weeks. Sometimes I blurt out the plan so quickly that I didn’t stop myself. like a child who discovered a medal in one of his Cracker Jacks. Maybe I get away with this. Maybe other people agree: yes, that is the best idea. Most times they don’t and I regret having given way to passion.

Passion should be saved for the meeting, where it will matter. not the informal gathering that two different gatherings precede that appointment. Anyone knows why we have all these discussions. We keep saying we’re getting rid of them, but we keep discovering new ways to get them. They occasionally also are good. Sometimes they detract from the real work, though. The percentages between when conferences are important, and when they are a sad distraction, vary, depending on what you do and where you do it. And who you are and how you go about doing it. Suddenly I digress. I am a artistic. That is the topic.

Often, a lot of hours of diligent and diligent work ends up with something that is barely useful. Maybe I have to take that and move on to the next task.

Don’t question about approach. I am a innovative.

I am a artistic. I don’t handle my goals. And I don’t handle my best tips.

I can nail aside, surround myself with information or photos, and maybe that works. I can go for a walk, and occasionally that functions. There is a Eureka, which has nothing to do with boiling pots and sizzling oil, and I may be making dinner. I frequently have a sense of direction when I awaken. The idea that may have saved me disappears almost as frequently as I become aware and a part of the world once more as a thoughtless wind of oblivion. For imagination, I believe, comes from that other planet. The one we enter in aspirations, and possibly, before conception and after death. But that’s for writers to know, and I am not a writer. I am a artistic. And it’s for philosophers to build massive forces in their imaginative world that they claim to be true. But that is another diversion. And one that is miserable. Whether or not I am innovative or not, this may be on a much larger issue. But this is still a departure from what I said when I came below.

Often the process is mitigation. And horror. You know the cliché about the abused designer? It’s true, even when the artist ( and let’s put that noun in quotes ) is trying to write a soft drink jingle, a callback in a tired sitcom, a budget request.

Some individuals who detest being called artistic perhaps been closeted artists, but that’s between them and their gods. No offence meant. Your wisdom is correct, too. My needs are own, though.

Creatives identify artists.

Disadvantages know cons, just like real rappers recognize true rappers, just like queers recognize queers. Creatives feel large regard for creatives. We love, respect, emulate, and nearly deify the excellent ones. To idolize any man is, of course, a dreadful mistake. We have been warned. We know much. We know people are really people. They dispute, they are depressed, they regret their most critical decisions, they are weak and thirsty, they can be cruel, they can be just as terrible as we can, if, like us, they are clay. But. But. However, they produce this incredible issue. They give birth to something that may not exist before them and couldn’t exist without. They are the inspirations of thought. And I suppose, since it’s only lying it, I have to put that they are the mother of technology. Ba ho backside! Okay, that’s done. Continue.

Creatives belittle our personal small successes, because we compare them to those of the wonderful people. Wonderful video! Also, I‘m no Miyazaki. Now THAT is brilliance. That is glory straight out of the Bible. This half-starved small item that I made? It essentially fell off the turnip trailer. And the carrots weren’t actually new.

Creatives knows that, at best, they are Salieri. That is what Mozart’s creatives do, also.

I am a innovative. I haven’t worked in advertising in 30 years, but in my hallucinations, it’s my former artistic managers who judge me. They are correct to do that. I am very lazy, overly simplistic, and when it actually counts, my mind goes blank. There is no supplement for artistic function.

I am a artistic. Every project I create has a goal that makes Indiana Jones appear to be a retiree snoring in a deck head. The more I pursue creativity, the faster I can finish my work, and the longer I brood and circle and gaze blankly before I can finish that work.

I can move ten times more quickly than those who aren’t creative, those who have simply been creative for a short while, and those who have just been creative for a short time in their careers. Only that I work twice as quickly as they do, putting the work away, just before I do it, When I put my mind to it, I am so confident in my ability to do a fantastic work. I am that attached to the excitement rush of delay. I’m also so scared of jumping.

I am not an actor.

I am a innovative. Not an actor. Though I dreamed, as a child, of eventually being that. Some of us criticize our abilities and fear our own accomplishments because we are not Michelangelos and Warhols. That is narcissism—but at least we aren’t in elections.

I am a artistic. Though I believe in reason and science, I decide by intelligence and desire. And sit with what follows—the calamities as well as the successes.

I am a innovative. Every term I’ve said these may offend another artists, who see things differently. Ask two artists a problem, get three ideas. Our debate, our enthusiasm about it, and our responsibility to our own reality are, at least to me, the facts that we are artists, no matter how we may think about it.

I am a innovative. I lament my lack of taste in almost all of the areas of human understanding, which I know very little about. And I trust my preference above all other items in the regions closest to my soul, or perhaps, more precisely, to my passions. Without my addictions, I’d probably have to spend the majority of our time looking ourselves in the eye, which is something that almost none of us can do for very long. No seriously. No really. Because many in existence, if you really look at it, is terrible.

I am a innovative. I believe, as a family believes, that when I am gone, some little good part of me will take on in the head of at least one other people.

Working frees me from worrying about my job.

I am a artistic. I fear that my little present will disappear without warning.

I am a innovative. I’m too busy making the next thing to devote too much time to it, especially since practically everything I create did achieve the level of success I conceive of.

I am a artistic. I think there is the greatest secret in the process. I think it is so important that I’m actually foolish enough to publish an essay I wrote into a little machine without having to go through or edit it. I didn’t do this generally, I promise. But I did it right away because I was even more frightened of forgetting what I was saying because I was afraid of you seeing through my sad movements toward the beautiful.

There. I think I’ve said it.

Humility, a writer’s necessary value—that has a good ring to it. What about sincerity, an business manager’s important value? Or a surgeon’s? Or a teacher’s? They all good wonderful. When humility is our guiding light, the course is usually available for fulfillment, development, relation, and commitment. In this book, we’re going to discuss about why.

That said, this is a guide for developers, and to that conclusion, I’d like to begin with a story—well, a voyage, actually. It’s a personal one, and I’m going to render myself a little prone along the way. I call it:

The Tale of Justin’s Preposterous Pate

When I was coming out of arts school, a long-haired, goateed novice, write was a known quantity to me, design on the web, however, was riddled with complexities to understand and learn, a problem to be solved. Though I had been fully trained in graphic design, font, and design, what fascinated me was how these classic skills may be applied to a budding online landscape. This style would eventually determine the direction of my job.

But I drained HTML and JavaScript novels into the wee hours of the morning and self-taught myself how to code during my freshman year rather than student and go into print like many of my companions. I needed to understand what my design choices would ultimately think when rendered in a website, which I did not want to do.

The later ‘ 90s and early 2000s were the so-called” Wild West” of web design. Developers at the time were all trying to figure out how to incorporate design and visual connection into the online landscape. What were the laws? How may we break them and also engage, entertain, and present information? At a more micro level, how was my values, inclusive of modesty, admiration, and link, coincide in combination with that? I was looking for information.

Those are classic factors between non-career relationships and the world of design, even though I’m talking about a different time. What are your main passions, or ideals, that elevate medium? The main themes are all the same, basically the same as what we previously discussed earlier on the immediate parallels between what fulfills you, independent of the visible or online domains.

First within tables, animated GIFs, Flash, then with Web Standards, divs, and CSS, there was personality, raw unbridled creativity, and unique means of presentment that often defied any semblance of a visible grid. Splash screens and “browser requirement” pages aplenty. Usability and accessibility were typically victims of such a creation, but such paramount facets of any digital design were largely (and, in hindsight, unfairly) disregarded at the expense of experimentation.

For example, this iteration of my personal portfolio site (” the pseudoroom” ) from that era was experimental, if not a bit heavy- handed, in the visual communication of the concept of a living sketchbook. Very skeuomorphic. On this one, we would first sketch and then pass a Photoshop file back and forth to trick things out and play with various user interactions. I co-founded the creative project organizing app Milanote and my dear friend, fellow designer Marc Clancy. Then, I’d break it down and code it into a digital layout.

Along with design folio pieces, the site also offered free downloads for Mac OS customizations: desktop wallpapers that were effectively design experimentation, custom-designed typefaces, and desktop icons.

From around the same time, GUI Galaxy was a design, pixel art, and Mac-centric news portal some graphic designer friends and I conceived, designed, developed, and deployed.

Design news portals were incredibly popular during this period, featuring ( what would now be considered ) Tweet-size, small-format snippets of pertinent news from the categories I previously mentioned. If you took Twitter, curated it to a few categories, and wrapped it in a custom-branded experience, you’d have a design news portal from the late 90s / early 2000s.

We as designers had evolved and created a bandwidth-sensitive, web standards award-winning, much more accessibility-conscious website. Still ripe with experimentation, yet more mindful of equitable engagement. You can see a couple of content panes here, noting general news (tech, design ) and Mac-centric news below. We also provided many of the custom downloads I previously mentioned as being accessible on my folio website but with a GUI Galaxy theme and branding.

The site’s backbone was a homegrown CMS, with the presentation layer consisting of global design + illustration + news author collaboration. And the collaboration effort here, in addition to experimentation on a’ brand’ and content delivery, was hitting my core. We were creating a global audience by creating something bigger than just one of us.

Collaboration and connection transcend media in their impact, which have been extremely satisfying for me as a designer.

Now, why am I taking you on this trip through design memory lane? Two reasons.

First, there’s a reason for the nostalgia for that design era ( the” Wild West” era, as I called it earlier ): the inherent exploration, personality, and creativity that saturated many design portals and personal portfolio sites. Ultra-finely detailed pixel art UI, custom illustration, bespoke vector graphics, all underpinned by a strong design community.

Today’s web design has been in a period of stagnation. There’s a good chance you’ve seen a website with a hero image, a banner with text overlays, perhaps with a lovely rotating carousel of images ( laying the snark on heavy there ), three columns of sub-content directly beneath, and three columns of sub-content, according to the theory. Perhaps there are selections that vaguely relate to their respective content in an icon library.

Design, as it’s applied to the digital landscape, is in dire need of thoughtful layout, typography, and visual engagement that goes hand-in-hand with all the modern considerations we now know are paramount: usability. Accessibility. Load times and bandwidth- sensitive content delivery. A user-friendly presentation that is relevant wherever they are. We must be mindful of, and respectful toward, those concerns—but not at the expense of creativity of visual communication or via replicating cookie-cutter layouts.

Pixel Problems

Websites built during this time were frequently built and built on Macs whose desktops and OSs looked something like this. This is Mac OS 7.5, but 8 and 9 weren’t that different.

Desktop icons fascinated me: how could any single one, at any given point, stand out to get my attention? In this example, the user’s desktop is tidy, but think of a more realistic example with icon pandemonium. Or, say an icon was part of a larger system grouping ( fonts, extensions, control panels ) —how did it also maintain cohesion amongst a group?

These were 32 x 32 pixel creations, utilizing a 256-color palette, designed pixel-by-pixel as mini mosaics. This, in my opinion, was the embodiment of digital visual communication under such absurd constraints. And frequently, ridiculous restrictions lead to concept and theme purification.

So I began to research and do my homework. I was a student of this new medium, hungry to dissect, process, discover, and make it my own.

Expanding upon the notion of exploration, I wanted to see how I could push the limits of a 32×32 pixel grid with that 256-color palette. These ridiculous requirements imposed a clarity of concept and presentation that I found to be incredibly appealing. I was thrust into the digital gauntlet because of it. And so, in my dorm room into the wee hours of the morning, I toiled away, bringing conceptual sketches into mini mosaic fruition.

These are some of my creations that made use of ResEdit, the only program I had at the time, to create icons. ResEdit was a clunky, built-in Mac OS utility that wasn’t really designed for what we were using it for. At the core of all of this work: Research. Challenge. Problem- solving. Again, these core connection-based values are agnostic of medium.

I want to talk about one more design portal, which serves as the second component of my story’s fusion.

This is K10k, short for Kaliber 1000. Michael Schmidt and Toke Nygaard founded K10k in 1998, which was the design news website during that time. With its pixel art-fueled presentation, ultra-focused care given to every facet and detail, and with many of the more influential designers of the time who were invited to be news authors on the site, well… it was the place to be, my friend. The idea for GUI Galaxy was inspired by what these people were doing, respect where respect is due.

For my part, I gained some notoriety in the design industry as a result of combining my web design work with my pixel art exploration. K10k eventually added me as one of their very select group of news writers to the website’s content.

Amongst my personal work and side projects —and now with this inclusion—in the design community, this put me on the map. My design work has also begun to appear on other design news portals, as well as in publications abroad and domestically as well as in various printed collections. With that degree of success while in my early twenties, something else happened:

I evolved—devolved, really—into a colossal asshole ( and in just about a year out of art school, no less ). What satisfied me was the praise and the press, which went on to completely alter my mind. They inflated my ego. I actually felt a little better than my fellow designers.

The casualties? My design stagnated. Its evolution—my evolution — stagnated.

I effectively stopped researching and discovering because I felt so incredibly confident in my abilities. When I used to lead sketch concepts or iterations as my first instinctive step, I instead leaped right into Photoshop. I got my inspiration from the tiniest of sources ( while wearing a blindfold ). My peers frequently vehemently disapproved of any criticism of my work. The most tragic loss: I had lost touch with my values.

My ego almost destroyed some of my friendships and blossoming professional relationships. I was toxic in talking about design and in collaboration. But thankfully, those same friends gave me a priceless gift: candor. They called me out on my unhealthy behavior.

It was a gift I initially did not accept but which I, on the whole, was able to reflect on in depth. I was soon able to accept, and process, and course correct. The realization laid me low, but the re-awakening was essential. I let go of the “reward” of admiration and focused instead on what ignited the fire in my art school. Most importantly: I got back to my core values.

Always Students

Following that short-term regression, I was able to push forward in my personal design and career. And I was able to reflect on myself as I grew to support further development and course correction as needed.

As an example, let’s talk about the Large Hadron Collider. The LHC was created” to assist in answering some of the fundamental open questions in physics, which concern the fundamental laws governing the interactions and forces between the elementary objects, the deep structure of space and time, and in particular the interrelation between general relativity and quantum mechanics.” Thanks, Wikipedia.

In one of my earlier professional roles, I created the interface for the application that produced the LHC’s particle collision diagrams about fifteen years ago. These diagrams are the depiction of what is actually happening inside the Collider during any given particle collision event and are frequently regarded as works of art by themselves.

I had a fascinating experience designing the interface for this application because I collaborated with Fermilab physicists to understand both what the application was trying to achieve and how the physicists themselves would be using it. To that end, in this role,

Working with the Fermilab team to make changes and tweak the interface, I gave in to the practice. To me, their language and the topics they discussed seemed to me to be foreign languages. And by making myself humble and operating under the impression that I was just a student, I made myself available to them in order to form that crucial bond.

I also had my first ethnographic observational experience, where I observed how the physicists used the tool in their own environments, on their own terminals. One takeaway was that the facility’s high level of ambient light-driven contrast ultimately led to the use of white text on a dark gray background rather than black text-on-white. This made it easier for them to pore over a lot of data during the day and lessen their strain on their eyes. Additionally, since Fermilab and CERN are government entities with strict accessibility requirements, my knowledge in that field also expanded. The barrier-free design was another essential form of connection.

So to those core drivers of my visual problem-solving soul and ultimate fulfillment: discovery, exposure to new media, observation, human connection, and evolution. Before I entered those values, I had to check my ego before entering it, which opened the door to those values.

An evergreen willingness to listen, learn, understand, grow, evolve, and connect yields our best work. In particular, I want to focus on the words’ grow’ and ‘ evolve’ in that statement. If we constantly practice our craft, we are also making ourselves more and more adaptable. Yes, we have years of practical design experience under our belt. or the intensive lab training offered at a UX bootcamp. Or the monogrammed portfolio of our creative work. Or, ultimately, decades of a career behind us.

But all that said: experience does not equal “expert”.

The designer we are is our final form when we close our minds with an inner monologue of “knowing it all” or branding ourselves a” #thoughtleader” on social media. There will never be a designer like us.

Low Budget, Big Impact: Crafting Video Ads with Humor written by Jarret Redding read more at Duct Tape Marketing

The Duct Tape Marketing Podcast with Emily McGregor In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I interviewed Emily McGregor, founder of Penguin Cat Creative, a copywriting agency specializing in high-converting marketing funnels and campaigns. With over 20 years of experience in video marketing, comedic content, and creative advertising, Emily has helped bestselling authors, […]

Low Budget, Big Impact: Crafting Video Ads with Humor written by Jarret Redding read more at Duct Tape Marketing

The Duct Tape Marketing Podcast with Emily McGregor

In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I interviewed Emily McGregor, founder of Penguin Cat Creative, a copywriting agency specializing in high-converting marketing funnels and campaigns. With over 20 years of experience in video marketing, comedic content, and creative advertising, Emily has helped bestselling authors, top influencers, and e-commerce brands craft compelling, humor-driven video ads that engage audiences and drive sales.

During our conversation, Emily shared powerful insights on how businesses—regardless of budget—can leverage humor in marketing to enhance customer engagement, build a strong brand voice, and create video ads that resonate. By tapping into emotional marketing, storytelling in marketing, and advertising psychology, brands can stand out in a crowded digital landscape.

Emily McGregor’s expertise in comedic advertising and creative video ads proves that humor, when done right, can be a game-changer in digital marketing strategies. Whether you’re working with a tight budget or looking to refresh your brand voice, leveraging humor can lead to more customer connection, higher social media engagement, and increased sales conversion.

Key Takeaways:

• Comedy is a powerful marketing tool – Humor in marketing creates instant emotional connections, increasing customer trust and engagement. It helps brands stand out while making complex topics more relatable.
• Know your audience deeply – Effective comedy in branding requires understanding your audience’s pain points, language, and humor style to craft content that truly resonates.
• Lean into constraints for creativity – Limited budgets shouldn’t be seen as obstacles; instead, they can inspire innovative, high-converting marketing strategies. Simple locations, clever concepts, and strong storytelling in marketing can outperform high-budget productions.
• Authenticity matters in video ads – Today’s consumers are drawn to real, engaging content. A well-crafted, humorous video marketing campaign builds customer connection and drives social media engagement.
• Storytelling drives success – The best video marketing isn’t just about jokes; it’s about weaving humor into compelling narratives that highlight brand voice and reinforce marketing funnels.
• Test, refine, and optimize – Creating impactful comedic content involves iteration. Even professional comedians tweak their jokes based on audience response—businesses should do the same with their marketing campaigns.

Chapters:

[00:09] Introducing Emily McGregor
[01:12] What is Comedic Content?
[02:32] Comedy Great for Customer Connections
[03:44] Is There a Formula to Funny?
[04:27] Comedy Communicates You Understand
[05:47] How Low Budget Ads Can Compete
[08:49] Developing a Brand Voice with Humor
[09:57] Which Industries Can Use Comedy?
[10:59] The Comedy Writing Process
[13:49] When Jokes Fall Flat
[14:25] Understanding Your Ideal Client
[15:47] What is the Place of Video in Marketing Channels?

More About Emily McGregor: 

• Check out Emily McGregor’s Website
• Connect with Emily McGregor on LinkedIn

It’s safe to say Ariana DeBose knows her way around the American theater. While the multi-hyphenated talent has been mostly focusing on movies as of late (after all, she won an Oscar for Steven Spielberg’s remake of West Side Story in 2022), DeBose’s career began and will forever be linked with the stage. Before film […]

The post Ariana DeBose Reveals One of Her Dream Broadway Roles appeared first on Den of Geek.

We’re not afraid to say that TV is looking pretty hot in 2025. Any lull we may have experienced in the aftermath of the WGA and SAG strikes of 2023 seems to be nonexistent, with many long-awaited shows set to debut and make their triumphant return this year.

The first few months of 2025 are starting off strong with shows like Severance and Invincible set to return, among others. The summer looks like it will be great for Marvel fans with the Ironheart miniseries finally set to premiere as well as the debut of the animated series Eyes of Wakanda. In addition, there are plenty of exciting “TBDs” projected to come out this year that we can’t wait to see. Now before we get too ahead of ourselves, let’s take a look at the TV shows you can’t miss in 2025!

JANUARY

Severance Season 2

January 17 on Apple TV+

Good things come to those who wait and in early 2025 a very good thing will arrive for those who have been patiently waiting for Severance season 2. This mind-bending Apple TV+ sci-fi/drama about a very literal split between work life and home life wrapped its first season all the way back in April 2022. Now, after some production and strike delays, the story of Mark S. (Adam Scott) and his band of Innies’ struggle against the enigmatic Lumon Industries is set to continue once again. There are a lot of questions to be answered about the show’s sprawling mythology early on. But hopefully the Macrodata Refinement team still finds the time for a dance party or two. – Alec Bojalad

The Night Agent Season 2

January 23 on Netflix

Easily one of Netflix’s most popular series of the last few years, The Night Agent returns for a second season not long after the new year begins. FBI agent Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso) is back, only this time he finds himself on the other end of the Night Action hotline. Instead of answering calls from agents in the field, he’s now one of them. Peter may have saved the president and stopped a terror attack from the inside, but does he have what it takes to be a secret agent full time? We may have to wait until January to find out, but we will absolutely be seated as the action unfolds. – Brynna Arens

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man

January 29 on Disney+

Originally thought to be the origin story of the MCU’s Spider-Man, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man instead takes place in a similar, but slightly different universe where Norman Osborn (voiced by the incredible Colman Domingo) becomes Peter Parker’s mentor instead of Tony Stark. Just like What If…?, this animated series is part of the MCU’s multiverse, and is set to feature appearances from a variety of other familiar characters. So far, the only actor set to reprise their role from the MCU is Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock/Daredevil, but that doesn’t mean that the show won’t have other surprises up its sleeve. Even though this series might not be connected to the sacred timeline of the MCU, it’s bound to be a fun watch for Spider-Man fans of all ages. – BA

FEBRUARY

Invincible Season 3

February 6 on Prime Video

It’s hard being a superhero and it’s even harder being a teenager. On Prime Video’s Invincible, poor Mark Grayson (Steven Yeun) has to be both. Mark a.k.a. Invincible has been put through the wringer through two seasons of this colorful adaptation of Robert Kirkman’s comic, enduring major daddy issues, gaining an unexpected alien brother, and receiving all manner of super-powered beatdowns. Following the multiverse hopping chaos of season 2, however, season 3 looks to be a time of transition and growth for our young supe. Hopefully Mark takes in a lesson or two because, if the length of the comic inspiration is any indication, he has a ways to go yet. – AB

Cobra Kai Season 6 – Part Three

February 13 on Netflix

Don’t let Karate Kid: Legends fool you. Before Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) returns to the big screen for the legacy sequel with Jackie Chan, we’ve got one more go-around with his old rival Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) and the Cobra Kai dojo. Technically, we’ve already seen the first two parts of season six, as Netflix is dropping it in five-episode chunks. The last five episodes all hit streaming on February 13, including a finale written by creators Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg. Then again, Cobra Kai‘s faced down cancelation before and continues to find a way to come back and strike first, strike hard, with no mercy. – Joe George

Yellowjackets Season 3

February 14 on Showtime

Showtime’s buzziest show returns for a third season this year, and boy are we excited. Yellowjackets follows the journey of young plane crash survivors as they contend with the trauma of their experience, both in 1996 when the crash occurred and in the present as they try to live their adult lives. Whether driven by a supernatural force we’ve yet to fully witness, or these women are simply unable to process the sheer trauma of what they went through to survive, the wilderness comes to collect, one way or another. Last season saw these survivors, both past and present, give in to the will of the wilderness through cannibalism, ritualistic killing, and crowning the first Antler Queen, so there’s no telling what they may be driven to this season in the name of survival. – BA 

The White Lotus Season 3

February 16 on HBO and Max

With a cast that includes Walton Goggins, Carrie Coon, Parker Posey, and the return of Natasha Rothwell as Belinda, season 3 of The White Lotus is already off to a strong start. This season is set to take us to the Thailand branch of this wealthy hotel resort chain – while the location may be gorgeous, if the last two seasons of this show have taught us anything, this vacation will be anything but idyllic. Relationships and family bonds will likely be put to the test, and there’s a pretty decent chance at least one body will be found before the season is done. – BA

Reacher Season 3

February 20 on Prime Video

The hulking former military policeman Jack Reacher drifts back onto tv screens soon for a third season. This season adapts the seventh Lee Childs novel Persuader, which sees Alan Ritchson’s Reacher investigate the disappearance of a DEA agent. Although Ritchson will be joined by Maria Sten as veteran Frances Neagley, who will be getting her own spin-off series, Reacher‘s third season mostly consists of a totally new cast, including Anthony Michael Hall as a sneaky businessman and Brian Tee as figure from Reacher’s past. – JG

1923 Season 2

February 23 on Paramount+

Yellowstone continues to keep Paramount+ afloat with another continuiation. 1923 tells the early history of the Dutton family ranch, veering away from the increasingly crazy soap opera of Yellowstone for more historical drama. Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren return for the second season as Jacob and Cara Dutton, along with Brandon Sklenar and James Badge Dale as their nephews Spencer and John Sr. The eight episode second season will force the Duttons to deal with the difficulties of winter while Spencer tries to make his way back to the ranch. – JG

Suits LA

February 23 on NBC

Having finally saved Star City on Arrow, Stephen Amell’s ready to move to another town full of worse evildoers. As its title suggests, Suits LA hopes to replicate the legal drama that made Suits a hit, one that ran for nine seasons and continues to be a favorite on streaming services. The new series stars Amell as the arrogant Ted Black, who launches his own firm, specializing in entertainment law. He’ll be joined by Josh McDermitt as Black’s partner Stuart Lane and Lex Scott Davis as up-and-comer Erica Rollins. No word yet about cast members from the original series dropping by. – JG

MARCH

Daredevil: Born Again

March 4 on Disney+

After a soft launch into the MCU proper through Spider-Man: No Way Home, She-Hulk, and Echo, Charlie Cox is officially back as Daredevil in his own show set to premiere on Disney+ this March. With Vincent D’Onofrio, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Hensen, Jon Bernthal, and Wilson Bethel also set to reprise their roles from the Netflix Daredevil series, Daredevil: Born Again is poised to pick up not too far from where we last left Hell’s Kitchen, and it will be interesting to see how their stories weave further into the MCU. Fingers crossed we get at least one kickass hallway fight this season. – BA

The Righteous Gemstones Season 4

March 9 on Max

Praise the Lord, God’s most humble servants are back for a fourth season. And a good thing too, because Danny McBride’s satire The Righteous Gemstones could not come at a better time, helping us laugh through our tears. McBride has said that season four will be the final outing for the Gemstone family, which puts all the more pressure on this new entry. Regular family members Jesse (McBride), Kelvin (Adam DeVine), and Judy (Edi Patterson) return, along with brother-in-law Baby Billy Freeman (Walton Goggins). Joining the cast four season four is Megan Mullally as a former writing partner of Baby Billy’s deceased wife Aimee-Leigh (Jennifer Nettles), sure to bring more dark secrets for which the Gemstones should ask forgiveness, but probably won’t. – JG

The Wheel of Time Season 3

March 13 on Prime Video

Despite griping by fans of the Robert Jordan novels, the wheel of time rolls on, with a third season arriving soon on Prime Video. The Wheel of Time stars Rosamund Pike as Aes Sedai sorceress Moiraine who cares for a group of children, a job complicated by the fact young Rand (Josha Stradowski) is the Dragon Reborn. Season 3 will pick up from the previous season’s finale, in which Rand defeats a powerful associate of the Dark One. Despite the victory, Rand’s acheivement poses new challenges, making Moiraine’s job so much more difficult. – JG

The Studio

March 26 on Apple TV+

Comedy mastermind Seth Rogen has already made a home at Apple TV+ thanks to breezy friendship comedy Platonic, in which he co-stars alongside Rose Byrne. For his next Apple project, however, Rogen is thinking a little bigger. Created by Rogen and his longtime writing partner Evan Goldberg, The Studio casts Rogen as the newly-appointed head of Continental Studios who has to balance the creative needs of his artists with the dismal realities of his business. Who better to step into this role than one of the 21st century’s most prolific actor/writer/producer/stoners? – AB

APRIL

The Last of Us Season 2

April 2025 on HBO and Max

The first season of The Last of Us was a near perfect season of TV and an impeccable video game adaptation, and luckily there’s even more of this drama coming to our screens in 2025. After adapting the first game and its DLC from start to finish, The Last of Us is moving on to the second game in the series. As fans of the games know, this next chapter is even more emotionally devastating than the last (in the best possible way), and we can’t wait to see how the show translates this story and balances the game’s two protagonists, Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Abby (Kaitlyn Dever), as their journey intertwines and they both discover what it means to deal with love and loss during the apocalypse. Humanity may have fallen victim to a fungal parasite that turns people into zombies, but the real danger to our survival might just be each other and how far we’re willing to go for the ones we love. – BA

Devil May Cry

April 3 on Netflix

Following in the footsteps of Castlevania and Arcane, Netflix hopes to have another hit with an animated adaptation of a popular video game series. Like those shows, Devil May Cry comes with well-established lore and tone. Unlike those shows, however, Devil May Cry‘s lore and tone is incredibly weird. Early looks, including an opening scene set to Limp Bizkit, suggests that Netflix knows what it’s doing with demon hunter Dante, voiced by Johnny Yong Bosch. – JG

Andor Season 2

April 22 on Disney+

The return of Andor could honestly not come at a better time than spring 2025. A show about finding hope and the will to fight against oppression and the systems that support it is needed now more than ever. When the odds are stacked against us, will we have the same courage as Cassian, or even Kino Loy? As the rebellion continues to build against the Empire in Andor, it’s up to the people to fight for the future they want to see, even if they may not live to see it. This season is set to bridge the gap between the Cassian we saw last season and the Cassian we meet in Rogue One, and I cannot wait to see what this season has in store. – BA

You Season 5

April 24 on Netflix

Joe Goldberg is back on the loose. The serial killer who uses his bookish exterior to hide his murderous true self returns for the fifth season of You. Penn Badgley steps back into the role, bringing to life the character from the novels by Caroline Kepnes. This time, Joe comes to New York hoping to put his ways behind him and just live a quiet life as a bookseller with his girlfriend Katherine (Charlotte Ritchie), head of the Lockwood Corporation. But when twins Raegan and Maddie Lockwood (both played by Anna Camp) makes a play for Katherine’s position, Joe finds the urge rising up again. – JG

JUNE

Ironheart

June 24 on Disney+

Riri Williams (Dominque Thorne) had a somewhat traumatic introduction into the MCU in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. She was forced into hiding, kidnapped by Namor (Tenoch Huerta), and had her warehouse stormed by the feds. However, she also proved herself as a highly intelligent scientist and a capable hero. In her own series, Ironheart, it seems like we’ll get to see Riri both as a student at MIT and in her hometown of Chicago as she works to recreate “the most advanced suit of armor since Iron Man,” according to Marvel. This show has been moved around Marvel’s schedule so much the last few years, I’m just glad Marvel didn’t decide to give it the Batgirl treatment. Riri deserves her chance in the spotlight, and it will be exciting to watch her adventures unfold in Ironheart. – BA

Squid Game Season 3

June 27 on Netflix

Gi-hun has reached the final round. The conclusion of Squid Game will see our beloved tortured protagonist still reeling from the fallout of losing his best friend and the Front Man’s machinations. But he’s also as determined as ever to end the game once and for all. Can he survive the deadly competition all the way to the end once again? The odds are certainly stacked against him like never before… – John Saavedra

JULY

Sakamoto Days Season 1 Part 2

July 2025 on Netflix

Netflix’s excellent adaptation of the hit manga is back for the second part of its first season. Elderly shopkeeper Taro Sakamoto has a peaceful family life but he’s also hiding a secret: he was once the ultimate assassin. When a new criminal threat arrives to disturb his quiet town, Sakamoto decides to spring into action, and as the bad guys quickly find out, he’s lost none of his killer touch. – JS

AUGUST

Eyes of Wakanda

August 6 on Disney+

Even following the tragic loss of Chadwick Boseman as Black Panther, his character’s home nation of Wakanda remains one of Marvel’s richest assets – both literally and figuratively. Wakanda is home to as many potential stories as its people and with the upcoming Disney+ effort, Eyes of Wakanda, the massive comic book media franchise is going to let some of those stories be told. Little was known about this project initially but the latest synopses that promise history-spanning tales of vibranium artifact reclamations sound quite intriguing. – AB

DECEMBER

Wonder Man

December 2025 on Disney+

Every now and then, Marvel likes to get a little goofy with it. If the early looks are any indication, Disney+ series Wonder Man might be the goofiest MCU effort in some time. Comic book movie regular Yahya Abdul-Mateen II stars, not as Wonder Man, but as Simon Williams, a superpowered actor who is trying out for the role of Wonder Man. Helping him in this task will be Ben Kingsley returning as Marvel’s court jester Trevor Slattery. Beyond that, little else is known about this Destin Daniel Cretton and Andrew Guest-created series. But that logline alone makes it one of our most anticipated Marvel titles of the year. – AB

TBD 2025

Black Mirror Season 7

TBD on Netflix

These days, it feels more and more like we’re actually living in the nightmarish techno dystopia reality of hit anthology series Black Mirror, but that’s not stopping Netflix and creator Charlie Brooker from serving up even more tales of technology gone terribly wrong. This six-episode season will even feature a sequel to the Star Trek spoof story “USS Callister.” – JS

The Diplomat Season 3

TBD on Netflix

An international crisis will make for perfect drama when the hit political thriller returns this year. But can protagonist Kate Wyler wade the waters of a hectic position while also navigating her marriage? We can’t wait to find out. – JS

The Handmaid’s Tale Season 6

TBD on Hulu

The sixth and final season of The Handmaid’s Tale is set to come to Hulu in 2025, and there’s no doubt that this gripping drama will go out swinging. This dystopian series based on Margaret Atwood’s novel of the same name has become almost synonymous with the policies of a certain American administration, so it seems only fitting that the series is set to end as the same administration regains power. The Handmaid’s Tale is as compelling as it is terrifying at times as we’ve gone on this journey with these characters. With everything they’ve gone through, it’s hard to imagine a world where June, Luke, Nichole, and Hannah can have their happy ending together, away from the oppression of Gilead and it’s sympathizers, but we’ll just have to wait and see what the series has in store for its final chapter. – BA 

It: Welcome to Derry

TBD on HBO

Perhaps you’ve heard, but horror icon Stephen King tends to write fairly long books. One of his longest (and arguably one of his best) novels, It, was so epic it had to be adapted into two films: 2017’s It and 2019’s It: Chapter Two. Even then, however, filmmakers Andy and Bárbara Muschietti had to leave many vignettes from the story on the cutting room floor. Thankfully, Warner Bros. Discovery has a network (HBO) and a streaming service (Max) for that. With It: Welcome to Derry, the Muschiettis return alongside Jason Fuchs to fill in the missing gaps of Derry, Maine history and Pennywise’s (Bill Skarsgård) longtime torment of its citizens. – AB

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Summer 2025 on HBO

The first two seasons of Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon have confirmed what A Song of Ice and Fire fans have long expected. The fantasy world of Westeros just works better when George R.R. Martin has already laid down a roadmap for the stories told in it. Thankfully, HBO seems to have come to that realization as well and for Thrones’ second-ever spinoff they are once again turning to Martin’s source material from a collection of novellas known as Tales of Dunk and Egg. Set after Dragon but well before Thrones, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is set to bring a more playful and energetic (yet still plenty bloody) vibe to the franchise. – AB

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy

TBD on Paramount+

Since they first began with Star Trek: Discovery in 2017, CBS’ Star Trek streaming efforts under czar Alex Kurtzman have been hit or miss. Some titles (Strange New Worlds) have been massive creative successes while others (the aforementioned Discovery) have been kind of all over the place. Regardless of their relative quality, however, each new spinoff has something special that other TV shows just don’t have: the awe-inspiring sci-fi continuity of one of television’s best-ever franchises. The latest attempt to put that continuity to good use will come with Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Set in the 32nd century, the Paramount+ series will follow the first new class of Starfleet cadets in over a century as they train to be officers. After all, today’s Starfleet cadet is tomorrow’s Jean-Luc Picard. – AB

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3

TBD on Paramount+

The best Trek series to hit streaming since the franchise made its long-awaited return to television is of course coming back for a third season (and a fourth, too). Season 3 will undoubtedly kick off with a resolution to last season’s big cliffhanger, as Captain Pike must decide whether to rescue those taken hostage by the Gorn in the finale or to retreat and save as many lives on the Enterprise as possible. But this is Strange New Worlds, which means it won’t all be serious decisions. Expect many of the lighter shenanigans that make this show such a treat, including the crew turning themselves into Vulcans for a day! – JS

Alien: Earth

TBD on FX

Fans of the Alien franchise who are unfamiliar with TV auteur Noah Hawley’s game are about to be in for a real treat with Alien: Earth, the long-running sci-fi franchise’s first proper TV effort. Set two years before the events of Alien (1979), this show will deal with a discovery from the heavens that will change humanity and Earth forever. Just what will this series be like? Due to Hawley’s eclectic filmography and style, it’s nigh impossible to say. But if it’s anything like fellow movie adaptation Fargo or comic book headscratcher Legion, then it should be a hell of a fun ride. – AB

Stranger Things Season 5

TBD on Netflix

It’s been three years since we last checked in on the kids of Hawkins, Illinois as creators the Duffer Brothers craft the final season of their mega-hit Stranger Things. Season five will finally see Eleven (Millie Bobbie Brown) and her pals Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), and Will (Noah Schnapp) take on Vecna once and for all. Between these massive stakes and the weight of expectation, it’s no wonder that the Duffer Brothers have taken their time putting together the last eight episodes, each of which reportedly have the length and scope of a feature film. Will the series close out on a high note? Or will it leave them huddled in a corner and listening to Kate Bush? We’ll finally find out this year… at some point. – JG

Wednesday Season 2

TBD on Netflix

The viral hit—thanks in part to a dance number that became the toast of social media—starring the incredibly talented Jenna Ortega is finally back after three years for another scare. More mysteries, creepy frights, and Wednesday Addams’ incredibly dry humor are on the syllabus for a long-awaited second year at Nevermore Academy. – JS

The Witcher Season 4

TBD on Netflix

Geralt of Rivia is back this year to save a Continent in crisis, but it won’t be Henry Cavill in the wig this time. Taking over the main role is Liam Hemsworth, but he’ll still be accompanied by Anya Chalotra’s Yennefer and Freya Allan’s Ciri. The penultimate season will begin Netflix’s adaptation of Andrzej Sapkowski’s final three Witcher books: Baptism of Fire, The Tower of the Swallow, and Lady of the Lake. – JS

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In writer/director Drew Hancock’s new film Companion, Sophie Thatcher plays Iris, a young woman who seems almost obsessively devoted to being a perfect mate to her new boyfriend Josh (Jack Quaid). He’s everything she wants, and it’s not long before we find out why: Iris is a highly advanced robot, manufactured and programmed to Josh’s […]

The post Why The Stepford Wives Is So Chillingly Relevant Today appeared first on Den of Geek.

We’re not afraid to say that TV is looking pretty hot in 2025. Any lull we may have experienced in the aftermath of the WGA and SAG strikes of 2023 seems to be nonexistent, with many long-awaited shows set to debut and make their triumphant return this year.

The first few months of 2025 are starting off strong with shows like Severance and Invincible set to return, among others. The summer looks like it will be great for Marvel fans with the Ironheart miniseries finally set to premiere as well as the debut of the animated series Eyes of Wakanda. In addition, there are plenty of exciting “TBDs” projected to come out this year that we can’t wait to see. Now before we get too ahead of ourselves, let’s take a look at the TV shows you can’t miss in 2025!

JANUARY

Severance Season 2

January 17 on Apple TV+

Good things come to those who wait and in early 2025 a very good thing will arrive for those who have been patiently waiting for Severance season 2. This mind-bending Apple TV+ sci-fi/drama about a very literal split between work life and home life wrapped its first season all the way back in April 2022. Now, after some production and strike delays, the story of Mark S. (Adam Scott) and his band of Innies’ struggle against the enigmatic Lumon Industries is set to continue once again. There are a lot of questions to be answered about the show’s sprawling mythology early on. But hopefully the Macrodata Refinement team still finds the time for a dance party or two. – Alec Bojalad

The Night Agent Season 2

January 23 on Netflix

Easily one of Netflix’s most popular series of the last few years, The Night Agent returns for a second season not long after the new year begins. FBI agent Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso) is back, only this time he finds himself on the other end of the Night Action hotline. Instead of answering calls from agents in the field, he’s now one of them. Peter may have saved the president and stopped a terror attack from the inside, but does he have what it takes to be a secret agent full time? We may have to wait until January to find out, but we will absolutely be seated as the action unfolds. – Brynna Arens

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man

January 29 on Disney+

Originally thought to be the origin story of the MCU’s Spider-Man, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man instead takes place in a similar, but slightly different universe where Norman Osborn (voiced by the incredible Colman Domingo) becomes Peter Parker’s mentor instead of Tony Stark. Just like What If…?, this animated series is part of the MCU’s multiverse, and is set to feature appearances from a variety of other familiar characters. So far, the only actor set to reprise their role from the MCU is Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock/Daredevil, but that doesn’t mean that the show won’t have other surprises up its sleeve. Even though this series might not be connected to the sacred timeline of the MCU, it’s bound to be a fun watch for Spider-Man fans of all ages. – BA

FEBRUARY

Invincible Season 3

February 6 on Prime Video

It’s hard being a superhero and it’s even harder being a teenager. On Prime Video’s Invincible, poor Mark Grayson (Steven Yeun) has to be both. Mark a.k.a. Invincible has been put through the wringer through two seasons of this colorful adaptation of Robert Kirkman’s comic, enduring major daddy issues, gaining an unexpected alien brother, and receiving all manner of super-powered beatdowns. Following the multiverse hopping chaos of season 2, however, season 3 looks to be a time of transition and growth for our young supe. Hopefully Mark takes in a lesson or two because, if the length of the comic inspiration is any indication, he has a ways to go yet. – AB

Cobra Kai Season 6 – Part Three

February 13 on Netflix

Don’t let Karate Kid: Legends fool you. Before Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) returns to the big screen for the legacy sequel with Jackie Chan, we’ve got one more go-around with his old rival Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) and the Cobra Kai dojo. Technically, we’ve already seen the first two parts of season six, as Netflix is dropping it in five-episode chunks. The last five episodes all hit streaming on February 13, including a finale written by creators Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg. Then again, Cobra Kai‘s faced down cancelation before and continues to find a way to come back and strike first, strike hard, with no mercy. – Joe George

Yellowjackets Season 3

February 14 on Showtime

Showtime’s buzziest show returns for a third season this year, and boy are we excited. Yellowjackets follows the journey of young plane crash survivors as they contend with the trauma of their experience, both in 1996 when the crash occurred and in the present as they try to live their adult lives. Whether driven by a supernatural force we’ve yet to fully witness, or these women are simply unable to process the sheer trauma of what they went through to survive, the wilderness comes to collect, one way or another. Last season saw these survivors, both past and present, give in to the will of the wilderness through cannibalism, ritualistic killing, and crowning the first Antler Queen, so there’s no telling what they may be driven to this season in the name of survival. – BA 

The White Lotus Season 3

February 16 on HBO and Max

With a cast that includes Walton Goggins, Carrie Coon, Parker Posey, and the return of Natasha Rothwell as Belinda, season 3 of The White Lotus is already off to a strong start. This season is set to take us to the Thailand branch of this wealthy hotel resort chain – while the location may be gorgeous, if the last two seasons of this show have taught us anything, this vacation will be anything but idyllic. Relationships and family bonds will likely be put to the test, and there’s a pretty decent chance at least one body will be found before the season is done. – BA

Reacher Season 3

February 20 on Prime Video

The hulking former military policeman Jack Reacher drifts back onto tv screens soon for a third season. This season adapts the seventh Lee Childs novel Persuader, which sees Alan Ritchson’s Reacher investigate the disappearance of a DEA agent. Although Ritchson will be joined by Maria Sten as veteran Frances Neagley, who will be getting her own spin-off series, Reacher‘s third season mostly consists of a totally new cast, including Anthony Michael Hall as a sneaky businessman and Brian Tee as figure from Reacher’s past. – JG

1923 Season 2

February 23 on Paramount+

Yellowstone continues to keep Paramount+ afloat with another continuiation. 1923 tells the early history of the Dutton family ranch, veering away from the increasingly crazy soap opera of Yellowstone for more historical drama. Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren return for the second season as Jacob and Cara Dutton, along with Brandon Sklenar and James Badge Dale as their nephews Spencer and John Sr. The eight episode second season will force the Duttons to deal with the difficulties of winter while Spencer tries to make his way back to the ranch. – JG

Suits LA

February 23 on NBC

Having finally saved Star City on Arrow, Stephen Amell’s ready to move to another town full of worse evildoers. As its title suggests, Suits LA hopes to replicate the legal drama that made Suits a hit, one that ran for nine seasons and continues to be a favorite on streaming services. The new series stars Amell as the arrogant Ted Black, who launches his own firm, specializing in entertainment law. He’ll be joined by Josh McDermitt as Black’s partner Stuart Lane and Lex Scott Davis as up-and-comer Erica Rollins. No word yet about cast members from the original series dropping by. – JG

MARCH

Daredevil: Born Again

March 4 on Disney+

After a soft launch into the MCU proper through Spider-Man: No Way Home, She-Hulk, and Echo, Charlie Cox is officially back as Daredevil in his own show set to premiere on Disney+ this March. With Vincent D’Onofrio, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Hensen, Jon Bernthal, and Wilson Bethel also set to reprise their roles from the Netflix Daredevil series, Daredevil: Born Again is poised to pick up not too far from where we last left Hell’s Kitchen, and it will be interesting to see how their stories weave further into the MCU. Fingers crossed we get at least one kickass hallway fight this season. – BA

The Righteous Gemstones Season 4

March 9 on Max

Praise the Lord, God’s most humble servants are back for a fourth season. And a good thing too, because Danny McBride’s satire The Righteous Gemstones could not come at a better time, helping us laugh through our tears. McBride has said that season four will be the final outing for the Gemstone family, which puts all the more pressure on this new entry. Regular family members Jesse (McBride), Kelvin (Adam DeVine), and Judy (Edi Patterson) return, along with brother-in-law Baby Billy Freeman (Walton Goggins). Joining the cast four season four is Megan Mullally as a former writing partner of Baby Billy’s deceased wife Aimee-Leigh (Jennifer Nettles), sure to bring more dark secrets for which the Gemstones should ask forgiveness, but probably won’t. – JG

The Wheel of Time Season 3

March 13 on Prime Video

Despite griping by fans of the Robert Jordan novels, the wheel of time rolls on, with a third season arriving soon on Prime Video. The Wheel of Time stars Rosamund Pike as Aes Sedai sorceress Moiraine who cares for a group of children, a job complicated by the fact young Rand (Josha Stradowski) is the Dragon Reborn. Season 3 will pick up from the previous season’s finale, in which Rand defeats a powerful associate of the Dark One. Despite the victory, Rand’s acheivement poses new challenges, making Moiraine’s job so much more difficult. – JG

The Studio

March 26 on Apple TV+

Comedy mastermind Seth Rogen has already made a home at Apple TV+ thanks to breezy friendship comedy Platonic, in which he co-stars alongside Rose Byrne. For his next Apple project, however, Rogen is thinking a little bigger. Created by Rogen and his longtime writing partner Evan Goldberg, The Studio casts Rogen as the newly-appointed head of Continental Studios who has to balance the creative needs of his artists with the dismal realities of his business. Who better to step into this role than one of the 21st century’s most prolific actor/writer/producer/stoners? – AB

APRIL

The Last of Us Season 2

April 2025 on HBO and Max

The first season of The Last of Us was a near perfect season of TV and an impeccable video game adaptation, and luckily there’s even more of this drama coming to our screens in 2025. After adapting the first game and its DLC from start to finish, The Last of Us is moving on to the second game in the series. As fans of the games know, this next chapter is even more emotionally devastating than the last (in the best possible way), and we can’t wait to see how the show translates this story and balances the game’s two protagonists, Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Abby (Kaitlyn Dever), as their journey intertwines and they both discover what it means to deal with love and loss during the apocalypse. Humanity may have fallen victim to a fungal parasite that turns people into zombies, but the real danger to our survival might just be each other and how far we’re willing to go for the ones we love. – BA

Devil May Cry

April 3 on Netflix

Following in the footsteps of Castlevania and Arcane, Netflix hopes to have another hit with an animated adaptation of a popular video game series. Like those shows, Devil May Cry comes with well-established lore and tone. Unlike those shows, however, Devil May Cry‘s lore and tone is incredibly weird. Early looks, including an opening scene set to Limp Bizkit, suggests that Netflix knows what it’s doing with demon hunter Dante, voiced by Johnny Yong Bosch. – JG

Andor Season 2

April 22 on Disney+

The return of Andor could honestly not come at a better time than spring 2025. A show about finding hope and the will to fight against oppression and the systems that support it is needed now more than ever. When the odds are stacked against us, will we have the same courage as Cassian, or even Kino Loy? As the rebellion continues to build against the Empire in Andor, it’s up to the people to fight for the future they want to see, even if they may not live to see it. This season is set to bridge the gap between the Cassian we saw last season and the Cassian we meet in Rogue One, and I cannot wait to see what this season has in store. – BA

You Season 5

April 24 on Netflix

Joe Goldberg is back on the loose. The serial killer who uses his bookish exterior to hide his murderous true self returns for the fifth season of You. Penn Badgley steps back into the role, bringing to life the character from the novels by Caroline Kepnes. This time, Joe comes to New York hoping to put his ways behind him and just live a quiet life as a bookseller with his girlfriend Katherine (Charlotte Ritchie), head of the Lockwood Corporation. But when twins Raegan and Maddie Lockwood (both played by Anna Camp) makes a play for Katherine’s position, Joe finds the urge rising up again. – JG

JUNE

Ironheart

June 24 on Disney+

Riri Williams (Dominque Thorne) had a somewhat traumatic introduction into the MCU in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. She was forced into hiding, kidnapped by Namor (Tenoch Huerta), and had her warehouse stormed by the feds. However, she also proved herself as a highly intelligent scientist and a capable hero. In her own series, Ironheart, it seems like we’ll get to see Riri both as a student at MIT and in her hometown of Chicago as she works to recreate “the most advanced suit of armor since Iron Man,” according to Marvel. This show has been moved around Marvel’s schedule so much the last few years, I’m just glad Marvel didn’t decide to give it the Batgirl treatment. Riri deserves her chance in the spotlight, and it will be exciting to watch her adventures unfold in Ironheart. – BA

Squid Game Season 3

June 27 on Netflix

Gi-hun has reached the final round. The conclusion of Squid Game will see our beloved tortured protagonist still reeling from the fallout of losing his best friend and the Front Man’s machinations. But he’s also as determined as ever to end the game once and for all. Can he survive the deadly competition all the way to the end once again? The odds are certainly stacked against him like never before… – John Saavedra

JULY

Sakamoto Days Season 1 Part 2

July 2025 on Netflix

Netflix’s excellent adaptation of the hit manga is back for the second part of its first season. Elderly shopkeeper Taro Sakamoto has a peaceful family life but he’s also hiding a secret: he was once the ultimate assassin. When a new criminal threat arrives to disturb his quiet town, Sakamoto decides to spring into action, and as the bad guys quickly find out, he’s lost none of his killer touch. – JS

AUGUST

Eyes of Wakanda

August 6 on Disney+

Even following the tragic loss of Chadwick Boseman as Black Panther, his character’s home nation of Wakanda remains one of Marvel’s richest assets – both literally and figuratively. Wakanda is home to as many potential stories as its people and with the upcoming Disney+ effort, Eyes of Wakanda, the massive comic book media franchise is going to let some of those stories be told. Little was known about this project initially but the latest synopses that promise history-spanning tales of vibranium artifact reclamations sound quite intriguing. – AB

DECEMBER

Wonder Man

December 2025 on Disney+

Every now and then, Marvel likes to get a little goofy with it. If the early looks are any indication, Disney+ series Wonder Man might be the goofiest MCU effort in some time. Comic book movie regular Yahya Abdul-Mateen II stars, not as Wonder Man, but as Simon Williams, a superpowered actor who is trying out for the role of Wonder Man. Helping him in this task will be Ben Kingsley returning as Marvel’s court jester Trevor Slattery. Beyond that, little else is known about this Destin Daniel Cretton and Andrew Guest-created series. But that logline alone makes it one of our most anticipated Marvel titles of the year. – AB

TBD 2025

Black Mirror Season 7

TBD on Netflix

These days, it feels more and more like we’re actually living in the nightmarish techno dystopia reality of hit anthology series Black Mirror, but that’s not stopping Netflix and creator Charlie Brooker from serving up even more tales of technology gone terribly wrong. This six-episode season will even feature a sequel to the Star Trek spoof story “USS Callister.” – JS

The Diplomat Season 3

TBD on Netflix

An international crisis will make for perfect drama when the hit political thriller returns this year. But can protagonist Kate Wyler wade the waters of a hectic position while also navigating her marriage? We can’t wait to find out. – JS

The Handmaid’s Tale Season 6

TBD on Hulu

The sixth and final season of The Handmaid’s Tale is set to come to Hulu in 2025, and there’s no doubt that this gripping drama will go out swinging. This dystopian series based on Margaret Atwood’s novel of the same name has become almost synonymous with the policies of a certain American administration, so it seems only fitting that the series is set to end as the same administration regains power. The Handmaid’s Tale is as compelling as it is terrifying at times as we’ve gone on this journey with these characters. With everything they’ve gone through, it’s hard to imagine a world where June, Luke, Nichole, and Hannah can have their happy ending together, away from the oppression of Gilead and it’s sympathizers, but we’ll just have to wait and see what the series has in store for its final chapter. – BA 

It: Welcome to Derry

TBD on HBO

Perhaps you’ve heard, but horror icon Stephen King tends to write fairly long books. One of his longest (and arguably one of his best) novels, It, was so epic it had to be adapted into two films: 2017’s It and 2019’s It: Chapter Two. Even then, however, filmmakers Andy and Bárbara Muschietti had to leave many vignettes from the story on the cutting room floor. Thankfully, Warner Bros. Discovery has a network (HBO) and a streaming service (Max) for that. With It: Welcome to Derry, the Muschiettis return alongside Jason Fuchs to fill in the missing gaps of Derry, Maine history and Pennywise’s (Bill Skarsgård) longtime torment of its citizens. – AB

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Summer 2025 on HBO

The first two seasons of Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon have confirmed what A Song of Ice and Fire fans have long expected. The fantasy world of Westeros just works better when George R.R. Martin has already laid down a roadmap for the stories told in it. Thankfully, HBO seems to have come to that realization as well and for Thrones’ second-ever spinoff they are once again turning to Martin’s source material from a collection of novellas known as Tales of Dunk and Egg. Set after Dragon but well before Thrones, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is set to bring a more playful and energetic (yet still plenty bloody) vibe to the franchise. – AB

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy

TBD on Paramount+

Since they first began with Star Trek: Discovery in 2017, CBS’ Star Trek streaming efforts under czar Alex Kurtzman have been hit or miss. Some titles (Strange New Worlds) have been massive creative successes while others (the aforementioned Discovery) have been kind of all over the place. Regardless of their relative quality, however, each new spinoff has something special that other TV shows just don’t have: the awe-inspiring sci-fi continuity of one of television’s best-ever franchises. The latest attempt to put that continuity to good use will come with Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Set in the 32nd century, the Paramount+ series will follow the first new class of Starfleet cadets in over a century as they train to be officers. After all, today’s Starfleet cadet is tomorrow’s Jean-Luc Picard. – AB

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3

TBD on Paramount+

The best Trek series to hit streaming since the franchise made its long-awaited return to television is of course coming back for a third season (and a fourth, too). Season 3 will undoubtedly kick off with a resolution to last season’s big cliffhanger, as Captain Pike must decide whether to rescue those taken hostage by the Gorn in the finale or to retreat and save as many lives on the Enterprise as possible. But this is Strange New Worlds, which means it won’t all be serious decisions. Expect many of the lighter shenanigans that make this show such a treat, including the crew turning themselves into Vulcans for a day! – JS

Alien: Earth

TBD on FX

Fans of the Alien franchise who are unfamiliar with TV auteur Noah Hawley’s game are about to be in for a real treat with Alien: Earth, the long-running sci-fi franchise’s first proper TV effort. Set two years before the events of Alien (1979), this show will deal with a discovery from the heavens that will change humanity and Earth forever. Just what will this series be like? Due to Hawley’s eclectic filmography and style, it’s nigh impossible to say. But if it’s anything like fellow movie adaptation Fargo or comic book headscratcher Legion, then it should be a hell of a fun ride. – AB

Stranger Things Season 5

TBD on Netflix

It’s been three years since we last checked in on the kids of Hawkins, Illinois as creators the Duffer Brothers craft the final season of their mega-hit Stranger Things. Season five will finally see Eleven (Millie Bobbie Brown) and her pals Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), and Will (Noah Schnapp) take on Vecna once and for all. Between these massive stakes and the weight of expectation, it’s no wonder that the Duffer Brothers have taken their time putting together the last eight episodes, each of which reportedly have the length and scope of a feature film. Will the series close out on a high note? Or will it leave them huddled in a corner and listening to Kate Bush? We’ll finally find out this year… at some point. – JG

Wednesday Season 2

TBD on Netflix

The viral hit—thanks in part to a dance number that became the toast of social media—starring the incredibly talented Jenna Ortega is finally back after three years for another scare. More mysteries, creepy frights, and Wednesday Addams’ incredibly dry humor are on the syllabus for a long-awaited second year at Nevermore Academy. – JS

The Witcher Season 4

TBD on Netflix

Geralt of Rivia is back this year to save a Continent in crisis, but it won’t be Henry Cavill in the wig this time. Taking over the main role is Liam Hemsworth, but he’ll still be accompanied by Anya Chalotra’s Yennefer and Freya Allan’s Ciri. The penultimate season will begin Netflix’s adaptation of Andrzej Sapkowski’s final three Witcher books: Baptism of Fire, The Tower of the Swallow, and Lady of the Lake. – JS

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Contains spoilers for Celebrity Bear Hunt episode 2. “You’re giving Inbetweeners right now,” model Lottie Moss tells actor Joe Thomas in the first episode of Netflix’s Celebrity Bear Hunt. That’s young-person speak for ‘you come across as unsure and anxious in the manner of a schoolboy’, applied specifically in Joe’s case because he played an unsure and anxious […]

The post Celebrity Bear Hunt Isn’t the First Time Joe Thomas Has Wowed People appeared first on Den of Geek.

We’re not afraid to say that TV is looking pretty hot in 2025. Any lull we may have experienced in the aftermath of the WGA and SAG strikes of 2023 seems to be nonexistent, with many long-awaited shows set to debut and make their triumphant return this year.

The first few months of 2025 are starting off strong with shows like Severance and Invincible set to return, among others. The summer looks like it will be great for Marvel fans with the Ironheart miniseries finally set to premiere as well as the debut of the animated series Eyes of Wakanda. In addition, there are plenty of exciting “TBDs” projected to come out this year that we can’t wait to see. Now before we get too ahead of ourselves, let’s take a look at the TV shows you can’t miss in 2025!

JANUARY

Severance Season 2

January 17 on Apple TV+

Good things come to those who wait and in early 2025 a very good thing will arrive for those who have been patiently waiting for Severance season 2. This mind-bending Apple TV+ sci-fi/drama about a very literal split between work life and home life wrapped its first season all the way back in April 2022. Now, after some production and strike delays, the story of Mark S. (Adam Scott) and his band of Innies’ struggle against the enigmatic Lumon Industries is set to continue once again. There are a lot of questions to be answered about the show’s sprawling mythology early on. But hopefully the Macrodata Refinement team still finds the time for a dance party or two. – Alec Bojalad

The Night Agent Season 2

January 23 on Netflix

Easily one of Netflix’s most popular series of the last few years, The Night Agent returns for a second season not long after the new year begins. FBI agent Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso) is back, only this time he finds himself on the other end of the Night Action hotline. Instead of answering calls from agents in the field, he’s now one of them. Peter may have saved the president and stopped a terror attack from the inside, but does he have what it takes to be a secret agent full time? We may have to wait until January to find out, but we will absolutely be seated as the action unfolds. – Brynna Arens

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man

January 29 on Disney+

Originally thought to be the origin story of the MCU’s Spider-Man, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man instead takes place in a similar, but slightly different universe where Norman Osborn (voiced by the incredible Colman Domingo) becomes Peter Parker’s mentor instead of Tony Stark. Just like What If…?, this animated series is part of the MCU’s multiverse, and is set to feature appearances from a variety of other familiar characters. So far, the only actor set to reprise their role from the MCU is Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock/Daredevil, but that doesn’t mean that the show won’t have other surprises up its sleeve. Even though this series might not be connected to the sacred timeline of the MCU, it’s bound to be a fun watch for Spider-Man fans of all ages. – BA

FEBRUARY

Invincible Season 3

February 6 on Prime Video

It’s hard being a superhero and it’s even harder being a teenager. On Prime Video’s Invincible, poor Mark Grayson (Steven Yeun) has to be both. Mark a.k.a. Invincible has been put through the wringer through two seasons of this colorful adaptation of Robert Kirkman’s comic, enduring major daddy issues, gaining an unexpected alien brother, and receiving all manner of super-powered beatdowns. Following the multiverse hopping chaos of season 2, however, season 3 looks to be a time of transition and growth for our young supe. Hopefully Mark takes in a lesson or two because, if the length of the comic inspiration is any indication, he has a ways to go yet. – AB

Cobra Kai Season 6 – Part Three

February 13 on Netflix

Don’t let Karate Kid: Legends fool you. Before Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) returns to the big screen for the legacy sequel with Jackie Chan, we’ve got one more go-around with his old rival Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) and the Cobra Kai dojo. Technically, we’ve already seen the first two parts of season six, as Netflix is dropping it in five-episode chunks. The last five episodes all hit streaming on February 13, including a finale written by creators Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg. Then again, Cobra Kai‘s faced down cancelation before and continues to find a way to come back and strike first, strike hard, with no mercy. – Joe George

Yellowjackets Season 3

February 14 on Showtime

Showtime’s buzziest show returns for a third season this year, and boy are we excited. Yellowjackets follows the journey of young plane crash survivors as they contend with the trauma of their experience, both in 1996 when the crash occurred and in the present as they try to live their adult lives. Whether driven by a supernatural force we’ve yet to fully witness, or these women are simply unable to process the sheer trauma of what they went through to survive, the wilderness comes to collect, one way or another. Last season saw these survivors, both past and present, give in to the will of the wilderness through cannibalism, ritualistic killing, and crowning the first Antler Queen, so there’s no telling what they may be driven to this season in the name of survival. – BA 

The White Lotus Season 3

February 16 on HBO and Max

With a cast that includes Walton Goggins, Carrie Coon, Parker Posey, and the return of Natasha Rothwell as Belinda, season 3 of The White Lotus is already off to a strong start. This season is set to take us to the Thailand branch of this wealthy hotel resort chain – while the location may be gorgeous, if the last two seasons of this show have taught us anything, this vacation will be anything but idyllic. Relationships and family bonds will likely be put to the test, and there’s a pretty decent chance at least one body will be found before the season is done. – BA

Reacher Season 3

February 20 on Prime Video

The hulking former military policeman Jack Reacher drifts back onto tv screens soon for a third season. This season adapts the seventh Lee Childs novel Persuader, which sees Alan Ritchson’s Reacher investigate the disappearance of a DEA agent. Although Ritchson will be joined by Maria Sten as veteran Frances Neagley, who will be getting her own spin-off series, Reacher‘s third season mostly consists of a totally new cast, including Anthony Michael Hall as a sneaky businessman and Brian Tee as figure from Reacher’s past. – JG

1923 Season 2

February 23 on Paramount+

Yellowstone continues to keep Paramount+ afloat with another continuiation. 1923 tells the early history of the Dutton family ranch, veering away from the increasingly crazy soap opera of Yellowstone for more historical drama. Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren return for the second season as Jacob and Cara Dutton, along with Brandon Sklenar and James Badge Dale as their nephews Spencer and John Sr. The eight episode second season will force the Duttons to deal with the difficulties of winter while Spencer tries to make his way back to the ranch. – JG

Suits LA

February 23 on NBC

Having finally saved Star City on Arrow, Stephen Amell’s ready to move to another town full of worse evildoers. As its title suggests, Suits LA hopes to replicate the legal drama that made Suits a hit, one that ran for nine seasons and continues to be a favorite on streaming services. The new series stars Amell as the arrogant Ted Black, who launches his own firm, specializing in entertainment law. He’ll be joined by Josh McDermitt as Black’s partner Stuart Lane and Lex Scott Davis as up-and-comer Erica Rollins. No word yet about cast members from the original series dropping by. – JG

MARCH

Daredevil: Born Again

March 4 on Disney+

After a soft launch into the MCU proper through Spider-Man: No Way Home, She-Hulk, and Echo, Charlie Cox is officially back as Daredevil in his own show set to premiere on Disney+ this March. With Vincent D’Onofrio, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Hensen, Jon Bernthal, and Wilson Bethel also set to reprise their roles from the Netflix Daredevil series, Daredevil: Born Again is poised to pick up not too far from where we last left Hell’s Kitchen, and it will be interesting to see how their stories weave further into the MCU. Fingers crossed we get at least one kickass hallway fight this season. – BA

The Righteous Gemstones Season 4

March 9 on Max

Praise the Lord, God’s most humble servants are back for a fourth season. And a good thing too, because Danny McBride’s satire The Righteous Gemstones could not come at a better time, helping us laugh through our tears. McBride has said that season four will be the final outing for the Gemstone family, which puts all the more pressure on this new entry. Regular family members Jesse (McBride), Kelvin (Adam DeVine), and Judy (Edi Patterson) return, along with brother-in-law Baby Billy Freeman (Walton Goggins). Joining the cast four season four is Megan Mullally as a former writing partner of Baby Billy’s deceased wife Aimee-Leigh (Jennifer Nettles), sure to bring more dark secrets for which the Gemstones should ask forgiveness, but probably won’t. – JG

The Wheel of Time Season 3

March 13 on Prime Video

Despite griping by fans of the Robert Jordan novels, the wheel of time rolls on, with a third season arriving soon on Prime Video. The Wheel of Time stars Rosamund Pike as Aes Sedai sorceress Moiraine who cares for a group of children, a job complicated by the fact young Rand (Josha Stradowski) is the Dragon Reborn. Season 3 will pick up from the previous season’s finale, in which Rand defeats a powerful associate of the Dark One. Despite the victory, Rand’s acheivement poses new challenges, making Moiraine’s job so much more difficult. – JG

The Studio

March 26 on Apple TV+

Comedy mastermind Seth Rogen has already made a home at Apple TV+ thanks to breezy friendship comedy Platonic, in which he co-stars alongside Rose Byrne. For his next Apple project, however, Rogen is thinking a little bigger. Created by Rogen and his longtime writing partner Evan Goldberg, The Studio casts Rogen as the newly-appointed head of Continental Studios who has to balance the creative needs of his artists with the dismal realities of his business. Who better to step into this role than one of the 21st century’s most prolific actor/writer/producer/stoners? – AB

APRIL

The Last of Us Season 2

April 2025 on HBO and Max

The first season of The Last of Us was a near perfect season of TV and an impeccable video game adaptation, and luckily there’s even more of this drama coming to our screens in 2025. After adapting the first game and its DLC from start to finish, The Last of Us is moving on to the second game in the series. As fans of the games know, this next chapter is even more emotionally devastating than the last (in the best possible way), and we can’t wait to see how the show translates this story and balances the game’s two protagonists, Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Abby (Kaitlyn Dever), as their journey intertwines and they both discover what it means to deal with love and loss during the apocalypse. Humanity may have fallen victim to a fungal parasite that turns people into zombies, but the real danger to our survival might just be each other and how far we’re willing to go for the ones we love. – BA

Devil May Cry

April 3 on Netflix

Following in the footsteps of Castlevania and Arcane, Netflix hopes to have another hit with an animated adaptation of a popular video game series. Like those shows, Devil May Cry comes with well-established lore and tone. Unlike those shows, however, Devil May Cry‘s lore and tone is incredibly weird. Early looks, including an opening scene set to Limp Bizkit, suggests that Netflix knows what it’s doing with demon hunter Dante, voiced by Johnny Yong Bosch. – JG

Andor Season 2

April 22 on Disney+

The return of Andor could honestly not come at a better time than spring 2025. A show about finding hope and the will to fight against oppression and the systems that support it is needed now more than ever. When the odds are stacked against us, will we have the same courage as Cassian, or even Kino Loy? As the rebellion continues to build against the Empire in Andor, it’s up to the people to fight for the future they want to see, even if they may not live to see it. This season is set to bridge the gap between the Cassian we saw last season and the Cassian we meet in Rogue One, and I cannot wait to see what this season has in store. – BA

You Season 5

April 24 on Netflix

Joe Goldberg is back on the loose. The serial killer who uses his bookish exterior to hide his murderous true self returns for the fifth season of You. Penn Badgley steps back into the role, bringing to life the character from the novels by Caroline Kepnes. This time, Joe comes to New York hoping to put his ways behind him and just live a quiet life as a bookseller with his girlfriend Katherine (Charlotte Ritchie), head of the Lockwood Corporation. But when twins Raegan and Maddie Lockwood (both played by Anna Camp) makes a play for Katherine’s position, Joe finds the urge rising up again. – JG

JUNE

Ironheart

June 24 on Disney+

Riri Williams (Dominque Thorne) had a somewhat traumatic introduction into the MCU in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. She was forced into hiding, kidnapped by Namor (Tenoch Huerta), and had her warehouse stormed by the feds. However, she also proved herself as a highly intelligent scientist and a capable hero. In her own series, Ironheart, it seems like we’ll get to see Riri both as a student at MIT and in her hometown of Chicago as she works to recreate “the most advanced suit of armor since Iron Man,” according to Marvel. This show has been moved around Marvel’s schedule so much the last few years, I’m just glad Marvel didn’t decide to give it the Batgirl treatment. Riri deserves her chance in the spotlight, and it will be exciting to watch her adventures unfold in Ironheart. – BA

Squid Game Season 3

June 27 on Netflix

Gi-hun has reached the final round. The conclusion of Squid Game will see our beloved tortured protagonist still reeling from the fallout of losing his best friend and the Front Man’s machinations. But he’s also as determined as ever to end the game once and for all. Can he survive the deadly competition all the way to the end once again? The odds are certainly stacked against him like never before… – John Saavedra

JULY

Sakamoto Days Season 1 Part 2

July 2025 on Netflix

Netflix’s excellent adaptation of the hit manga is back for the second part of its first season. Elderly shopkeeper Taro Sakamoto has a peaceful family life but he’s also hiding a secret: he was once the ultimate assassin. When a new criminal threat arrives to disturb his quiet town, Sakamoto decides to spring into action, and as the bad guys quickly find out, he’s lost none of his killer touch. – JS

AUGUST

Eyes of Wakanda

August 6 on Disney+

Even following the tragic loss of Chadwick Boseman as Black Panther, his character’s home nation of Wakanda remains one of Marvel’s richest assets – both literally and figuratively. Wakanda is home to as many potential stories as its people and with the upcoming Disney+ effort, Eyes of Wakanda, the massive comic book media franchise is going to let some of those stories be told. Little was known about this project initially but the latest synopses that promise history-spanning tales of vibranium artifact reclamations sound quite intriguing. – AB

DECEMBER

Wonder Man

December 2025 on Disney+

Every now and then, Marvel likes to get a little goofy with it. If the early looks are any indication, Disney+ series Wonder Man might be the goofiest MCU effort in some time. Comic book movie regular Yahya Abdul-Mateen II stars, not as Wonder Man, but as Simon Williams, a superpowered actor who is trying out for the role of Wonder Man. Helping him in this task will be Ben Kingsley returning as Marvel’s court jester Trevor Slattery. Beyond that, little else is known about this Destin Daniel Cretton and Andrew Guest-created series. But that logline alone makes it one of our most anticipated Marvel titles of the year. – AB

TBD 2025

Black Mirror Season 7

TBD on Netflix

These days, it feels more and more like we’re actually living in the nightmarish techno dystopia reality of hit anthology series Black Mirror, but that’s not stopping Netflix and creator Charlie Brooker from serving up even more tales of technology gone terribly wrong. This six-episode season will even feature a sequel to the Star Trek spoof story “USS Callister.” – JS

The Diplomat Season 3

TBD on Netflix

An international crisis will make for perfect drama when the hit political thriller returns this year. But can protagonist Kate Wyler wade the waters of a hectic position while also navigating her marriage? We can’t wait to find out. – JS

The Handmaid’s Tale Season 6

TBD on Hulu

The sixth and final season of The Handmaid’s Tale is set to come to Hulu in 2025, and there’s no doubt that this gripping drama will go out swinging. This dystopian series based on Margaret Atwood’s novel of the same name has become almost synonymous with the policies of a certain American administration, so it seems only fitting that the series is set to end as the same administration regains power. The Handmaid’s Tale is as compelling as it is terrifying at times as we’ve gone on this journey with these characters. With everything they’ve gone through, it’s hard to imagine a world where June, Luke, Nichole, and Hannah can have their happy ending together, away from the oppression of Gilead and it’s sympathizers, but we’ll just have to wait and see what the series has in store for its final chapter. – BA 

It: Welcome to Derry

TBD on HBO

Perhaps you’ve heard, but horror icon Stephen King tends to write fairly long books. One of his longest (and arguably one of his best) novels, It, was so epic it had to be adapted into two films: 2017’s It and 2019’s It: Chapter Two. Even then, however, filmmakers Andy and Bárbara Muschietti had to leave many vignettes from the story on the cutting room floor. Thankfully, Warner Bros. Discovery has a network (HBO) and a streaming service (Max) for that. With It: Welcome to Derry, the Muschiettis return alongside Jason Fuchs to fill in the missing gaps of Derry, Maine history and Pennywise’s (Bill Skarsgård) longtime torment of its citizens. – AB

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Summer 2025 on HBO

The first two seasons of Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon have confirmed what A Song of Ice and Fire fans have long expected. The fantasy world of Westeros just works better when George R.R. Martin has already laid down a roadmap for the stories told in it. Thankfully, HBO seems to have come to that realization as well and for Thrones’ second-ever spinoff they are once again turning to Martin’s source material from a collection of novellas known as Tales of Dunk and Egg. Set after Dragon but well before Thrones, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is set to bring a more playful and energetic (yet still plenty bloody) vibe to the franchise. – AB

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy

TBD on Paramount+

Since they first began with Star Trek: Discovery in 2017, CBS’ Star Trek streaming efforts under czar Alex Kurtzman have been hit or miss. Some titles (Strange New Worlds) have been massive creative successes while others (the aforementioned Discovery) have been kind of all over the place. Regardless of their relative quality, however, each new spinoff has something special that other TV shows just don’t have: the awe-inspiring sci-fi continuity of one of television’s best-ever franchises. The latest attempt to put that continuity to good use will come with Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Set in the 32nd century, the Paramount+ series will follow the first new class of Starfleet cadets in over a century as they train to be officers. After all, today’s Starfleet cadet is tomorrow’s Jean-Luc Picard. – AB

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3

TBD on Paramount+

The best Trek series to hit streaming since the franchise made its long-awaited return to television is of course coming back for a third season (and a fourth, too). Season 3 will undoubtedly kick off with a resolution to last season’s big cliffhanger, as Captain Pike must decide whether to rescue those taken hostage by the Gorn in the finale or to retreat and save as many lives on the Enterprise as possible. But this is Strange New Worlds, which means it won’t all be serious decisions. Expect many of the lighter shenanigans that make this show such a treat, including the crew turning themselves into Vulcans for a day! – JS

Alien: Earth

TBD on FX

Fans of the Alien franchise who are unfamiliar with TV auteur Noah Hawley’s game are about to be in for a real treat with Alien: Earth, the long-running sci-fi franchise’s first proper TV effort. Set two years before the events of Alien (1979), this show will deal with a discovery from the heavens that will change humanity and Earth forever. Just what will this series be like? Due to Hawley’s eclectic filmography and style, it’s nigh impossible to say. But if it’s anything like fellow movie adaptation Fargo or comic book headscratcher Legion, then it should be a hell of a fun ride. – AB

Stranger Things Season 5

TBD on Netflix

It’s been three years since we last checked in on the kids of Hawkins, Illinois as creators the Duffer Brothers craft the final season of their mega-hit Stranger Things. Season five will finally see Eleven (Millie Bobbie Brown) and her pals Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), and Will (Noah Schnapp) take on Vecna once and for all. Between these massive stakes and the weight of expectation, it’s no wonder that the Duffer Brothers have taken their time putting together the last eight episodes, each of which reportedly have the length and scope of a feature film. Will the series close out on a high note? Or will it leave them huddled in a corner and listening to Kate Bush? We’ll finally find out this year… at some point. – JG

Wednesday Season 2

TBD on Netflix

The viral hit—thanks in part to a dance number that became the toast of social media—starring the incredibly talented Jenna Ortega is finally back after three years for another scare. More mysteries, creepy frights, and Wednesday Addams’ incredibly dry humor are on the syllabus for a long-awaited second year at Nevermore Academy. – JS

The Witcher Season 4

TBD on Netflix

Geralt of Rivia is back this year to save a Continent in crisis, but it won’t be Henry Cavill in the wig this time. Taking over the main role is Liam Hemsworth, but he’ll still be accompanied by Anya Chalotra’s Yennefer and Freya Allan’s Ciri. The penultimate season will begin Netflix’s adaptation of Andrzej Sapkowski’s final three Witcher books: Baptism of Fire, The Tower of the Swallow, and Lady of the Lake. – JS

The post New TV Series for 2025: Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Max, FX, NBC, Disney+, Prime Video, Paramount+ appeared first on Den of Geek.

“The Greatest Comic Magazine in the World!” So declared the cover of 1961’s Fantastic Four #3, the beginning of what would become the masterwork of writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby. Although the title was partially a bit of Lee’s signature hyperbole and a bit of Lee’s infamous business savvy (the word “magazine” denoted […]

The post The Best Fantastic Four Comics of All Time, Ranked appeared first on Den of Geek.

We’re not afraid to say that TV is looking pretty hot in 2025. Any lull we may have experienced in the aftermath of the WGA and SAG strikes of 2023 seems to be nonexistent, with many long-awaited shows set to debut and make their triumphant return this year.

The first few months of 2025 are starting off strong with shows like Severance and Invincible set to return, among others. The summer looks like it will be great for Marvel fans with the Ironheart miniseries finally set to premiere as well as the debut of the animated series Eyes of Wakanda. In addition, there are plenty of exciting “TBDs” projected to come out this year that we can’t wait to see. Now before we get too ahead of ourselves, let’s take a look at the TV shows you can’t miss in 2025!

JANUARY

Severance Season 2

January 17 on Apple TV+

Good things come to those who wait and in early 2025 a very good thing will arrive for those who have been patiently waiting for Severance season 2. This mind-bending Apple TV+ sci-fi/drama about a very literal split between work life and home life wrapped its first season all the way back in April 2022. Now, after some production and strike delays, the story of Mark S. (Adam Scott) and his band of Innies’ struggle against the enigmatic Lumon Industries is set to continue once again. There are a lot of questions to be answered about the show’s sprawling mythology early on. But hopefully the Macrodata Refinement team still finds the time for a dance party or two. – Alec Bojalad

The Night Agent Season 2

January 23 on Netflix

Easily one of Netflix’s most popular series of the last few years, The Night Agent returns for a second season not long after the new year begins. FBI agent Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso) is back, only this time he finds himself on the other end of the Night Action hotline. Instead of answering calls from agents in the field, he’s now one of them. Peter may have saved the president and stopped a terror attack from the inside, but does he have what it takes to be a secret agent full time? We may have to wait until January to find out, but we will absolutely be seated as the action unfolds. – Brynna Arens

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man

January 29 on Disney+

Originally thought to be the origin story of the MCU’s Spider-Man, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man instead takes place in a similar, but slightly different universe where Norman Osborn (voiced by the incredible Colman Domingo) becomes Peter Parker’s mentor instead of Tony Stark. Just like What If…?, this animated series is part of the MCU’s multiverse, and is set to feature appearances from a variety of other familiar characters. So far, the only actor set to reprise their role from the MCU is Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock/Daredevil, but that doesn’t mean that the show won’t have other surprises up its sleeve. Even though this series might not be connected to the sacred timeline of the MCU, it’s bound to be a fun watch for Spider-Man fans of all ages. – BA

FEBRUARY

Invincible Season 3

February 6 on Prime Video

It’s hard being a superhero and it’s even harder being a teenager. On Prime Video’s Invincible, poor Mark Grayson (Steven Yeun) has to be both. Mark a.k.a. Invincible has been put through the wringer through two seasons of this colorful adaptation of Robert Kirkman’s comic, enduring major daddy issues, gaining an unexpected alien brother, and receiving all manner of super-powered beatdowns. Following the multiverse hopping chaos of season 2, however, season 3 looks to be a time of transition and growth for our young supe. Hopefully Mark takes in a lesson or two because, if the length of the comic inspiration is any indication, he has a ways to go yet. – AB

Cobra Kai Season 6 – Part Three

February 13 on Netflix

Don’t let Karate Kid: Legends fool you. Before Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) returns to the big screen for the legacy sequel with Jackie Chan, we’ve got one more go-around with his old rival Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) and the Cobra Kai dojo. Technically, we’ve already seen the first two parts of season six, as Netflix is dropping it in five-episode chunks. The last five episodes all hit streaming on February 13, including a finale written by creators Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg. Then again, Cobra Kai‘s faced down cancelation before and continues to find a way to come back and strike first, strike hard, with no mercy. – Joe George

Yellowjackets Season 3

February 14 on Showtime

Showtime’s buzziest show returns for a third season this year, and boy are we excited. Yellowjackets follows the journey of young plane crash survivors as they contend with the trauma of their experience, both in 1996 when the crash occurred and in the present as they try to live their adult lives. Whether driven by a supernatural force we’ve yet to fully witness, or these women are simply unable to process the sheer trauma of what they went through to survive, the wilderness comes to collect, one way or another. Last season saw these survivors, both past and present, give in to the will of the wilderness through cannibalism, ritualistic killing, and crowning the first Antler Queen, so there’s no telling what they may be driven to this season in the name of survival. – BA 

The White Lotus Season 3

February 16 on HBO and Max

With a cast that includes Walton Goggins, Carrie Coon, Parker Posey, and the return of Natasha Rothwell as Belinda, season 3 of The White Lotus is already off to a strong start. This season is set to take us to the Thailand branch of this wealthy hotel resort chain – while the location may be gorgeous, if the last two seasons of this show have taught us anything, this vacation will be anything but idyllic. Relationships and family bonds will likely be put to the test, and there’s a pretty decent chance at least one body will be found before the season is done. – BA

Reacher Season 3

February 20 on Prime Video

The hulking former military policeman Jack Reacher drifts back onto tv screens soon for a third season. This season adapts the seventh Lee Childs novel Persuader, which sees Alan Ritchson’s Reacher investigate the disappearance of a DEA agent. Although Ritchson will be joined by Maria Sten as veteran Frances Neagley, who will be getting her own spin-off series, Reacher‘s third season mostly consists of a totally new cast, including Anthony Michael Hall as a sneaky businessman and Brian Tee as figure from Reacher’s past. – JG

1923 Season 2

February 23 on Paramount+

Yellowstone continues to keep Paramount+ afloat with another continuiation. 1923 tells the early history of the Dutton family ranch, veering away from the increasingly crazy soap opera of Yellowstone for more historical drama. Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren return for the second season as Jacob and Cara Dutton, along with Brandon Sklenar and James Badge Dale as their nephews Spencer and John Sr. The eight episode second season will force the Duttons to deal with the difficulties of winter while Spencer tries to make his way back to the ranch. – JG

Suits LA

February 23 on NBC

Having finally saved Star City on Arrow, Stephen Amell’s ready to move to another town full of worse evildoers. As its title suggests, Suits LA hopes to replicate the legal drama that made Suits a hit, one that ran for nine seasons and continues to be a favorite on streaming services. The new series stars Amell as the arrogant Ted Black, who launches his own firm, specializing in entertainment law. He’ll be joined by Josh McDermitt as Black’s partner Stuart Lane and Lex Scott Davis as up-and-comer Erica Rollins. No word yet about cast members from the original series dropping by. – JG

MARCH

Daredevil: Born Again

March 4 on Disney+

After a soft launch into the MCU proper through Spider-Man: No Way Home, She-Hulk, and Echo, Charlie Cox is officially back as Daredevil in his own show set to premiere on Disney+ this March. With Vincent D’Onofrio, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Hensen, Jon Bernthal, and Wilson Bethel also set to reprise their roles from the Netflix Daredevil series, Daredevil: Born Again is poised to pick up not too far from where we last left Hell’s Kitchen, and it will be interesting to see how their stories weave further into the MCU. Fingers crossed we get at least one kickass hallway fight this season. – BA

The Righteous Gemstones Season 4

March 9 on Max

Praise the Lord, God’s most humble servants are back for a fourth season. And a good thing too, because Danny McBride’s satire The Righteous Gemstones could not come at a better time, helping us laugh through our tears. McBride has said that season four will be the final outing for the Gemstone family, which puts all the more pressure on this new entry. Regular family members Jesse (McBride), Kelvin (Adam DeVine), and Judy (Edi Patterson) return, along with brother-in-law Baby Billy Freeman (Walton Goggins). Joining the cast four season four is Megan Mullally as a former writing partner of Baby Billy’s deceased wife Aimee-Leigh (Jennifer Nettles), sure to bring more dark secrets for which the Gemstones should ask forgiveness, but probably won’t. – JG

The Wheel of Time Season 3

March 13 on Prime Video

Despite griping by fans of the Robert Jordan novels, the wheel of time rolls on, with a third season arriving soon on Prime Video. The Wheel of Time stars Rosamund Pike as Aes Sedai sorceress Moiraine who cares for a group of children, a job complicated by the fact young Rand (Josha Stradowski) is the Dragon Reborn. Season 3 will pick up from the previous season’s finale, in which Rand defeats a powerful associate of the Dark One. Despite the victory, Rand’s acheivement poses new challenges, making Moiraine’s job so much more difficult. – JG

The Studio

March 26 on Apple TV+

Comedy mastermind Seth Rogen has already made a home at Apple TV+ thanks to breezy friendship comedy Platonic, in which he co-stars alongside Rose Byrne. For his next Apple project, however, Rogen is thinking a little bigger. Created by Rogen and his longtime writing partner Evan Goldberg, The Studio casts Rogen as the newly-appointed head of Continental Studios who has to balance the creative needs of his artists with the dismal realities of his business. Who better to step into this role than one of the 21st century’s most prolific actor/writer/producer/stoners? – AB

APRIL

The Last of Us Season 2

April 2025 on HBO and Max

The first season of The Last of Us was a near perfect season of TV and an impeccable video game adaptation, and luckily there’s even more of this drama coming to our screens in 2025. After adapting the first game and its DLC from start to finish, The Last of Us is moving on to the second game in the series. As fans of the games know, this next chapter is even more emotionally devastating than the last (in the best possible way), and we can’t wait to see how the show translates this story and balances the game’s two protagonists, Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Abby (Kaitlyn Dever), as their journey intertwines and they both discover what it means to deal with love and loss during the apocalypse. Humanity may have fallen victim to a fungal parasite that turns people into zombies, but the real danger to our survival might just be each other and how far we’re willing to go for the ones we love. – BA

Devil May Cry

April 3 on Netflix

Following in the footsteps of Castlevania and Arcane, Netflix hopes to have another hit with an animated adaptation of a popular video game series. Like those shows, Devil May Cry comes with well-established lore and tone. Unlike those shows, however, Devil May Cry‘s lore and tone is incredibly weird. Early looks, including an opening scene set to Limp Bizkit, suggests that Netflix knows what it’s doing with demon hunter Dante, voiced by Johnny Yong Bosch. – JG

Andor Season 2

April 22 on Disney+

The return of Andor could honestly not come at a better time than spring 2025. A show about finding hope and the will to fight against oppression and the systems that support it is needed now more than ever. When the odds are stacked against us, will we have the same courage as Cassian, or even Kino Loy? As the rebellion continues to build against the Empire in Andor, it’s up to the people to fight for the future they want to see, even if they may not live to see it. This season is set to bridge the gap between the Cassian we saw last season and the Cassian we meet in Rogue One, and I cannot wait to see what this season has in store. – BA

You Season 5

April 24 on Netflix

Joe Goldberg is back on the loose. The serial killer who uses his bookish exterior to hide his murderous true self returns for the fifth season of You. Penn Badgley steps back into the role, bringing to life the character from the novels by Caroline Kepnes. This time, Joe comes to New York hoping to put his ways behind him and just live a quiet life as a bookseller with his girlfriend Katherine (Charlotte Ritchie), head of the Lockwood Corporation. But when twins Raegan and Maddie Lockwood (both played by Anna Camp) makes a play for Katherine’s position, Joe finds the urge rising up again. – JG

JUNE

Ironheart

June 24 on Disney+

Riri Williams (Dominque Thorne) had a somewhat traumatic introduction into the MCU in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. She was forced into hiding, kidnapped by Namor (Tenoch Huerta), and had her warehouse stormed by the feds. However, she also proved herself as a highly intelligent scientist and a capable hero. In her own series, Ironheart, it seems like we’ll get to see Riri both as a student at MIT and in her hometown of Chicago as she works to recreate “the most advanced suit of armor since Iron Man,” according to Marvel. This show has been moved around Marvel’s schedule so much the last few years, I’m just glad Marvel didn’t decide to give it the Batgirl treatment. Riri deserves her chance in the spotlight, and it will be exciting to watch her adventures unfold in Ironheart. – BA

Squid Game Season 3

June 27 on Netflix

Gi-hun has reached the final round. The conclusion of Squid Game will see our beloved tortured protagonist still reeling from the fallout of losing his best friend and the Front Man’s machinations. But he’s also as determined as ever to end the game once and for all. Can he survive the deadly competition all the way to the end once again? The odds are certainly stacked against him like never before… – John Saavedra

JULY

Sakamoto Days Season 1 Part 2

July 2025 on Netflix

Netflix’s excellent adaptation of the hit manga is back for the second part of its first season. Elderly shopkeeper Taro Sakamoto has a peaceful family life but he’s also hiding a secret: he was once the ultimate assassin. When a new criminal threat arrives to disturb his quiet town, Sakamoto decides to spring into action, and as the bad guys quickly find out, he’s lost none of his killer touch. – JS

AUGUST

Eyes of Wakanda

August 6 on Disney+

Even following the tragic loss of Chadwick Boseman as Black Panther, his character’s home nation of Wakanda remains one of Marvel’s richest assets – both literally and figuratively. Wakanda is home to as many potential stories as its people and with the upcoming Disney+ effort, Eyes of Wakanda, the massive comic book media franchise is going to let some of those stories be told. Little was known about this project initially but the latest synopses that promise history-spanning tales of vibranium artifact reclamations sound quite intriguing. – AB

DECEMBER

Wonder Man

December 2025 on Disney+

Every now and then, Marvel likes to get a little goofy with it. If the early looks are any indication, Disney+ series Wonder Man might be the goofiest MCU effort in some time. Comic book movie regular Yahya Abdul-Mateen II stars, not as Wonder Man, but as Simon Williams, a superpowered actor who is trying out for the role of Wonder Man. Helping him in this task will be Ben Kingsley returning as Marvel’s court jester Trevor Slattery. Beyond that, little else is known about this Destin Daniel Cretton and Andrew Guest-created series. But that logline alone makes it one of our most anticipated Marvel titles of the year. – AB

TBD 2025

Black Mirror Season 7

TBD on Netflix

These days, it feels more and more like we’re actually living in the nightmarish techno dystopia reality of hit anthology series Black Mirror, but that’s not stopping Netflix and creator Charlie Brooker from serving up even more tales of technology gone terribly wrong. This six-episode season will even feature a sequel to the Star Trek spoof story “USS Callister.” – JS

The Diplomat Season 3

TBD on Netflix

An international crisis will make for perfect drama when the hit political thriller returns this year. But can protagonist Kate Wyler wade the waters of a hectic position while also navigating her marriage? We can’t wait to find out. – JS

The Handmaid’s Tale Season 6

TBD on Hulu

The sixth and final season of The Handmaid’s Tale is set to come to Hulu in 2025, and there’s no doubt that this gripping drama will go out swinging. This dystopian series based on Margaret Atwood’s novel of the same name has become almost synonymous with the policies of a certain American administration, so it seems only fitting that the series is set to end as the same administration regains power. The Handmaid’s Tale is as compelling as it is terrifying at times as we’ve gone on this journey with these characters. With everything they’ve gone through, it’s hard to imagine a world where June, Luke, Nichole, and Hannah can have their happy ending together, away from the oppression of Gilead and it’s sympathizers, but we’ll just have to wait and see what the series has in store for its final chapter. – BA 

It: Welcome to Derry

TBD on HBO

Perhaps you’ve heard, but horror icon Stephen King tends to write fairly long books. One of his longest (and arguably one of his best) novels, It, was so epic it had to be adapted into two films: 2017’s It and 2019’s It: Chapter Two. Even then, however, filmmakers Andy and Bárbara Muschietti had to leave many vignettes from the story on the cutting room floor. Thankfully, Warner Bros. Discovery has a network (HBO) and a streaming service (Max) for that. With It: Welcome to Derry, the Muschiettis return alongside Jason Fuchs to fill in the missing gaps of Derry, Maine history and Pennywise’s (Bill Skarsgård) longtime torment of its citizens. – AB

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Summer 2025 on HBO

The first two seasons of Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon have confirmed what A Song of Ice and Fire fans have long expected. The fantasy world of Westeros just works better when George R.R. Martin has already laid down a roadmap for the stories told in it. Thankfully, HBO seems to have come to that realization as well and for Thrones’ second-ever spinoff they are once again turning to Martin’s source material from a collection of novellas known as Tales of Dunk and Egg. Set after Dragon but well before Thrones, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is set to bring a more playful and energetic (yet still plenty bloody) vibe to the franchise. – AB

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy

TBD on Paramount+

Since they first began with Star Trek: Discovery in 2017, CBS’ Star Trek streaming efforts under czar Alex Kurtzman have been hit or miss. Some titles (Strange New Worlds) have been massive creative successes while others (the aforementioned Discovery) have been kind of all over the place. Regardless of their relative quality, however, each new spinoff has something special that other TV shows just don’t have: the awe-inspiring sci-fi continuity of one of television’s best-ever franchises. The latest attempt to put that continuity to good use will come with Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Set in the 32nd century, the Paramount+ series will follow the first new class of Starfleet cadets in over a century as they train to be officers. After all, today’s Starfleet cadet is tomorrow’s Jean-Luc Picard. – AB

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3

TBD on Paramount+

The best Trek series to hit streaming since the franchise made its long-awaited return to television is of course coming back for a third season (and a fourth, too). Season 3 will undoubtedly kick off with a resolution to last season’s big cliffhanger, as Captain Pike must decide whether to rescue those taken hostage by the Gorn in the finale or to retreat and save as many lives on the Enterprise as possible. But this is Strange New Worlds, which means it won’t all be serious decisions. Expect many of the lighter shenanigans that make this show such a treat, including the crew turning themselves into Vulcans for a day! – JS

Alien: Earth

TBD on FX

Fans of the Alien franchise who are unfamiliar with TV auteur Noah Hawley’s game are about to be in for a real treat with Alien: Earth, the long-running sci-fi franchise’s first proper TV effort. Set two years before the events of Alien (1979), this show will deal with a discovery from the heavens that will change humanity and Earth forever. Just what will this series be like? Due to Hawley’s eclectic filmography and style, it’s nigh impossible to say. But if it’s anything like fellow movie adaptation Fargo or comic book headscratcher Legion, then it should be a hell of a fun ride. – AB

Stranger Things Season 5

TBD on Netflix

It’s been three years since we last checked in on the kids of Hawkins, Illinois as creators the Duffer Brothers craft the final season of their mega-hit Stranger Things. Season five will finally see Eleven (Millie Bobbie Brown) and her pals Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), and Will (Noah Schnapp) take on Vecna once and for all. Between these massive stakes and the weight of expectation, it’s no wonder that the Duffer Brothers have taken their time putting together the last eight episodes, each of which reportedly have the length and scope of a feature film. Will the series close out on a high note? Or will it leave them huddled in a corner and listening to Kate Bush? We’ll finally find out this year… at some point. – JG

Wednesday Season 2

TBD on Netflix

The viral hit—thanks in part to a dance number that became the toast of social media—starring the incredibly talented Jenna Ortega is finally back after three years for another scare. More mysteries, creepy frights, and Wednesday Addams’ incredibly dry humor are on the syllabus for a long-awaited second year at Nevermore Academy. – JS

The Witcher Season 4

TBD on Netflix

Geralt of Rivia is back this year to save a Continent in crisis, but it won’t be Henry Cavill in the wig this time. Taking over the main role is Liam Hemsworth, but he’ll still be accompanied by Anya Chalotra’s Yennefer and Freya Allan’s Ciri. The penultimate season will begin Netflix’s adaptation of Andrzej Sapkowski’s final three Witcher books: Baptism of Fire, The Tower of the Swallow, and Lady of the Lake. – JS

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