UPDATE: Netflix has subsequently announced that “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” has already been renewed for a third season, even though the second season won’t debut until this April.
Original report follows:
Speaking at the Television Critics Association Winter Tour today, Netflix has now confirmed when several of their new and returning shows are hitting the streaming service. The announcements cover the April-August period for the most part, as we already know when Netflix’s next major projects are dropping in February and March, namely Judd Apatow’s comedy series, Love on February 19th, the fourth season of House of Cards on March 4th, and the second season of Daredevil on March 18th. One additional March date was set today however, for Flaked, a new dramedy series starring Will Arnett, which will debut eight episodes on March 11th.
Starting right on April 1st however, Netflix will kick off their next slate of premiere dates with new multi-camera comedy series, The Ranch, which will reunite That 70’s Show veterans, Ashton Kutcher and Danny Masterson, and will also star Sam Elliott and Debra Winger. The series’ first season will be ten episodes. Also set to premiere on April 1st is Lost & Found Music Studios, a drama series about a group of talented teenage musicians, as they work at a prestigious music studio to try and hone their craft.
Next, on April 15th, the second season of highly beloved Ellie Kemper-starring sitcom, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt will hit Netflix. The second season will again span thirteen episodes, and will continue to follow the adventures of cult survivor, Kimmy Schmidt, and her can-do attitude as she works as nanny for spoiled housewife, Mrs. Voorhees, and puts up with her homosexual diva roommate, Titus Andromedon. We gave the first season of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt a superb 88% score, praising the series’ great comedy, lovable charm, and particularly Ellie Kemper as a truly incredible lead actress. Also set to premiere that day for child audiences is Kong: King of the Apes, an animated series that serves as a child-friendly take on classic monster movie, King Kong.
Next, on May 5th, the second season of golden age sitcom, Grace & Frankie will arrive on Netflix, after the first season was mostly received warmly by critics and audiences. A new French drama series, Marseilles will also premiere that day alongside it, a political drama that seems to marry the conventions of House of Cards with a municipal French flavouring in the town of Marseilles.
Netflix will have a busy June by the sounds of things too, as preschooler series, Word Party arrives on June 3rd, which will be produced by The Muppets’ Jim Henson Company. The fourth season of highly popular female prison dramedy, Orange is the New Black is then set to debut on June 17th. We gave the third season of Orange is the New Black a great 83% score, praising the continued character dynamics and fun new plotlines, though we did take issue with some narrative contrivances, and a sense of the show no longer elevating the storyline to new heights. While it has no specific date, it’s also believed that the second season of action-drama, Marco Polo will premiere in June, though that series’ second season is so far merely planned for Summer 2016.
July and August so far have just one planned Netflix series each, with eight-episode supernatural drama, Stranger Things arriving on July 15th, and Baz Luhrmann’s musical drama, The Get Down premiering on August 12th. Disappointingly, there was no word on when we can expect Marvel’s next Netflix series, Luke Cage to arrive, suggesting that, like Jessica Jones before it, it may debut its first season towards the end of the year. Surprisingly, the confirmed third season of BoJack Horseman was also left up in the air, despite the high acclaim of its second season. It’s also still unknown for now whether late 2015’s popular Netflix comedies like Master of None, W/Bob & David or F is for Family have been renewed or not.
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