What better time than the Halloween season to rewatch The Haunting of Hill House on Netflix (aka one of the best streaming services to subscribe to)? Then again, you might be the kind of fan of Mike Flanagan's 2018 miniseries, loosely based on Shirley Jackson's seminal novel, who has already braved the horrifying and heartbreaking story of the Crain Family numerous times.

If you are looking for a new horror TV show (or, at least something new to you) that bears some similarity to the themes, tones, and, especially, the scares of one of the best horror TV shows on Netflix, you have stumbled into the right parlor. Below, I have assembled a list of recommended TV shows like The Haunting of Hill House, along with a tip on how to watch them. Why don't we start with a few other notable achievements by the series' creator?

Mike Flanagan's Other Netflix Horror TV Shows (2020-2023)

Following The Haunting of Hill House, Mike Flanagan's best TV shows include a Henry James-inspired ghost story called The Haunting of Bly Manor, a unique vampire tale called Midnight Mass, a coming-of-age quasi-anthology called The Midnight Club, and an epic tragedy inspired by the work of Edgar Allan Poe called The Fall of the House of Usher.

Why they are great TV shows for fans of The Haunting of Hill House to check out: Like The Haunting of Hill House, all of these acclaimed miniseries are viscerally frightening, captivatingly mysterious, and emotionally heartwrenching dramas that put a special emphasis on the importance of family in all its forms.

• Stream The Haunting on Bly Manor on Netflix
• Stream Midnight Mass on Netflix
• Stream The Midnight Club on Netflix
• Stream The Fall of the House of Usher on Netflix

Rose Red (2002)

A college professor (played by Nancy Travis) enlists a team of psychics to explore an abandoned estate with an infamous history.

Why it is a great TV show for fans of The Haunting of Hill House to check out: One of the main characters of The Haunting of Hill House, Kate Siegel's Theodora, has psychic abilities, just like many of the characters from Rose Red – ABC's three-part haunted house story featuring a cameo by original author Stephen King.

• Stream Rose Red on Hulu
• Buy Rose Red on DVD

Castle Rock (2018-2019)

Strange and deadly things plague a small town in Maine.

Why it is a great TV show for fans of The Haunting of Hill House to check out: Also based on the work of Stephen King is Castle Rock – a criminally short-lived, seasonal horror anthology TV show that, like The Haunting of Hill House, involves supernatural phenomena, psychics, non-linear timelines, and rough family histories.

• Stream Castle Rock on Hulu

Dark (2017-2020)

The sudden, unexplainable disappearance of two children has a life-changing effect on four German families.

Why it is a great TV show for fans of The Haunting of Hill House to check out: At its core, creators Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese's Netflix-exclusive Dark (which is also a show like Lost) is a family story that is heightened by many of the same supernatural elements that make The Haunting of Hill House a uniquely unnerving experience.

• Stream Dark on Netflix

Archive 81 (2022)

An archivist (played by Mamoudou Athie) tasked with restoring videotapes recovered from a burned-down apartment complex becomes embroiled in an ominous investigation of the building started by a documentarian (Dina Shihabi) in early 1990s.

Why it is a great TV show for fans of The Haunting of Hill House to check out: A great TV show that did not last long enough is Archive 81 – another creepy Netflix original, inspired by a dramatic podcast, which, like The Haunting of Hill House, also plays with time in very clever and often shocking ways.

• Stream Archive 81 on Netflix

Ghoul (2018)

An interrogator (played by Nida Rahim) for a dystopian military detention center must fight for her life when a mysterious man unleashes a demonic presence in the prison.

Why it is a great TV show for fans of The Haunting of Hill House to check out: The three-part Indian import, Ghoul, is another Netflix-exclusive limited series that, like The Haunting of Hill House, takes its time with its scares, favoring slow-paced, eerie dread throughout.

• Stream Ghoul on Netflix

Marianne (2019)

Successful author Emma Larsimon (Victoire Du Bois) returns to her hometown, where she discovers that her worst nightmare exists and has been watiting for her.

Why it is a great TV show for fans of The Haunting of Hill House to check out: In The Haunting of Hill House, Steven Crain (Michel Huisman) bases his books on his family's trauma, while the protagonist of Marianne – a terrifying, French-language Netflix miniseries – writes books that end up becoming true, courtesy of a witch that has haunted her since childhood.

• Stream Marianne on Netflix

Penny Dreadful

A talented gunslinger (played by Josh Hartnett), an esteemed explorer (played by Timothy Dalton), an eccentric scientist (played by Harry Treadaway), and a powerful psychic (played by Eva Green) team up to battle otherworldly phenomena in 19th-Century London.

Why it is a great TV show for fans of The Haunting of Hill House to check out: While creator John Logan's Penny Dreadful – also one of Josh Hartnett's best TV shows – is a more overtly gothic horror series, it is also one that deals with the topic of trauma on a deep level, much like in The Haunting of Hill House.

• Stream Penny Dreadful on Paramount+ with Showtime add-on
• Buy Penny Dreadful on Amazon
• Buy Penny Dreadful on Blu-ray Amazon

Shining Vale (2022- 2023)

Courteney Cox stars as a woman who struggles to figure out if the strange things she is seeing in her new home are real or a delusion.

Why it is a great TV show for fans of The Haunting of Hill House to check out: If you were ever curious what The Haunting of Hill House might be like as a comedy, try Shining Vale – a morbidly funny tale about a family that moves into a seemingly idyllic estate where ghosts reside.

• Buy Shining Vale on Amazon

BONUS: The Haunting (1963)

The insecure Eleanor (Julie Harris), the clairvoyant Theodora (Claire Bloom), and the skeptical Luke (Russ Tamblyn) are invited by Dr. John Markway (Richard Johnson) to stay in a large New England estate for an experiment to prove if ghosts do roam there.

Why it is a great movie fans of The Haunting of Hill House should check out: Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House inspired multiple adaptations and, before Flanagan's series, the haunted house movie classic, The Haunting, was considered the best.

• Stream The Haunting on MGM+
• Rent or buy The Haunting on Amazon
• Buy The Haunting on Blu-ray on Amazon

If you are already a fan of The Haunting of Hill House, hopefully these TV shows (and one movie) do not spook you too terribly.

In recent years, Josh Hartnett was one of those actors who had entertainment hounds curious of his whereabouts. However, following his stunning performance as Ernest Lawrence in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer cast (in addition to a few other roles as of late that we will cover), it seems that we can officially say that the Hartaissance is on. Let’s celebrate this new era by exploring his filmography with our picks of the best Josh Hartnett movies and TV shows, along with a tip of where to find them on streaming or as a digital rental, below.

Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998)

Two decades after surviving her brother’s killing spree and going into hiding, a California boarding school headmistress (Jamie Lee Curtis) is shocked to learn he has found her. 

Why it is one of Josh Hartnett’s best: For his feature film debut, Hartnett had the honor playing the son of one of cinema’s top Scream Queens in Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, which was the first of the Halloween movies to reboot the continuity.

Stream Halloween H20: 20 Years Later on Showtime.
Rent or buy Halloween H20: 20 Years Later on Amazon.

The Faculty (1998)

A group of teens from different walks of life must unite when they become some of the few people not affected by an alien parasite causing their teachers, and others, to act frighteningly out of character.

Why it is one of Josh Hartnett’s best: Hartnett seemed well on his way to achieving Scream King status with his second movie of 1998 (and second collaboration with H20 screenwriter Kevin Williamson), director Robert Rodriguez’s The Faculty — a not-too-scary horror classic fusing Invasion of Body Snatchers-esque paranoia satire with the archetypal coming-of-age commentary of The Breakfast Club.

Stream The Faculty on Paramount+.

The Virgin Suicides (1999)

Five sisters raised in an extremely sheltered environment become objects of fascination for four young men in 1970s Detroit.

Why it is one of Josh Hartnett’s best: Hartnett first earned serious acting acclaim and a heartthrob reputation as Trip Fontaine in this adaptation of Jeffrey Eugenides novel, The Virgin Suicides — Sofia Coppola’s feature-length debut as a writer and director and, arguably, her best film to date.

Stream The Virgin Suicides on Amazon Prime.
Stream The Virgin Suicides on Paramount+.

O (2001)

After his coach (and father) chooses his predominantly white basketball team’s only Black player (Mekhi Pfeiffer) as MVP, a jealous high school athlete (Hartnett) conspires to ruin his life.

Why it is one of Josh Hartnett’s best: Hartnett let out his bad side for the first time as the antagonist of O, which was one of many modernized retellings of William Shakespeare plays — this one being based on Othello.

Stream O on Max.
Rent or buy O on Amazon.

Black Hawk Down (2001)

A U.S. military crew struggles to locate and rescue more than 100 Army Rangers after a pair of helicopter crashes leave them stranded in Somalia.

Why it is one of Josh Hartnett’s best: Also one of the best movies starring the late Tom Sizemore, director Ridley Scott’s Black Hawk Down is a highly realistic depiction of war inspired by a real incident from 1993.

Stream Black Hawk Down on Netflix.
Rent or buy Black Hawk Down on Amazon.

40 Days And 40 Nights (2002)

Soon after he commits to swearing off all sexual activity for Lent, a young, single man (Hartnett) meets the woman of his dreams (Shannyn Sossamon).

Why it is one of Josh Hartnett’s best: Amid its raunchy themes, what makes director Michael Lehmann’s 40 Days and 40 Nights an effective romantic comedy movie for its time is its somewhat thought-provoking and heartfelt approach to the material.

Stream 40 Days And 40 Nights on Pluto TV.
Rent or buy 40 Days And 40 Nights on Amazon.

Hollywood Homicide (2003)

Two Los Angeles detectives — one a veteran who sells real estate (Harrison Ford), the other a rookie with acting aspirations (Hartnett) — are thrown together on the case of an up-and-coming rap group’s murder.

Why it is one of Josh Hartnett’s best: While their characters have trouble being civil, Hartnett claims he and Ford got along fine (despite rumors of the contrary) on the set of Hollywood Homicide — a funny buddy cop flick from Academy Award nominated co-writer and director, Ron Shelton. 

Rent or buy Hollywood Homicide on Amazon.

Wicker Park (2004)

Convinced that he spotted a former lover who left him years earlier, a Chicago advertising executive (Hartnett) tracks her down, leading him down a dangerous path.

Why it is one of Josh Hartnett’s best: Following Hollywood Homicide, Hartnett led a much darker and stranger kind of mystery story called Wicker Park — director Paul McGuigan and screenwriter Brandon Boyce’s English-language update of Gilles Mimouni’s 1996 French thriller, The Apartment.

Stream Wicker Park on Amazon Prime.

Mozart And The Whale (2005)

A cab driver with Asperger’s Syndrome (Hartnett) meets and falls for a woman who is also on the autism spectrum (Radha Mitchell), which proves to create challenging circumstances for their relationship.

Why it is one of Josh Hartnett’s best: Based on the true stories of Jerry Newport and his wife, Mary (according to The Wonderful World of Autism), Mozart and the Whale is an uplifting love story, anchored by Hartnett and Mitchell’s heartfelt portrayals of their characters’ condition.

Stream Mozart And The Whale on Freevee through Amazon.

Sin City (2005)

An anthology of three interconnected stories following the hardened citizens of a grimy urban jungle dominated by crime and corruption.

Why it is one of Josh Hartnett’s best: For his second collaboration with Robert Rodriguez (who co-directs with comic book legend Frank Miller), Hartnett appeared in the small, but memorably intriguing, role of “The Salesman” in Sin City — a brilliant non-superhero-related comic book movie that brings Miller’s noir-inspired graphic novel series to life with its spectacularly unique visual design.

Stream Sin City on Max.
Rent or buy Sin City on Amazon.

Lucky Number Slevin (2006)

A case of mistaken identity causes a young man (Hartnett) to become embroiled in a feud between the two most powerful leaders of New York City’s criminal underground.

Why it is one of Josh Hartnett’s best: There is more than meets the eye about Hartnett’s titular role in the fun, subversive crime drama, Lucky Number Slevin — also the actor’s second collaboration with director Paul McGuigan and fellow Sin City cast member, Bruce Willis.

Stream Lucky Number Slevin on Tubi.
Stream Lucky Number Slevin on Freevee through Amazon.

Penny Dreadful (2014-2016)

Four uniquely skilled individuals form an alliance to battle unusual, otherworldly phenomena in 19th Century London.

Why it is one of Josh Hartnett’s best: There is also more than meets the eye about Hartnett’s character — American gunslinger, Ethan Chandler — on creator John Logan’s acclaimed gothic horror series, Penny Dreadful, which was the actor’s most high profile project during its three-season run on Showtime.

Stream Penny Dreadful on Showtime.
Buy Penny Dreadful on Amazon.

Wrath Of Man (2021)

A security guard for a truck company (Jason Statham) arises the suspicions of his peers after foiling an attempted heist with his unusually impressive skills.

Why it is one of Josh Hartnett’s best: One of Hartnett’s first major movie releases in years was one of the grittier, more earnest, and simply best Guy Ritchie movies in years, Wrath of Man, in which he plays a fellow security guard named “Boy Sweat” Dave Hancock.

Stream Wrath Of Man on Amazon Prime.

Operation Fortune: Ruse De Guerre (2023)

In order to gain the trust of a wealthy investor suspected of selling a deadly warhead (Hugh Grant), the rebellious leader (Statham) of a ragtag team of secret agents recruit their target’s favorite movie star (Hartnett) as their latest member.

Why it is one of Josh Hartnett’s best: For his second collaboration with co-writer and director Ritchie and Statham, Hartnett revives his comedic side for his scene-stealing role in the Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre cast, which also includes Aubrey Plaza, Bugzy Malone, and Cary Elwes giving it their all in this hilarious, old school spy flick. 

Rent or buy Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre on Amazon.

Black Mirror: Beyond The Sea (2023)

The relationship between two astronauts (Hartnett and Aaron Paul), who are able to continue living on Earth by logging into mechanical decoys, takes a drastic turn when one suffers a horrifying tragedy.

Why it is one of Josh Hartnett’s best: Hartnett gives one of his most captivating performances in years in one of the best episodes of Black Mirror’s sixth season, “Beyond the Sea,” which is also inventive, absorbing, and devastating enough to be called one of the all-time best episodes of the Netflix exclusive technophobic anthology series.

Stream Black Mirror: Beyond The Sea on Netflix.

There are more notable Josh Hartnett movies to find — such as 30 Days of Night, for fans of brutal vampire movies — and more to look forward to as well, as the actor has an action thriller called Fight or Flight in post-production and a crime drama called The Last Draw of Jack of Hearts in pre-production.

There are plenty of horror comedies out there that people love, whether they be movies or TV shows, ones that have truly exploded over the last couple of years, and others that are certified classics. One that has grown in popularity since its premiere is What We Do In The Shadows, a series that follows vampire roommates who live on Staten Island. 

It’s funny, well-acted, and will have you on your knees for days laughing about some of the jokes that come out of these actors' mouths. But if you’re like me and you binge all the episodes very quickly and need to find something new to watch, look no further, as we have plenty of great options here for you to enjoy. 

Santa Clarita Diet (Netflix)

First up on this list, we have Santa Clarita Diet. This Netflix original series, starring Drew Barrymore, follows a seemingly normal couple where one of them ends up turning into a zombie with a strange connection to ancient rituals - and their life is turned upside down. 

To this day, I will never forgive Netflix for cancelling this show, because it was so funny. Like What We Do In The Shadows, this series was more like a parody, except it was of the zombie genre - and from the moment it began, it was just so damn hilarious. The Santa Clarita Diet cast had such great chemistry, the story was full of fun - seriously, so upset it ended the way it did. Could we get a Season 4, please?

Stream Santa Clarita Diet on Netflix.

Wellington Paranormal (HBO Max)

Oh, you want parody? You’re getting parody. This show, Wellington Paranormal, is a mockumentary series that dives into the world of horror, following the two officers from the film it was based on, What We Do In The Shadows, as they investigate paranormal events - and have a hell of a crazy time doing it. 

That’s right, this series was literally based off of the original What We Do In The Shadows that released in 2014, and this show even came out before the series named for the movie. And it’s so funny. Good God, I don’t think I’ve laughed this much in a long time. It’s seriously so funny and as someone who likes those spooky ghost investigation shows, this one is one of the best ones parodying them. It was also co-produced by film director Taika Waititi, so you know it’s going to be funny. 

Stream Wellington Paranormal on HBO Max.

Shaun Of The Dead (Amazon Prime)

Y'all, I love zombies - and I love them even more when they are funny. In Shaun of the Dead, we follow two blokes in England as a zombie outbreak begins, and their journey to try and rescue Shaun’s girlfriend from her impending doom. 

There is just something about this funny horror comedy that is so damn perfect. Like What We Do In The Shadows, there are plenty of elements of horror included without it being too scary, and it’s so funny from the moment it begins to the very end. I love Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, as they do make some really great projects together, and this movie is proof of that. Now, if a Shaun of the Dead sequel would come, that would be great. 

Stream Shaun of the Dead on Amazon Prime.
Rent/Buy Shaun of the Dead on Amazon.

Ash Vs Evil Dead (Netflix)

Moving on, we have Ash vs. Evil Dead, a horror comedy that was made by Sam Raimi, one of the creators of the Evil Dead franchise. This show, taking place in the Evil Dead universe, follows legendary character Ash Williams (played by Bruce Campbell) who has to leave his mundane life behind and take on the titular Evil Dead again as it begins reeking havoc. 

Evil Dead, in of itself, is honestly pretty scary, but this show isn’t like that at all. While it has plenty of elements of horror, as you would expect, this show is so funny in so many ways - mainly from Bruce Campbell’s amazing performance as the lead. He really shines in so many ways, and for fans of What We Do In The Shadows, there are plenty of hilarious moments that will make you laugh just like those vampires do. 

Stream Ash Vs. Evil Dead on Netflix.

Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil (Amazon Rental)

We got another horror comedy coming up. In Tucker & Dale vs. Evil, we follow two hillbillies who mean well but end up falling into a peculiar predicament - they are mistaken for killers by some college students who don’t know any better, throwing their lives into chaos. 

As fan of horror comedies, this one is certainly a little less on the gory side, but if you’re a fan of What We Do In The Shadows, there are plenty of funny moments that will make you snicker, and you can’t help but love Tucker and Dale, played by Alan Tudyk and Tyler Labine, who have some of the funniest chemistry on screen. 

Rent/Buy Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil on Amazon.

The Cabin In The Woods (Amazon Rental)

Now this is such a great horror movie mixed in with some great comedy - just like What We Do In The Shadows. The Cabin In The Woods follows a group of young adults as they go away to a cabin far away in the woods, but as they are out there, they start to experience strange things and end up having their trip turn deadly. 

What I love the most about The Cabin in the Woods is that while it is a horror-comedy at its core, it’s almost like a commentary on the state of horror movies as a whole, because they really do dive deep into the psyche of how horror movies work on the viewer and what is scary to someone. The cast is also great, too, with stars like Chris Hemsworth, Bradley Whitford, and more. I only wish a sequel would happen - but I don’t think that’s coming any time soon. 

Rent/Buy The Cabin in the Woods on Amazon.

Miracle Workers (HBO Max)

Ah, another fun comedy series that you definitely need to check out. In Miracle Workers, this anthology series documents different works from writer Simon Rich, following different characters in new stories in each season as they all try to perform different kinds of miracles in worlds where they seem impossible. 

Miracle Workers and What We Do In The Shadows have one thing in common - and that’s the amazing dynamic between the main stars. They are so funny and truly carry this show no matter what timeline or what story we are following. Also, Daniel Radcliffe as the star does some of his best acting I have ever seen, and I have never seen him so funny. Steve Buscemi is also a hit, as well. 

Stream Miracle Workers on HBO Max.

Flight Of The Conchords (HBO Max)

This show is so funny. In this sitcom, Flight of the Conchords, we follow a real-life two-man band, called Flight of the Conchords, as they travel from New Zealand to the United States and to New York City, trying to find fame and success. 

Starring Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie (who play fictionalized versions of themselves), they are so funny. For fans of What We Do In The Shadows, this is another case where the lead characters really draw you in, and you’ll love the dynamic that they have from the moment they step on the screen. I still can’t believe that this show only lasted for two seasons. 

Stream Flight of the Conchords on HBO Max.

Penny Dreadful (Showtime)

I know its horror, but hear me out. Penny Dreadful is an excellent Showtime series that is filled with suspenseful and creepy stories, as our characters try to fight scary creatures, like vampires, demons, monsters, or even just the personal demons you’re fighting on the inside. 

While What We Do In The Shadows is a mockumentary, at its core are vampires - and fans of the show have to have some interest in vampires in the first place to enjoy a show like this. Which is why I seriously suggest checking out Penny Dreadful, as it not only tells some great stories, but has some creepy creatures. 

Stream Penny Dreadful on Showtime.

Reno 911! (HBO Max)

Last up, we have another mockumentary for fans to enjoy, Reno 911!. In this show, we follow a police department as they go on their daily duties, chasing criminals, and everything else in their lives - all while taking a hilarious twist, mainly parodying the show, Cops. 

While this series doesn’t have any crazy fantasy aspects, it’s still a mockumentary, something that What We Do In The Shadows very much is, and is so funny. I’ve never been the biggest fan of cop shows, but I do love myself a good parody - as you can see - so if you’re like me, you’ll certainly enjoy this one as well. 

Stream Reno 911 on HBO Max.

There are so many great picks on this list, and I’m sure that no matter what you end up watching, you’re going to have a hell of a good time, mixed in with some great laughs and a whole lotta blood. What will be your next binge? 

Archive 81 has premiered as part of the 2022 Netflix TV schedule, and just like many horror shows on Netflix before, it has captured the hearts and eyes of its audience through skillful storytelling, a captivating mystery, great acting, and some particularly gruesome, immersive horror aspects. With there already being talks of a possible Season 2, thanks to mysteries of the finale, I’m sure you’re already looking forward to when we might get to return to this fun show. 

If you’re like me, now you’re looking for a show to fill the void that Archive 81 left in your found-footage horror shaped heart. Luckily for you, there are plenty of awesome shows just like Archive 81 on Netflix, and many that have several seasons for you to enjoy. Here are some great picks down below. 

Penny Dreadful (Showtime)

The awesome Showtime series, Penny Dreadful, is a suspenseful show that has the horror that you crave in the form of vampires, monsters, demons, and more, and the stories behind those monsters - the humans that have to endure them, and how sometimes human connection and personal demons can be even scarier than real monsters. 

Penny Dreadful is perfect for Archive 81 fans that liked the horror aspect of the Netflix series. I’ve always watched horror movies and scary shows, but Penny Dreadful is one of those series that has lingered with me as time has gone on, with its meaningful and scary stories. It’s certainly one of the best shows on Showtime, and one you should watch. 

Stream Penny Dreadful on Showtime.

The Haunting Of Hill House (Netflix)

I’m still haunted over this show. The Haunting of Hill House, a miniseries released in 2018, follows a family that has been split apart due to their time as young children in a supposedly normal, older home. However, things started to take a turn not that long after they moved in, creating horror for them. 

For fans of Archive 81, I personally think The Haunting of Hill House is the perfect series to watch right after. Not only does it have that same horror/mystery genre that captivated you with the other series, but the acting is phenomenal. I could watch Victoria Pedretti over and over in her role as Nell. This is definitely one of Mike Flanagan’s best works of horror, and it continues to deserve the praise it gets. 

Stream The Haunting of Hill House on Netflix.

Channel Zero (AMC+)

This show is so freaking underrated that it makes me mad. Channel Zero, an original from Syfy, is an anthology series that is based around creepypastas - otherwise known as internet urban legends that have become very popular - taking you through the mysteries behind some of the most interesting, yet horrifying, tales ever told. 

This series could have ended up becoming as big as any other horror anthology series if it was given the shot. Like Archive 81, the mystery of each of these stories is really what drives Channel Zero, because you’ll be glued to your television, clicking next episode, wanting to try and understand more as everything slowly begins to unravel. With suspense and horror, Channel Zero is fantastic. 

Stream Channel Zero on AMC+ through Amazon Prime.

American Horror Story (Hulu)

With ten seasons under its belt - and a spin-off series on Hulu - American Horror Story is scary TV royalty at this point. This popular anthology series, created by Ryan Murphy, tells a new horror story every season, whether the focus be on aliens, murder houses, vampires, or something wildly different.

If the horror aspect of Archive 81 was your favorite part of the series, American Horror Story is a great second pick. While there’s no crazy mystery in most of the seasons, the horror itself is enough for any horror fan to enjoy. While the seasons are hit or miss sometimes, I still think this is a great show for anyone who likes horror stories. 

Stream American Horror Story on Hulu.

Castle Rock (Hulu)

Who do you think of when you first think of horror? For me, it’s always been Stephen King, and Castle Rock is based on his stories. This Hulu original series takes place mostly in Maine, combining popular elements from King’s works into stories that will intrigue your mind. 

I’d say if you’re going to watch one of the two seasons, check out the first, as it’s more closely related to what fans of Archive 81 are used to, in that it feels a little more mysterious. But, with the right amount of horror, it’s truly a great time for fans of the genre. Even if Castle Rock was cancelled, it’s not taking long for Hulu to get back into the King business, so maybe keep an eye on that streaming platform for your next horror binge.

Stream Castle Rock on Hulu.

Lovecraft Country (HBO Max)

You want a really mysterious horror show? Check out Lovecraft Country from HBO. This show takes a twist on the popular stories of H.P. Lovecraft, a famous writer of horror, science fiction, and fantasy novels, creating new mysteries and compelling characters from beginning to end. 

To this day, I’ll never understand why Lovecraft Country was cancelled after one season. It had all the elements that horror fans - especially those who have watched Archive 81 - would enjoy. From the mysteries to the strange monsters, and the intriguing story that followed through every episode, it was such a piece of great work. I think for fans of Archive 81, this is certainly a fun one to check out next. 

Stream Lovecraft Country on HBO Max.

Stranger Things (Netflix)

I’m sure you’ve heard of Stranger Things. This horror sci-fi drama takes place in the eighties in the small town of Hawkins, Indiana. Strange things begin to happen when a young boy, Will Byers, mysteriously goes missing, and a weird girl with telepathic powers shows up. 

While I would say that Stranger Things leans more into sci-fi than horror, I will say that for fans of Archive 81, the overarching mysteries that Stranger Things offers each season are truly some of the best on TV. The Stranger Things cast is talented as heck, and the seasons are just as fun to re-watch. We know Stranger Things Season 4 is on the way in 2022, so now is the perfect time to binge. 

Stream Stranger Things on Netflix.

Servant (Apple TV+)

Another fantastic horror/drama series, this time from Apple TV+. Servant is a wonderful psychological horror series taking place in Philadelphia, where a couple has hired a nanny for their son, but as soon as this nanny arrives, strange things begin to happen and their lives begin to turn upside down. 

The fact that M. Night Shyamalan produced this show should speak volumes about how mysterious it is - which is why it’s perfect for fans of Archive 81. The show's mystery is paced well, and works with some pretty disturbing psychological horror that sticks with you, creating an all-around fantastic horror experience. It’s certainly one of the best shows on Apple TV+, and a show you should watch if horror is your favorite genre. 

Stream Servant on Apple TV+. 

Midnight Mass (Netflix)

Another Mike Flanagan entry on this list, Midnight Mass was the horror miniseries of 2021 that we all needed. It tells the story of a young priest suddenly coming to a remote island, but as soon as he arrives, weird things begin to occur and people begin to disappear mysteriously. 

If you were a fan of the mystery of Archive 81 and The Haunting of Hill House, this show is a great combination of the horror and mystery of both. I think Mike Flanagan really upped the horror factor for this miniseries, and created a mystery that genuinely had me scratching my head in confusion and wanting to get to the next episode because I needed to know what happened. The finale leaves you with even more questions. I think I’m in need of a Season 2 of this show. It’s so good.  

Stream Midnight Mass on Netflix.

Them (Amazon Prime)

This Amazon Prime original show not only combines horror, but social commentary as well. Them, taking place in the 1950s in Los Angeles, follows a black family that moves to a suburb that is primarily white. But, besides the daily struggle they face simply for their skin color, more horrible, dastardly things begin to happen that disrupt their own home. 

Them is a great show that has so much mystery and some really cool horror aspects, which is why it’s perfect for fans of Archive 81. If you’re able to see past the mystery and horror aspects of the show, it offers some serious commentary on race relations, violence, and more. It’s not for everyone, but I think it’s definitely worth a shot to watch. 

Stream Them on Amazon Prime.

Wayward Pines (Amazon Prime) 

Last but not least, we have Wayward Pines. This supernatural horror mystery series follows a Secret Service agent who travels to the titular location in search of two other agents who have mysteriously gone missing. As soon as he arrives, he finds that there is no way he can ever leave. At least not while he’s still breathing. 

I’m always going to be upset that this show only got two seasons, because it genuinely has so much going for it that fans of Archive 81 would enjoy. The mystery is top tier, the monsters are genuinely terrifying, and Matt Dillon is awesome as the lead. If you have the chance to watch this show, be sure to give it the love that it deserved back then. 

Stream Wayward Pines on Amazon Prime.

Writing about this just makes me want Archive 81 Season 2 that much more. Well, at least I have all these other shows to keep busy until we maybe get some news on that. Happy binging!

The last twenty years have been a golden age of TV, with plenty of amazing shows that have premiered, creating fanbases for many of the shows that have given us awesome storylines. Some of these series aired on the premium service, Showtime, and went strong for years and years, with a large amount of fans even now, after the shows ended.

Whatever your favorite genre is, from comedy to drama, the premium cable channel has you covered with some fantastic shows. These are some of the best Showtime shows you can watch right now.

Dexter (2006 - 2013, 2021- )

In this classic Showtime series, Dexter follows the life of Dexter Morgan, a Miami Metro Police Department blood pattern analyst. Seems like a normal job, until you realize that this cop is actually tainted - because he’s a secret serial killer who kills murderers who have escaped justice, all while working with the homicide division.

The very idea of Dexter is really what makes this series so great. I mean, just think about it - someone using their job to basically cover up the fact that they like to kill, but they only use it as a way to kill other murderers in a twisted fashion. It’s screwed up in all the right ways. The Dexter cast is full of talent, and the story is super interesting and will make anyone want to keep watching, even if blood isn’t entirely your thing.

However, I do feel inclined to warn you that the ending to the original series was terribly bad - probably one of the worst series finales of all time. But thankfully, Dexter: New Blood has come out, and concluded the original story in the best way possible. If you haven’t seen the show yet, be sure to watch it now. 

Stream Dexter on Showtime.

Yellowjackets (2021 - Present)

If you’re looking for an excellent coming of age drama mixed in with psychological horror, Yellowjackets is the way to go. This new series tells the story of a soccer team that is traveling from America to nationals when their plane suddenly goes down in the mountains. They turn to terrible things in order to survive - and they face the repercussions 25 years later. 

Yellowjackets is such a refreshing piece of TV media. As someone who adores horror movies and shows just like this, I was captivated from beginning to end with each of these characters. The Yellowjackets cast is astounding, and their acting ability is phenomenal. And let’s talk about casting - whoever did the casting for the young and older versions of these characters needs a raise, because the resemblance is un-freaking-canny. Seriously, watch this show if you haven’t - especially now you can watch Yellowjackets Season 2.

Stream Yellowjackets on Showtime.

Ray Donovan (2013 - 2020)

In this drama from Showtime, Ray Donovan stars the titular character, who is a “professional fixer.” He arranges bribes, payoffs, threats, crime-scene clean-up, and any other illegal activities to protect his celebrity clients - well, usually they’re celebrity clients. Sometimes they're more criminals than anything else.

Ray Donovan went on for many years because it became such a popular show. The drama starred Liev Schreiber, alongside a phenomenal cast. Its story is engrossing and interesting, but I think what I like the most about this show is the setting. While the first five seasons take place on the West Coast, in L.A., the last two primarily focus on New York City, giving a whole new vibe to the series. There's also a Ray Donovan movie in the works for 2022, so now's a great time to catch up.

Stream Ray Donavan on Showtime.

Shameless (2011 - 2021)

Oh, Shameless. You don’t f**k with a Gallagher.

In this U.S. reboot of the U.K. series of the same name, Shameless follows the lives of the Gallagher family, a group of misfits who live on the South Side of Chicago, starring Fiona, the eldest sister who has to somehow manage her whole family while her alcoholic father messes everything up.

Shameless was my first Showtime show, and honestly, it’s such a great one to start out on. The stories are all over the place, from some great heartwarming tales to ones that are really screwed up. The Shameless cast is full of stars, including the ever-talented William H. Macy and Emmy Rossum. It’s really such a fantastic series, with so much heart and yet so many things that will make you laugh your ass off. With eleven seasons, it’s the perfect series to binge.

Stream Shameless on Netflix.
Stream Shameless on Showtime.

Billions (2016 - Present)

In this drama series, we follow hedge fund manager Bobby Axelrod as he accumulates wealth and power in the world of high finance, with a lot of his tactics often crossing over into possibly illegal territory.

I think one of the things I like about Billions is that, for a lot of people, the topic here is a bit out of our comfort zones. I didn’t really know anything about finance, hedge funds or the like prior to watching this series. While the show is fictional, you still do learn some fun facts about the financial world, and you get a great story with high stakes that will have you watching episode after episode. You never know who’s going to get in trouble when it comes to money.

Stream Billions on Showtime.

The Tudors (2007 - 2010)

The Tudors focuses on one particular king in history, the infamous King of England, Henry VIII. The show takes place in the sixteenth century, looking into his relationship with an unpopular Chief Minister, his romances (especially Anne Boleyn), and his desire to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon - and that’s just Season 1.

King Henry is one of those figures in history that I feel we all know for what he did with his several wives, and The Tudors takes that into account and charges up the drama by about 100%. While you can’t expect this to be totally accurate - this is a TV series - The Tudors is still a fun period drama, filled with plenty of historical elements about one of England's oldest families - even if every aspect isn’t true. Plus, you get to see a young Henry Cavill - how can you not enjoy it?

Stream The Tudors on Showtime.

Work In Progress (2019 - Present)

Let’s take a look at a fun comedy now, why don’t we? Work In Progress follows a story that anyone can relate to - trying to find yourself when your whole entire life feels like a mess. But that’s exactly what Abby is, a work in progress, who uses the relationship that she enters into to work on herself.

Abby McEnany is awesome in her starring role. While she’s already known for her comedy, she pairs it well with a hilarious storyline that not only makes you laugh but you can understand as well. Her character perfectly shows what it’s like to have a relationship with someone and how it can make you or break you, and further shows that not everyone needs to be their ultimate best at any point in their lives. 

Stream Work In Progress on Showtime. 

Homeland (2011 - 2020)

If you want a military thriller, look no further than Homeland. This Showtime drama is about Gunnery Sergeant Nicholas Brody and Carrie Mathison, a CIA operations officer who has come to believe that an American Marine has been turned by the enemy, Al-Qaeda, and is now working for the other side.

I feel like Homeland is the perfect series for so many people. If you want something close to espionage, it’s right here. If you want something very dramatic, Homeland has it. If you’re craving some awesome action scenes, Homeland is the perfect choice. Really, it’s a great series, and went on for eight seasons, becoming a huge hit for Showtime. It has something for everyone to enjoy, and you'll be trying to track down who exactly is the traitor to the U.S.

Stream Homeland on Hulu.
Stream Homeland on Showtime.

Your Honor (2020 - Present)

In this courtroom drama, Your Honor tells the story of a New Orleans judge, whose son accidentally kills another teenager during a hit-and-run collision. However, things becomes messier when the judge learns that the slain teenager is the son of a local mafia kingpin. Now, he must question his own honor to try and keep his son safe.

Starring Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston, Your Honor reminds me so much of Cranston’s former series, with a man trying to keep his family protected with extremely high stakes, except this time around it's with a mafia boss instead of a meth lord. Bryan Cranston is perfect in his role, and the rest of the cast rocks it as well. With a second season already renewed, Your Honor is the perfect binge for someone who doesn’t want multiple seasons, and wants to get invested for the long haul in the future.

Stream Your Honor on Showtime.

American Rust (2021)

Take a step into the world of murder mysteries with this awesome series, American Rust. This new series that premiered in Fall 2021  follows the story of a small-town chief of police in the Rust Belt of Pennsylvania. But his personal life and work life begin to collide when the son of the woman he cherishes is suddenly accused of murder. Now, he must take it upon himself to figure out the true story. 

While American Rust doesn’t have a Season 2 planned yet, this series is such a great one. As a fan of murder mysteries, I can say that this show truly knocks it out of the park and has twists and turns around every corner. The highlight performance is Jeff Daniels in the lead role. You may know him for his great movie roles, but honestly, I hope that I get to see him in another season of this soon. 

Stream American Rust on Showtime.

Penny Dreadful (2014 - 2016)

If you’re looking for a horror series, look no further than Penny Dreadful. This thriller is filled with suspenseful stories, showing that sometimes personal demons from your past can be even more terrifying than the scariest of creatures, like vampires, monsters, or even demons.

I don’t think I can say too much about this show without giving a lot away. As someone who loves to watch the best horror movies, I absolutely adore scary films or horror flicks that make me feel all shaky inside. However. Penny Dreadful is another kind of horror, where there are moments where you’ll be terrified of what you see on screen, and the next you’ll be thrown into something extremely deep and meaningful. I feel like Penny Dreadful should have gotten more seasons; it’s such a good scary yet insightful horror series.

Stream Penny Dreadful on Showtime.

The L Word (2004 - 2009)

With all of these dramas and thrillers, I think it’s time we put in something that’s a little more light-hearted, but still serious. The L Word follows the lives of a small, close-knit group of gay women who live in Los Angeles, as well as their friends or family members who support them or hate them.

What I love about The L Word compared to many of these other series is while it’s always great to watch a drama like Homeland or Penny Dreadful, sometimes you need a show that just portrays the lives of regular people, and that’s what this does. The L Word cast is wonderful, with leading ladies like Jennifer Beals and Mia Kirshner, and the story is full of relationships with plenty of drama, sweet gestures, and instances that will make you want to yell at your TV. There are even a couple of spin-offs of the show now for you to enjoy, so why not watch the original first?

Stream The L Word on Hulu.
Stream The L Word on Showtime.

Showtime is definitely one of those channels that seems to have everything you could want, from dysfunctional families to scary monsters. The question is, what are you feeling like watching today? 

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I love horror stories, whether that be through television or movies, or video games. This is why when it was announced that American Horror Story producer, Ryan Murphy, was making a whole new spinoff of his famous show, called American Horror Stories, I was excited.

That show has premiered now, made exclusively as an FX on Hulu original series, but I can’t help but wonder what else there is to watch for fans of this new anthology series while we’re waiting weekly for new episodes to drop. Well, look no further than here, because there’s plenty of movies and shows just like American Horror Stories, from the best movies on Amazon Prime to the best movies on Netflix.

The Fear Street Movies (Netflix)

In the Fear Street movie trilogy, we follow a group of teenagers in the town of Shadyside, who have to somehow combat an ancient evil when a series of brutal murders begins to take over their lives, something that has been happening in their town for centuries.

For fans of American Horror Stories, you’ll like the Fear Street movies because of the characters. I feel like a lot of the stories in American Horror Stories are driven by the very characters that experience them, and that’s the exact same with Fear Street. You’ll find yourself rooting for these guys to somehow beat the crazy sorcery they are experiencing, and with how many amazing horror callbacks there are to classic horror films, you’ll find even more movies to watch after.

Stream the Fear Street movies on Netflix.

Friday the 13th (Starz)

A classic horror film, Friday the 13th is a movie every film buff should see. At Camp Crystal Lake, we follow a group of teenage camp counselors who are killed off by an unknown murderer, while attempting to re-open an abandoned summer camp.

American Horror Stories often has callbacks to some of the iconic horror films of years before, just like this one, but even in Episode 2, there with all the teenagers having sex at a drive-in theater – that’s a classic horror trope right there, something that Friday the 13th does exceptionally well.

Stream Friday the 13th on Starz.

Rent Friday the 13th on Amazon.

Black Mirror (Netflix)

Black Mirror isn’t horror, per se, but it’s definitely one of the most interesting Netflix original shows out there right now. Set in a world that’s not that far from our own, each episode of Black Mirror covers how the use of modern technology can backfire against its makers, with each episode focusing on a different story and different characters.

For fans of American Horror Stories, you’ll like this because it’s an anthology series. Every single episode is new, with an interesting storyline, a talented list of actors, and plenty of twists and turns. It’s an amazing show and deserves all the praise it has been getting over the last couple of years. I just wish another season would come out.

Stream Black Mirror on Netflix.

Rent Black Mirror on Amazon.

Penny Dreadful (Netflix)

Now if we’re looking for a horror series, Penny Dreadful is the way to go. In this psychological thriller, we are sent tales of dark mystery, filled with vampires, evil spirits, beasts, and so much more.

American Horror Stories is one of the premiere horror series right now in my opinion, with plenty of dark stories that I’m sure are going to be told very soon, which is why Penny Dreadful is perfect for you. The first episode of the new anthology, with how much murder and crime is involved, is enough to make me want to watch Penny Dreadful for all the scary stories they have there.

Stream Penny Dreadful on Netflix.

Rent Penny Dreadful on Amazon.

Channel Zero (Shudder)

In this anthology TV series, each season focuses on different horror stories, from the tale of one man’s obsessions over children’s programming from the '80s to stories of hidden doors to several others.

Channel Zero is the perfect series for fans of American Horror Stories, and even more so, American Horror Story, the original series American Horror Stories is based on. Every season features a new cast, a new tale, and so much intrigue with each story they explore. I almost don’t want to give away too much because it’s one of those shows you want to go in blind to. It’s a shame there were only four seasons.

Stream Channel Zero on Shudder.

Rent Channel Zero on Amazon.

The Conjuring (HBO Max)

Who said ghosts can’t hurt you? The Conjuring, which spawned a whole Conjuring universe after it was released back in 2013, is based on the real-life paranormal investigators, Ed and Lorraine Warren. In this film, they attempt to help a family who is terrorized by a dark presence in their home, creating terrorizing situations in their own home.

American Horror Stories fans will love this film because it almost reminds me of the first episode of the series, where it is entirely based in the Murder House. It’s all about literal demons/spirits in a home, trying to harm the people inside – exactly like "Rubber(wo)Man." Plus, what makes this even creepier is that The Conjuring is based on a true story – talk about a chilling tale.

Stream The Conjuring on HBO Max.

Rent The Conjuring on Amazon.

The Haunting of Hill House (Netflix)

I adore The Haunting of Hill House and even like the series that came after it, The Haunting of Bly Manor, but the first season of this anthology series will always take the cake. In this Netflix original show, we alternate between two timelines, the past and the future, showing the paranormal experiences of a group of siblings in their home, and how they must now return to it, decades later, after tragedy strikes the family.

Something that makes me like this series for American Horror Stories fans is purely how scary it is. This isn’t one of those series that are full of jump scares all around and there are no genuine creepy moments. When you watch the horror in The Haunting of Hill House, you’ll genuinely feel this sense of unease take over you. It's honestly one of the best TV horrors out there right now, in my opinion.

Stream The Haunting of Hill House on Netflix.

Rent The Haunting of Hill House on Amazon.

Trick ‘r Treat (HBO Max)

Halloween is my favorite time of year – if you couldn’t tell by how much I love horror – which is why Trick ‘r Treat is next on this list. This story follows five interwoven stories on the scariest day of the year, with a common element – a strange child who is trick or treating in shabby, orange footie pajamas, and a burlap sack over his head.

What I love about Trick ‘r Treat for American Horror Stories fans is almost its campiness mixed in with horror. There’s a lot of comedy involved, with plenty of jokes told throughout the film, mixed in with some great horror aspects as well. Plus, who doesn’t love creepy kids? It’s almost one of the driving forces of horror movies, in my opinion. And with a star-studded cast that includes Dylan Baker, Anna Paquin, and more, you can’t go wrong.

Stream Trick ‘r Treat on HBO Max.

Rent Trick ‘r Treat on Amazon.

The Twilight Zone (Paramount+)

Another amazing anthology series, except this one has been around for decades and has had several reincarnations. Today, we’ll be talking about the most recent adaptation of The Twilight Zone, hosted by Get Out director, Jordan Peele. In this anthology series, we follow stories of the strange and unusual, in a world we call “the twilight zone,” a universe not that far from ours.

For fans of American Horror Stories, the new The Twilight Zone is another case of an awesome anthology series, with different stories each episode, and it covers a wide variety of topics, just as American Horror Stories has done so far. From aliens to zombies to murders to everything else you can think of in the horror/mystery genre. So many guest stars have appeared on this show, like Minari’s Steven Yeun, Silicon Valley’s Kumail Nanjiani, and plenty of others.

Stream The Twilight Zone on Paramount+.

Rent The Twilight Zone on Amazon.

Creepshow (AMC+)

George A. Romero is known to be a king of horror, with hits like Night of the Living Dead, The Crazies, and more, but one of his best, in my opinion, is Creepshow, the beginning of an anthology series, with the screenplay written by the legendary horror writer, Stephen King. In this horror anthology film, we follow five short stories, all with their own plots and twists, and plenty of scares and jokes.

Creepshow is one of those films that I feel American Horror Stories takes a direct reference from for some of their scares because there’s truly nothing like this movie. It’s so unique in its premise, and with two other films that came due to the popularity Creepshow received, you already know that others love it as well. Without giving too much away, this film will spook and delight you. Give it a shot if you haven’t already seen it.

Stream Creepshow on AMC+ through Amazon.

Rent Creepshow on Amazon.

Dawn Of The Dead (Amazon Rental)

When I watched Episode 2 of American Horror Stories, all I thought about were zombies, and mainly the ones in Dawn of the Dead. This Zack Snyder film follows a group of survivors, who take refuge in an upscale shopping mall when a zombie outbreak occurs.

Dawn of the Dead is a wonderful zombie remake and a great inspiration for American Horror Stories, especially with how everyone just instantly turns into mindless zombies during the film screening in Episode 2. There’s just something about Dawn of the Dead, from the usage of makeup to the jokes to the setting, that makes it one of the best zombie movies out there. If you’re going to watch a film about the living dead, give Dawn of the Dead a shot. You won’t regret it.

Rent Dawn of the Dead on Amazon.

I for one can not wait for the upcoming horror movies that will be releasing soon enough, and hopefully, all of these picks can be enough to hold me over.

American Horror Story Season 10 will be coming out soon, and with episodes of American Horror Stories releasing each week, I have a feeling that no matter what, my craving for scary movies and TV will be fulfilled. Now if Halloween Kills could just hurry up, that would be great.

It is tough to believe, but it's been three years since Penny Dreadful ended its run on Showtime. The Victorian-era horror series ran for three seasons before coming to an unexpected end in 2016. Josh Hartnett starred opposite Eva Green and Timothy Green in the fan-favorite show as the brooding gunslinger Ethan Chandler, and it appears Hartnett wasn't too upset by the show ending.

Penny Dreadful did not leave fans hanging with a cliffhanger that left fans wondering what happened to its canvas of richly drawn character, and instead had more of a rounded conclusion. When asked if he wished there were more seasons of Penny Dreadful, Josh Hartnett told Variety:

Josh Hartnett and (at least some of) the rest of the cast were ready to move on after those first three seasons, considering they weren't all used to the long schedules that prestige cable shows can have. But at least Penny Dreadful did not end before everyone thought it was time for it to end. As Hartnett points out, the cast was comprised of a lot of film stars, and a television show is a totally different medium. (Interestingly enough, Timothy Dalton has since taken on another TV series in DC Universe’s Doom Patrol as Niles Caulder/ The Chief.)

I guess Penny Dreadful fans can probably rule out an Ethan Chandler spinoff series in the near future. As someone who thought Josh Hartnett did some of his best work playing the character, I cannot help wishing he would get to reprise the role at some point. That said, Penny Dreadful did have a beginning, middle, and end that left viewers with a sense of closure.

By the time the show had ended, Ethan and the remaining cast of characters seemed poised to tell even more stories from gothic horror history; at least, it seemed to this fan that more storylines were teeming below the surface. Showtime later explained the reason behind the show’s surprising ending was that Penny Dreadful’s creator, John Logan, had always envisioned the show having a three-season run. So it all made sense, even if it left fans wanting more.

Thankfully, those who did not initially get a chance to watch Penny Dreadful currently have a chance to on Netflix. (It's a great companion binge to The Witcher as fans await that series’ return.) Those wishing for more seasons of Penny Dreadful can take heart, however, as the show’s universe will live on very soon.

There is a spinoff premiering soon entitled Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, which is set well after the original series, in 1938 to be specific, and it's set in another country. As its title suggests, City of Angels will take place in Los Angeles, California. Lady Bird's Daniel Zovatto will lead the cast, which also includes Game of Thrones’ Natalie Dormer and perennial scene-stealer, Nathan Lane.

Given that the spinoff is set so far into the future from the original series, I do not think there is much hope of the original cast putting in an appearance. Of course, there is always a chance of a doppelganger or long-lost relative showing up. Even though Josh Hartnett was ready to move on from Penny Dreadful a few years ago, maybe he'd be ready to make a return in the sequel series.

You can stream Penny Dreadful in its entirety on Netflix along with other newly arrived 2020 content. While you wait for Penny Dreadful’s spinoff to premiere, you can catch up on this winter’s premieres to keep you entertained, and stay tuned for CinemaBlend's coverage of Penny Dreadful: City of Angels coming out of the Television Critics Association's winter press tour.

Henry Cavill's The Witcher just premiered eight episodes on Netflix on December 20, 2019. But some fans are already finished streaming Season 1 of the fantasy drama and they're now waiting for Season 2, which should start filming fairly soon. So what now? Well, every Monday I recommend stuff to stream and today I'm trying to think of things my fellow Witcher viewers might enjoy in the wait for Geralt and Yennefer to return in Season 2.

I'm focusing on shows that are specifically available on Netflix, as opposed to the nine million other streaming services. Otherwise I'd say "Just watch The Expanse on Amazon," which is my favorite answer to everything, at least until The Lord of the Rings series shows up. So here are eight streaming options, but please share your own suggestions below.

Castlevania

The Witcher is based on the books by Andrzej Sapkowski, but a lot of fans (including Henry Cavill) came to it from the video games. Netflix's Castlevania is also based on a video game series set in a world of monster hunters. Too on the nose for Witcher fans? Give the animated series a shot anyway, if you haven't already. Season 1 only has four episodes, but there are eight in Season 2, and 10 are coming for Season 3. Stream Castlevania here on Netflix.

The Tudors

Not every fan of The Witcher came to it through Henry Cavill, but if you're a fan of his, you should watch his role as Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk, across 38 episodes of The Tudors. I was hooked on the Showtime series, set in the 16th Century court of King Henry VIII (Jonathan Rhys Meyers). If you haven't seen the show, or it's been a while, consider streaming all four seasons here on Netflix.

The Last Kingdom

Here's another fictionalized look at British history, based on The Saxon Stories by Bernard Cornwell. The Last Kingdom is set in the 9th Century, with England divided into multiple separate kingdoms. The story starts as the Anglo-Saxons are attacked by Viking forces and Saxon-born/Viking-bred Uhtred (Alexander Dreymon) finds his loyalties tested. This is one fans of History's Vikings might enjoy and also possibly The Witcher fans. There are plenty of episodes to catch up on from the first three seasons, plus a fourth one coming soon on Netflix. Stream it here.

The Magicians

Who doesn't love getting immersed deep into a world of magic and mythology? The Magicians is based on the novel by Lev Grossman, following Quentin Coldwater as he discovers the magical world from his favorite books is real -- and dangerous. He enrolls in Brakebills University for Magical Pedagogy, and the show follows his fellow students of magic. The Magicians has earned a passionate fan base across four seasons -- so far -- on Syfy. The most recent season finale got a lot of people talking (not in a great way) and if you binge fast on Netflix you can join in when Season 5 premieres January 15 on Syfy.

The Shannara Chronicles

This series had a rough life for its two seasons -- starting on MTV and then moving to Spike before being cancelled. The fantasy drama is based on The Sword of Shannara trilogy by Terry Brooks. Season 1's 10 episodes got not-so-great reviews from critics (like The Witcher Season 1) but good reactions from fans. Season 2 had more universal acclaim, which is why it frustrated many fans to see the show cancelled. If only the show had started on Netflix or Amazon, maybe it'd be in a different position, but you can at least watch the first two seasons here on Netflix.

Penny Dreadful

This inventive horror drama aired three seasons on Showtime and it still lives on -- there's a spinoff series in the works called Penny Dreadful: City of Angels. So this is a good time to get caught up on the original series, which aired from 2014-2016. The creative premise includes characters from 19th century fiction like Dorian Gray, Abraham Van Helsing, Frankenstein, etc. It's a bloody good show with a bloody great cast, including my queen Eva Green, plus Timothy Dalton, Reeve Carney, Rory Kinnear, Josh Hartnett, Billie Piper, and more. Stream it here on Netflix.

V Wars (and The Vampire Diaries Universe)

Vampire Diaries alum Ian Somerhalder has the lead human role in the new Netflix series V Wars, following a vampire outbreak. But it's more of a grounded vampire show than anything supernatural like on The Vampire Diaries. Speaking of TVD, you know what would really fill the time until The Witcher Season 2 premieres? A Vampire Diaries Universe marathon -- start with the eight seasons of The Vampire Diaries; then the five seasons of the first spinoff, The Originals; then stream the first season of the two shows' joint spinoff, Legacies. Legacies Season 2 is now airing on The CW, Thursdays nights after it returns in early 2020. Stream V Wars here and Vampire Diaries here.

Travelers

OK, this one isn't really connected to the fantasy, supernatural, or horror genre. But it's sci-fi and it's awesome and I just need more people to watch all three seasons and then join me in ranting about the lack of a Season 4. Please? I promise you'll get sucked in quickly and fall in love with the characters and time travel apocalypse story, led by the great Eric McCormack. Watch all three seasons now on Netflix.

If you're looking for more streaming recommendations, I share suggestions every Monday and there are A LOT of past features you can check out:

• 5 Excellent Keanu Reeves Roles Worth Streaming On Netflix And Amazon

• 5 Sci-Fi TV Shows To Watch On Netflix: Our Streaming Recommendations

• 5 Documentary Series To Watch On Netflix: Our Streaming Recommendations

• 5 British TV Comedies On Netflix You Should Bloody Well Watch: Our Streaming Recommendations

• 3%, Occupied, Harlots, and Other Streaming Recommendations

• 5 Robert Downey Jr. Movies To Love 3000 On Netflix

• 5 Chris Evans Movies Worth Streaming On Netflix And Amazon

• 5 Ryan Reynolds Roles Worth Streaming On Netflix And Amazon

• 5 Will Smith Movies Worth Streaming Right Now On Netflix And Beyond

• 5 Refreshingly Non-Toxic Reality TV Shows Worth Streaming On Netflix

• 5 Joaquin Phoenix Movies Worth Streaming On Netflix And Amazon Ahead Of Joker

• 5 Stripper Movies Worth Streaming In Honor Of Jennifer Lopez's Hustlers

• The 5 Best Space Movies To Stream In Honor Of Brad Pitt's Ad Astra

• 11 Unbelievable True Crime Series Worth Streaming On Netflix

• 8 Movies With 100 Percent Ratings Worth Streaming Before Netflix's The Irishman

• 7 Paul Rudd Movies Worth Streaming On Netflix Before Living With Yourself

• 8 Movies With Twist Endings Worth Streaming On Netflix After Fractured

• Where To Stream Firefly And 10 Other Great Shows Cancelled After One Season

• Whodunit? 7 Murder Mysteries Worth Streaming On Netflix

• 12 Royal TV Shows Like Netflix's The Crown: Our Jolly Good Streaming Recommendations

• 11 Best Gangster Movies Worth Streaming Along With Netflix's The Irishman

• 11 Best Tom Cruise Action Movies Worth Streaming As We Wait For Top Gun: Maverick

• 13 Adam Driver Movies Worth Streaming, Including Netflix's Marriage Story (But Not Star Wars)

• 8 Carrie Fisher Movies Worth Streaming As Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker Opens

What TV shows would you suggest for The Witcher fans to stream on Netflix in the wait for Season 2?

Nathan Lane is heading to the Penny Dreadful sequel, alongside Game of Thrones’ Natalie Dormer! The actor will star in Showtime’s Penny Dreadful: City of Angels. To better understand who he is playing, let’s get into the show’s premise.

The upcoming series is billed as a sequel to the original, which starred Eva Green and Doom Patrol’s Timothy Dalton. Penny Dreadful: City of Angels will take place in 1938 Los Angeles, whereas its predecessor was set in 19th century England. The follow-up’s story revolves around a murder that sends shockwaves through L.A.

As with any case, it will require detectives, and that is where Daniel Zovatto’s Detective Tiago Vega and Nathan Lane’s character come into play. Lane has been cast as Lewis Michener. He is a veteran officer with the LAPD, and as such, he becomes Tiago’s partner and his mentor. It sounds like there could be room for a super cool partnership to develop between them.

Now that you know what he does, here is some info on his personality. Lewis is said to be wise to “the ways of the world.” The report describes him as being "ruthless" in the "pursuit of his goals." Ruthless is an interesting word to use. Prospective viewers will have to wait and see what the description exactly means by that.

The original Penny Dreadful had an outstanding cast. Based on the way its sequel series’ cast is shaping up, it appears to be following suit. Nathan Lane is a fantastic actor. Look no further than his guest appearance on The Blacklist for proof, and this role sounds excellent for him. Lane follows Game of Thrones and Tudors star Natalie Dormer in a previously announced part.

The actress is set to star as Magda, who is a demon. She can appear as anyone she desires, per TVLine. Think Game of Thrones’ Arya Stark and a Faceless Man-type situation.

Time will tell how the supernatural and the murder intersect. Given that this is a Penny Dreadful continuation, they should be quite closely related.

Part of what made the original so multi-layered was how the characters worked towards coming together as a team. Some of them shared backstories together; others did not. Having Nathan Lane and Daniel Zovatto’s characters already set up as police detectives and partners should set that team dynamic up early on.

It took a while before the original Penny Dreadful got there. So, it will be fun to have that foundation in action already.

A premiere date has not been set for Penny Dreadful: City of Angels yet. Production is set to begin later on this year so it may be a while. When it does premiere, it will do so on Showtime. While waiting for it to arrive, there is lots of new entertainment heading to TV in the midseason.

"Oh, the outside world is frightening, where monsters are resurrected by lightning. So we stay inside to stream, and we scream, and we scream, and we scream." It's a shame that Halloween carols aren't more in vogue. Thankfully, horror TV is having one hell of a heyday, and it's never been easier to find a huge number of quality genre series at your fingertips, assuming your Internet bill isn't...past due. (Wolf howls.)

Just in time for Halloween, here are some of the best horror TV shows that you can currently find on the ever-growing number of official streaming sites out there. I'm not going to pretend that this is an exhaustive and all-encompassing list, as I intentionally brought in more modern shows that not everyone might be familiar with, which meant that other popular stalwarts that aren't solely horror-tinged (like Twilight Zone) didn't make the cut. But hopefully you'll be too busy geeking out on gore and ghouls galore to notice.

The Walking Dead

Currently one of the most popular cable series of all time, The Walking Dead is a major reason why the horror genre is booming on the small screen right now. It has spent six years following Rick Grimes and his crew of coming-and-going survivors carving a path back to a semblance of civilization, and there's no end in sight, especially now that Negan has arrived. While some fans will deride The Walking Dead's creative team for how the stories have been adapted from the comic series, no one is knocking the top-tier makeup, gore and special effects that executive producer Greg Nicotero and his team put together on a weekly basis. If you're into visceral messes and turn-on-a-dime action sequences, this is the show for you.

Where You Can Watch: Netflix has Seasons 1-6 of The Walking Dead available, with the Season 7 premiere currently available on AMC's website for free and without the need for a subscription.

Hannibal

After Thomas Harris' mostly stellar novels about Hannibal Lecter, combined with the seminal suspense/horror classic Silence of the Lambs, there was trepidation coupled with the TV debut of the culinary cannibal. But as fans of show creator Bryan Fuller know all too well, the man is incapable of creating second-rate fiction, and Hannibal gets top marks all around for masterful storytelling, exquisite set design and cinematography, bone-chilling kills and an ensemble cast that had zero weak spots. But perhaps the best thing about Hannibal was the surreal mental horror that Hannibal puts his unwitting hunter Will Graham through, as there is nothing on TV quite like it. NBC gets props for keeping it on the air for three low-rated seasons, but the bigger rewards go to whoever makes Season 4 happen.

Where You Can Watch: All three seasons of Hannibal are available on Amazon for Prime subscribers.

Stranger Things

Even though Netflix likes to keep a tight lock on how its many original series are doing as far as viewership goes, nobody needed any hard data to know just how popular Stranger Things has been since it debuted over the summer. Why? Because just about everyone without hermit tendencies has been talking about it, from the stellar cast to the unexplained mysteries to the creepy-as-balls Upside Down otherworld. The meshing of sci-fi within the creature feature tale was only made better with the 1980s backdrop, giving us some of the sweetest and most relistenable TV music out there. On a scale of 1-10, it gets an Eleven.

Where You Can Watch: Season 1 of Stranger Things is available exclusively on Netflix.

Ash Vs Evil Dead

Last year gave horror fans one of the best surprises ever, with Bruce Campbell and Sam Raimi reteaming to bring the world of Evil Dead into the new millennium in the best way possible: completely soaked in blood and guts. It seems like Starz has spared no expense in each half-hour episode of Ash vs Evil Dead, which puts most horror movies to shame in the special effects department, with the bulk of the nastiness bypassing CGI for physical stunts and set-ups. And even though Ash and his two sidekicks Pablo and Kelly are just as hilarious as they are badass, this is a show that has audiences go from laughing to screaming in a split-second. Horror has never been groovier.

Where You Can Watch: Season 1 of Ash vs Evil Dead is available to stream on Starz's website and all the usual apps, with Season 2 episodes going up as they air.

Beyond The Walls

The recently released French miniseries Beyond the Walls serves as the first exclusive TV show for the on-the-rise horror streaming site Shudder.com, and if this is any indication of what the company will acquire and produce in the future, we should start mailing in all our money. Created by Hervé Hadmar and Marc Herpoux, Beyond the Walls is the rare TV horror that embraces the realms of fantasy and magic as its subgenres, rather than zombies or serial killers. Veerle Baetens stars as Lisa, an antisocial woman who moves into a new place and finds there are other forces at work. It's not an original pitch, but Beyond the Walls is unpredictable and haunting like few other projects before it on either the big or small screen. And because of its relatively short runtime, it's best to know as little as possible going in.

Where You Can Watch: As stated earlier, Beyond the Walls is a Shudder exclusive, so that's where you can find the miniseries' three episodes.

American Horror Story

For better or worse, there hasn't been anything on TV quite like American Horror Story before, as co-creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk immediately made it clear this show would throw everything possible at viewers, regardless of if any of it was meant to stick. With characters ranging from rapist ghosts to Nazi mad scientists to voodoo queens to two-headed entertainers to immortal hotel staff, American Horror Story delivers the kinds of scares and violence-laden threats that most shows would balk at, and even though there's always an unevenness involved with each season, the one-of-a-kind shocks make it worth the ride. And it's pretty funny, too.

Where You Can Watch: One of the most popular horror shows in the modern era, American Horror Story has all five finished seasons available to stream on all three of the biggies: Netflix, Hulu and Amazon, with all previous episodes of its current Roanoke season able for view on FX's website.

The Real Ghostbusters

If you're in need of lightening things up a bit, look no further than one of the very best horror-tinged cartoons, The Real Ghostbusters. (Not to be confused with that other Ghost Busters cartoon, which has its own merits.) Created during a high point for both Ghostbusters love and 1980s animation, this hit animated series was surprisingly intense in its first seasons, embracing the horror and weirdness of its many paranormal threats. Later seasons eased up on the fear factor, especially with the super-cartoonish side stories centered on Slimer, but there's no denying that show villains like Samhain and The Boogieman are among the spookiest elements of this entire franchise.

Where You Can Watch: Unfortunately, there isn't anywhere to find full seasons of The Real Ghostbusters, but Crackle does have a decent selection of episodes from Season 2 and Season 3 available for free, so we all win.

Penny Dreadful

The success of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies brought about a variety of similar projects across all forms of entertainment, and mash-ups have arguably never been more enjoyable or well-conceived than the gorgeously gothic Showtime series Penny Dreadful from creator John Logan. With a demonized Eva Green at its center, Penny Dreadful brought an all-star cast into an intelligent narrative that incorporated story elements from literary horror classics like Dracula, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Frankenstein and more. And if the mood-soaked show was ever winking at audiences with all these references, it's just because there was blood in its eye.

Where You Can Watch: You can find all three seasons of Penny Dreadful on Netflix, as well as Hulu, assuming you have the Showtime add-on, or on Showtime's website and apps.

American Gothic

Not to be confused with the recently cancelled CBS mystery, this American Gothic is one of the more underrated and under-referenced shows of the past 25 years. Created by former teen idol Shaun Cassidy, with Evil Dead's Sam Raimi as an E.P., American Gothic only got one extremely dark season, but it still made the most of its time on CBS (of all places). Currently making audiences guffaw on Veep, actor Gary Cole was a thrilling revelation as the devilishly evil small town sheriff Lucas Buck, who used his corrupt ways and supernatural forces to plague the citizens of Trinity, South Carolina. Watch it and wonder how in the hell this played on a broadcast network the same year Full House went off the air.

Where You Can Watch: Hulu currently has all 22 episodes from the single season of American Gothic.

Channel Zero

Much as the Internet has changed the way people watch TV - this list wouldn't have existed 5 years ago, for example - the online world itself is increasingly an inspiration for the entertainment industry. Case in point: Syfy's outrageously unsettling new anthology series Channel Zero, for which limited-episode seasons are based on creepypastas, the online version of a legend or campfire tale. Created by author and TV scribe Nick Antosca, Channel Zero is in the middle of its first season, which is based on Kris Straub's Candle Cove, about a children's puppet show and how it may or may not tie into a man returning home years after his twin brother disappeared. I might be jumping the gun by adding this so early, but it's easily one of the best new horror shows in years.

Where You Can Watch: Syfy is posting episodes of Channel Zero as they're released to its website and apps across multiple platforms, such as iOS, Android and Roku.

Tales From The Darkside

Now to end things on an underrated classic. Created by the Living Dead franchise mastermind George A. Romero, the anthology series Tales from the Darkside was originally supposed to be a TV version of Creepshow, but became a wholly engaging show in its own right. Never losing sight of its audience, Tales from the Darkside delivered tales that both spooked audiences and made them laugh with gallows humor, with stories that touched upon monsters, curses, psychic machines, demons and more, sometimes by famous authors such as Stephen King and Harlan Ellison. Not to mention all the familiar faces to be found, and in all their 1980s glory!

Where You Can Watch: All four seasons of Tales From the Darkside are available on Amazon and Shudder.

One of the best things about going and finding each of these shows on their respective streaming sites is that you'll almost definitely be given a handful of related series to watch. So this list is technically the gift that keeps on giving, and you'll hopefully still be getting your spine tingled by the time Christmas rolls around. (I don't know why all the yuletide references.) But we also know everything else hitting the small screen between now and then, and you can find them all in our fall TV schedule.

Penny Dreadful had been one of Showtime's signature series since it first premiered three seasons ago. Fans particularly loved Eva Green's performance, and no one was expecting the series to go anywhere, until it did. In a shocking move, the series opted to cutaway and end the show during the Season 3 finale, and now Showtime has come out to explain that fans might have been shocked, but the network certainly wasn't. In fact, Showtime president Gary Levine is now saying that Penny Dreadful was always planned to end the way it did.

A lot of networks have started announcing final seasons early, in order to give fans closer and to lose some of the edge that's related to cancellation announcements, but that's only become more common of late. I actually think it did serve as a huge shock, as well as a talking point that Showtime didn't let us in on the secret that Penny Dreadful was actually ending. It made the events in the finale that much more unexpected and that much harder to sit through.

Minor spoilers for the finale are in this paragraph. In the Season 3 and series finale, Penny Dreadful Vanessa ended up sacrificing her own life for the good of the world at large. Showtime also says that even if the drama could have figured out a way to move forward without Eva Green's Vanessa, the network didn't really want to move forward without showrunner John Logan on board. Losing a big character is a blow, but losing the creator on top of that might have been a blow that the series really could not have survived and been even close to the same series. Levine also touched on this at the TCA press tour (via TV Line).

Ultimately Penny Dreadful and Showtime came to the conclusion that a fourth season of the drama wasn't in anyone's best interests. It also meant that fans got one heck of a Season 3 finale, one that we should be talking about for some time to come.

There might not be any new episodes of Penny Dreadful coming, but TV has plenty of stuff hitting the schedule this fall. Check 'em out with our TV premiere schedule.

We're currently in an era of television in which just about anything is possible. Programming ranges from police procedurals to superhero series to zombie romps. One of the most unique shows of the past couple of years has been the gothic drama Penny Dreadful, which has run for three well-crafted seasons on Showtime. The Season 3 finale aired last night, but it now turns out that the season finale was actually a series finale. Because of the way the story shook out, Penny Dreadful is done for good on Showtime, and there will be no Season 4.

Series creator John Logan and Showtime CEO David Nevins came to the agreement to end Penny Dreadful when it became clear that Logan would be bringing the story of Vanessa Ives to a natural conclusion, according to EW. Even if the mythology of the show was still rich enough that further exploration could be warranted with more seasons, Dreadful ending with Vanessa sacrificing her life to save the world would bring about a fitting end that would honor the characters.

Penny Dreadful fans might find it a bit of a bummer that the Season 3 finale was actually the series finale. Unless a show gets an untimely cancellation, TV viewers usually know when a season finale is also the very last episode, but Dreadful's official end wasn't announced until the finale aired. On the whole, however, the surprise does have some sweetness to temper the bitter. It was possible to watch the episode without already mourning that there would be no more, and fans won't have to worry about a lack of closure.

John Logan certainly didn't conceal that the show was ending after Season 3 to try to trick fans. In fact, he has nothing but words of gratitude for the fans who tuned in over the past three years.

The Penny Dreadful creator made a name for himself as a writer for the big screen with projects such as The Aviator, Gladiator, and Hugo. Hopefully, John Logan's success as an executive producer and writer on his own Showtime show means that he'll bring his talents back to the small screen in the future. Penny Dreadful was certainly a one-of-a-kind show, and it's safe to say that Logan could have more dynamic ideas up his sleeve.

Check out our schedule of summer TV premiere dates to see what you can watch now that Penny Dreadful has come to an end.

Summer used to be a time when there was a dearth of TV, but now there are new TV shows popping up on nearly every date on the calendar. If you are looking for good dramas, new comedies or even programming that you can stream on Netflix or Hulu, we've put together a list of all of the great new programs--as well as the not-so-great ones--that will be hitting the schedule during the summer months. For your convenience, we've also included this spring's April dates.

The schedule is a work in progress, and dates are subject to change as the weather heats up. In the meantime, if there's a new or returning show you don't see on here, feel free to leave a comment and we'll see if we can dig up the date for you! We’ve also listed shows that haven’t been given official return dates and stuff that is expected to premiere later this summer, so if your favorite show doesn’t have a date, yet, take a look at the end of the list first! (Please note: listed times are in EST/PST.)

April

Friday, April 1

12:01 a.m. PT - THE RANCH - Netflix

12:01 a.m. PT - Lost & Found Music Studios -Netflix

10:00 p.m. - Banshee - Cinemax

10:00 p.m. - Wynonna Earp - Syfy

Sunday, April 3

8:00 p.m. - Call the Midwife - PBS

Monday, April 4

6:00 p.m. - Powerpuff Girls - Cartoon Network

Wednesday, April 6

6:00 p.m. - The Real Housewives of New York City - Bravo

Thursday, April 7

8:30 p.m. - The Odd Couple - CBS

Friday, April 8

? p.m. - Catastrophe - Amazon Prime US premiere

Saturday, April 9

9:00 p.m. - Outlander - Starz

Sunday, April 10

?:00 p.m. - MTV Movie Awards - MTV

8:00 p.m. - The Girlfriend Experience - Starz

9:00 p.m. - House of Lies - Showtime

9:00 p.m. - Fear The Walking Dead - AMC

9:00 p.m. - Shahs of Sunset - Bravo

9:30 p.m. - DICE -Showtime

Monday, April 11

9:00 p.m. - Jackie Robinson - PBS

9:00 p.m. - THE DETOUR - TBS

10:00 p.m. - HUNTERS - Syfy

10:00 p.m. - The Real Housewives of Dallas - Bravo

Tuesday, April 12

10:00 p.m. - GAME OF SILENCE - NBC

Wednesday, April 13

8:00 p.m. - THE LAST PANTHERS - Sundance

10:00 p.m. - STRONG - NBC

Thursday, April 14

8:00 p.m. - Bones - Fox

9:00 p.m. - American Grit - Fox

10:00 p.m. - Orphan Black - BBC America

Friday, April 15

12:01 a.m. PT - Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt - Netflix

12:01 a.m. PT - Kong: King of the Apes - Netflix

Saturday, April 16

12:01 a.m. PT - CONFIRMATION - HBO

2016 Netflix Premiere Schedule: New and Returning Shows

Monday, April 18

9:00 p.m. - 12 Monkeys - Syfy

9:00 p.m. - CLASS DIVIDE - HBO documentary

Tuesday, April 19

9:00 p.m. - CONTAINMENT - CW

10:00 p.m. - THE NIGHT MANAGER - AMC

Wednesday, April 20

? - Deadbeat - Hulu

10:30 p.m.. - Time Traveling Bong - Comedy Central

Thursday, April 21

10:00 p.m. - Inside Amy Schumer - Comedy Central

Sunday, April 24

9:00 p.m. - Game of Thrones - HBO

9:00 p.m. - Rebellion - Sundance miniseries

10:00 p.m. - Silicon Valley - HBO

10:30 p.m. - Veep - HBO

Monday, April 25

8:00 p.m. - Reign - The CW

8:00 p.m. - Mike & Molly - CBS

10:00 p.m. - Turn: Washington’s Spies - AMC

Friday, April 29

12:01 a.m. - SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS - Netflix Movie

12:01 a.m. - TEAM FOXCATCHER - Netflix documentary

May

Sunday, May 1

8:00 p.m. - Young & Hungry - Freeform

8:30 p.m. - Baby Daddy - Freeform

10:00 p.m. - Penny Dreadful - Showtime

Monday, May 2

9:00 p.m. - HOUDINI & DOYLE - FOX

Tuesday, May 3

9:00 p.m. - Below Deck Mediterranean - Bravo

10:00 p.m. - Person Of Interest - CBS

Wednesday, May 4

9:00 p.m. - Maron - IFC

Friday, May 6

12:01 a.m. PT - MARSEILLE - Netflix

12:01 a.m. PT - Grace and Frankie - Netflix

Monday, May 9

? - Every Brilliant Thing - HBO documentary

11 p.m. - HELLO GOODBYE - Travel channel

Wednesday, May 11

12:01 a.m. PT - CHELSEA - Netflix

Sunday, May 15

9:00 p.m. - Undercover Boss - CBS

Monday, May 16

9:00 p.m. - Wicked Tuna - NAT GEO

Wednesday, May 18

10:00 p.m. - Royal Pains - USA

Friday, May 20

12:01 a.m. PT - LADY DYNAMITE - Netflix

Saturday, May 21

8:00 p.m. - All The Way - HBO

Sunday, May 22

10:00 p.m. - PREACHER - AMC

Monday, May 23

8:00 p.m. - The Bachelorette - ABC

Monday, May 23

8:00 p.m. - The Bachelorette - ABC

8:00 p.m. - The Price Is Right - CBS nighttime special

Wednesday, May 25

9:00 p.m. - Wayward Pines - Fox

Thursday, May 26

8:00 p.m. - 500 Questions - ABC

9:00 p.m. - Red Nose Day - NBC

Friday, May 27

12:01 a.m. PT - Chef’s Table - Netflix

12:01 a.m. PT - Bloodline - Netflix

Monday, May 30

? p.m. - ROOTS - History, Lifetime, A&E

8 p.m. - So You Think You Can Dance - Fox

9 p.m. - TOP GEAR - BBC America

9 p.m. - The Dresser - Starz

10 p.m. - Mistresses - ABC

Tuesday, May 31

8:00 p.m. - America’s Got Talent - NBC

10:00 p.m. - MAYA AND MARTY IN MANHATTAN - NBC

10:00 p.m. - Scream - MTV

June

Wednesday, June 1

8:00 p.m. - American Ninja Warrior - NBC

10:00 p.m. - Cleverman - Sundance

Thursday, June 2

9:00 p.m. - Beauty And The Beast - CW

Friday, June 3

9:00 p.m. - OUTCAST - Cinemax

9:00 p.m. - Marriage Boot Camp - WETV

Sunday, June 5

8:00 p.m. - Legends & Lies: The Patriots - Fox News

10:00 p.m. - FEED THE BEAST - AMC

Monday, June 6

9:00 p.m. - Rizzoli & Isles - TNT

9:00 p.m. - Devious Maids - Lifetime

10:00 p.m. - UnReal - Lifetime

Wednesday, June 8

8:00 p.m. - CMT MUSIC AWARDS - CMT

11:00 p.m. - Big Freedia - Fuse

11:30 p.m. - Transcendent - Fuse

Saturday, June 11

9:00 p.m. - O.J.: MADE IN AMERICA - ABC

9:00 p.m. - Hell On Wheels - AMC

10:00 p.m. - THE AMERICAN WEST - AMC

Sunday, June 12

8:00 p.m. - 70th Annual Tony Awards - CBS

9:00 p.m. - The Ride with Norman Reedus - AMC

9:00 p.m. - STILL THE KING - CMT

Monday, June 13

9:00 p.m. - Guilt - Freeform

10:00 p.m. - BRAINDEAD - CBS

10:00 p.m. - Major Crimes - TNT

Tuesday, June 14

8:00 p.m. - TO TELL THE TRUTH - ABC

9:00 p.m. - UNCLE BUCK - ABC

9:00 p.m. - ANIMAL KINGDOM - TNT

10:00 p.m. - WRECKED - TBS

Wednesday, June 15

?10:00 p.m. - Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee - Crackle

10:00 p.m. - Jay Leno's Garage - CNBC

Thursday, June 16

9:00 p.m. - Aquarius - NBC

Friday, June 17

12:01 a.m. PT - Orange is the New Black - Netflix

Sunday, June 19

9:00 p.m. - The Last Ship - TNT

10:00 p.m.- TOP SECRET SWIMMING HOLES - Travel

11:00 p.m.- 7 WATER WONDERS - Travel

Monday, June 20

8:00 p.m.- The Fosters - Freeform

10:00 p.m.- Odd Mom Out - Bravo

Tuesday, June 21

8:00 p.m. - Pretty Little Liars - Freeform

10:00 p.m. - GREENLEAF - OWN

Wednesday, June 22

8:00 p.m. - Big Brother - CBS

10:00 p.m. - AMERICAN GOTHIC - CBS

10:00 p.m. - The Jim Gaffigan Show - TV Land

Thursday, June 23

8:00 p.m. - Battlebots - ABC

Cancelled or Renewed? The Network Rundown Of What Shows Are Coming Back And What Are Not

Sunday, June 26

8:00 p.m. - Celebrity Family Feud - ABC

9:00 p.m. - Ray Donovan - Showtime

9:00 p.m. - THE $100,000 PYRAMID - ABC

10:00 p.m. - ROADIES - Showtime

10:00 p.m.- Murder in the First - TNT

Tuesday, June 28

9:00 p.m. - DEAD OF SUMMER - Freeform

9:00 p.m. - Zoo - CBS

Thursday, June 30

10:00 p.m. - Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll - FX

July And August

Friday, July 1

9:00 p.m. - Killyjoys - Syfy

10:00 p.m. - Dark Matter - Syfy

Sunday, July 3

10:00 p.m. - Island Explorers - Travel

Wednesday, July 6

10:00 p.m. - Tyrant - FX

Sunday, July 10

9:00 p.m. - THE NIGHT OF - HBO

Monday, July 11

8:00 p.m. - Penn & Teller: Fool Us - The CW

9:00 p.m. - Whose Line Is It Anyway? - The CW

10:00 p.m. - Running Wild With Bear Grylls - NBC

Wednesday, July 13

8:00 p.m. - The 2016 ESPYS - ABC

9:00 p.m. -Suits

- USA 10:00 p.m. - Mr. Robot - USA

Friday, July 15

12:01 a.m. PT - STRANGER THINGS - Netflix

12:01 a.m. PT - Tony Robbins: I Am Not Your Guru - Netflix

Sunday, July 17

9:00 p.m. - Power - Starz

10:00 p.m. - Survivor's Remorse - Starz

10 p.m. - Ballers - HBO

10:30 p.m. - VICE PRINCIPALS - HBO

11:00 p.m. - LIFE'S A BEACH - Travel

Tuesday, July 19

10 p.m. - SHOOTER - USA

Friday, July 22

12:01 a.m. PT - Degrassi - Netflix

12:01 a.m. PT - BoJack Horseman - Netflix

Sunday, July 24

? p.m. - Survivor's Remorse - STARZ

Thursday, July 28

10 p.m. - Ripper Street - BBC America

Friday, July 29

12:01 a.m. PT - Tallulah - Netflix

Sunday, July 31

8 p.m. - Sharknado: The 4th Awakens - Syfy

Tuesday, August 2

8:00 p.m. - Bachelor in Paradise - ABC

Wednesday, August 3

12:01 a.m. PT - BEAT BUGS - Netflix

8:00 p.m. - CMA Music Festival - ABC

10:00 p.m. - Paranormal Witness - Syfy

Friday, August 12

12:01 a.m. PT - THE GET DOWN - Netflix

Sunday, August 21

9:00 p.m. - Fear The Walking Dead - AMC

Monday, August 22

10:00 p.m. - Cheer Squad - Freeform

Tuesday, August 23

9:00 p.m. - Halt and Catch Fire - AMC (will air at 10 in subsequent weeks)

10:00 p.m. - The Profit - CNBC

10:00 p.m. - BETTER LATE THAN NEVER - NBC

Wednesday, August 24

10:00 p.m. - Cleveland Hustles - CNBC

10:00 p.m. - Gomorrah - Sundance

Friday, August 28

? - MTV VMAS - MTV

10:00 p.m. - The Strain - FX

Wednesday, August 31

10:00 p.m. - You're The Worst - FX

Other Potential Summer Premiere Dates

Masters of Sex is getting a fall premiere date

Andrew Zimmern’s Driven By Food

Switched at Birth has been pushed back to 2017.

Continue To Fall Schedule >

SHOWTIME's horror series Penny Dreadful is getting its own video game. Midverse Studios is developing Penny Dreadful: Demimonde for a fall release.

Penny Dreadful is a horror series with characters inspired by 19th century Irish and British fiction. The cast of the first two seasons has included Dr. Frankenstein, Mina Harker and Dorian Grey. The main characters have to contend with a variety of supernatural threats including witches, vampires and werewolves.

In your head, you're probably picturing a shoot 'em up Penny Dreadful game where you fight through hordes of monsters on the streets of London. Or you're picturing a Telltale-like experience where you influence the story through your dialogue choices.

However, Demimonde is actually far different from that. Midverse says it's primarily a collectible card game. Players will gather cards based on characters and creatures from the show and then use their deck in head-to-head battles against other players. There are also some puzzles seeded throughout the game as well.

Midverse Studios CEO Rizwan Virk says that it's intended for both series newbies and veterans:

Midverse will release Penny Dreadful: Demimonde for smartphones and tablets via the App Store, Google Play, and Amazon Kindle. The game will also be released on Facebook at a later date. You can sign up for a beta at MidverseStudios.com later this summer.

Penny Dreadful's second season just wrapped up on Sunday. The series was just renewed for Season 3 as well. You can check out the show on SHOWTIME, either through their cable channel or newly launched standalone streaming service.

It appears that fans of Showtime’s grim, Gothic drama Penny Dreadful will not have to part with the series with its Season 2 finale just around the corner. The network has announced that the show has been renewed, ensuring that your television future will see no dearth of deadly demonic destruction.

According to Showtime’s official announcement, Penny Dreadful has been given a nine-episode order for Season 3, which will air on a yet-to-be-specified date in 2016. By all indications, the cast will soon return to the regular shooting location in Dublin, Ireland to commence the series’ stylistic brand of blatant butchery mixed with bizarre bouts of ribaldry.

The move is clearly good news for fans of the series’ deep, quickly evolving mythology amalgamated from Victorian era fiction as created by Gladiator and Skyfall screenwriter John Logan. Showcasing an impressive cast such as Eva Green, Josh Hartnett and Timothy Dalton, Penny Dreadful's return especially serves as a relief, given the presumably loose grip that a television series might have on such talent who are traditionally geared towards film. Possibly to that point, the nine-episode order for Season 3 will be a one episode downgrade from the current season’s run of ten.

Interestingly enough, the announcement of the renewal comes upon the news that this past Sunday’s airing of Season 2's seventh episode, “Little Scorpion,” yielded a series low with a 0.19 rating in the coveted 18-49 demographic, which is notably lower than its average of 0.23. Overall, the ratings for Season 2 have been inconsistent, leading to a bit of temporary apprehension from the show’s devoted fanbase. However, Showtime is clearly in the midst of diversifying their portfolio of standout original programming; especially on the back of the abruptly announced upcoming launch of their standalone streaming service. This mandate may have been the deciding factor in their decision to maintain this presumably costly and star-studded production.

From the perspective of the storyline, it has become more than apparent in Season 2 that the show has moved past showing off the bells and whistles of its gimmicky premise that has corralled renditions of iconic literary horror characters. Season 2 has seen the show shaping itself a bit more methodically as an introspective character study. Centering mostly on Eva Green’s perpetually punished Vanessa Ives, the series seems to have shifted most of its focus to the premise of her being the object of a mysterious, morbid fixation from a dangerous Satanic cult of witches headed by Helen McCrory’s Madame Kali. Thus, the pacing of Season 2 had been a bit disproportionate compared to Season 1, which may explain the sporadic dips and upticks in the ratings this year.

However, this approach has also allowed the series to greatly expand the breadth of its mythology. With Season 3 firmly on the horizon, perhaps this current season’s slower, stoic focus might provide the show with a sturdy supply of expository middle-act gravitas to work towards a devastatingly rich denouement in Season 3 that won’t feel forced or rushed. Of course, Season 2 still has three episodes to air, so we might be in store for a more immediately powerful payoff sooner than we might think.

You can catch the remaining episodes of Penny Dreadful Season 2 on Showtime Sundays at 10 p.m. EST as it rounds the way to what will surely be a fantastic finale on July 5.

As a genre fanatic, it’s a dream come true to be able to bring together this Top 10 of horror series without exhausting every current example on TV. Opinions are only worth so much, of course, but I’d wager that there are only one or two really, really abysmal horror shows on TV and streaming right now, which is about as good of a ratio as one could hope for. And I’d rather watch a shitty scary show than a shitty hospital drama any day of the week.

So let’s kick off the year's best with dickhead Sean Astin unwittingly unleashing an apocalypse upon the world.

10. The Strain

One’s enjoyment of FX’s moody and theatrical series The Strain will be in direct relation to one’s enjoyment of Guillermo del Toro’s work, though it woefully lacks his playfulness for the most part. (Kevin Durand’s Fet is one exception.) Adapted from the novel trilogy written by del Toro and author Chuck Hogan, this modern-day vampire (Strigoi) tale is steeped in shadows, with danger literally around every corner at times, and centers on CDC higher-up Dr. “Eph” Goodweather and Strigoi-fighting Holocaust survivor Abe Setrakian (David Bradley) leading a small group through a New York City teeming with dead-eyed bloodsuckers whose aim is more terrible than 1980s action villains with automatic weapons. The atmosphere and bonkers special effects make up for the abundant self-seriousness, and that first episode in the airplane was one of the TV highlights of 2014 for me. Here’s hoping Season 2 is even better.

9. Z Nation

Z Nation is exactly what one would expect from a zombified horror-action Syfy series produced by The Asylum. Eschewing layered drama for a barrage of heightened catastrophes, Z Nation is like a season’s worth of The Walking Dead in each episode, which comes with an equal number of faults as championable qualities. Tom Everett Scott leads a squad of post-plague survivors across the country in transporting this total dickhead to a California medical facility, for they’re the only ones who can use his cure-all antibodies to save the world! And because traveling isn’t hard enough, this squad also has to deal with a cult, cannibals, DJ Qualls and bizarre weather-related zombie phenomena like a zombie tornado. (!!!) Because it wears its gore-loving goofiness on its chewed and bloodied sleeves, Z Nation is more enjoyable than it probably should be, especially with the right people and the right atmosphere. Or while doing the laundry.

8. The First Few Episodes of American Horror Story: Freak Show

October doesn’t really seem so far back, but it feels like forever since American Horror Story: Freak Show had a forward storytelling thrust that meant anything. The first few episodes, introducing Jessica Lange’s sideshow act with fun prosthetics, zany musical sequences and an antagonistic clown with a penchant for balloon animals and grunting. All episodes since have been melodramatic mishmash, with oddball performances doing much more to carry the weight of Ryan Murphy’s plot treading than the shocks and scares. But those first few episodes were as exciting as those from Season 1, and I truly thought Sarah Paulson’s conjoined twins Bette and Dot were going to be a TV revelation of sorts. Novelty TV at its finest.

7. In the Flesh

One of the most intelligently written zombie stories out there, In the Flesh’s more horrific situations aren’t filled with blood and guts but with society’s narrow-mindedness. The double-length (six episodes) Season 2 series keeps the focus on Kieren Walker (Luke Newberry), a former zombie who has been rehabilitated and introduced back into the normal world via a government cure, and his relationships with those around him. But this season also broadens the story to show how not all of the human population can so easily allow Partially Deceased Syndrome (PDS) survivors back into their lives without some ultimate penance to be had. Not since George Romero’s early Living Dead films have zombies and political messages mixed together so frightfully well.

6. Penny Dreadful

Pop culture crossovers and mash-ups are as popular as they ever were, and Showtime’s Penny Dreadful is a surprisingly realized take on horror literature’s most iconic characters. The wraparound thread of Season 1 involved a search for Mina Harker, believed to be taken by vampire creatures. Hunting for her are adventurer father Sir Malcolm (Timothy Dalton), demon-conjuring best friend of sorts Vanessa Ives (Eva Green) and American sharpshooter Ethan (Josh Hartnett). Along the way, they cross paths with Victor Frankenstein (Harry Treadaway) and his creature, the egotistical sex addict Dorian Gray (Reeve Carney) and more. With the use of flashbacks (particularly in one focused episode) and monologue-ish scenes, Penny Dreadful is thankfully far more invested in these characters and their relationships than the task at hand. Created by Skyfall screenwriter John Logan and produced by Sam Mendes, this series mixes sex and bloodlust with dark literary fiction for a bitingly fun time. Bring on Season 2!

5. Bates Motel

Bates Motel is one of the most batshit crazy series on the air right now, adding a soap opera spice mix to one of horror’s most legendary characters: Norman Bates, played with an enjoyably immature madness by Freddie Highmore. (I would love to see where this series would go if it had complete freedom from networks, budgets and realism.) Season 2 finds the Bates Motel thriving, along with Norman’s blackouts, Dylan’s (Max Thieriot) ties to horrible people and Norma’s (Vera Farmiga) attention to keeping her son safe from himself. There are secrets to hide, others to be discovered, and a new love interest for Norman that hits a little too close to home. (That’s not even a comment on the creepy incestuousness lurking behind certain scenes.) What seemed like a gimmicky idea for A&E has become a unpredictably wacky story of murder, madness and taxidermy.

4. Black Mirror: White Christmas

Even though this special just aired on Christmas Day here in the U.S., Black Mirror: White Christmas immediately became one of the most frightening things I’ve seen this year. The U.K. series Black Mirror is technically “cautionary near-future sci-fi” if we’re getting technical, but creator Charlie Brooker is a fucking mastermind at spinning technology and human behavior into some mesmerizingly haunting stories. White Christmas presents a trio of interwoven tales shared between Matt (Jon Hamm) and Joe (Rafe Spall), two men having an uncomfortable Christmas meal together. One story features Hamm as a surrogate Romeo, guiding a shy male through a night out via camera and microphone, while another is a depressing tale of being physically “blocked” from someone’s life, similar to how social media works. But it’s the middle section, where Oona Chaplin plays a woman who gets a new form of smart technology, that sent shivers from my spine to my brain and back again in an endless loop. Had there been an entire season of Black Mirror this year, I’ve no doubts it would have topped this list.

3. The Walking Dead

When The Walking Dead is at its best, it’s one of the most compelling series on TV, mixing terror and tension without necessarily guaranteeing anyone’s safety. The show is sadly inconsistent with moving things at a steady clip, though, without many ways to deliver interesting character development in a world without pop culture to bond over. Still, the Season 4 march to Terminus (and then subsequent march away from it in Season 5) delivered some series highs, introducing new characters like Abraham (Michael Cudlitz) and broadening existing ones like Beth (Emily Kinney), who grows close with Daryl (Norman Reedus). Some have complained about the way Season 5 branched its characters off, giving them each their own episodes, but I think that’s how the show should have been established since the beginning. (Carl doesn’t need his own episode, though.) And it’s going to be hard for this series to do something better than Zombie Demolishment by Fire Hose, because that was awesome.

2. Hannibal

Before anything else, let’s take a moment to reflect on a Bryan Fuller series not only making it to a second season, but getting an order for Season 3, deserved more for critical acclaim than huge ratings. Miracles happen! Season 2 begins with Will (Hugh Dancy) still locked up, suspected of being the Chesapeake Ripper, in a story that takes up half of the season. Things then take an even more dangerous and disgusting turn when Lecter’s new patient Margot Verger (Katherine Isabelle) and her abusive brother Mason (Michael Pitt) are introduced. Anchored by exquisite performances from Mads MIkkelsen, Hannibal imbues what might have otherwise been a stale cops-and-killer drama with imagination, dense writing and the artiest horror on network TV.

1. Darknet

I’m probably going to get a bunch of shit from people for putting the Canadian quasi-anthology Darknet on top of this list, but I’m willing to bet that the majority of those people haven’t experienced this maddeningly freaky series. Each of the first season’s six episodes tells different expertly interwoven tales of sadism, murder and mayhem, and there isn’t a stale short in the bunch. The connective tissue here is an underground website called Darknet, where you can find the worst videos on the Internet, including ones about a psycho phone installer, a twisted Peeping Tom victim, cyberpranking teens and a suicide hotline. With a central squad of writers and directors, including Cube and Splice’s Vincenzo Natali, Darknet is like a condensed version of every film and TV horror anthology that’s come before it, stripped of excess and delivering only the most frightening of situations. Turn off all the lights and phones and find it on Netflix here. You’re welcome.

What were your favorite horror series of 2014?

Showtime is in my good graces this week. Not only have they announced Twin Peaks’ return to television, but they’re already teasing the Season 2 return of the literary-minded horror series Penny Dreadful, which you can see in the video above. Can our lives handle more Vanessa Ives?

To be expected, there isn’t a lot of meat (werewolf or otherwise) on this trailer, but it does make Season 2’s destination more clear: the past. We can hear Eva Green’s Vanessa asking, “Do you believe the past can return?” And then we hear an unidentified male voice responding, “More than that. It never leaves us. It is who we are.” Boom! Then we get the morbidly beautiful blood blot of a scorpion, the very predator that Vanessa wears on her necklace.

If we may delve into mythology for a moment - since this is a show about preconceived stories, after all - the scorpion is best known as the animal that Greek goddess Gaia sent to Orion to kill him once he started threatening to kill every beast on the planet. Will this reference make its way into the world of Penny Dreadful in the future? Will Vanessa have to take on someone that threatens to kill all of her friends and monstrous associates?

We already know that Vanessa’s past is a major part of this story, as one Season 1 episode (“Closer than Sisters”) was devoted entirely to giving viewers the backstory between the Ives family and the Murrays, including former best friend Mina (Olivia Llewellyn) and patriarch Sir Malcolm (Timothy Dalton). Vanessa witnessed one controversy and caused another one herself, embracing darkness and ruining lives in the process. She later spent time in the crazy house, but was guided to the hunt for Mina with the help of an evil spirit. You know, exactly how every young girl's life goes.

But it’s not just Vanessa’s past that will come to light. We’ll be finding out more about Ethan Chandler (Josh Hartnett) and his hateful father. Presumably, Dorian Grey (Reeve Carney) will get some past-dwelling exposition, too, as we still don’t know much about this guy other than he’ll fuck anything that moves. And Madam Kali (Helen McCrory) will be a major bad guy in Season 2, so we can expect her earlier years to get attention as well. All in all, everyone on Penny Dreadful could use their own history lesson.

It’ll still be a long while before we get to witness Penny Dreadful Season 2, as it isn’t set to premiere until 2015. Find Season 1 on Blu-ray and DVD starting Tuesday, October 14.

The multi-talented Patti LuPone may be best known for her stage work and her classic voice, but she’s becoming an ever-growing presence on television. (Watch out, Emmys!) The Tony and Grammy-winning actress is one of several to join Showtime’s gothic horror series Penny Dreadful for its Season 2, building upon an already top-notch cast. Additionally, Helen McCrory and Simon Russell Beale, who play a spiritualist and an Egyptologist respectively, have been promoted to series regulars.

LuPone’s role is still being kept under wraps, but she’s described as “a mysterious character of great importance in the life of Vanessa,” played by Eva Green. Pretty much everyone in Vanessa’s past is mysterious and of potential great importance, and the Season 1 flashback episode that delved into her life was arguably the series’ most concise episode. It’ll be hard for LuPone to add more dramatics to this atmosphere-drenched production, but I’m hoping for something over the top. If you've got LuPone, you USE LuPone.

If you want to see more of LuPone's small screen work, check out her recent as-herself appearances on HBO's Girls and her God-fearing neighbor in American Horror Story: Coven. She's a kook and a half.

Joining her in Season 2 is fellow Tony Award-winner Douglas Hodge (Diana), who will play Scotland Yard investigator Bartholomew Rusk, who is on the job trying to nab the culprit behind all of the awful murders happening in London. (Bartholomew Rusk is a name worthy of an action movie hero.) Recurring Vikings actress Sarah Greene will play Hecate, the powerful daughter of Evelyn “Madame Kali” Poole (McCrory), and newcomer Jonny Beauchamp will play a young guy whose past is quite unlike anyone else’s.

McCrory’s promotion comes as Season 2 vaults her séance-loving Madame Kali up to the role of antagonist, presumably going after Vanessa and her demon-conjuring talents. Beale’s over-the-top Ferdinand Lyle was always a delight, spouting exposition with a theatrical pizazz. My guess is we’ll get to hear him offer insight into the past of vampires,werewolves, zombies, Godzillas, flying spaghetti monsters and everything else floating around out there.

When Penny Dreadful returns, we’ll see what happens with the newly-revealed werewolf Ethan Chandler (Josh Hartnett), the possibly resurrected Brona Croft (Billie Piper) and her quasi-hubby The Creature (Rory Kinnear), and Sir Malcolm (Timothy Dalton), who was last seen putting an end to the daughter that he searched for during the entire season. Some people just can’t catch any breaks. LuPone to the rescue!

Creator John Logan is kicking production off this month in Ireland for Season 2, and audiences will be able to catch up with all of London’s gloomiest literary characters when Penny Dreadful returns to Showtime next year.

Showtime’s Penny Dreadful is an interesting beast of a show, drawing together a handful of literary horror’s most recognizable characters and concepts, spinning them into a sprawling narrative that Season 1’s eight episodes only touched upon. Luckily, creator and showrunner John Logan (Skyfall) has spent the better part of a decade creating this world in his mind, and he let Comic-Con fans know that Season 2 will be much larger, expanding some of those stories, while also bringing a familiar human character to head the antagonistic front.

Remember Madame Kali, the uppity spiritualist played by Helen McCrory? She’ll be getting promoted to Season 2’s big baddie, and I suppose it’s fitting for a regular human being to be the threat in a series full of vamps, resurrected beings, a werewolf and some demons. But she, like Vanessa (Eva Green), can tap into the supernatural world – the unsettling séance from the second episode was one of the best of its kind – and apparently Madame Kali will go further down the ghostly rabbit hole until it’s too late.

Logan showed the Comic-Con crowd a deleted scene from Season 1 that hinted at where Madame Kali’s story would one day go. The showrunner, in reference to the nearby Reeve Carney, Harry Treadaway and Josh Hartnett, said that “her supernatural world becomes the threat to all the gentlemen sitting on the stage with me.” We last saw Madame Kali getting her flirt on with Ethan (Hartnett) in the season finale, so one has to wonder how naturally evil is she, and how much of her doomed side will be prompted by ghastly specters.

According to THR, Logan is also planning on revealing some info about Ethan’s past in the United States, specifically his relationship with his father, Jared. Plus that whole “how did he become a werewolf” issue. Speaking about Jared, Logan had this to say:

And, if everything goes according to his master plan, Logan also wants to take Penny Dreadful to the Island of Lost Souls, where a certain Dr. Moreau is presumably cranking out bastardized animal hybrids. Created by H.G. Wells for his 1896 novel The Island of Dr. Moreau, this reclusive and insane genius would be a fine addition to this bonkers series. But maybe wait until a third season when the plot will have room to breathe…through both lungs and gills.

With no specific release date set, expect to find Penny Dreadful covering Showtime in shadows next spring.

As a horror fan, it was impossible for me not to love Showtime’s Penny Dreadful, the first season of which came to a hairy close on Sunday night. To love it as a television critic is shades more difficult, as this eight-episode season’s pacing was sometimes plodding and scenes were not always in service of the storyline. The finale was a perfect marriage of Penny Dreadful’s peaks and faults, and thankfully the majority of the parts I didn’t enjoy as much will seemingly pay off in a big way for Season 2. So, spoiler alert, here are five ways that Season 2 can improve to become an even better series when it returns next year. Maybe you’ll get your portrait on the wall when we’re done.

Give Sir Malcolm a Better Quest

Everything we know about Sir Malcolm Murray is that he wants his daughter Mina back. While he doesn’t come off as a selfish guy, everything he does is to further his own agenda, and he’s made it very clear on many different occasions that everything is worth sparing where getting Mina back is concerned. Anyone with their frontal lobes connected knew that her fate was going to be sided with the vampiric community. And so when she finally appeared near the end of this episode and threatened Vanessa’s life, something that Malcolm should have only the slightest problem with, he goes and kills her with nary a hesitant twitch.

And so…what? Many of Penny Dreadful’s most enjoyable scenes featured the growing bond between Malcolm and Vanessa, so it wasn’t really surprising that he chose to save her in some way. But it kind of makes the “Hunt for Mina” a MacGuffin, as the reunion was rushed and didn’t resonate afterward. Season 2 needs to give him a stickier plotline to adhere to. After all, he no longer needs to exploit Vanessa’s sixth sense communication skills. Or does he? Speaking of those skills…

Let Vanessa Keep Her Visions

I love Eva Green, and find her to be as talented as she is attractive. (She and her fashion sense were by far the best part of 300: Rise of an Empire, for instance.) That said, I don’t know what her character could become in Season 2 that would be more interesting or more involved within a horror-based storyline, other than someone who suffers from being touched by Satan. After seeing her go through death and back with the possessions and whatnot, it was clear that some kind of a change would have to be made.

But it was just cruel and unnecessary to pull the bottom off of the end of the episode as she’s consulting a priest to “cure” her of her demonic habits He’s telling her she’s going to be normal now, and it’s told to her almost as a warning, and to audiences almost as a threat. Now, I don’t really think she’s going to actually leave the darkness behind, but I also don’t want creator and writer John Logan to fake us out with a “She’s cured! No she isn’t!” kind of a midseason twist. I want Vanessa and Malcolm to open up a ghost-hunting detective agency in their garage, where they charge a dime each to find the neighborhood kids’ great-grandparents. Or perhaps something better, but with Vanessa talking to demons, as Penny Dreadful is one of the first possession stories since The Exorcist that I actually liked.

Make Ethan Awesome From the Beginning This Time

It’s hard not to enjoy a cocky American Josh Hartnett being all emotional with his mustache against a crowd of prim and proper British people. However, his sharpshooting Ethan Chandler has spent far too long coasting monotonously, inexplicably teasing out his own supernatural roots without ever blatantly stating or showing it. Considering the promotional teasers all included werewolf body parts, it felt like a waste to keep Ethan’s lycanthropic side under wraps for the entire season.

Plus, there wasn’t anything signature about it; no wicked transformation or anything. He’s just weak Ethan, getting railed on by his father’s hired men who’ve come to find him, and then he’s Michael Jackson’s Thriller. However it was handled in the finale, they need to ramp that “Ethan doing cool shit” factor up a lot when Season 2 starts. It’s fine to watch him making out with Dorian Grey and crying over the consumption-plagued Brona Craft, but we need to witness his darker side now. Seriously, a werewolf who can shoot a bottle from 50 paces is the perfect lead character. Maybe he’s a distant relative of WolfCop.

Make Victor and Caliban Get Along

Don’t get me wrong, I relish every instance when the otherwise introverted Caliban takes his rage for Victor out on some innocent person. But we don’t need to see another season of Victor being randomly victimized. I was unsure of why Billie Piper’s Brona was being given the short shrift narrative-wise, spending most of her screentime coughing up blood. That's because I honestly hadn’t considered her death factoring into Caliban’s need for a mate. And I love the idea.

I don’t expect that relationship to work out completely, as I can’t see Brona just idly falling in love with a man who shares her state of being revived from the ethers. But I want Victor to attempt to make Caliban happy, so that they can get chummy now that Caliban has lost his job at the theater. Rory Kinnear absolutely nailed that awkward-as-bawls scene with the actress he had a crush on – makeup and orange and all – so I can’t wait to see how he plays the “monster” trying to get someone to fall in love with him. Of all the characters that Penny Dreadful has taken from literature, I’m most interested in Caliban’s tale.

Give Dorian Grey a Purpose

For all intents and purposes, I fully thought I would have enjoyed Dorian Gray the most of all the horror reimaginings. Oscar Wilde’s sole novel hasn’t been tackled ad nauseum like vampires, devils and werewolves, and his ramped-up sexuality certainly didn’t hurt. Yet, Dorian never got the backstory episode like the one that rewarded Vanessa and Malcolm’s characters, and we really have no idea who this guy is or what he’s about. Other than someone who likes decorating his walls with portraits and banging broads while getting his picture taken.

Of course, he’s also invincible to some extent, as we’ve seen him heal after being injured. This, of course, is related to all those pictures on his walls, but I want to know how, and I wonder if that reveal will be enough to keep Dorian meaningful after it the secrets come out. Perhaps he’ll just keep moving along in everyone else’s plot like he’s been doing, only with everyone's knowledge that he’s probably hundreds of years old or something. (There are a LOT of portraits.) However it goes, Reeve Carney has delivered a subtle performance that transcends the bland material he’s given. Somebody make this guy fight a werewolf with a gun.

If you’ve been watching Showtime’s Penny Dreadful, you’re privy to the deliciously evil sex and violence that its characters are embedded in. Fans should be happy to hear that 2015 is going to be even more lust-filled and bloodied, as Showtime has renewed Penny Dreadful for Season 2, and what’s more, they’ve extended the episode order from eight to ten. I think I’ll start a Cinema Blend office pool over what other literary characters will make their way into the show, with my pick being Cthulhu.

I love this decision, as Penny Dreadful is one of the more unique series on TV, but it’s also objectively a smart move for Showtime. Big ratings on cable networks aren’t the most common thing in the world, but this literary horror mash-up is an unmitigated success. According to the press release, Penny Dreadful is attracting an average of 4.8 million viewers a week, though they point out that over 3.6 million of the third episode’s totals watched it either on Showtime On Demand or the website Showtime Anytime. Even so, that’s the biggest audience than they’ve had for any other series on their auxiliary platforms, and it’s also higher than what Hannibal averages, despite that horror series being on a standard network.

Only having just aired its fourth episode, Penny Dreadful is waist-deep in a handful of crisscrossing storylines that are only getting more twisted. At the heart of things is explorer Sir Malcolm (Timothy Dalton), who is trying to find his daughter Mina Harker, who may or may not be in the hands of vampires. Sir Malcolm is assisted by the spiritualist Vanessa (Eva Green) and the American sharpshooter Ethan (Josh Hartnett), both of whom are hiding secrets. There’s Victor Frankenstein (Harry Treadaway), who is helping Sir Malcolm with vampire autopsies, and his monster, who does effects work for a Guignol theater. And finally, there’s the consumption-ridden and emotional Brona Croft (Billie Piper) and the vice-adoring Dorian Gray (Reeve Carney), who is keeping himself young by surrounding himself in sin.

Penny Dreadful was created by the Oscar-nominated screenwriter John Logan (Skyfall) and executive-produced by Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes (American Beauty). A solid group of directors have offered their talents for these episodes, and that list will only get bigger next year.

For those interested in seeing what kind of mayhem is coming next week, check out the preview below.

There’s no lack of same-sex smooching on this show, is there? Catch Penny Dreadful on Showtime on Sunday nights, before something catches you.

The past few years of horror’s televised resurgence have given us the tension-stuffed realism of NBC’s Hannibal and the absurdist camp of FX’s American Horror Story, with a nice smattering of styles in between. After watching the first two episodes of Showtime’s gothic literary mash-up Penny Dreadful, I’m nearly convinced that this is the best of the bunch, or at least the most competently created. It doesn’t sound likely that a series featuring a character licking the consumption-laced blood off of another character’s lip can be labeled as “mature,” but there’s no denying the sophisticated touch present on every level of this monstrous high-concept mystery thriller.

Let’s shed immediate light on what makes this dark series so compelling. Penny Dreadful has an esteemed creator and screenwriter in John Logan, the Academy Award-nominated writer of The Aviator, Hugo and Skyfall; the latter film’s director, Sam Mendes, teamed with Logan on executive producer duties. As well, the first two episodes were directed by J.A. Bayona, who gave the world some truly horrifying imagery in both 2007’s The Orphanage and 2012’s The Impossible, and his visual grace in this series is just as engaging as the story itself.

Penny Dreadful is an ensemble drama with several stories happening at once, all tethered together by a Victorian London setting that has seen a rash of murders whose culprit has yet to be identified. (Here’s a hint: it’s at least one vampire.) One part of the story centers on world-renowned explorer Sir Malcolm Montgomery (Timothy Dalton), who, along with his trusted (and underused) manservant Sembene (Danny Sapani), is on the hunt for his missing daughter. For this task, Sir Malcolm works with Vanessa Ives (Eva Green), a card reading sorta-psychic who is slowly falling victim to demons trying to take over her soul, or something like that. The second episode features a séance that completely opens up both of these characters’ stories, as we see that Vanessa’s otherworldly ties are far-reaching, and that Sir Malcolm’s relationship with his daughter may be drowning in filthy secrets.

Josh Hartnett, in his most naturally entertaining role in years, plays Ethan Chandler, an American sharpshooter whose European “tour” is cut short once he gets involved with Sir Malcolm and Vanessa’s endeavors. After a vicious run-in with some fanged creatures, they take one’s corpse to the genius introvert Victor Frankenstein (Harry Treadaway), who discovers the body has some rather revealing hieroglyphs all over its body. This introduces us to side character Ferdinan Lyle, an Egyptologist played with over-the-top aplomb by English actor Simon Russell Beale.

Victor’s story goes places where you expect it to: he works in a morgue, which gives him access to body parts used to create the Creature of legend, played with sincerity by Rory Kinnear, whose role is expanded in the second episode as he’s introduced to the outside world. But Victor’s story also takes a hard right turn when you least expect it, and that’s best experienced with a clear head.

Episode 2 also brings our final two leads into the fold. The Irish immigrant Brona Croft (Billie Piper) strikes up a friendly relationship with Ethan over a mutual respect for booze, and later enters a more carnal friendship with the youthful Dorian Gray (Reeve Carney), whom we don’t know too much about just yet. Well, we know he absolutely loves portraits – a nod to Oscar Wilde’s novel – and doesn’t mind having bloodied sex in front of his photographer. He also manages to woo Vanessa, which means he’ll probably be a season-long lothario whose random insertions eventually get him into trouble.

As far as I’m concerned, everything works here. The acting is borderline superb, with Green owning the more ridiculously devilish moments, and Piper embodying this sassy character that could easily exist in the real world today, just without that corset. On top of that, Bayona keeps the camera exactly where it needs to be at all times, and the seemingly ever-present darkness is almost as much of a character as anything living (or unliving, as it were). I usually hate when people personify cities as unofficial movie cast members, but I’m creating my own exception here; this show would only be half as effective without the shadowy atmosphere.

At only eight episodes, Penny Dreadful’s initial season may feel too brief to consider for TV supremacy, but if the next six episodes are equally as narratively driven, then Showtime may have stumbled upon its greatest creation yet. And it didn’t have to sew any skin together in order to do it. If I had to toss out any instant regrets, it would be that Penny Dreadful wasn’t produced by Netflix or Amazon, and is thus unavailable for binging. Therein lies the true horror.

Catch the first episode, “Night Work,” when it premieres on Showtime this Sunday, May 11. Additionally, you can watch it on YouTube here.

Penny Dreadful is slowly turning itself into one of our most anticipated new series to uncover. The latest, fullest (finally!) trailer for the Showtime series gives us a bit more than the creeps — and, at long last, actually gives us a look at the full cast (Look! There’s Reeve Carney! I spy a Billie Piper!) and horrifically unsettling storyline we're about to encounter. Things are about to go bump in the night.

“Do you believe there is a demi-monde? A half world between what we know and what we fear? A place in the shadows, rarely seen but deeply felt,” the now-familiar voiceover begins. But this time, things are different. “Where some unfortunate souls are cursed to live always.”

Twisted, contorted bodies, secret passageways, and devilish red eyes — all of it points to a “yes” to the question posed earlier. At least in the world of Penny Dreadful — and what a hyper-visual world it turns out to be.

Bugs, threesomes, portraiture (hey, we are dealing with Dorian Gray — Carney — after all), priests, creepy children, contortionism, spiders, possession, crawling adults, mystical-looking symbols, old-timey cameras, biting, sex, blood (so much blood), screaming, wolves, rain, high-pitched ringing, pale people, and vampire teeth (OK, maybe that last one’s a bit less scary at this point): also known as everything unsettling to ever happen in creepy storytelling, maybe ever. This series is kitchen-sinking it on the scary front — and, hopefully, with all that stuff a crafty and creepy story will arise.

Slated for a May 11, 2014 release, Penny Dreadful, is a horrific, dramatic look at some of literature’s most famous and terrifying characters — including Dr. Frankenstein and his little friend, Dorian Gray and his creepy portrait, and even some of Dracula’s buddies — as they become involved in some decidedly unsettling Victorian London doings. It stars a veritable smorgasbord of impressive actors, including Rory Kinnear, Josh Hartnett, Eva Green, Timothy Dalton, Reeve Carney, Billie Piper, and more. It was created, written and executive produced by John Logan and executive produced alongside Sam Mendes and Pippa Harris, with direction from J.A. Bayona (The Impossible) for the first two episodes.

For those who’ve missed out on the previous trailer-teaser incarnations, we’ve included them below.

The teasers themselves are here and here.

Also seriously worth your time are the behind-the-scenes videos detailing the show’s visual intricacies and horrific delights, which you can check out here.

The amount of work that goes into a television series is truly awe-inspiring. There is so much more at play than just the actors, writers, and directors involved, as evidenced by Showtime’s latest production blog for their upcoming series, Penny Dreadful. Truly, a show this intricately placed in time, with the added pressure of being accurately creepy and unsettling takes many hands. And it’s a totally radical sight to see, especially after that über-unsettling trailer.

The series’ fourth production blog hit the Internet earlier this week, highlighting the artisans involved in the series’ set. From the props to the actual sets, it’s thrilling and awe-inspiring to see the level of detail that goes into each and every element of the Penny Dreadful look and design. If you didn’t already have an immense amount of respect for the behind-the-scenes aspects of television makery, prepared to have your mind boggled and delighted. A good TV show is so much more than just its cast (even one as impressive as this) — and that artistry deserves a bit of recognition.

Three other blogs detail the series’ other impressive aspects, which are also worth watching:

And to top it all off, here’s the full description for the series, courtesy of Showtime:

Penny Dreadful premieres Sunday, May 11th at 10PM.

Just the other day, when we were sharing the newly released trailer for the seventh and final season of Californication, we were pondering whether or not Showtime still planned on getting the comedy back on the air in April as expected. The premium cable channel made it official today, announcing the return dates for Californication and Nurse Jackie, as well as the debut date for Penny Dreadful.

Here are the dates that Showtime announced today:

Nurse Jackie - Season 6 premieres Sunday, April 13 at 9:00 p.m.

Californication - Season 7 premieres Sunday, April 13 at 9:30 p.m.

Years of Living Dangerously - docuseries premieres Sunday, April 13 at 10:00 p.m.

Penny Dreadful - series premieres Sunday, May 11 at 10:00 p.m.

Showtime’s announcement only offered a general description for Nurse Jackie, but they got a bit more detailed for the final season of Californication:

I wonder if it’s Heather Graham’s Julia that’s being revealed to Karen by Hank in the trailer:

I can only imagine how Hank’s “old friend” might cause chaos in his life. It’s going to be great to see what kind of ruckus Graham’s Julia stirs up.

As for Years of Living Dangerously, Showtime says the docu-series' star-studded roster of correspondents set to travel the globe and tackle “an enormous range of subjects on the hot button topic of climate change” includes Jessica alba, Mark Bittman, Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, America Ferrera, Harrison Ford, Thomas Friedman, Michael C. Hall, Chris Hayes, Olivia Munn, Dr. M. Sanjayan, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ian Somerhalder and Leslie Stahl.

Finally, there’s the arrival of Penny Dreadful, a psychological thriller starring Eva Green and Josh Hartnett. The promising sounding series will feature some of literature’s most famously terrifying characters, among which are Dr. Frankenstein, Dorian Gray and “iconic figures from the novel Dracula, all brilliantly reimagined in a whole new light. Seems like something classic horror fans won’t want to miss — and are likely hopeful that it’ll be the good kind of “reimagined.”

I’m a huge fan of horror TV shows, and I’m an equally huge fan of TV teasers that evoke excitement and anticipation for an upcoming product. (I know most of you are different and like really boring teasers, right?) And so it is with a raised eyebrow and downward turned mouth edges that I viewed the above teaser for Showtime’s upcoming monster mash-up Penny Dreadful, which looks to take over the genre void left by Dexter’s glorious absence. That said, I’m not particularly excited or anticipatory of what I see here.

From what we know about Penny Dreadful, which admittedly isn’t much, literary beasts such as Dracula and Dorian Gray are running amok in London at the end of the 19th century. But there hasn’t been any sign that either religion or satanic forces would come into play. Yet in the teaser above, we see Eva Green’s character Vanessa Ives praying in front of a crucifix on the wall – plus candles, since you can’t pray without candles – until she is apparently taken over by a most unholy spirit, as depicted by entirely white eyeballs and the on-the-nose quote, “We all have our demons.”

I’m up to my own eyeballs with horrors revolving around possessions and demonic forces, as cinemas have gotten bogged down in recent years with mid-to-no-budget exorcism horrors. Last year’s American Horror Story: Asylum seemingly took on every taboo the sub-genre had to offer, so I wonder why Penny Dreadful’s creators decided to go this route as well, especially when they have a rogue’s gallery of villains to attend to already. And that’s without mentioning FX’s upcoming exorcism drama from Eli Roth, or Cinemax’s upcoming exorcism thriller from The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman.

Of course, there’s also a Dracula series on the air as well, so I don’t know why I was expecting Showtime to make something original happen elsewhere. With a cast that includes Josh Hartnett, Billie Piper, Timothy Dalton, Rory Kinnear, Harry Treadaway, Reeve Carney and Helen McCrory, Penny Dreadful will make its debut at some point in 2014. The first clip below should have you in (Frankenstein’s creature’s) stitches, and check out the first video production diary below, which delves into the background of the premise.

With Showtime’s hit series Dexter having reached its long-overdue finale Sunday night with 3.3 million viewers, becoming the most-watched episode of the series as well as that of any Showtime original series ever aired, execs have to be hungry for a repeat success. While I doubt the Showtime execs expected numbers that high, they had great foresight in picking that time to air a teaser for their upcoming series Penny Dreadful, which aims to pull in the same genre lovers that remained faithful to Dexter all these years.

There’s really no sign in this teaser of what the show will eventually look like, but the shadowy and monstrous imagery is appealingly gothic, befitting the series’ Victorian London setting. And it’s a good approach to telling potential audiences what the show is going to be about. I’m assuming it’s Eva Green on the voiceover, saying she believes in curses, demons and monsters, asking if we the audience also do. Considering some of the more famous literary monsters are afoot, this sounds like it might be just a straight horror origin story of some kind, with a focus on villainous hate crimes.

But it’s being heavily promoted as a psychosexual horror series, and while I don’t necessarily understand what could possibly be sexual about Frankenstein’s creature, Count Dracula is probably a swinging young chap, and Dorian Grey’s life is filled with lustful decadence. I wasn’t even aware the Wolfman was a part of this flick. At least, I’m assuming the fur up there is a reference to old Wolfie. But everybody likes a bestiality mixed in with their social drama, right?

The show will star Josh Hartnett as Ethan Chandler, a man known for his brash charms and for his non-aversion to violence. Green will play Vanessa Ives, the heroine who proves herself a worthy adversary to anyone who dares to oppose her. Timothy Dalton will star as Sir Malcolm, an African explorer on a personal quest. Brona Croft (Billie Piper) is an Irish immigrant who only wants to leave her past behind. Dorian Gray will be played by Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark star Reeve Carney and Victor Frankenstein will be portrayed by Cockneys vs. Zombies’ Harry Treadaway. The rest of the known cast is comprised of British actors Helen McCroy, Simon Russell Beale and Danny Sapani.

While this show’s possibilities would look bleaker if it were on Fox, it was created by John Logan, with Skyfall co-writer and director Sam Mendes on as an executive producer. Logan will be scripting the entire series, and the first two episodes will be directed by J.A. Bayona, director of the gothic horror The Orphanage and last year’s disaster drama The Impossible. That’s solid behind-the-scenes talent. Stay tuned in the coming months for more Penny Dreadful teasers and trailers as they gear up for the 2014 debut.

Showtime’s upcoming psychosexual literary horror mash-up Penny Dreadful is one of the more promising projects currently in preproduction stages, given the brains behind it are Academy Award-nominee John Logan and Academy Award-winner Sam Mendes. The network announced at the Television Critics Association’s Summer 2013 Press Tour that two of the series’ leads have been cast, and while you probably never could have predicted it, Eva Green and Josh Hartnett have signed on. Catching one actress in the uphill swing of her career and one actor whose commercial appeal has waned. If only we’d all have caught the wacky ass Bunraku in theaters!

According to ComingSoon, Green will star as Vanessa Ives, a Victorian London seductress whose beauty is only matched by her secret knowledge, and Hartnett will be playing a charming American, Ethan Chandler, for whom London becomes a waking nightmare. You see, this is a reimagining of the city as if the characters from horror novels were an actual part of the history, and the show’s more normal character have to deal with all the monstrous beings. We’ll get Oscar Wilde’s Dorian Gray, Mary Shelley’s Victor Frankenstein and his creature, as well as characters from Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Had this horror mishmash been a theatrical release that Hartnett and Green joined, I don’t think I’d be quite as intrigued, but Showtime has a way of taking things to the extreme that I like.

It was announced last month that the first two episodes of this eight-episode series will be directed by Juan Antonio Bayona, the Spanish director whose talent for awe-inspiring visuals was apparent in both of his features, 2007’s densely atmospheric horror The Orphanage and 2012’s harrowing tsunami flick The Impossible. To have a director like that working with Logan, who wrote and created the show (while Mendes is executive producing). Logan and Mendes worked together on Skyfall and will be doing so again for the next Bond film. That said, it doesn’t seem to be the kind of project that will gather an awards collection. But hey, look at what American Horror Story has been doing. Maybe Hartnett can find his inner Jessica Lange for this.

Hartnett has taken it slow since 2007’s 30 Days of Night, appearing in films like Girl Walks Into a Bar. He’ll next star in Roland Joffé’s time-and-continent-crossing romantic adventure Singularity and in Brian Horiuchi’s troubled couples drama Parts Per Billion.

Green, no stranger to James Bond herself, was in last year’s disappointing Dark Shadows and is making herself very familiar with CGI filmmaking with upcoming roles in Noam Murro’s 300: Rise of an Empire and the Robert Rodriguez/Frank Miller sequel Sin City 2: A Dame to Kill For.

Looking to fill the horror void that Dexter will leave once this season is over, Showtime will begin production on Penny Dreadful this fall, with plans to air the show some time in 2014.