From Camelot to a new Caped crusader, from really far back (85 million years or so) to just as far back as the gladiators of the Roman Empire, from alien invaders to desperate doctors in the South American jungle and even epic-scale fantasy kingdoms, take a look at my run-down of the hot, hot new TV shows that will be the most buzzed-about ones for 2011!
From Steven Spielburg's highly-anticipated Terra Nova (a future family travels to the prehistoric past) and his Falling Skies (Noah Wyle fights alien invaders in this current day drama), to a new superhero in The Cape, a new King Arthur and Merlin drama, a sweeping fantasy show entitled Game of Thrones, doctors without borders and a new Roman gladiator fighting in the Colloseum, here's the best of the new TV shows for 2011 that everyone's going to be talking about!
Click on READ MORE below for my round-up and what I can tell you is definitely going to be the most buzzed-about hot new shows for 2011!
When will it start? May in America
What's it about: Back to the Future meets Swiss Family Robinson meets Avatar - for television. In 2149 in a post apocalyptic future the Earth is messed up. The Shannon family get to travel back to prehistoric times, 85 million years ago, to help set up a new colony. Of course things go disastrously wrong.
Why it will be hot: Steven Spielberg. Dazzling special effects and visually adventurous story-telling. Think back to when you first saw Jurassic Park.
When will it start? June in America
What's it about: V meets Lost meets The Walking Dead meets Independence Day meets The Event. Noah Wyle is professor Tom Mason. Earth is invaded by aliens in this modern day science fiction drama thriller. In a post apocalyptic world stalked by Skitters and Mechs (two types of aliens) Tom tries to reunite and save his family as part of a group of survivors on the run.
Why it will be hot: Steven Spielberg. Again. Watch the first Falling Skies trailer out now RIGHT HERE.
When will it start? April in America
What's it about: Lord of the Rings for television. A sweeping medieval fantasy drama based on the fantasy book series of George R.R. Martin. There will definitely be a full first season. With its dark tone and fantasy setting, the executive producers are already referring to it as ''The Sopranos set in Middle-Earth.'' Kings, queens, knights and renegades use magic and swords to conquer kingdoms.
Why it will be hot: Like Klingon, Na'vi, Goa-uld phrases and the Elven language Quenya, Game of Thrones has developed its own fantasy language, Dothraki. The production looks simply beautiful.
Here is the trailer.
When will it start? January in America
What's it about? Remember Tales of the Gold Monkey? Remember when ER would go to Africa? Now imagine Grey's Anatomy going to South America. Grey's Anatomy executive producer Shonda Rhimes also exec produce this new medical drama series about 6 doctors in a remote South American village (its actually filmed in Hawaii) who all have different reasons for practicing medicine in the remotest of jungle locations. There will definitely be 13 episodes.
Why it will be hot: Exotic diseases. Jungle fever.
Here's the trailer.
When will it start? January in America
What's it about? After being framed for a crime in the fictional metropolis of Palm City, a cop becomes a masked hero thanks to a special suit, trying to protect his wife and son from whom he got separated. David Lyons plays Vince Faraday.
Why it will be hot: Sexy Summer Glau is back on TV. Depictions of a police state city (one character is named ''Orwell''!). Evil everywhere. Nightlife resembling old style Hollywood. The Orchard asylum. Could The Cape be the new Smallville?
Here is the first trailer.
When will it start? April in America
What's it about? A brand-new reinterpretation of the famous King Arthur legend filmed in Ireland. There will definitely be 10 episodes. Jamie Campbell Bower is a reckless Arthur, who is guided by the wizard Merlin played by Joseph Fiennes. Eva Green plays the darkly powerful Morgan.
Why it will be hot: ''Dark times'' and ''chaos threatens to engulf Britain'' says the producers. ''The story of Camelot that has never been told before.''
When will it start? January in America
What's it about? Sarah Shahi is Kate Reed who's a top lawyer at her father's law firm. He dies. She decides to no longer pursue the law, but to pursue justice and what is right as she becomes a mediator with a geeky male assistant as well as her ex boyfriend in tow. There will definitely be 10 episodes.
Why it will be hot: Richard Dean Anderson from MacGyver and Stargate SG-1 fame is back as David Smith, a man with many secrets, who enters Kate's life after the death of her father.
Here's the trailer.
When will it start? January in America
What's it about? This is a new spin-off prequel series set before the events of Spartacus: Blood and Sand (which haven't been shown in South Africa with the broadcasters - even M-Net - too scared to air it.) It follows the character of Gannicus (Dustin Clare) as the first gladiator to become Champion of Capua. Characters from the original series will show up in this one as well. There will be at least 6 episodes.
Why it will be hot: An even more ruthless time in this swords and sandals (oh, and sex) show before the arrival of Spartacus . . . if that's even possible.
Here's the trailer.
