January might be the low point of the year for some, but for television lovers it's like Fourth of July and Halloween rolled into one. (Assuming you like both of those holidays, at least.) Every year brings a new crop of midseason shows that provide a much-needed refresher after yet another disappointing fall season. Plenty of those are returning favorites like It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Sherlock, but even more are untested rookies, oddballs that are looking to distinguish themselves and grab some fans in the midst of an ever-more-crowded schedule. We've sifted through those weirdos and found the dozen that look most promising. From ensemble players getting star turns to dark flights of fancy to some previously unexplored comic-book adaptations, it's looking like a good slate—we suggest clearing some space on the DVR.
After years as TV's most underrated comic actress on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Kaitlin Olson gets the network vehicle she so richly deserves. The only question is whether the premise—a dysfunctional partier who finds herself the guardian of three kids after her superwealthy sister and brother-in-law flee the country—delivers on the potential. Two episodes in, the answer isn't yet clear, but Olson's always game, so don't let the Mrs. Doubtfire x Workaholics vibe turn you off. —Peter Rubin
NBC originally developed this dark reimagining of The Wizard of Oz back in 2014, gave it a direct-to-series order, cancelled it before production, then changed their minds. While that might not inspire confidence, hiring Tarsem Singh to direct all 10 episodes of the first season does; add in Vincent D’Onofrio as the magic-hating Wizard, and things are already weird enough to give it a shot. —K.M. McFarland
After giving the best performance in The Revenant, Tom Hardy seems to be steering into the vendetta-bearing-wildman skid with this miniseries. Hardy plays James Delaney, a man presumed dead who returns to England from Africa with stolen diamonds to seek revenge after the death of his father. Not much is clear about the exact plot, but it involves the corrupt East India Company, riches, slaves, spooky imagery, and plenty of mustache-twirling villainy. —K.M. McFarland
A con man (Giovanni Ribisi) leaves jail, steals his cellmate's identity, and begins the hunt for the buried money that just might save his brother from a vengeful gangster (Bryan Cranston). Amazon's original programming has been hit-or-miss for years now, but with Justified creator Graham Yost at the helm as showrunner, this onetime CBS pilot has the potential to be a must-watch. —Peter Rubin
Heard any good elected-against-all-odds stories lately? Good, because HBO has one in its new series about how the Archbishop of New York (Jude Law) somehow becomes Pope, and generally has a ball rejecting his predecessor's progressive agenda. Nope, doesn't ring a bell in the slightest. The premise alone is ridiculous enough to demand viewership—the fact that it’s created, written, and directed by acclaimed Italian director Paolo Sorrentino only adds to the gaudy mystique. —K.M. McFarland
Coinciding with the 75th anniversary of Archie comics, the CW adapts their familiar citizens into a dark and soaptastic drama executive produced by Greg Berlanti. Archie (K.J. Apa) is a total hunk who has the hots for new girl in town Veronica (Camila Mendes), while also being totally oblivious to the feelings of his best friend Betty (Lili Reinhart). All the other familiar characters are here as well, from Jughead (Cole Sprouse) to Josie and the Pussycats. We loved the pilot when we saw it last summer at Comic Con, and we can’t wait to get more episodes. —K.M. McFarland
DC Comics already has a number of live-action shows on the air, from Supergirl to the so-called "Arrowverse," but now it has a sitcom. Set in an R&D subsidiary of Wayne Enterprises, the workplace comedy brings together Spring Breakers' Vanessa Hudgens with comedy heroes Danny Pudi (Community), Alan Tudyk (Firefly, Rogue One), and Ron Funches (@Midnight) for what we're hoping helps bring comic-book universes into new, uncaped, territory. —Peter Rubin
If you watch Veep, then you already know the joy of Sam Richardson, who plays hapless aide (and proprietor of Splettnet.net) Richard Splett. Now, Richardson has teamed up with SNL alum and real-life best friend Tim Robinson to play buddies and advertising partners just trying to make it in the Motor City. With cameos from the likes of Jason Sudeikis and Keegan-Michael Key, we're expecting this to be the next Broad City. OK, we're hoping it to be, but Richardson can do no wrong and the trailer has us ready to believe. —Peter Rubin
In the MCU era, Marvel's TV series have aired either on Disney-owned ABC (Agents of SHIELD) or Netflix (for grittier fare like Jessica Jones and Luke Cage). This story of a young man with multiple personalities (Dan Stevens) trying to find his way in a world that's out to get him marks the first marriage of Marvel Television and FX. (This is not an MCU show, though; it's supposedly set in a parallel universe to Fox's X-Men universe, which may or may not acknowledge the character's famous comic-book parentage.) Fargo creator Noah Hawley is running the show, which is a great sign—as is the fact that he cast Fargo standout Jean Smart. —Peter Rubin
Based on Liane Moriarty’s novel of the same name, this seven-episode miniseries from David E. Kelley (Ally McBeal, Boston Legal) depicts three mothers in Monterey, California. Jane (Shailene Woodley) a single mother who recently moved to town, meets Madeline (Reese Witherspoon) and Celeste (Nicole Kidman), who take the younger women under their wing and into the gossip machine of a not-so-perfect wealthy seaside community. All episodes are directed by Jean-Marc Vallee (Dallas Buyers Club, Wild), completing what's already a stellar pedigree. —K.M. McFarland
Pete Holmes has been a comedy success for years now, whether through his standup or podcast (You Made It Weird), so getting an HBO vehicle co-produced by Judd Apatow isn't exactly out of the blue. Nor is the premise untrod ground: a standup comic jilted by his wife (improv queen Lauren Lapkus) has to get his life together while couchsurfing. But Holmes' affable-doofus schtick is well- honed, and that Apatow guy seems to know how to help make a TV show (Girls, Netflix's Love), so count on this one to stay aloft. —Peter Rubin
Daredevil. Jessica Jones. Luke Cage. There's only one Marvel/Netflix character left to go before the long-anticipated Defenders teamup, and we'll give you one guess who it is. No, we won't: it's this one! Martial-arts whiz Danny Rand fills out the fearsome foursome—but don't forget, The Punisher's not far behind. —Peter Rubin
