The world of television has changed dramatically in the last ten years.
As the broadcast networks have struggled to deal with an increasingly fragmented audience, the cable networks have emerged as a driving force of original programming. The paradigm shift was even more apparent when AMC's "Mad Men" took the Emmy for Best Drama two years in a row, while primarily competing against other cable shows.
Now, more than ever, the most exciting and innovative shows are coming from cable. Crave Online has throughly examined the upcoming slate of new cable series to determine ten shows which have the potential to be the next breakout hits.
"Louie"
Network: FX
Debut: June 29, 2010
Louis Szekely (better known as Louis C.K.) has been one of the most influential stand up comedians of the last few years, in addition to his previous writing experience for "The Chris Rock Show," "The Late Show with David Letterman" and "Late Night with Conan O'Brien." While "Lucky Louie" — his previous attempt at sitcom stardom — didn't take off at HBO, his new series "Louie" will have a more personal edge as it is loosely adapted from his own life.
In "Louie," Louis C.K. will portray a fictionalized version of himself attempting to deal with his recent divorce while raising two daughters. The series will reportedly blend in C.K.'s stand-up routines with the regular storylines — which sounds like a modern take on the early days of "Seinfeld." Just prior to landing the series, C.K. proved his acting chops on NBC's "Parks and Recreation" with his recurring role as Dave Sanderson, the boyfriend of Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler).
If FX gives "Louie" the time to find an audience the way it has for "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia," it could become their next big comedy series.
"Haven"
Network: Syfy
Debut: July 9, 2010
Loosely based on Stephen King's novela "The Colorado Kid," "Haven" stars Emily Rose ("Jericho") as an FBI agent named Audrey Parker who stumbles upon a town filled with people who have supernatural abilities. While the premise sounds a little similar to "Eureka," King's pedigree seems to suggest a darker tone than that series. Eric Balfour, Lucas Bryant, Richard Donat and John Dunsworth also star in the series.
Lloyd Segan and Shawn Piller are on board as executive producers. The duo previously produced another King adaptation: "The Dead Zone" on USA, which had a successful six season run. Fellow "Dead Zone" veterans Sam Ernst and Jim Dunn wrote the pilot episode, which will hit Syfy in July.
"The Glades"
Network: A&E
Debut: July 11, 2010
While A&E is primarily known for its unscripted reality series, "The Glades" represents the beginning of its shift towards scripted content. The series stars Matt Passmore as a brilliant homicide Chicago police detective exiled in South Florida for allegedly sleeping with his captain's wife. "The Glades" also stars Kiele Sanchez, Carlos Gómez,
Uriah Shelton, Jordan Wall, Abby Pivaronas, John Carroll Lynch and Michael Roark.
At first glance, "The Glades" might appear to be another ordinary police procedural series that happens to be infringing upon the territory of "CSI: Miami." However, the series was created by Clifton Campbell, who showed his lighter and slightly comedic touch in his previous series, "White Collar" for USA. Hopefully, "The Glades' will follow that example.
"Covert Affairs"
Network: USA
Debut: July 13, 2010
Spy series seem to be suddenly back in vogue, from NBC's "Undercovers" and the CW's "Nikita" as well as the rumored "Alias" revival on ABC.
But USA is beating them all to the punch with "Covert Affairs," a new series starring Piper Perabo as a new CIA agent who is thrust into the field before her training is complete. Christopher Gorham,Sendhil Ramamurthy, Kari Matchett, Eion Bailey and Peter Gallagher also star.
"Covert Affairs" was created by Matt Corman and Chris Ord, whose only previous credit is the holiday themed film, "Deck the Halls." However, USA has a good track record of mixing action with light comedy — like "Burn Notice" — which automatically puts this one on our collective radar.
"Pillars of the Earth"
Network: Starz
Debut: July 23, 2010
Former "Deadwood" star Ian McShane seems to excel in historical dramas, which makes his casting appropriate in Starz' upcoming miniseries, "Pillars of the Earth." Based upon a historical novel by Ken Follett, "Pillars of the Earth" takes place in twelfth century England and follows a number of characters in a small town against the backdrop of the construction of a large cathedral. Donald Sutherland, Rufus Sewell, Matthew Macfadyen, Sarah Parish, David Oakes, Robert Bathurst, Hayley Atwell, Sam Claflin and Eddie Redmayne; among several others.
"Gladiator" director Ridley Scott and his brother Tony Scott ("Man on Fire") are among the producers of the eight hour miniseries, which was directed by Sergio Mimica-Gezzan ("Heroes"). Large scale historical TV productions have largely fallen out of favor, so the success or failure of "Pillars of the Earth" will determine whether or not the sequel, "World Without End" is also made.
"Rubicon"
Network: AMC
Debut: August 1, 2010
Have you ever wondered if the government is controlled by forces beyond your understanding?
That's the basic premise of Jason Horwitch's "Rubicon," a new series which stars James Badge Dale as an intelligence analyst who uncovers evidence of a secret society that is manipulating events on a global scale. There hasn't been a true conspiracy thriller on TV since the early seasons of "The X-Files." And while this series doesn't appear to have any supernatural elements, it does have a stellar cast that includes Jessica Collins, Lili Taylor, Miranda Richardson, Dallas Roberts, Christopher Evan Welch, Paul Butler and Peter Gerety.
Amazingly, this is only the third original series to come out of Amc, following "Breaking Bad" and "Mad Men." AMC has carefully chosen its projects and this one appears to be poised to be one of the most intriguing shows on cable.
"Terriers"
Network: FX
Debut: August 2010
All you really need to know about "Terriers" is that "The Shield" creator Shawn Ryan is returning to the FX network with a new series.
Donal Logue stars as Hank Dolworth, an ex-cop who becomes an unlicensed private investigator along with his friend — and recently reformed thief — Britt Pollack, who is portrayed by Michael Raymond-James. While the series is described as a comedic drama, a recent visit to the set in San Diego revealed that "Terriers" will take some darker turns as the series progresses, which is material that Ryan often excels with. The series was created by Ted Griffin ("Ocean's Eleven"), who will also serve as an executive producer with Ryan.
"The Shield" made FX into the network it is today, so this series comes with high expectations. However, given the talent involved, it should be able to live up to those lofty goals.
"Boardwalk Empire"
Network: HBO
Debut: Fall 2010
Just when HBO thought it was safe to pull out of the mob...
Although the comparisons to "The Sopranos" are inevitable, "Boardwalk Empire" is set in Atlantic City during the Prohibition era and is based upon Nelson Johnson's book of the same name. Former "Sopranos' producer Terence Winter is also on board the project, while legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese directed the pilot episode — and may continue to stay involved with the production.
Steve Buscemi ("Reservoir Dogs") stars in the lead role, with Kelly MacDonald, Michael Pitt, Michael Shannon, Stephen Graham, Dabney Coleman, Vincent Piazza
and Aleksa Palladino."Boardwalk Empire" may have a lofty reputation to live up to, but HBO has rarely dropped the ball on its original programming.
"The Walking Dead"
Network: AMC
Debut: October 2010
If ever there was a series destined to be a hit out of the gate, it's "The Walking Dead." Based on one of the most popular independent comic books produced today — by Robert Kirkman and artist Charlie Adlard — the series will come to television under the watchful eye of Frank Darabont, the director of "The Mist" and "The Green Mile." According to several well placed reports, HBO was also in the running to get this series before it ultimately went to AMC. And Kirkman has already indicated that the TV series will pull no punches in the gore and violence department.
"The Walking Dead" stars Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes, a small town cop who must lead his family and a group of strangers to safety during a devastating zombie apocalypse. Sarah Wayne Callies, Chandler Riggs, Jeffrey DeMunn, Jon Bernthal, Laurie Holden and Steven Yeun round out the main cast. While the first season will only be six episodes long, Darabont and Kirkman are confident that future seasons will be longer.
"Game of Thrones"
Network: HBO
Debut: Spring 2011
Perhaps the only cable TV series more anticipated than "The Walking Dead" is HBO's upcoming "Game of Thrones." Based on the best selling "A Song of Ice and Fire" novel series by legendary writer George R. R. Martin, the series takes place in a fantasy world in which seasons can last several years. "Lord of the Rings" star Sean Bean headlines the cast, which includes Lena Headey, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Fairley, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Mark Addy.
"Game of Thrones" is one of HBO's most ambitious series in years and also features several notable screenwriters, including David Benioff, Dan Weiss, Bryan Cogman and Jane Espenson. With potentially millions of fans already awaiting the debut of this series, HBO may find itself back on top of the cable programming mountain after this hits next spring.
