Entertainment
The new year is here, which means a new list of Netflix original series to watch in 2016. From an "unbreakable" and optimistic female lead to a new Marvel superhero to the award-winning women of Litchfield Penitentiary, the lineup of Netflix original series will give you 30 reasons to stay on the couch for the next 365 days.
Although Netflix is known for giving viewers a chance to catch up on old shows, re-visit their favorite movies, or binge-watch a new television series they might have missed, it is also creating original content that is captivating, edgy and endearing. In July of 2013, the online streaming service made history when it earned 14 Primetime Emmy nominations, securing itself as the first content provider that wasn't on air to be recognized by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
Since that historical day, Netflix has received 79 Emmy nominations and surpassed HBO in Golden Globe nominations this year, with eight. It can easily be argued that Netflix is taking over the entertainment industry as we know it, and revolutionizing the way media is viewed and consumed. Hey, as long as I can re-watch every episode of How I Met Your Mother in between new seasons of Orange Is The New Black, I'm a happy viewer.
So here it is, the Netflix original series we'll all be waiting for in 2016, so get your favorite pair of sweatpants and oversized snuggle blankets ready.
'Arrested Development' — Season 5
Netflix resurrected the critically acclaimed, yet inexplicably canceled Arrested Development in 2013, and will bring it back for a fifth installment. And if you haven't seen the show yet, you can watch the series while waiting for the next chapter to arrive in the middle of the year.
'Luke Cage'
For those who don't know, the character of Luke Cage is currently appearing on the well-received Netflix original, Jessica Jones. A Marvel Comics superhero with impenetrable skin and super-human strength, Luke is slated to get his own Netflix series some time this year. The show will provide viewers with his backstory, while continuing the Marvel storyline and preparing fans for future shows surrounding Iron Fist and The Defenders.
'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt' — Season 2
Airing in March, season two will continue to follow the optimistic Kimmy as she continues to take New York City by storm.
'House Of Cards' — Season 4
The conniving, ruthless Frank and Claire Underwood have clawed their way inside the Oval Office, unapologetically destroying everyone in their way. Now, after three seasons of strategic backstabbing, viewers will likely see this strained pair experience a series of unexpected twists and turns because, well, that's just what House of Cards does.
'Grace and Frankie' — Season 2 & 3
When viewers first met Grace and Frankie (played by the incomparable Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin) they were trying to rediscover themselves after their respective husbands announce that they are gay and getting married. . . to each other. The show has been renewed for another two seasons, which is sure to give fans more hilarious, witty and heartfelt story lines of life after love.
'BoJack Horseman' — Season 3
BoJack Horseman (voiced by Will Arnett) follows a Hollywood has-been who tried to position a comeback in the entertainment business. This isn't your childhood cartoon, and references to sex, drugs and shameless overindulgence has made it for mature audiences (who love a good laugh) only.
'Orange Is the New Black' — Season 4
Piper Chapman and the women of Litchfield have given Netflix its most watched (and most awarded) series. The fourth season will give us even more inmate backstories (yes), even more drama (of course), and a continued look at Piper's transformation.
'Daredevil' — Season 2
The blind defense attorney and protector of Hell's Kitchen, Matt Murdock (played by Charlie Cox) is back for more action and crime-fighting. Not only are the fight scenes intense and the relationships complicated, but the villain Kingpin is flawlessly played by Vincent D'Onofrio and leaves viewers loving to hate him and hating that they kind of love him.
'Fuller House'
The entire cast of the original Full House (minus Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen) is set to reboot the '90s classic and nostalgic favorite. Stephanie is now a magician, D.J is recently widowed and, well, we'll just have to wait until Feb. 26 to see the rest.
'Degrassi: The Next Class'
Degrassi: The Next Generation gave us Drake, so I can't wait to see what Degrassi: The Next Class has in store for us. This series will follow "Generation Z" as they experience heartache, triumphs and every angsty teenage emotion in between.
Here's the complete list, for your binge-watching pleasure. Thank you, Netflix.
Degrassi: The Next Class (Jan. 15, 2016)
Chelsea Handler's New Talk Show & Chelsea Does (Jan. 26, 2015)
Fuller House (Feb. 26, 2015)
House of Cards — Season 4 (March 4, 2016)
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt — Season 2 (March 2016)
Bloodline — Season 2 (Spring 2016)
Daredevil — Season 2 (Spring 2016)
Trailer Park Boys — Season 10 & 11 (Spring 2016 & Late 2016)
Between (May 2016)
Orange Is The New Black — Season 4 (June 2016)
Arrested Development — Season 5 (Mid-2016)
Bojack Horseman — Season 3 (Mid-2016)
Narcos — Season 2 (August 2016)
Marco Polo — Season 2 (Late 2016)
Sense8 — Season 2 (Late 2016)
A Series of Unfortunate Events (TBD)
Black Mirror — Season 3 (TBD)
Club De Cuervos — Season 2 (TBD)
Flaked — (TBD)
Grace and Frankie — Season 2 & 3 (TBD)
Lady Dynamite (TBD)
Longmire — Season 5 (TBD)
Lost In Space (TBD)
Love (TBD)
Luke Cage (TBD)
Stranger Things — Season 2 (TBD)
The Crown (TBD)
The Get Down (TBD)
The OA (TBD)
The Ranch (TBD)
Images: Lionsgate Television
