Haute List: 24 International shows to look forward to in 2023

We are eager to see what destiny holds for Joe in You as he now has a stalker of his own. While seeing The Weeknd as a cult leader in the new series Idol is a dream come true, we cannot wait to see the story of Queen Charlotte unveil in the Bridgerton prequel Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. Spin-off of True Lies and Fatal Attraction makes it to our watch list, because why not? Then we have the new season of Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and we are all invested to see the progress of her career as a stand-up comedian. Shadow and Bone made us wait for ages after the first season ended on a cliff hanger but it (finally) is going to release this year. We are thrilled to see the list of new shows and international series that are to be released this year. To make the choice easier for you, we have handpicked 24 international series we are most looking forward to in 2023. New Releases: 1. Mayfair Witches (AMC) The series stars Alexendra Daddario as Dr. Rowan Fielding who is a neurosurgeon by profession. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she discovers that she is the heiress to a dynasty of powerful witches haunted by a sinister spirit. It is based on the novel trilogy Lives of the Mayfair Witches by Anne Rice and also stars Tongayi Chirisa and Jack Huston. The first episode premiered on January 8 on AMC. 2. Idol (HBO) Starring the popular Canadian singer The Weeknd, Idol follows the love story of a pop star Jocelyn (Lily-Rose Depp) and a cult leader (The Weeknd). While trying to reclaim her title as the ‘sexiest’ pop star in America, following the cancellation of her last tour due to a nervous breakdown, Jocelyn meets the head of a contemporary cult and then begins their love story. 3. Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story  (Netflix) Shonda Rhimes is once again taking her audience for a ride. The writer has penned down the prequel spin-off of the Netflix series Bridgerton which will consist of six episodes. It will focus on young Queen Charlotte (played by India Amarteifio), her rise to prominence and power and how she falls in love with King George (Corey Mylchreest). The story unravels how both manage to create a pivotal societal shift in the British society. 4. Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix) While Squid Game season 2 official release date still remains a mystery, Netflix has decided to host a reality competition inspired by the Squid Game series. Contestant will be expected to go through a series of games similar to the ones in the series with some additional changes. 456 real players will enter the game to compete for the reward of $4.56 million.  5. The Last of Us (HBO) Based on the 2013 video game developed by Naughty Dog, The Last of Us is the story of a survivor Joel (Pedro Pascal) who takes charge of a 14-year old girl Ellie (Bella Ramsey) after a global pandemic destroys civilization. The infections causes the victims to transform into hostile, zombie-like creatures and now it is Joel’s job to escort Ellie who is humanities last hope. The series also stars Nico Parker, Gabriel Luna, Merle Dandridge, and Anna Torv. The first episode will premier on February 5 on HBO. 6. True Lies (CBS, Paramount+) Inspired by James Cameron’s 1994 blockbuster of the same name, the new TV show True Lies will follow the story of a suburban housewife who is startled after discovering that her computer consultant husband lives a double life and is a skilled international spy. How will the couple cope up after a secret has been unveiled in their marriage and what does the future hold for these two? The story will be subjected to many twists and turns. 7. Extraordinary (Disney+) How would you feel if everyone starts getting a superpower at the age of 18 with which they can talk to the dead, walk through walls, or morph into a cat and the only person without any such powers is you? Extraordinary follows the story of a 25-year old girl Jen who lives in the world where everyone has superpowers except her. It is a journey of self-discovery as Jen tries to find her superpower but instead discovers her true potential. The series has been penned by the first-time TV writer Emma Moran, and created by Killing Eve’s producers.  The first season was released on 25th January, 2023. 8.Daisy Jones and the Six (Amazon) Daisy Jones & the Six narrates the story of a fictional ’70s rock band breakup inspired by Fleetwood Mac. The show is based on a book of the same name, written by The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo author Taylor Jenkins Reid. It tells the journey of how the band rose to fame and then, after a sold-out show at Chicago’s Soldier Field, they called it quits. The show will highlight how decades later the band members agree to reveal the truth about their breakup. 9. That ’90s Show (Netflix) Does the show name ring a bell? Well, to us it sure does. The ’90s show continues 15 years after the events of the ’70s show. The period sitcom centers around a teenager, Leia Forman and her bond with other teenagers as she spends the summer of 1995 with her grandparents in Point Place, Wisconsin. The first episode of the series streamed on Netflix on January 19, 2023. 10. Fatal Attraction (Paramount+) Written by Alexanda Cunningham and Kevin J.Hynes, Fatal Attraction is psychological thriller miniseries based on the 1987 film of the same name. It tells the story of Beth Gallagher, a loyal wife, loving mother and successful small business owner whose world unravels when her husband’s affair threatens to destroy their lives. The first episode will premiere on April 30. 11. Masters of the Air (HBO, AppleTV+) Another miniseries that makes it to our list is the war drama Masters of the Air. It is based on the actions of the Eighth Air Force of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II of how eleven men inside a bomber known as the “Flying Fortress” fight for their lives against swarms of enemy German fighters and as American bombers are picked off one by one; their mission becomes very clear: survive. 12. The Palace (HBO) The Palace will star Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, Matthias Schoenaerts and Andrea Riseborough, and the Cesar-winning French actor Guillaume Gallienne. While the plot still remains to be unveiled, its premise revolves around the characters living one year within the walls of the palace of an authoritarian regime. Frank Rich will be one of the executive producers of the series alongside Kate Winslet, and Jessica Hobbs, who has signed on as director as well. Renewed Seasons: 14. Bel-Air (Peacock, Season 2) The series follows the story of the street-smart teen Will (Jabari Banks) whose life changes when he moves from the streets of West Philadelphia to live with his relatives in one of LA’s wealthiest suburbs. The show touches the topics of cultural shock and racial discrimination. It is a re-imagination of the beloved sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. which ended when Will Smith realized that his father did not, in fact, abandon him 13 years ago, but rather was sent to prison — and that the rest of his family has been lying to him this whole time. Season 2 will pick up from there. 15.  Black Mirror (Netflix and Channel 4, Season 5) Black Mirror features the stand alone dramas in which each story features its own cast of unique characters. The cast over the years include Bryce Dallas Howard, Alice Eve, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Tom Cullen and Jerome Flynn. The tense and sharp storylines teleport into the future where several individuals wrestle with the manipulative effects of cutting edge technology in their personal lives and behaviours. 16. You (Netflix, Season 4) The psychological thriller is back with another season and with another personality of Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgely), this time as Jonathan Moore, a university professor fraternizing with members of the English capital’s high society. Tables will turn for Joe this time when he has a stalker of his own. The season will air in two parts with a month break in between. The first part is expected to be released on February 9. 17. Succession (HBO Max, Season 4) The black-comedy drama and family saga makes its way back to the television with its fourth season. The story revolves around the Roy family who controlles the biggest media and entertainment company in the world. However, things change when their father steps down from the company. The fourth season will dive deep into the family politics when Logan Roy (Brian Cox) decided to consider Lukas Matsson’s (Alexander Skarsgård) offer to buy the family business. 18. Never Have I Ever (Netflix, Season 4) Inspired by Mindy Kaling’s own childhood, Never Have I Ever follows the story of Devi Vishwakumar (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan), an Indian-American teenager navigating her years through high school. After countless twists and turns, a lot of drama and chaos in Devi’s life and that of her friends and family, the producers are back with yet another season. 19. Bridgerton (Netflix, Season 3) What can be better than diving into the story of Lady Whistledown, a.k.a. Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) herself? Well, the third season of Bridgerton offers you just that. After two successful seasons on Netflix, Bridgerton’s third season is highly anticipated. The audience will see Penelope giving up her long-standing crush on Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) to make her debut in the marriage market. As Colin takes the role of her tutor to build confidence, will their fates intertwine? 20. The Marvellous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon, Season 5) Set in the late 1950s and early 1960s, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel stars Rachel Brosnahan as Miriam “Midge” Maisel whose life turns upside down when her husband leaves her. It is then when Miriam discovers her knack for stand-up comedy and so begins her journey of pursuing a new career that will alter the course of her life. 21. And Just Like That (HBO Max, Season 2) A sequel of Sex and the City, the series follows Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte as they navigate the journey from the complicated reality of life and friendship in their 30s to the even more complicated reality of life and friendship in their 50s. Season 2 will unfold the story further and we are excited to see what awaits us. 22. Shadow and Bone (Netflix ,Season 2) Based on two series of fantasy books by Leigh Bardugo, Shadow and Bone follows Alina Starkov (Jessie Mei Li), an orphan and cartographer, as she realizes through an unexpected turn of events that she is a Grisha who holds the power to change the course of Grisha history. Will Alina move on from her past and accept her faith? Is she powerful enough to fight the Darkling on her own? 23. The Crown (Netflix, Season 6) Each season spans different years of Queen Elizabeth’s life. The series begins with the young princess ascending the throne and the challenges that followed. It highlights how she manages to strike a balance between her personal and professional life. The sixth season which will close the series, covering the Queen’s reign into the 21st Century. 24. The Witcher (Netflix, Season 3) The fantasy drama The Witcher is set on a fictional, medieval-inspired landmass known as the Continent. The Witcher explores the legend of Geralt of Riva, Yennefer of Vengerberg, and Princess Ciri. Starring Henry Cavill as Geralt, a mutuated monster hunter the series is back with its third season and this will be the last time Henry will be seen in this iconic role. So, don’t miss it. That’s all folks. Which shows made it to your watch list this year?