“Watchmen”
What You Need To Know: Boasting a stellar cast which includes notable actors like Regina King, Jeremy Irons, Don Johnson, and Louis Gossett, Jr the series is a television adaptation of the DC comic books of the same name. It’s cinematic predecessor, the Zack Snyder-directed 2009 “Watchmen” film, was the filmmaker’s first foray into the world of superheroes. While it garnered largely mixed reviews at the time, the film solidified Syder’s presence in what would soon be a cinematic take over of comic book films between Marvel and DC Comics. With HBO now finally cashing in on this craze, “Watchmen,” with its dark intensity, mature themes and complex characters are right up the studio’s alley and will undoubtedly be an interesting television experience similar to that of Marvel’s Luke Cage on Netflix. Unlike the 2009 film, the series is slated to be helmed by writer and producer Damon Lindelof who most recently co-created the series “The Leftovers” for the network, will team up once again for this DC series.
Release Date: Season 1 premieres on HBO on October 20.
“Catherine the Great”
What You Need To Know: Dame Helen Mirren once again takes on royalty with her latest role as Catherine the Great, Russia’s longest-ruling female leader. Mirren has taken on a myriad of roles as royalty, playing Queen Elizabeth multiple times (we are talking Elizabeth I and Elizabeth II, a feat she alone has accomplished) but this one is decidedly different. Undertaking Russia’s greatest and most revered monarch, this role yet again will illustrate her spellbinding capacity to portray incredibly complex characters with earnestness and integrity. Mirren will portray the Queen at the end of her reign in this four-part miniseries, joined by Jason Clarke, Gina McKee, and Rory Kinnear. Mirren herself said of playing Catherine the Great, “she rewrote the rules of governance by a woman, and succeeded to the extent of having the word “Great” attached to her name.” And so we have it that a great actress will play a great queen (again) in HBO’s latest.
Release Date: Season 1 premieres on HBO on October 21.
“Mrs. Fletcher”
What You Need to Know: Actress Kathryn Hahn is a gift to all of us and a criminally underrated performer as she continuously delivers terrific and honest work about somehow down on their luck women who are looking to rediscover or reestablish themselves. In the case of “Mrs. Fletcher,” this metamorphosis comes after the leading character’s son leaves for college and she must learn how to be on her own again with her son as constant companionship. This is the type of role Hahn could do in her sleep but it’s nice to see a series that fully revolves around her talent. Created by Tom Perrotta who most notably wrote for the other HBO series “The Leftovers,” the pilot is penned by him and directed by Nicole Holofcener (“Walking, Talking” and “Lovely & Amazing”) an excellent pair for this actress.
Release Date: Season 1 premieres on October 27 on HBO.