From Peaky Blinders to Stranger Things: What to watch on TV in 2022
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If you thought 2021 came jam-packed full of amazing telly that you could barely keep track of, then buckle up folks, because 2022 is already shaping up to be mind-blowing.
Whether you're looking forward to some returning faves or want something new, if you're loving true-crime tales or a lighthearted comedy, TV makers have been going out of their way to make sure there's something for everyone.
We understand the amount of "must-watch" TV that's currently around is more than a little overwhelming at times, but don't worry – we've got the breakdown to make sure you find exactly what you're after.
Here's just a handful of things that we're hyped for over the upcoming year…
Doctor Who, BBC One - starts New Year's Day
Jodie Whittaker's reign on Doctor Who is sadly coming to an end, but with her regeneration tying into the BBC's centenary celebrations, you know it's going to be good.
Starting with the New Year's Day special, the current cast have three more episodes before the changeover.
The 14th Doctor has not yet been announced, but that hasn't stopped rumours swirling about who it potentially could be.
Guess we'll find out soon enough…
Anne, ITV - January 2 to 5
ITV is kicking off its year of drama with Anne, the story of a woman whose life is turned upside down in the aftermath of the Hillsborough Disaster in 1989.
After her son, Kevin, is killed in the now-notorious stampede, Anne Williams (played by the incredible Maxine Peake) makes it her mission to find out what exactly happened, and who was responsible for the horror that ultimately claimed the lives of 97 people.
It was a mission that she would dedicate her life to, and over the four episodes, you will be left heartbroken as more frustrating blocks get in the way of the search for justice.
How I Met Your Father - January 18
If sitcoms are more your thing, then Hilary Duff and Kim Cattrall teaming up for the How I Met Your Mother spin-off might do it.
In this series, based in the same universe as its predecessor, Sophie tells her child the story about how she met their father.
Cue a lot of awkward daring encounters, including from the trailer a super-awkward Tinder setup (we've all been there) and a whole lot of cringe.
Thankfully, she has some pals to get her through it all.
Trigger Point, ITV - early 2022
Line of Duty creator Jed Mercurio is teaming up once again with Vicky McClure for ITV crime thriller, Trigger Point.
The series follows McClure's character and the dangerous world of counter-terror operations and police bomb disposal in London.
While the show itself is shrouded in mystery, the cast and team have been eager to assert that this is nothing like Line of Duty, with the bomb-disposal team far more on the ground.
All we know is, seeing as Mercurio's involved, expect some serious tension.
House of the Dragon, HBO - March 2022
The first Game Of Thrones prequel is finally heading our way after a lot of anticipation (and another prequel try-out starring Naomi Watts that never got off the ground).
House of the Dragon will focus on the Targaryen family during the height of their years in power, hundreds of years before Daenerys's quest to get to the Iron Throne.
But this time, it's not outside forces they should be wary of, but their own inner family conflict that threatens their ability to rule, with the inter-family civil war known as The Dance of the Dragons believed to be central to the series.
The all-star cast alone is enough to lure you in, with Matt Smith, Paddy Considine and Emma D'Arcy playing some of the Targaryens.
Rhys Ifans and Olivia Cooke join them as father/daughter duo Otto and Alicent Hightower, who have great influence within the royal household, with Otto the hand of King Viserys I (Considine)… and a rival to his brother, Daemon (Smith).
Let the games begin.
Pistol, FX
Based on the book Lonely Boy: Tales From A Sex Pistol by guitarist Steve Jones, Pistol follows life on the road and the astronomical rise of the punk sensations during their '70s heyday.
However, their life of sex, drugs and rock and roll comes at a price, including the death of their bandmate, Sid Vicious and his girlfriend Nancy Spungen following years of heroin abuse.
The series has been as controversial off screen as it is on-screen, with real-life frontman John 'Johnny Rotten' Lydon taking the production to court over use of the band's music. His efforts weren't successful.
Danny Boyle will direct, with the cast including Anson Boon as Rotten, Louis Partridge as Vicious, Emma Appleton as Spungen and Toby Wallace as Jones.
Bridgerton season 2, Netflix - TBC
The second Bridgerton dropped on Christmas Day 2020, fans have been clambering for more of the raunchy Regency-era drama and the scandals as told by Lady Whistledown.
The upcoming season will see the focus shift from Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor) and her Duke Simon (Regé-Jean Page), to her older brother Anthony Bridgerton, and his quest for a wife.
Based on the book The Viscount Who Loved Me, Bridgerton will see Anthony swear off love after getting his heart broken, instead searching for a wife of convenience.
However, when feisty newcomer Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley) enters the social scene, he can't help but feel like he's met his match.
Peaky Blinders season 6, BBC One - TBC
It's the end of an era with Tommy Shelby and the Peaky Blinders shutting up shop with one final, no doubt bloody, season.
With World War II edging ever close and the brothers both losing their grip on reality, we last saw Tommy (Cillian Murphy) on the verge of suicide as he's haunted by the ghost of dead wife Grace.
Meanwhile, a family war for power over the Shelbys' gangster businesses is only getting more difficult, which will no doubt be made even worse with the absence of Aunt Polly (played by the late, great Helen McCrory, who died in April 2021).
Throw in major political players including fascist leader Oswald Mosley (Sam Claflin) as the timeline screeches towards World War II, and there are some serious messes that need cleaning up in the final episodes.
Though the team have teased that this is the end of the series, it's potentially not the end of the story, with a plan for a feature-length movie in the works by writer Steven Knight.
Pam and Tommy, Disney+/Hulu - February 2
Lily James and Sebastian Stan have been transformed into Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee to tell the scandal surrounding their sex tape leak in 1995.
The couple, who married after a whirlwind romance, had the tape stolen from their home by a disgruntled employee, and it's gone on to become one of the biggest celebrity sex tapes of all time.
But the reactions Pam and Tommy suffered as a result of the tape were vastly different, with the series likely to shine a light on slut-shaming, revenge porn and the importance of privacy.
The cast is completed by Seth Rogen, Nick Offerman and Taylor Schilling.
The Walking Dead final season, Disney+/Star
It's been a long and winding road full of walkers but The Walking Dead is finishing next year.
While how the story will conclude in season 11 remains to be seen, we remain hopeful that we could finally get some answers about long-held mysteries – starting with what the hell happened to Rick Grimes, and where he is now?
The show will also pave the way for Rick Grimes movies, which have been years in the making (you can thank Covid for them not coming around sooner).
Here's to the end of an era, guys.
Stranger Things season 4, Netflix
Another series that has felt like a long time coming, Stranger Things 4 is finally arriving as we travel back to the '90s for some more fantasy horror.
With the Byers family moving away with Eleven to California following the supposed death of Jim Hopper (which we know now isn't exactly the case), things are definitely different in Hawkins, Indiana.
But with the kids reuniting for "a summer they’ll never forget", it's not going to take long for their lives to be derailed by the latest complications from the Upside Down.
The first teaser has already dropped, and we're already hyped to see what's coming.
Derry Girls series 3, Channel 4
The '90s-set Northern Irish series Derry Girls has managed to capture the hearts of everyone who's watched it, but all good things must come to an end and we're about to see the last of the schoolgirls (and the wee English fella).
Erin, Clare, Orla, Michelle and James will be finishing up their time at school and will have their futures ahead of them.
But what exactly do they have planned?
Little is known about what's to come but we know we're going to be laughing our way through a lot of tears.
Ms Marvel, Disney+ - Mid-2022
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is expanding with the introduction of Ms Marvel.
Kamala Khan (played by newcomer Iman Vellani) is a young teen and fan-fiction writer who loves Captain Marvel.
However, she finds herself with more than she bargained for when she develops powers of her own.
The six-episode series is due to land in mid-2022, and will pave the way for movie The Marvels, which is expected in 2023.
Umbrella Academy season 3, Netflix
When we last saw The Umbrella Academy, they found themselves in a whole new mess of their own creation as their behaviour in the '60s changed their modern day.
Now, instead of living in Reginald Hargreeves' mansion, they find themselves homeless and clueless with a brand new set of superheroes, The Sparrow Academy, in their place.
While little is known about what lies ahead for the seven adopted siblings, the episode titles have been released and promise that we could be in for a world of trouble and the introduction of the mysterious Hotel Oblivion from the comic books.
Bring it on.
The Crown season 5, Netflix - November 2022
The Royal Family drama is back with a brand new cast in November 2022, with Imelda Staunton taking over as Queen Elizabeth.
Heading into the '90s, it's all change in more ways than one with the "annus horribilis" of 1992 seeing three marriage splits and a fire at Windsor Castle.
This sets the stage for the bitter split between Charles (now Dominic West) and Diana (Elizabeth Debicki) and, tragically, the untimely death of Diana in 1997.
Be prepared for some emotional scenes.
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