Happy New Year, horror friends! For the first Horror Happenings of the year, we’ve decided to preview the six television events that we’re most looking forward to in 2016. There are some brand new scares and some returning favorites slated to hit the small screen, so let’s get to it!
The X-Files (Fox) – January 24, 2016
I want to believe! …that this X-Files limited series is going to be totally awesome. For years fans have been begging for Mulder and Scully to reunite on the small screen and in just a few weeks, we’ll get our wish. With six episodes on deck spearheaded by series creator Chris Carter, Fox is starting their genre year with a bang.
Preacher (AMC) – May 2016
From producers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, Preacher joins the genre ranks of The Walking Dead and Fear The Walking Dead on AMC in 2016. Rogen has been vocal about his passion for the series on social media (he and Goldberg directed the pilot episode) and when the trailer premiered a few months back, fans got excited. The series follows Jesse Custer, an unconventional, troubled preacher in a small Texas town who gains an incredible power from a mysterious force. Oh, and there’s an Irish vampire named Cassidy, too. Based on the comic book series of the same name by writer Garth Ennis and artist Steve Dillon, Dominic Cooper stars as Jesse Custer alongside Ruth Negga and Joseph Gilgun.
Wayward Pines (Fox) – Summer 2016
Originally touted as a limited series during its premiere in the summer of 2015, Wayward Pines will return for ten more episodes in the summer of 2016 as was confirmed a few weeks ago. This fan is curious to see how the M. Night Shyamalan series will continue: Will we pick up after the events of the season finale? Will we see the war play out? Will the show go the prequel route? We’ll find out soon enough as I watch in spite of the fact that they tricked me with false mini-series promises only to add one more show to my DVR. Not cool, Fox! Don’t disappoint me…
Stranger Things (Netflix) – TBD
Speaking of Wayward Pines, the Duffer Brothers, who brought the Fox hit to the small screen, have taken their talents to Netflix with their new supernatural drama series Stranger Things (previously titled Montauk). Starring Winona Rider, David Harbour, and Matthew Modine, the eight episode series is said to be a throwback to beloved ’80s classics and features, according to Entertainment Weekly, “top secret government experiments, terrifying supernatural forces, and one very strange little girl.”
Outcast (Cinemax) – TBD
I don’t know about you, but I’m increasingly excited for Outcast to premiere on Cinemax. Not only is the network making some really incredible television (people, why aren’t you watching The Knick?!) but I had the opportunity to read Robert Kirkman and Paul Azaceta’s books over the break and, man, this television series has the potential for some serious drama.
Starring Patrick Fugit as Kyle Barnes, the trailer appears to have nailed the visual style and the tone of the books perfectly. Plus, Adam Wingard (The Guest, You’re Next) directed the pilot, and I’m pretty curious to see what he does whilst stepping into the supernatural world.
Penny Dreadful (Showtime) – TBD
Come on, guys, you know I love Penny Dreadful. As far as I’m concerned, it’s the best horror show on television and boy, oh boy, did season two end on a cliffhanger.
Warning: here be season two spoilers!
After the bloody showdown with Madame Kali, Vanessa Ives and company are left divided. With everyone essentially spread out all over the globe (or headed that way) and Hecate still on the loose, things did not end well for our beloved monster squad. Plus, let’s not forget that when we last saw Dorian Gray and Lily Frankenstein, they appeared determined to wreak havoc. With a nine-episode season three order and many other monsters hopefully to come (I bet money we see some gnarly wendigo action when Ethan Chandler arrives in America), I cannot wait for the Showtime series to return!
Which genre shows are you most looking forward to this year? Tell us in the comments! Be sure to join us next week when we preview six scary movies that we’re most looking forward to in 2016!
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Featured Image Credit: AMC Networks
Clarke Wolfe writes Horror Happenings for Nerdist every Sunday. You can follow her on Twitter @clarkewolfe.
