16 TV shows to look forward to

The wait is over. This year marks the return of several major series that were put on pause for a variety of factors, including the dual Hollywood strikes. Cliffhangers are ready to be resolved, or new ones are about to emerge. Old characters are returning, and perhaps we’ll meet some new ones, too. But alongside new seasons of established series, a new slate of shows also will enter the fray, battling for your attention. To that end, here’s a select number of new and returning series that you should take note of this year.

‘The Pitt’ (Max, Jan. 9)

Noah Wyle as an ER doc again? Say no more. Fifteen years after the end of “ER,” NBC’s long-running medical drama in which Wyle starred as Dr. John Carter, the actor is scrubbing back in. Each installment of the 15-episode drama will explore an hour in the 15-hour shift of Dr. Robby (Wyle), a chief attendant in the emergency room at Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital. — Yvonne Villarreal

‘Severance,’ Season 2 (Apple TV+, Jan. 17)

When the new season of this psychological thriller series premieres, it will have been almost three years since we first became acquainted with the macrodata refinement team at Lumon, the mysterious corporation at the center of the show. The first season ended in a cliffhanger with the team — Mark (Adam Scott), Helly (Britt Lower) and Irving (John Turturro) — experiencing life as their Outies thanks to Dylan’s (Zach Cherry) ability to push two levers on opposite sides of a room at Lumon headquarters. — Maira Garcia

‘Star Trek: Section 31′ (Paramount+, Jan. 24)

Michelle Yeoh stars as emperor-turned-nightclub-operator Philippa Georgiou, who joins a secret division of Starfleet. Tasked with protecting the United Federation of Planets, she also must face the sins of her past. — Robert Lloyd

‘Watson’ (CBS, Jan. 26)

This drama gives top billing to the character who has traditionally operated in Sherlock Holmes’ shadow. The modern-day twist on the Holmes legacy finds Dr. Watson (Morris Chestnut) solving medical mysteries. — Greg Braxton

‘The White Lotus,’ Season 3 (HBO, Feb. 16)

It’s impossible to tell from the early glimpses of the third season of " The White Lotus” what exactly is going on. But it’s clear that creator-director Mike White has come up with more of the mischief and mayhem that made the previous two seasons of the anthology series a totally unpredictable and outrageous delight, charming viewers and critics. — G.B.

‘Zero Day’ (Netflix, Feb. 20)

In his first foray into prestige TV, Robert De Niro plays beloved former U.S. President George Mullen who is called in to help the current POTUS, played by Angela Bassett, after a catastrophic cyberattack threatens the nation. — Y.V.

‘Ludwig’ (BritBox, March 20)

British polymath David Mitchell stars as a crossword puzzle maker whose police detective twin brother disappears; he takes on his identity in order to crack the case. — R.L.

‘The Residence’ (Netflix, March 20)

This thriller takes place at the White House during a state dinner with Australia, where a dead body has been found. The only person who can solve the mystery is Cordelia Cupp, a consulting detective for the Metropolitan Police Department, played by Uzo Aduba. — M.G.

‘Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light’ (PBS, March 23)

Nearly a decade after “Wolf Hall” reinvigorated the period piece on page and screen, the final chapter of Hilary Mantel’s galvanizing portrait of courtier Thomas Cromwell is set to arrive stateside. This time, Cromwell (Mark Rylance) ends up on the wrong side of his mercurial patron, King Henry VIII (Damian Lewis), which should only intensify the palace intrigue. — Matt Brennan

‘The Studio’ (Apple TV+, March 26)

Seth Rogen plays the put-upon head of Continental Studios, where action movies trump “artsy films” — to the cinephile chief’s apparent chagrin. — M. Brennan

‘Your Friends and Neighbors’ (Apple TV+, April 11)

What do you do when the life you thought you’d have crumbles? It’s a question that gnaws at Andrew “Coop” Cooper, a depressed, divorced New York City hedge fund manager, who loses his job but still has to pay for alimony, private school for his two kids, two houses — the list goes on. He resorts to stealing from his wealthy friends and neighbors. Jon Hamm stars, along with Amanda Peet and Olivia Munn. — M.G.

‘Andor,’ Season 2 (Disney+, April 22)

It’s been more than two years since “Andor’s” Season 1 finale showed the spark of rebellion ignite in one small corner of the galaxy far, far away. Starring Diego Luna as Cassian Andor, the Emmy-nominated “Star Wars” spy thriller has set itself apart from the franchise’s other recent installments as an overtly political, gritty, grounded look at how an ordinary, disaffected person transforms into a committed revolutionary. — T.B.

‘The Last of Us,’ Season 2 (HBO, spring)

“The Last of Us,” premiered in 2023 to immediate acclaim and record audiences. Viewers instantly fell in love with Joel (Pedro Pascal), a smuggler hardened by the death of his daughter during the early days of a worldwide pandemic, and the mysteriously immune Ellie (Bella Ramsey) whom he agrees to transport across the country. — Mary McNamara

‘Long Story Short’ (Netflix, fall)

This series has been touted as the reunion of the team behind the acclaimed " Bojack Horseman.” Not much has been revealed about this beyond the logline that says it’s an animated comedy about “a family over time.” — T.B.

‘Riot Women’ (BritBox, fall)

This six-episode drama, set in Yorkshire, is about five women who form a makeshift punk rock band to perform in a local talent show, unexpectedly triggering change in their lives and giving voice to their many frustrations. The cast includes Joanna Scanlan, Rosalie Craig, Tamsin Greig, Lorraine Ashbourne and Amelia Bullmore. — Meredith Blake

‘Pee-wee as Himself’ (HBO, date TBD)

This two-part documentary will tell the story of Paul Reubens, the comedian and actor better known as Pee-wee Herman. Reubens, who died from cancer in 2023, was a performer who rarely appeared out of character and revealed little about his private life. — M. Blake