Sure, 2023 will launch plenty of new shows, from Marvel’s Secret Invasion to Rian Johnson’s mystery series Poker Face. But this year will also be a big one for returning shows.
The Star Wars series that started it all on Disney+, The Mandalorian, returns for its third season. Fans of True Detective finally get a fourth season in the anthology series, which last aired four years ago (!) in 2019. Plus, Star Trek: Picard‘s third and final season will see the series link up with the cast of The Next Generation. Oh, and David Tennant is back on Doctor Who. Like I said, it’s a pretty big year for returning TV.
Check out our most anticipated shows making a comeback in 2023 below.
The Mandalorian, Season 3 (Disney+)
Disney+’s first Star Wars series, The Mandalorian, will return for its third season this year. Plot specifics remain under wraps. But we know thanks to The Book of Boba Fett the story will involve Din Djarin’s quest to become a Mandalorian once again.
The Mandalorian season 3 premieres March 1 on Disney+. You can stream the first two seasons on the platform now.
Loki, Season 2 (Disney+)
Quite a few Marvel series have dropped by now, but Loki will be the first to continue with a second season. (Unless Disney+ gets around to releasing season 2 of What If…? first.) Tom Hiddleston returns as Marvel’s God of Mischief. We don’t know much about the plot of this upcoming season. But the first season saw Loki go up against the Time Variance Authority (TVA), meet his variant selves, and unleash new MCU villain, Kang the Conqueror.
You can stream the first season of Loki on Disney+ now. Season 2 is expected to premiere in Summer 2023.
Star Trek Picard, Season 3 (Paramount+)
The upcoming third season of Star Trek: Picard is going to be huge. Not only is it the show’s final season, it’s also going to feature the entire cast of The Next Generation. Look out for Jonathan Frakes, Marina Sirtis, Levar Burton, Michael Dorn, and Brent Spiner reprising their roles.
Make sure you catch up on the first two seasons on Paramount+ ahead of Star Trek: Picard‘s third and final season premiere on February 16.
Yellowjackets, Season 2 (Showtime)
Yellowjackets is so popular it’s already been renewed for a third season – even though season 2 won’t premiere until this spring. The show’s time-jumping narrative and many season 1 twists make it hard to predict what will happen in season 2. But that just makes us even more intrigued to find out what happens next.
Season 2 of Yellowjackets premieres on Showtime in March.
The Witcher, Season 3 (Netflix)
Henry Cavill will not return to DC to play Superman. He also won’t return to play Geralt on The Witcher starting with season 4. (It’s a tough time for Cavill fans.) So, this upcoming season will mark Cavill’s last turn in the role. If you’re a fan of the series, you won’t want to miss his final episodes.
The Witcher doesn’t have a season 3 release date yet, but we’re expecting it around summer 2023. You can catch up on the first two seasons on Netflix now (as well as the prequel series, Blood Origin).
Shadow & Bone, Season 2 (Netflix)
Netflix’s adaptation of author Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse continues with a second season of Shadow & Bone. The fantasy epic will follow Alina’s journey as the Sun Summoner and her efforts to save the world from the Darkling. Season 2 will introduce quite a few fan favorite characters from Bardugo’s novels, including Soldat Sol twins Tolya and Tamar, the charming Nikolai Lantsov, and the sixth member of the Crows, Wylan.
Shadow & Bone season 2 premieres on March 16. You can stream season 1 on Netflix now.
Spy x Family, Season 2 (Crunchyroll)
Spy x Family exploded in popularity in its premiere year, and we’re expecting everything we love about this anime to continue with its second season. This series has it all: an intriguing plot, loveable characters, and great animation. (Naturally, it made our list of the Top 10 Anime in 2022.)
Spy x Family season 2 will premiere in 2023, but we don’t have an official release date yet. In the meantime, you can catch up on season 1 on Crunchyroll and Hulu.
True Detective: Night Country (HBO)
True Detective last aired in 2019, which means fans of this crime-solving anthology series have waited four years for this return. And who better to bring back True Detective than the iconic Jodie Foster? Foster will play a detective who “must confront dark truths lying underneath the Arctic ice.”
True Detective: Night Country doesn’t have a premiere date yet. You can refresh your memory of the previous seasons on HBO Max.
Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials (Disney+)
The world in 2023 looks pretty different than it did in 2006… Except over on Doctor Who, where David Tennant once again leads the sci-fi series helmed by showrunner Russell T. Davies. The fan-favorite actor returns to lead the series’ 60th anniversary specials. The specials will also see the return of Catherine Tate’s Donna, debut Neil Patrick Harris in a villainous role, and lead into the Doctor’s regeneration into Ncuti Gatwa, who will lead the show’s upcoming 14th season.
Currently, you can stream Doctor Who over on HBO Max. However, the 60th anniversary specials will debut on Disney+, the new home for US Whovian streamers.
Even more returning shows we’re excited for
- The Ancient Magus’ Bride S2 (Crunchyroll)
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Swordsmith Village Arc (Crunchyroll)
- Good Omens S2 (Prime Video)
- Harley Quinn S4 (HBO Max)
- How I Met Your Father S2 (Hulu)
- The Legend of Vox Machina S2 (Prime Video)
- Marvel’s What If…? S2 (Disney+)
- Only Murders in the Building S3 (Hulu)
- Star Wars: The Bad Batch S2 (Disney+)
- Succession S4 (HBO)
- Quantum Leap S2 (NBC)
- Wheel of Time S2 (Prime Video)