Our 20 most eagerly awaited TV shows of 2020

Television ... now more than ever: To paraphrase the satirical film studio slogan of Robert Altman’s “The Player,” TV’s dominant mode these days is the avalanche, the deluge, the endless binge. But even amid the clutter of 500-some scripted and countless unscripted series, there’s plenty to be excited about, including originals from nascent (or still-to-be-launched) platforms like Apple TV+, HBO Max and Quibi. Let the Times TV team help you plan your viewing schedule with this list of our 20 most anticipated new and returning shows of 2020.

More than 25 years after the original “Party of Five” reminded viewers that everybody wants to live like they wanna live, Freeform’s updated version of the TV drama is politically timely: The new series, set in Echo Park, revolves around the five Acosta siblings, who are forced to raise themselves and navigate the struggles of daily life after their parents are suddenly deported back to Mexico. It will be among the first to weave today’s immigration crisis into its premise. (Freeform, Jan. 8) —Yvonne Villarreal

After last year’s invasion of projects from the mind of Stephen King (“It: Chapter 2,” “Doctor Sleep,” Season 2 of “Castle Rock”), do we really need more King? HBO thinks so, unveiling this limited series based on King’s novel. The logline is intriguing: “‘The Outsider’ begins by following a seemingly straightforward investigation into the gruesome murder of a young boy. But when an insidious supernatural force edges its way into the case, it leads a seasoned cop and an unorthodox investigator to question everything they believe in.” The trailer is dark and creepy, and the impressive cast includes Jason Bateman (“Ozark”) and Cynthia Erivo (“Harriet”). (HBO, Jan. 12) —Greg Braxton

Josh Thomas, an Australian comedian and actor who previously created the wonderful coming-out-and-of-age series “Please Like Me” back in 2013 (it was available here but easy to miss), returns with a new series, set in California, in which he becomes the willing if not quite ready guardian to his teenage half-sisters (Maeve Press and Kayla Cromer, who, like her character, is autistic). As in his previous series, there is a delighted interest in natural human weirdness, now with middle-school tropes mixed in. (Freeform, Jan. 16) —Robert Lloyd

They came from Africa, Asia, Central America, the Middle East. Now they’re all living in America. Clearly there’s more than one version of “the immigrant experience,” and “Little America” seeks to tell a handful of those stories in an eight-part anthology series from Kumail Nanjiani (“The Big Sick”) and Alan Yang (“Master of None”). Humor, depth and empathy are key elements in this collection of tales, making it an antidote of sorts to the past few years of travel bans and border walls. (Apple TV+, Jan. 17) —Lorraine Ali

If your New Year’s resolution is to have more Awkwafina in your life — and, make no mistake, it should be — Comedy Central is here to help. The rapper-comedian-actress, who has had a string of stand-out performances, including in this year’s “The Farewell,” stars in this semiautobiographical comedy series focused on her early 20s, when she lived in Queens with her father and grandmother while dreaming of making it big. BD Wong (“Mr. Robot”) plays her father, Lori Tan Chinn (“Orange Is the New Black”) her grandmother and Bowen Yang (“The Outs”) Awkwafina’s more successful cousin. It also marks the first scripted series fronted by an Asian American on the linear network. (Comedy Central, Jan. 22) —Yvonne Villarreal

There have been more than a few captains in the “Star Trek” universe, a durable franchise that made its way back to streaming-age television with “Star Trek: Discovery” after years of cruising the big screen. But striding above them all are William Shatner’s original James T. Kirk and Patrick Stewart’s “Next Generation” Jean-Luc Picard, and only one of those can be imagined in a serious return to the role — Patrick Stewart, creeping up on 80 but still built like a hero, ready to “make it so.” Expect at least cameo appearances by old crewmates, and a dog. (CBS All Access, Jan. 23) —Robert Lloyd

The espionage drama starring Claire Danes and Mandy Patinkin returns to Showtime after nearly two years for its eighth and final season. The return of the series, which finds agent Carrie Mathison (Danes) recuperating from months of brutal confinement in a Russian gulag, was delayed due to “an ambitious production schedule,” according to network execs. While there have been some rocky seasons along the way, the drama has recovered nicely in its last few outings, and early word indicates that the show is going out on a high note. (Showtime, Feb. 9) —Greg Braxton

Nick Hornby’s 1995 London-set novel of music, love, nerds, hot nerds and list-making, and the Americanized film Stephen Frears made of it in 2000, get an appealing update and some further changes. The record-store-owning character played by John Cusack in the film, though still named Rob, is now played by Zoë Kravitz, narrating her semi-disastrous romantic autobiography. (That vinyl is back is convenient.) Questlove as executive music director is a happy hiring. With Da’Vine Joy Randolph, brilliantly in (more or less) for Jack Black as Rob’s opinionated employee. Premiering on Valentine’s Day, appropriately. (Hulu, Feb. 14) —Robert Lloyd

Jimmy McGill’s ongoing transformation into Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk) continues as this “Breaking Bad” spinoff moves into its fifth season. Last we saw him, McGill had been reinstated and changed his professional name to Saul. This time around, expect the ethically challenged Albuquerque attorney to manipulate criminal law with the cunning of a true criminal. It’s been nearly 18 months since the Season 4 finale, so there’s been plenty of time to cook up new, tangled narratives involving Kim (Rhea Seahorn), Mike (Jonathan Banks) and Gus (Giancarlo Esposito) … and perhaps to bring Walter White back into the fold. (AMC, Feb. 23) —Lorraine Ali

This half-hour dark comedy mixed the amateur sleuthing of Nancy Drew with the self-centered millennial experience of “Girls” when it premiered in 2016 on TBS. Season 3 debuts on the new streaming platform HBO Max, with fresh challenges. Switching its genre of reference to the legal thriller, the series will follow its dysfunctional gang of investigators (played by Alia Shawkat, Meredith Hagner, Brandon Michael Hall, John Early and John Reynolds) as they become embroiled in a murder trial, and grace under pressure isn’t exactly their thing. Watch what happens when general apathy meets utter desperation. (HBO Max, May TBA) —Lorraine Ali

Though it’s set in the 1970s, “Mrs. America” promises to be one of the timeliest shows to debut in 2020, an election year in which female voters will be pivotal. The limited series, which was developed by FX and will premiere on Hulu, follows the movement to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment — and the backlash to it. Think of it as a feminist version of “Avengers: Endgame”: A lineup of A-list actresses will play second-wave leaders including Gloria Steinem (Rose Byrne), Shirley Chisholm (Uzo Aduba) and Bella Abzug (Margo Martindale). Cate Blanchett stars as their nemesis, conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly, who helped to defeat the measure — which, almost four decades later, remains tantalizingly close to ratification. (FX on Hulu, spring TBA) —Meredith Blake

Quibi chiefs Meg Whitman and Jeffrey Katzenberg, whose platform for bite-sized shows targeted at millennials will include “Murder House Flip” when it rolls out in the spring.

(Christina House/Los Angeles Times)

It sounds more like a “Saturday Night Live” skit than real life: a new series that combines two of our deepest obsessions, true crime and home renovations, on a new streaming platform with a kooky name. But it’s all too real. As its title suggests, “Murder House Flip” is a home-makeover show that aims to transform homes where murders have happened — in roughly 10-minute episodes. Name another show that will give you a cast of forensic specialists, spiritual healers and high-end renovation experts. We’ll wait. (Quibi, spring TBA) —Yvonne Villarreal

The searing drama about the high-stakes battle between federal government watchdog Charles Rhoades (Paul Giamatti) and cocky billionaire Bobby “Axe” Axelrod (Damian Lewis) incorporated a clever twist in its fourth season when Axe became consumed with destroying his former protégé, Taylor Mason (Asia Kate Dillion), who left him to form their own hedge fund firm. In a complicated scheme, Axe blackmailed Taylor and wiped them out, forcing them to return to Axe’s firm. Though Taylor is chastened, they vow to work from within to take down Axe and Rhoades, setting up another lethal war. Upping the ante are Julianna Margulies (“The Good Wife”) and Corey Stoll (“House of Cards”), who join the cast. (Showtime, TBA) —Greg Braxton

Noah Hawley‘s anthology series, based on the structural bones, black-comic tone, naturalistic caricature and Midwest setting of the Coen brothers’ 1996 film, is less a question of what than who. The Season 4 cast includes Chris Rock, Timothy Olyphant, Uzo Aduba, Jason Schwartzman, Ben Whishaw, Jessie Buckley and fiddling singer-songwriter Andrew Bird, in a story set among black and Italian gangsters in 1950 Kansas City, Mo. If the series stays true to form, one or more ordinary characters will stumble down a dark path, where they will cross one or more peace officers true to their oath(s). The rest is up for grabs. (FX, TBA) —Robert Lloyd

Al Pacino on TV playing a Nazi hunter in 1970s New York: What more could you ask for? The Emmy and Oscar winner, who always gives a compelling performance, is coming off his acclaimed turn as Jimmy Hoffa in “The Irishman,” and his name alone is guaranteed to attract legions of viewers. Sharing the spotlight on the Amazon Prime series is Logan Lerman (“The Perks of Being a Wallflower”). If that’s not enough to bring you in, Jordan Peele (“Get Out”) is an executive producer. (Amazon Prime Video, TBA) —Greg Braxton

Adults of a certain age may claim they’re subscribing to Disney+ to have content for their children to watch. And then there are those of us who have no kids (or do, but have used that excuse) and are just subscribing for the “Lizzie McGuire” reboot. The original ran from 2001 to 2004 (plus a 2003 movie) and followed the life of 13-year-old Lizzie (Hillary Duff) and her best friends Miranda (Lalaine) and Gordo (Adam Lamberg) as they managed teenage life. Duff will reprise her role as the Disney Channel icon in the new series, which picks up with Lizzie on the brink of turning 30, living in NYC as an interior designer. (Disney+, 2020 TBA) —Yvonne Villarreal

In “Quiz,” Sian Clifford (“Fleabag”) and Matthew Macfadyen (“Succession”) — actors behind two of the most memorable supporting performances of 2019 — star as Diana and Charles Ingram, an English couple accused of cheating their way to a million-pound prize on “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” in 2001. The limited series comes from British playwright and screenwriter James Graham, who specializes in illuminating dramatizations of recent history, including the recent HBO movie “Brexit: The Uncivil War” and “Ink,” a Tony-nominated play about Rupert Murdoch’s purchase of the Sun. (AMC, 2020 TBA) —Meredith Blake

Sadistic nurses aren’t born, they’re made. This series follows the origin story of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” villainess Nurse Ratched (Sarah Paulson) and her murderous ascent through the mental health care system. “Ratched” is part of Ryan Murphy’s move to Netflix after striking a massive deal with the platform, and he’s more than versed on the art of terrifying television audiences over the span of a season (see: “American Horror Story”). Louise Fletcher’s daunting, Oscar-winning performance as Ratched in the 1975 film is hard to beat, but if anyone can breathe new life into a renowned character, it’s Paulson. (Netflix, TBA) —Lorraine Ali

Flowers bloom in front of the Salt Lake Temple at Temple Square in Salt Lake City — site of the latest extension of the “Real Housewives” franchise, slated to debut in 2020.

(Associated Press)

Since “The Real Housewives of Orange County” debuted in 2006, the Bravo reality franchise has expanded to 10 locales around the country, from Beverly Hills to Potomac, Md. While the wine-soaked catfights and Botox parties seem to transcend regional differences, each new edition provides a window into the distinct local culture. This year, a new edition of the unscripted soap, set in Salt Lake City, will follow a group of well-heeled, drama-prone ladies in a region known for its mountains, film festivals, mommy bloggers and — oh yeah — Mormons. The series will “take viewers into an undiscovered world that is about so much more than religion,” says Bravo, “although the Mormon church is undeniably ingrained in the culture.” Expect it to be fascinating — and controversial. (Bravo, TBA) —Meredith Blake

Multiple Emmy winner Merritt Wever is slated to star in HBO’s “Run.”

(Lawrence K. Ho/Los Angeles Times)

Vicky Jones is best known for directing the stage version of “Fleabag” and for cofounding the theater company DryWrite with her best friend, Phoebe Waller-Bridge. That is likely to change next year, when her series “Run” debuts on HBO. In the comedic thriller, written by Jones, Merritt Wever and Domhnall Gleeson play a former couple fulfilling a teenage pact to drop everything and reunite as adults. Waller-Bridge has a supporting role in the series, which she also executive produced, so if you’ve got a “Fleabag”-shaped hole in your heart, this may do the trick. (HBO, 2020 TBA) —Meredith Blake