Netflix made a slew of announcements July 27 at the TV Critics Association summer tour, including the premiere date for the long-awaited Gilmore Girls revival.
“Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life” will debut at 2:01 a.m. CT Nov. 25. Series stars Alexis Bledel and Lauren Graham return for the four 90-minute chapters. Each movie will be themed after a season: winter, spring, summer and fall. Among returning costars are Scott Patterson, Kelly Bishop, Milo Ventimiglia, Matt Czuchry, Sally Struthers, Liza Weil, Yanic Truesdale, Keiko Agena and Sean Gunn.
Original series creator Amy Sherman-Palladino executive produces, writes and directs the four 90-minute chapters with Daniel Palladino. The project comes from Dorothy Parker Drank Here Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television.
Here’s a look at all the other Netflix announcements, taken from a Netflix press release.
Netflix premiere dates
Chef’s Table: France
The third installment premieres globally at 2:01 a.m. CT Sept. 2.
“Chef’s Table: France” will showcase the crème de la crème of French chefs talking about what inspires them and how it translates into their individual styles. The filmmakers embark on a personal look into the daily lives of these carefully curated chefs, from their diverse backgrounds to the evolution and craft of their chosen cuisine as well as their quests for sensory perfection. The following French chefs will be featured in the upcoming season:
- Alain Passard, L’Arpege
- Michel Troisgros, Maison Troisgros
- Adeline Grattard, Yam’Tcha
- Alexandre Couillon, La Marine
A Boardwalk Pictures production, Chef’s Table is created, executive produced and directed by David Gelb. Clay Jeter, Andrew Fried and Brian McGinn return as directors, with Abigail Fuller directing as well. Fried and McGinn are executive producers with Dane Lillegard as Co-Executive Producer for Boardwalk Pictures. Seasons 1 & 2 of Chef’s Table are currently streaming exclusively on Netflix.
Easy
Premieres globally at 2:01 a.m. CT Sept. 22.
“Easy” is an anthology series from creator Joe Swanberg that explores diverse Chicago characters as they fumble through the modern maze of love, sex, technology and culture. The eight-episode series, written and directed by Swanberg, features Orlando Bloom, Malin Akerman, Jake Johnson, Marc Maron, Dave Franco, Hannibal Buress, Emily Ratajkowski, Michael Chernus, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Aya Cash, Jane Adams, Elizabeth Reaser, Evan Jonigkeit and more.
The Ranch
Part 2 of Season 1 premieres globally at 2:01 a.m. CT Oct. 7.
Set in present day on a Colorado ranch, this half-hour multi-camera comedy series stars Ashton Kutcher, Danny Masterson, Sam Elliott and Debra Winger. Life on “The Ranch” is never easy and things get even more complicated in Part 2 of Season 1.
It seems like ex-football star Colt Bennett (Kutcher) has finally accepted his place on the family ranch, but he and his brother Rooster (Masterson) will have to prove themselves to their father Beau (Elliot) if they ever hope to become partners. Maggie (Winger) has hopes of her own and they may no longer involve her on-again/off-again husband and after finally saving his ranch, Beau might be losing his family. And if life weren’t complicated enough, when Colt’s high school sweetheart Abby (Elisha Cuthbert) expresses doubts about her fiancé, Colt must choose between his current girlfriend and his first love. Dysfunctional doesn’t even cover this family.
“The Ranch” is executive produced by Don Reo (“Two and Half Men,” “My Wife and Kids”) and Jim Patterson (“Two and Half Men,” “Mike and Molly”). Kutcher and Masterson also serve as executive producers.
Black Mirror
Premieres globally at 2:01 a.m. CT Oct. 21.
“Black Mirror” is an anthology series that taps into our collective unease with the modern world, with each stand-alone episode a sharp, suspenseful tale exploring themes of contemporary techno-paranoia. Without questioning it, technology has transformed all aspects of our lives; in every home; on every desk; in every palm—a plasma screen; a monitor; a Smartphone—a Black Mirror reflecting our 21st Century existence back at us. The series is created and written by Charlie Brooker, and executive produced by Brooker and Annabel Jones. Its third season, comprising six episodes:
- “San Junipero” features Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Mackenzie Davis in an episode directed by Owen Harris.
- “Shut Up and Dance” features Jerome Flynn and Alex Lawther in an episode directed by James Watkins.
- “Nosedive” features Bryce Dallas Howard, Alice Eve and James Norton in an episode directed by Joe Wright.
- “Men Against Fire” stars Michael Kelly, Malachi Kirby and Madeline Brewer in an episode directed by Jakob Verbruggen.
- “Hated in the Nation” features Kelly MacDonald in an episode directed by James Hawes.
- “Playtest” stars Wyatt Russell and Hannah John-Kamen and is directed by Dan Trachtenberg.
Lovesick
Premieres globally 2:01 a.m. CT Nov. 17.
The second season of “Lovesick,” the series formerly known as “Scrotal Recall,” stars Johnny Flynn, Antonia Thomas and Daniel Ings, all returning for more fun in this delightful, romantic comedy. Season 2 will consist of eight episodes. Series creator Tom Edge returns as writer for season two and serves as executive producer along with Murray Ferguson, Andy Baker and Ed Macdonald. “Lovesick” is produced by Clerkenwell Films.
Beat Bugs
Season 2 premieres 2:01 a.m. CT Nov. 18.
Inspired by the songs of The Beatles, “Beat Bugs” tells uplifting and life-affirming stories filled with hope and melody. The animated show follows five best friends who together discover life’s most important lessons in an overgrown suburban backyard. The Beat Bugs live out these childhood adventures to the words and music of The Beatles.
Created by Josh Wakely, “Beat Bugs” incorporates more than 50 songs from the Lennon/McCartney “Northern Songs” catalogue and features covers by world-leading music artists. Among the performers are Pink, Eddie Vedder, James Corden, Regina Spektor, Of Monsters and Men, The Shins, Chris Cornell and Sia. The 13-episode first season will be available globally on Aug. 3.
Captive
Premieres globally 2:01 a.m. CT Dec. 9.
The new docu-series from acclaimed executive producer Doug Liman and producers Simon and Jonathan Chinn examines the highest profile cases to those kept hidden from the public. The producers of “Captive” have gained privileged access to the most challenging negotiations of our time—revealing how hostage-taking, and the efforts to resolve it, have evolved to address an escalating international trend. The episodes look at a wide range of situations from the viewpoint of everyone involved: the victims and their families back home, the experienced negotiators, business leaders, government officials and the kidnappers themselves.
One Day at a Time
Premieres globally 2:01 a.m. CT Jan. 6, 2017.
This reimagining of the Norman Lear classic centers on a Cuban-American family. Our heroine is a recently separated, former military mom (Justina Machado) navigating a new single life while raising her radical teenaged daughter and socially adept tween son. She gets “help” from her old school Cuban-born mom (Rita Moreno) and a friends-without-benefits building manager named Schneider. The 13-episode first season of “One Day at a Time” is produced by Act III Productions, Inc., Snowpants Productions and Small Fish Studios in association with Sony Pictures Television. Norman Lear, Mike Royce, Gloria Calderón Kellett and Michael Garcia are executive producers.
Netflix second season renewals
- “Chelsea” will return for a 90-episode second season in 2017. Season 1 is currently streaming three times a week exclusively on Netflix.
- “Lady Dynamite” will return for a second season in 2017. The single-camera comedy series is based on what actor/comedian Maria Bamford has accepted to be “her life.”
- “Real Rob” will return for an eight-episode second season in 2017. Rob Schneider’s comedy series is an exaggerated yet brutally honest depiction of the comedian’s real life, interspersed with his stand-up comedy performances.
New Netflix series pick-ups
Untitled Motown Project
From writer/director Josh Wakely (“Beat Bugs”) comes a new musically-themed Netflix original animated series for children and families. The untitled Motown project revolves around a lovable, funny and slightly shy eight year old boy named Ben, who discovers he has the extraordinary ability to bring street-art to life. Ben and his family live in the imaginary city of Motown, based on Detroit and its rich musical heritage. Inspired by the words and melodies of Motown’s classic songs, Ben and his friends Angie and Mickey, along with an amazing cast of enchanting street art characters, discover that creativity is magic as they revive vibrancy to their city and learn life lessons.
Internationally-renowned recording artist and songwriter Smokey Robinson will serve as executive music producer on the show, which will feature contemporary artists performing hit songs from the Motown catalog that will serve as inspiration for each episode. Throughout its illustrious history, the Motown label garnered dozens of No. 1 hits. The series will bring 52 of these iconic songs to life, including those made famous by all-time greats like Robinson, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5, Lionel Richie, The Supremes, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder and many more.
Ozark
The 10-episode first season of the one-hour drama “Ozark” will premiere worldwide on Netflix in 2017. Starring Jason Bateman and Laura Linney, the series comes from Media Rights Capital. Bateman also serves as an executive producer and director on the series.
Grounded in dark reality, this money-centric present day story revolves around financial planner Marty (Jason Bateman) and Wendy Bird (Laura Linney) and their family’s sudden relocation from the suburbs of Chicago to a summer resort community in the Missouri Ozarks. “Ozark” explores capitalism, family dynamics, and survival through the eyes of (anything but) ordinary Americans.
Netflix casting announcements
Llama Llama
Award-winning actress and early childhood development advocate Jennifer Garner has signed on to voice the character of Mama Llama in the recently announced Netflix original animated series for preschoolers. Based on the acclaimed and best-selling book series by author and illustrator Anna Dewdney, the show tells heart-warming tales about childhood moments and adventures., The series will explore the special connections between lead character Llama, his family and best friends. Llama and his mother, in particular, share a warm and loving bond; she is his rock and safe haven as her son experiences growing up.
“Llama Llama” i produced by Genius Brands International and set to premiere in 2017 to Netflix members worldwide. The series is led by an all-star team of creators including Oscar-winning director Rob Minkoff (“The Lion King”), director Saul Blinkoff (“Doc McStuffins”), showrunner Joe Purdy, legendary art director Ruben Aquino (Disney animated films) and Emmy-award winning producers Jane Startz and Andy Heyward.
Greenhouse Academy
The Netflix original tween series “Greenhouse Academy” has finalized its cast. Series regulars include Jessica Amlee, Cinthya Carmona, Nadine Ellis, Reina Hardesty, Dallas Hart, BJ Mitchell, Ariel Mortman, Chris O’Neal, Benjamin Papac, Finn Roberts, Parker Stevenson and Grace Van Dien. Ishai Golan is a recurring cast member.
“Greenhouse Academy” is a live-action series set in an elite boarding school in Southern California called “The Greenhouse” where students are divided into two rival houses. After uncovering an evil plot, the students must join forces to conquer challenges. Paula Yoo (“West Wing,” “Defiance,” “Eureka”) is adapting with showrunner Giora Chamizer, who wrote and created the original series. Nutz Productions, a subsidiary company of Ananey Communications, will produce the series for Netflix.