With a solid year of television coming up, here are the biggest TV shows returning in 2022. Despite the pandemic slowing production down in 2020 for many TV shows, 2021 still brought forth a lot of new material worth getting excited about. Some shows will be returning after almost two years because of COVID-19, making their return all the more anticipated. Other shows received so much hype during their first season that fans are swarming to find out when the shows will return. Luckily, a lot of anticipated TV shows will be coming back in 2022.
Streaming platforms are giving viewers better ways to find and binge new shows. While some TV shows were sadly canceled in 2021, even with efforts to increase access to them through new TV platforms, many shows are actually benefiting from the changing television landscape. Networks are continuing to recognize the increasing popularity and effectiveness of streaming services, leading Disney to better utilize Disney+, CBS All Access expanding itself and changing to Paramount Plus, and HBO Max reaching higher success after its launch in May 2020.
A lot of shows in 2021 became surprise hits with others gaining even higher fan bases, giving 2022 lots of fodder for viewers to watch. Franchises are also more successfully catering their growing TV show roster to audiences, like Easter eggs being used efficiently without overtly pandering to viewers. In addition to many anticipated show premieres coming in 2022, a lot of talked-about shows in 2021 received the green light for another season. Here are the biggest returning shows to look out for in 2022.
The Boys
Amazon Prime's superhero hit Superhero shows like The Boys about flawed heroes are gaining lots of momentum lately, with anticipation for The Boys' third season bursting after a lengthy year-and-a-half long wait. Season 3 of The Boys will debut Supernatural's Jensen Ackles as Soldier Boy and The Walking Dead's Laurie Holden as the Crimson Countess.
Doom Patrol
HBO Max's DC show DC TV shows coming in 2022.
The Mandalorian
s season 3 could completely change and answer questions that will further expand the Star Wars franchise in exciting ways.
Squid Game
In September 2021, Netflix's Korean hit drama is one of 2021's biggest TV shows - so it comes as no surprise that a second season, and even talks for a third season, is in the works.
Stranger Things
Netflix's popularity possibly hurting the Netflix show with its growing reliance on 80s nostalgia and character sidelining. Stranger Things is one of the many shows affected by COVID-19, with season 3's finale now being over a year and a half ago. Season 4 is expected mid-year.
What We Do In The Shadows
FX's mockumentary comedy season 3 revealing more about vampires, including energy vampires like Colin Robinson. With What We Do In The Shadows having a knack to always compound further on world-building lore and character developments, there's a lot of ground that season 4 can cover.
The Umbrella Academy
Netflix's popular hit apocalypse theory regarding Ben (Justin H. Min).
Bridgerton
The second season of Bridgerton will arrive on Netflix on March 25, 2022. The first season, released on Christmas Day in 2020, follows the Bridgerton family and the courtship between their daughter Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor) and Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page). Based on the novel series by Julia Quinn and produced by Shonda Rhimes, Bridgerton received high audience reception upon release.
Only Murders In The Building
Starring Martin Short, Steve Martin, and Selena Gomez, Only Murders In The Building's season 2 comes especially after the twist cliffhanger regarding the three main characters in the season 1 finale, making it one of the biggest returning TV shows in 2022.