“THE ALIENIST”
Network: TNT
Release Date: January 22
Talent: Luke Evans, Dakota Fanning, Daniel Bruhl
A serial killer is on the loose in Victorian America. Based on Caleb Carr’s novel of the same name, TNT’s gorgeous but gritty period drama delves into the seedy underbelly of late 19th-century New York to investigate the grisly murders of the city’s boy prostitutes. Told through the point-of-view of New York Times crime reporter John Moore (Luke Evans), the series follows the team assembled by renowned “alienist” Lazlo Kreizler (Daniel Bruhl), who uses new methods to profile criminals and gather evidence. Joining in the fight to seek justice and advance social progress, is the ambitious Sara Howard (Dakota Fanning), who hopes to become one of the first female police officers. Directed by Jakob Verbruggen (“Black Mirror,” “House of Cards,” “London Spy”), the series promises to be as fascinating and suspenseful as the bestselling page-turner that inspired it.
“THE ASSASSINATION OF GIANNI VERSACE: AMERICAN CRIME STORY”
Network: FX
Release Date: January 17, 2018
Talent: Penélope Cruz, Édgar Ramírez, Ricky Martin, Darren Criss
Prepare yourself: While “The People v. O.J. Simpson” set up “American Crime Story” as a franchise devoted to murder-tinged drama, the tone established by executive producer Ryan Murphy and lead writer Tom Rob Smith is of a very different nature. The reverse timeline structure (which begins with the titular event but then moves backwards to examine the motives of Versace’s killer) proves to be a major showcase for the acting talents of Darren Criss as Andrew Cunanan. Andrew’s journey ends up driving the story, but there’s still plenty to learn about Versace, his world, and in general what gay people in that era were dealing with — none of it easy.
“COUNTERPART”
Network: Starz
Release Date: January 21
Talent: J. K. Simmons, Olivia Williams, Harry Lloyd, Sara Serraiocco; creator/writer Justin Marks
For many people, this may be the Two JK Simmons Show. The legendary actor plays two versions of Howard Silk, who in parallel realities is both an unassuming schlub and a fierce, savvy assassin. In order to avert a reality shattering catastrophe, the two are forced to work together. But there’s plenty to look forward to outside of a really strong pair of central performances. The impressive supporting cast includes Olivia Williams, there’s impressive world building in each version of reality, and some tense action sequences: a little bit for everybody. It’s a solid, prescient thriller for a duplicitous age.
“SNOWPIERCER”
Network: TNT
Release Date: 2018
Talent: Daveed Diggs, Jennifer Connelly, Mickey Sumner, Annalise Basso, Sasha Frolova, Alison Wright, Benjamin Haigh
When you first hear about it, it sounds crazy — making Bong Joon-ho’s legit bonkers 2013 post-apocalyptic drama into an ongoing series. And yet, just look at that cast list, and consider the fact that showrunner Josh Friedman also did something relatively insane before and create a TV show in the world of “Terminator.” That makes us excited already… and then look at that cast list! How exactly this series shakes out in terms of quality is maybe one of 2018’s biggest mysteries (especially as we wonder just how much it cost — was there one train car set, or a dozen?). But this is one scary train ride for which we’re on board.
“WACO”
Network: Paramount Network
Release Date: January 24
Talent: Taylor Kitsch, Michael Shannon, Melissa Benoist, Julia Garner, John Leguizamo, Andrea Riseborough, Rory Culkin, Paul Sparks, Shea Whigham
25 years later, the public probably now knows Waco more for Baylor and the Gaines family, but the show looks to tap into the ways the story of David Koresh and the Branch Davidians still resonate a quarter century later. Kitsch stars as Koresh, but this stacked ensemble signals a six-part series that finds far more entry points into the deadly siege and its leadup than the man at the center. As the first prestige series for the newly rebranded Paramount Network, this could be a key thermometer for how elaborate miniseries efforts play outside the usual expected places.
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Check out full article at Indiewire.
Of monsters and warrior princesses 