TV Shows You Need To Binge Before Their Second Season Starts

The Internet has been buzzing about the exciting new shows heading to TV this fall, and rightfully so. There are a ton of potentially awesome series’ about to debut.

It’s exciting, but let’s not forget about last season. This new wave of strong programming is coming on the heels of an incredibly popular wave of shows that aired in 2016-17.

If you’re wanting to watch some great TV, but don’t feel like binging 13 seasons of the same show, these sophomore projects offer you a unique opportunity. There’s plenty of smart and exciting programming, all with less than 24 episodes apiece.

Don’t know which of these shows to try and watch?

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here are five freshman series’ that are totally worth catching up on before next season.

This Is Us

As you likely learned this season, This Is Us is the talk of the town. After debuting the most-watched network TV trailer in history, the NBC drama became a phenomenon.

This Is Us tells the story of one family, throughout multiple generations, and what continues to bring them together. It’s a serious tear-jerker, but it’s well worth the extra boxes of tissues. In troubled times, this series provided folks with the best medicine. 

The show stars Mandy Moore, Milo Ventimiglia, Sterling K. Brown, Chrissy Metz, and Justin Hartley. 

All 18 episodes of the first season are streaming on Hulu.

The Exorcist

Horror isn’t done well on TV very often. So, when it is, you need to make sure you’re paying attention. Such is the case with The Exorcist on FOX.

When the show was announced, many people were expecting another tiresome take on a classic film. Instead, they got an incredible thrill-ride of a horror series. It may be influenced by William Friedkin’s masterpiece, but this is a terrifying adventure all its own.

If you like horror, this is a show you don’t want to miss out on. 

The Exorcist stars Geena Davis, Alfonso Herrera, Ben Daniels, Brianne Howey, Kurt Egyiawan, and Hannah Kasulka. 

The entire first season of The Exorcist is streaming on Hulu.

Taken

You may have been turned off to this series when announced, because it seemed like another unnecessary action remake. Fortunately, Taken was much more than that.

Inspired by the Liam Neeson films of the same name, Taken tells the story of ultimate bad-ass Bryan Mills. Instead of being a shot-for-shot remake of the movies, the NBC series is actually an origin story. You get the opportunity to witness Bryan grow into the expert killer he is in the films.

Taken stars Clive Standed, Gaius Charles, Brooklyn Sudano, Monique Gabriela Curnen, Michael Arby, Jose Pablo Castillo, James Landry Hebert, Jennifer Beals, Jennifer Marsala, and Simu Liu.

All 10 episodes of Season 1 are streaming on Hulu.

Riverdale

No one really knew what to expect when The CW released the first trailer for Riverdale. The show followed all of the classic Archie comic characters, but all of the footage was dark and mysterious. 

With its odd tone, and hilarious teen drama, Riverdale quickly became a hit. People across the country quickly began talking about the events of each episode, trying to solve the crime along with the characters.

There’s nothing on TV that’s quite like Riverdale, and people love it for that.

Riverdale stars K.J. Apa, Lili Reinhart, Camila Mendes, Cole Spross, Marisol Nichols, Luke Perry, Casey Cott, Madelaine Paetsch, and Matchen Amick.

The entire first season is already available for streaming on Netflix.

Designated Survivor

If you’re a fan of Keifer Sutherland, or any kind of political drama, you need to add Designated Survivor to your list. It’s easily one of the best around.

Sutherland stars as the Secretary of Urban Housing and Development, who gets thrust into the presidency in a time of war after an attack kills the rest of the national government. 

Watching Sutherland work through the issues of being president, the way an average person would, is what makes the series so intriguing. It’s a take on politics that’s never really been seen before.

Designated Survivor stars Kiefer Sutherland, Natasha McElhone, Adan Canto, Italia Ricci, LaMonica Garrett, Kal Penn, and Maggie Q.

The entire first season is currently streaming on Hulu.