2023/09/22

Intro:

It’s been more than a year since my last updates blog, so I thought it was about time to do another one for 2023. With the current writers’ strike it is most likely that a lot of shows will be postponed one or perhaps even two years! For instance, it is most likely that Star Trek: Strange New Worlds will be back with its 3^rd season in 2025 instead of 2024. So, the coming two years it is quite possible we will have to rewatch our favorite TV shows even more than we already do.

Regarding the airdates of new TV shows and upcoming (new) seasons, I will try to do it chronologically but especially with this writers’ strike, it is even more difficult to predict or expect than it would be normally. So please bear with me on this. As always, with this blog, I will cover the cancellations, new seasons, renewals, rumors, Blu-ray releases and anniversaries in 2023. Usually, I will link a TV show to its IMDB or to its own webpage on this website. It most likely will be another long read because there is a lot going on, but the advantage is that you know everything in one read, find all this information in one place.

Cancellations / Ended shows:

While some people consider Manifest cancelled after its 4^th season on Netflix, I consider this a, more or less, natural ending. The creators got a chance to finish it properly, so this is what you need to remember when I use the term “ended” instead of cancelled. Avenue 5, comedy in space, although not everybody agrees on the comedy part, was cancelled on February 11^th after season two. The final season aired more than 2 years after its freshman season late last year. Doom Patrol was also cancelled this year after 4 seasons, same as Titans. I believe however that these shows have proper endings because it was announced well before the shows aired but I am not sure because I didn’t watch these two shows. The Flash has ended after 9 seasons and The Handmaid’s Tale ends after 6 seasons. About The Handmaid Tales, there is talk of a spin-off.

Kindred, aired late last year, has been cancelled after its 1^st season. La Brea ends after a shortened 3^rd season later this year, or likely, due to the strike, somewhere in 2024. Already discussed it briefly, Manifest ends with a long, 20 episode, season 4 on Netflix. Mrs. Davis is most likely (!) cancelled. Especially with the strike, don’t expect a season two. Same goes for Obi-Wan Kenobi. It was intended as a limited series and there currently are no plans to make another season. Netflix’ The Sandman is still unclear, but it is apparently a very expensive show according to this. It has been renewed for a couple of episodes late last year, but my gut tells me it won’t be renewed for another season, but at the moment no way to be sure. Regarding Snowpiercer, this is a bit strange, it first was renewed for 4^th and final season, but early this year it was announced that the 4^th season wasn’t going to air on TNT after all, they cancelled it, no word if season 4 will be picked up by another network but those chances are getting slimmer every day.

In March of this year, it was announced that Star Trek: Discovery would end after its 5^th season! I have to say this surprised me a bit because even though I stopped watching the show, I did not expect it to be cancelled. Season 5 is set to air in 2024. Star Trek: Picard ended with its 3^rd season earlier this year. It was a great season, a real tribute to the cast of The Next Generation, it was a joy to see all these characters again. They have been given the chance to go out with a bang! The Imperfects has also been cancelled after one short season. The Man Who Fell to Earth has also been cancelled after its 1^st season. I really enjoyed this, hoped for a season two but it didn’t happen. The Nevers was officially cancelled earlier this year also. The second part of season one has also been released earlier this year. The Peripheral was renewed for season two earlier this year, but in August news came that its renewal was reversed! The current strike has been the given reason! I am afraid more will follow!

The most anticipated one is obviously The Orville of which its fate still hasn’t been decided yet! Every week, until August 2023, the show was in the top 10 of most watched shows on Hulu, but apparently this is not enough to grant it another season. It is an expensive show, so this could be a reason, furthermore, Set MacFarlane is currently busy with lots of other projects which could also be a reason. If the 3^rd season is the end, it is a good ending, but the 3^rd season was simply too good to leave it at that! The Umbrella Academy ends with its 4^th season this year. War of the Worlds’ 3^rd season ended late last year. It had a proper ending, but it is unclear to me if this gets a season 4 or not. If so, it hasn’t been announced yet. Westworld has also been cancelled after 4 seasons, not sure at this point it had a proper ending or it has an open ending or even a cliff-hanger.

This is it regarding the cancellations / endings, not sure if I am missing any, please let me know in the comments below.

New shows in 2023 /Renewals:

We’ve had a number of interesting new TV shows in 2023 and a number of them have already been renewed for a new season. The first new show we had early this year in January, The Last of us, was renewed for season two very quickly. Regarding the strike, hopefully season two was already finished far enough so that it can be released early next year. Also in January of 2023 The Way Home was released. The first season consists of 8 episodes, it was broadcast on the Hallmark Channel. It is a time travel story, haven’t seen it yet. Is has been renewed for season two. In February there was a new show called The Ark on the Syfy Channel. This one I really was looking forward to, I watched 3 episodes but I thought it was awful! I’ve read some reviews here and there that it has become better later on in the season, so perhaps I will try it again. It has been renewed for season two! In February Hello Tomorrow was released on Apple+. I thought it was a fun show, it is 25-minutes per episode. No news yet about a season two, given that it takes so long, I think it has been / will be cancelled.

After a two year gap we finally got the 3rd season of The Mandalorian. I am not sure if a 4^th season has already been announced officially but I just cannot imagine it being cancelled after 3 short seasons. According to Wikipedia season 4 of The Mandalorian is in development. Superman & Lois also aired it’s 3^rd season in March of this year and it has been renewed for a shortened 4^th and final season. From 2^nd season was released in April of this year and it also has been renewed for a 3^rd season. But remember, this all happened before the strike, so who knows what the fall-out will be. In April there also was Mrs. Davis, discussed in the previous subject already. In May Apple+ brought us the 1^st season of Silo, it contains 10 episodes and it also has been renewed for season two. The 2^nd season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds arrived in June. This one already has been renewed for season 3 well before season two started. Secret Invasion also arrived in June, a limited series. I only have seen a few episodes, but I’ve read, here and there, mostly negative reviews. Also in June, the 6^th season of Black Mirror was released. It seems likely that there will be another season but nothing official has been announced yet. In July a new TV show arrived: Twisted Metal and also a new (2^nd) season of Foundation. No news at this time if Twisted Metal will return for a 2^nd season and we also have to wait awhile longer to learn about Foundation’s fate.

In August we got two new TV shows in the SCI-FI genre. The first one is a spin-off from The Mandalorian, Ahsoka with Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka Tano. She also had a brief stint on The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. Looking forward to this one. It has been tagged as a limited series, so normally a 2^nd season is not expected. The other one is Invasion. The first season aired in 2021, so it took a while but season two is finally here. I’ve watched a few episodes of season one but stopped watching. I do want to try it again. In the last quarter of the year, we do expect a number of other TV shows. Resident Alien is expected to arrive. I had expected to arrive earlier this year, but it seems to be delayed somehow. The spin-off from The Boys, called Gen V, is scheduled to arrive on September 29^th on Amazon Prime.

Quantum Leap is expected to return with a 13-episode season 2 in October. Loki will also return in October of this year. Upload on Amazon Prime will return with its 3^rd season on October 20. Echo, spin-off from Hawkeye, was expected to arrive on November 29^th, but has been delayed to January 2024. Season 4 of The Boys, still unsure when, same for Orphan Black: Echoes. For All Mankind is back with its 4^th season on November 10! What do we expect more in 2023, well the new season (14^th ) of Doctor Who which also celebrates it’s 60^th Anniversary in November! And hopefully we will also see the 2^nd season of Halo. Star Wars: Skeleton Crew is in December of this year. Last year we got season one of Star Wars: Andor, season two will hopefully according to schedule, arrive in 2024. Season 2 will be its final season. Stranger Things’ its final 5^th season, should also arrive in 2024.

New Projects recently announced:

This section is always a bit difficult, looking so far into TV future. So, I will first name the shows which are, more or less certain at this time, but with the current strike nothing is certain! So, remember this when I am suggesting a release date, please. There are many (possible) new shows, but it is more likely some of these will be scrapped because of what is currently happening.

Alien The Series, by FX, is currently in production, expected to arrive somewhere in 2024. I’ve read that it will be an earth-based show, which I find a pity. 3 Body Problem is currently also in production and expected to come in January 2024 to Netflix. Hopefully the Star Trek Voyager documentary will arrive this year but to be honest I wouldn’t be surprised if it was being pushed back to 2024. For a long time we didn't hear anything new about Lando, but now is seems it won't be a TV series but a feature film! The Acolyte, another Star Wars show, is also expected in 2024. Two new Star Trek projects were announced: Star Trek: Academy & Star Trek: Section 31. The 2^nd one would be a TV movie or something. Not really getting excited about both projects. Star Trek: Legacy hasn’t been announced yet. There even are rumors that a lot could be changing in the near future in regard to new Star Trek shows!

Star Wars: Underworld is supposedly to arrive in 2024. The following projects / titles have also been announced as possible new TV shows, I will link the title to the news item in question: Blade Runner; Dark Matter, obviously not the Dark Matter which aired on Syfy; Dark Tower; Dune: The Sisterhood; Warhammer 40.0000 ; King Kong; Unit, a Doctor Who spin-off; Vision Quest a spin-off from Wanda Vision; Another spin-off from Wandavision, Agatha: Darkhold Diaries, formaly known as Agatha: Coven of Chaos and before that Agatha: House of Harkness, was expected to arrive this year but has been delayed to 2024. Other Marvel shows like: Daredevil: Born Again (originally scheduled for spring 2024), Ironheart (fall 2024) and Wonder Man have all been removed from Disney’s release schedule for now, with new premiere dates TBD. Armor Wars, another Star Wars show with supposedly Don Cheadle in the lead, is also still active. As said, there is a distinct possibility that the livelihood of these projects is very unsure at the moment. We will see. Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is a new TV show for Apple+ in which Kurt Russel is starring. It will arrive on Apple+ on November 17^th! 

Rumors, Hopes and very much Wanting:

Well let’s start with Babylon 5 Reboot on the CW, still hoping, but I fear the worst! Although the 30^th Anniversary next year could perhaps help? Check out this video, might give you a bit hope, as also this video. Buck Rogers remake was also rumored as also Battlestar Galactica. Too long that we haven’t heard anything of this but all we can do is hope and wonder about it. Dark Matter, which aired on Syfy between 2015-2018. The creator Joseph Mallozzi wants to give the fans closure, again, we can only hope, but chances are slim. And then there is Stargate, there are talks / rumors about a new movie, perhaps a new series but nothing official has been announced yet and with this strike, this only complicates things. Furthermore, if we do get a new Stargate, will it be in the same universe as the 3 other series, or will it be something completely new? According to SciTrek there definitely is something new on the horizon regarding Stargate. See for yourself, he regularly talks about it. Like Stargate, Robocop is also bought from MGM and it is rumored that there also will be another movie, or a miniseries with the name Robocop. Few months ago there was also talk of a reboot of The X-Files, that would be something I’d love to see. Rumors about a Warehouse 13 reboot were buzzing, but this has been quiet for awhile now. Also, Galaxy Quest reboot has been rumored for a while now but in April of this year it was said that Paramount+ is currently developing the series! I think Wyrd is dead and the reboot of Gattaca has been confirmed dead!

Blu-ray releases in 2023:

Not so long ago I was starting to believe that (SCI-FI) TV shows were no longer getting a Blu-ray release. For one because of all the streaming services, who have nothing to gain by releasing their TV shows on physical media. But last year I began to see a number of Blu-ray releases I did not expect and this year it is no different. It is perhaps true that it is not standard that TV shows get Blu-ray releases anymore, but luckily there still are some studios that still release physical media. In January of this year we got The Man Who Fell To Earth, season one, which ultimately became a complete series because there won’t be a season two. Miniseries Station Eleven was released on Blu-ray in February. In the same month Resident Alien – Season Two was released. In March the 1^st season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds was released. Not only on Blu-ray but in May it was also released on 4K! On May 1^st, finally, after several delays, For All Mankind – Seasons 1 & 2 were released on Blu-ray in the UK. Two very nice sets I might add, both 4 discs for 10 episodes. In June we had two releases, the 2^nd season of La Brea and the complete series of The Event. The Event aired in 2010-2011 and had already been released in the UK and in France long time ago. Now it finally has been released in the US. Also in July two releases, 1^st season of The Last of Us (also on 4K), and the complete series (one season) of Moonhaven. Regarding Moonhaven, this was a surprise to me that it got a Blu-ray release. After the show first was renewed, the decision was reversed a few weeks later, so no season two after all!

In August we have three releases, Babylon 5: The Home (also 4K), an animated movie. I know I normally stay away from animation on this website, but I want to make an exception for this release! In honor its 45^th anniversary, the Battlestar Galactica original movie has been released on 4K. Several years ago, it already got the Blu-ray treatment as with the entire show. On August 29^th, the final season of The Flash has been released on Blu-ray. In September, the 3^rd season of Star Trek: Picard has been released on Blu-ray. Definitely the best season, most rewarding also. In the UK the 3^rd season will be released on November 20^th. Very surprising that Disney has announced some Blu-ray / 4K releases! First one is Loki, the 1^st season, on September 26^th. The 4K version will be a steelbook! So, on May 1^st, the first two seasons have been released, and October 9^th, season three of For All Mankind is scheduled to be released! I didn’t expect this so soon! Hopefully it won’t be delayed like with the first two seasons. Season 3 of The Boys will be released on October 24^th. Next year Farscape turns 25 and for that occasion SHOUT! factory releases the complete series on November 21^st, including the Peacekeeper Wars, on Blu-ray. Unfortunately, like the earlier releases, it is an upscaled to HD release, but as said, it does include the Peacekeeper Wars and lots of special features. On November 27^th, the first season of The Sandman will be released on Blu-ray! On November 28, Disney will release the first season of Wandavision. Also both Blu-ray & 4K (Steelbook). The most exciting one, for me, will be released on December 5^th, Babylon 5 – The Complete series in honor of its 30^th Anniversary! I have been waiting for this for so many years and finally it is happening! Unfortunately, only one movie, the pilot The Gathering, is in the set, the other movies aren’t. Perhaps if this set sells well, there will a movie box coming next! We can always dream! Currently the last release of 2023 which my heart will skip a few extra beats for, is another Disney release, not one but two! The first two seasons of The Mandalorian will be released! I have to say, I didn't expect Disney to release these 3 (Loki, Wandavision & The Mandalorian) shows on Blu-ray / 4K anytime soon! 2023 turns out to be a great year in terms physical media releases of TV shows!

Anniversaries 2023:

This year I did find lots of anniversaries. For me, the most important ones are Star Trek: DS9; Babylon 5, The Pilot; The X-Files; Blake’s 7; Battlestar Galactica 1978 / 2003 & Doctor Who. For most of them there already has been written an anniversary blog. I did not write one for Doctor Who because I do not have enough knowledge about the original Doctor Who. If someone would like to do it for this website I would be honored, and you would of course get all the credits! On the BLOG page you can find all the anniversary blogs.

7 days 1998, Agents of Shield 2013, Almost Human 2013, The Andromeda Strain 2008, Babylon 5 - the Pilot 1993, Battlestar Galactica 1978, Battlestar Galactica 2003, Blake's 7 1978, Defiance 2013, Dr. Who 1963, Eleventh Hour 2008, First Wave 1998, Fringe 2008, Highlander: The Raven 1998, Invasion: Earth 1998, Jake 2.0 2003, Knight Rider 2008, Life On Mars 2008, Lois & Clark 1993, Mercy Point 1998, The Middleman 2008, Mork & Mindy 1978, New Amsterdam 2008, Orphan Black 2013, The Outer Limits 1963, Prey 1998, Red Dwarf 1988, Sanctuary 2008, SeaQuest DSV 1993, Space Rangers 1993, Star Trek: DS9 1993, Terminator: Tscc 2008, Time Trax 1993, The Tomorrow People 1973, The Tomorrow People 2013, Tru Calling 2003, V 1983, Under The Dome 2013, War of the Worlds 1988, The X-Files 1993.

Some important anniversaries next year in 2024: Babylon 5; Farscape; Stargate Atlantis; Stargate Universe; Buck Rogers; Lost & Roswell.

Final Word:

This is it, another huge blog about your and mine favorite SCI-FI TV shows. Yes, it is big but when you’ve read this, you are all up to date, you don’t have to check out the various websites. If I find out more news in the first week of posting, I will update the blog, if I find out later, I will add it in the comments. If you have questions or comments, please let me know in the comment section below. Hope you’ve found it an interesting read.