Science Fiction Shows to Look Forward to in 2024
For enthusiasts of science fiction (and I count myself as a fervent fan), the year 2024 is poised to be an unparalleled year for television. With an array of adaptations from beloved video games and some of the most brilliantly crafted science fiction narratives in recent years making their way to television, this year promises an exciting array of offerings.
Halo Season 2 (February 8, Paramount+)
The initial season of the television adaptation of the famed video game series "Halo" debuted on Paramount+ and received moderate acclaim, though it didn't create much excitement. I found it entertaining but far from perfect, but the potential was there. It was already anticipated that a second season would follow, yet there has been little information available since then. However, in May 2023, lead actor Pablo Schreiber, who portrays Master Chief, confirmed the completion of filming for season 2. Early reviews seem promising.
Avatar: The Last Airbender (February 22 on Netflix)
I'm genuinely looking forward to this: "Avatar: The Last Airbender," originally an animated show broadcasted on Nickelodeon for three seasons during the 2000s, is making a comeback. This series, steeped in epic fantasy and inspired by East Asian cultures, continues to captivate audiences with its blend of excitement, humor, charm, and sheer brilliance.
Severance Season 2 (TBA on AppleTv)
The eagerly anticipated "Severance Season 2" has yet to receive an official release date, though there is strong speculation that it will debut sometime in 2024.
For those who might not know, the first season of "Severance," consisting of nine episodes, was a major hit on Apple TV+, earning a plethora of Emmy nominations, securing five awards, and generating considerable acclaim from critics. Created by Dan Erickson, the series is known for its creativity and lasting impact, captivating audiences with its unique portrayal of a dystopian office environment. In the show, employees undergo a "severance" process, splitting their work identities from their everyday personas (referred to as "outies" in the series), a concept that kept me riveted to the screen from the first episode to the last.
3 Body Problem (March 21 on Netlflix)
This is my personal top pick for 2024, Netflix's adaptation of "The Three-Body Problem." This series, based on the widely acclaimed sci-fi novel by Cixin Liu, is brought to life by former "Game of Thrones" showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss. The story, unfolding over eight episodes and premiering on March 31, is set against the backdrop of China's Cultural Revolution. It follows a clandestine military project that successfully contacts an alien civilization on the brink of collapse. This contact prompts the aliens to plan an invasion of Earth, sparking intense conflicts and dividing humanity between those who wish to resist the invasion and those who seek to assist the aliens.
Fallout (April 12 on Amazon Prime Video)
Inspired by Bethesda's acclaimed Fallout video game series, this upcoming series unfolds in a post-apocalyptic landscape. The show is anticipated to mirror the game's unique 1950s style, though the reasons behind this design choice might be revealed within the show. Following HBO's success with "The Last of Us," a series adapted from a video game, there's anticipation to see if Amazon can replicate this achievement with "Fallout."
Dark Matter (May 8 on AppleTv)
Dark Matter is based on the bestselling book by Blake Crouch. Joel Edgerton, Jennifer Connelly, Alice Braga, Jimmi Simpson, and Dayo Okeniyi star in a mind-bending journey that explores the road not taken.
