The shows we want to see return in 2019

As a new year begins, we can look ahead to lots more news shows and old shows returning. But what about the shows that aren’t making it back on the box this year? Our writers tell us what shows they would like to see return in 2019.

Everything Sucks (Sarah Staniforth)

Last February, Everything Sucks! debuted on Netflix. A wholesome coming of age tale with a twist, the show is set in 1996, back when VCR was a thing and Oasis dominated the airwaves. It’s far from the first show to pit a group of nerdy high schoolers against the cool kids. But what it does differently is that it tells the coming out story of one of its lead characters, Kate, which is why it was crushing for the show’s fanbase when it was cancelled in April.

It was crushing for the show’s fanbase when it was cancelled in April

Sure, in 2019 we have a variety of shows that represent older queer women’s experiences (Orange is the New Black being the most prominent example). But there’s still very little representation of young queers. The idea that there’s something ‘adult’ about non-hetero sexualities remains pervasive, even as society becomes more LGBT-inclusive, but Everything Sucks! challenges that.

What’s more, it’s a show where a lesbian gets to be happy. Happy endings are so unusual for female queer characters that Autostraddle actually compiled a list of the ones who got happy endings. But Kate gets a happy ending. She gets the girl. So please, Netflix, let us have this one thing. Renew Everything Sucks!

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Cecily Grace Morgan)

Hot on the trendy 90’s heels of supernatural classics Charmed and Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Buffy the Vampire Slayer is the next cult TV show in line to get the reboot treatment. However, a new-spangled Buffy isn’t the Buffy I want to see slaying my screen this 2019. Instead, I’d like a fresh serving of the Buffy that we all know and love.

I’d like to see them 15 years on, juggling families and careers alongside demon-battling, and using Instagram to track down any new vampires in Sunnydale

Buffy had a special magic that hasn’t been rivaled since the show’s finale in 2003. Intelligent, hilarious, and full of complex but relatable characters, it captured the imaginations of hundreds of viewers across the globe and paved the way for countless more paranormal dramas. From The Vampire Diaries to Being Human, there’s an echo of Buffy in almost every mystical TV treasure that graces our screens and I think it’s about time that fans were treated to another dose of the original (and best) supernatural TV magic.

“What would Buffy do?” may be a motivational mantra amongst fans, but the question I want answered is “What would Buffy be doing now?” We last saw Buffy and her so-called “Scooby Gang” of friends as young-adults in the early 2000s, but I’d like to see them 15 years on, juggling families and careers alongside demon-battling, and using Instagram to track down any new vampires in Sunnydale. I can’t think of any new TV show or reboot in 2019 that would beat seeing brand-new Buffy episodes on my screen.

Miranda (Alice Stobbs)

The nation certainly wept when Miranda Hart told viewers “I don’t know when and if I’ll see you again” at the end of her last episode in 2015. This quintessentially British, feel-good sitcom follows Miranda as she “gallops” through the tribulations of adulthood and attempts to bring some child-like joy to daily life. Breaking the fourth wall by addressing her audience directly and returning to timeless slap-stick humour, like falling face-first into an open grave, Miranda was easily one of the most unconventional and loveable characters on television. Not to mention that she and Stevie (played by the marvellous Sarah Hadland) were major friendship goals, delighting viewers with laugh-out-loud antics and games like “Snack fishing” or “Where’s Miranda”.

Miranda was easily one of the most unconventional and loveable characters on television

And after 3 seasons building up to Miranda’s decision to marry old school friend Gary over new beau Mike, fans are craving an update on their tumultuous relationship, and what could be a bigger, funnier challenge for Miranda to face next than the trials of married life? Meticulously written and hilarious from start to finish, Miranda deserves a fourth season in 2019 to give the nation a much-needed dose of light-hearted fun.

Teen Wolf (Jai Patel)

The season finale of Teen Wolf failed to deliver and gave viewers a villain which appeared to be no threat at all. The fact there were zero main character deaths confirms the fact that we weren’t given an ending which was intense enough nor a villain that was frightening enough to say the least.

If only we were then able to see them put up a fight which we would remember as more than just an easy win

Then why should it return? One thing that was missing was the intense storyline which kept viewers invested during the show’s original run. Season’s 1 and 2 had the Werewolves vs. Werewolf Hunter trope, Season 3 had a rival wolf pack and lots of dark, gripping moments throughout, and so this is what we fans deserved to see in the final season. We were given a near perfect set up in Season 6b, as Liam finally brought out a human side to Theo (a ship or friendship which was popular amongst fans), Malia was kickass as usual, and Scott’s pack had expanded and brought in characters which became more than just sidekicks. If only we were then able to see them put up a fight which we would remember as more than just an easy win then the show could win back the glory it gained in its first 3 seasons: as a dark, intense, gory, werewolf show, where the werewolves were at times more human than the humans.