Buzz
For fans of science fiction and fantasy, this is an exciting era. Apple is adapting Isaac Asimov’s Foundation, Hulu is bringing the graphic novel Y: The Last Man to life, and Netflix has turned Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone into a series, alongside The Witcher. The lineup is vast, featuring Star Wars, Star Trek, and Marvel content, with even more on the horizon. Gone are the days when one could easily keep up with every sci-fi or fantasy show—now, it’s a full-time endeavor.
While not every show will appeal to everyone, the options are abundant. The Covid pandemic has disrupted production timelines, and streaming platforms are often secretive about release dates. Still, here are the major series likely to hit your screens by the end of 2022.
Invasion (Premiering Oct. 22, 2021)
There’s always space for a classic, high-budget alien invasion story. Featuring Sam Neill, this series stands out for its worldwide viewpoint, showcasing characters from different corners of the globe as they fight to survive the extraterrestrial threat.
Where to Stream: Apple TV+
Star Trek: Prodigy (Premiering Oct. 28, 2021)
A collaboration between Nickelodeon and Paramount, the animated series Prodigy aims to introduce a fresh audience to the iconic Star Trek universe. The story follows a group of young aliens in a remote galaxy who discover an abandoned Starfleet vessel, the Protostar, and use it to flee their dire circumstances. They receive guidance from Kate Mulgrew, who voices the ship’s training hologram—a character strikingly similar to Captain Janeway.
Where to stream: Paramount+
Station Eleven (Release Date TBD—Expected Fall 2021)
What’s the verdict on a miniseries centered around a pandemic? This ten-episode adaptation of Emily St. John Mandel’s acclaimed 2014 novel explores the aftermath of a global swine flu outbreak that wipes out most of humanity. While the premise might be challenging, the book has a devoted following, and the series boasts a stellar cast of talented character actors.
Where to stream: HBO Max
Cowboy Bebop (Premiering Nov. 19, 2021)
Regarded as one of the most iconic anime series, particularly in the U.S., Cowboy Bebop captivated audiences with its tale of misfit bounty hunters when it debuted on Adult Swim in 2001. The live-action adaptation appears to capture the original’s unique style and quirky vibe, with John Cho stepping into the role of Spike, alongside Mustafa Shakir and Daniella Pineda.
Where to stream: Netflix
The Wheel of Time (Premiering Nov. 19, 2021)
Amazon has already renewed the series for a second season before its debut, signaling strong confidence in its potential. The show aims to adapt Robert Jordan’s sprawling 14-book series, a Tolkien-inspired epic. Rosamund Pike stars as Moiraine, a member of the Aes Sedai, a group of powerful magic users. She embarks on a quest to identify the Dragon Reborn, a figure destined to either save or doom the world.
Where to stream: Prime Video
The Book of Boba Fett (Premiering Dec. 29, 2021)
Boba Fett never fully clicked for me. Despite his iconic appearance and reputation as a skilled bounty hunter, his role in the original trilogy was limited—delivering Han Solo to Jabba the Hutt and meeting his near-end in the Sarlacc pit. It wasn’t until his return in The Mandalorian, portrayed by Temuera Morrison (who also played his father in Attack of the Clones), that the character truly resonated. His commanding presence during a meticulously staged stormtrooper takedown solidified his status as a formidable figure. Details about the new series remain scarce, but Ming-Na Wen joins as Fennec Shand.
Where to stream: Disney+
Peacemaker (Premiering January 2022)
In development long before the latest Suicide Squad film, James Gunn and his team anticipated John Cena’s Peacemaker would resonate with audiences. The series picks up after the movie, following the antihero’s quest for peace—no matter the body count. With Gunn at the helm, expect the same irreverent humor and action-packed storytelling that defined the film.
Where to stream: HBO Max
Lord of the Rings (Premiering Sept. 2, 2022)
The Second Age of Middle Earth has rarely been explored, but Amazon’s series aims to change that. Set millennia before the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, the story unfolds during Sauron’s creation of the rings of power and the peak of human civilization in the island realm of Númenor. While details remain scarce, the series is rumored to be the most costly ever produced, ensuring a visually stunning experience.
Prime Video has confidently announced a September 2022 premiere for the first episode—a rarity in today’s streaming landscape, where release dates are often kept under wraps until the last minute. This suggests significant progress in production.
Where to stream: Prime Video
The Sandman (Release Date TBD—2022)
After years of development hell, Neil Gaiman’s legendary graphic novel is finally coming to life. The series follows Dream of the Endless as he seeks to reclaim his realm after decades of captivity. Netflix’s teaser promises a faithful adaptation of the beloved source material.
Where to stream: Netflix
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (Release Date TBD—2022)
This series holds the record for the longest gap between a pilot and its full series commitment—spanning over five decades since the original Star Trek pilot introduced Captain Pike, Number One, and a youthful Spock. Anson Mount, Rebecca Romjin, and Ethan Peck reprise their roles from Discovery, joined by new cast members like Celia Rose Gooding as Cadet Uhura.
Where to stream: Paramount+
House of the Dragon (Release Date TBD—2022)
The Game of Thrones franchise faces the challenge of winning back fans after its divisive finale and the unfinished book series. As a prequel, it ventures into risky territory, but the original show’s cultural impact and the focus on dragons—arguably its most captivating element—offer hope for success.
Where to stream: HBO Max
Ms. Marvel (Release Date TBD—2022)
Breaking through as a new comic book character is no small feat, but Ms. Marvel achieved instant success upon her 2013 debut. Kamala Khan, a Pakistani-American Muslim teen and avid fangirl, resonated with younger readers through her relatable story and shape-shifting abilities. With the MCU in need of fresh perspectives and greater diversity, Kamala (played by Iman Vellani) has the potential to invigorate Disney/Marvel’s screen adaptations just as she did for the comics.
Where to stream: Disney+
She-Hulk (Release Date TBD—2022)
Tatiana Maslany, known for her role in Orphan Black, stars as Jennifer Walters, the titular She-Hulk. She’s joined by Mark Ruffalo and Jameela Jamil, who plays the supervillain Titania. While details are scarce, the half-hour comedy promises a lighter, more humorous tone for Disney+’s lineup.
Where to stream: Disney+
Andor & Obi-Wan Kenobi (Release Date TBD—2022)
The Star Wars universe continues to expand with several TV projects, but these two are the most likely to debut before the end of 2022. The six-episode Obi-Wan Kenobi series reunites Ewan McGregor as the titular Jedi, set a decade after Revenge of the Sith, with Hayden Christensen reprising his role as Darth Vader. Meanwhile, Andor delves into the backstory of rebel spy Cassian Andor, set in the years leading up to Rogue One, featuring Forest Whitaker as Saw Gerrera.
Where to stream: Disney+
The Last of Us (Release Date TBD—2022)
After years of speculation and development, the beloved video game is finally being adapted for television, slated for release next year. While details and trailers remain scarce, the series will follow a smuggler tasked with protecting Ellie, a teenager, across a devastated post-apocalyptic America. The casting of Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, and Gabriel Luna adds significant promise to the project.
Where to stream: HBO Max
