TV in 2020 Highlights: Get ready for even more streaming services, plus 13 shows to check out - OregonLive

As if our eyes weren’t already working overtime, the 2020 TV year will add to the crush by opening new fronts in the streaming wars. We don’t yet know which series may jump to the must-watch list, but there are plenty of promising-sounding projects, in addition to quality shows coming to more traditional TV avenues.

In what could be an exciting development, this March will make Hulu the official streaming home of FX, the cable channel that’s built a reputation for ambitious, excellent series (“The Americans,” “American Crime Story,” “Better Things,” etc).

In an interesting development, some series that were originally scheduled to air on FX will now premiere on the Hulu streaming service. Among them are such instantly intriguing projects as “Mrs. America,” which comes to FX on Hulu this April. Cate Blanchett plays Phyllis Schlafly, who became a prominent conservative figure in the 1970s, and who made her name by opposing such feminist goals as ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment.

Also due to stream on Hulu this spring is “Devs,” a drama about a computer engineer who has reason to believe a high-tech company may be involved in her boyfriend’s disappearance. Sonoya Mizuno and Nick Offerman head the cast.

But the biggest noise is likely to be made by HBO Max, a new streaming service scheduled to launch in May. Not only will the library be packed with such series as “Friends” (which jumped from Netflix), “The Sopranos,” “Game of Thrones,” “The Big Bang Theory” and “The West Wing,” the streamer has been greenlighting all sorts of original series.

The cost for HBO Max is $14.99 per month, and more details are sure to be heading out way soon.

Also trying to lure our subscription dollars away from Netflix, Hulu, Disney +, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime and more is Peacock, a streaming service from NBCUniversal. The launch is scheduled for April, though pricing details haven’t been announced. We should definitely expect some oldies-but-goodies, such as “Parks and Recreation” and “Cheers.”

And for the attention span-challenged, Quibi is launching April 6, with content available on the Quibi app. These will be short-form originals, representing comedy, mystery, drama, reality, news and more. Cost will be $4.99 per month with commercials, and $7.99 for the ad-free option.

In the meantime, here are some definite highlights from the Midseason 2020 TV schedule:

“The Outsider”: Jason Bateman is an executive producer and also plays a pillar of a small town community who is accused of a shocking crime, in this drama inspired by a Stephen King work. Ben Mendelsohn, Cynthia Erivo and Mare Winningham also star. (9 p.m. Jan. 12, HBO)

“Sanditon”: A “Masterpiece” series inspired by Jane Austen’s final, uncompleted novel. Rose Williams stars as the independent-minded Charlotte Heywood, and Theo James (aka Mr. Pamuk, from “Downton Abbey”) plays Sidney Parker, who is by turns charming and gruff, and is the guardian of Georgiana Lambe (Crystal Clarke), an heiress from the West Indies. (9 p.m. Jan. 12, PBS)

Related: ‘Sanditon’: Jane Austen’s unfinished novel gets lively treatment in ‘Masterpiece’ series

“Little America”: Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon are among the executive producers of a new anthology series about immigrants in America. The series, whose guest stars include Zachary Quinto, has already been renewed for a second season. (Streaming beginning Jan. 17, Apple TV+)

“Avenue 5”: Armando Ianucci (“Veep”) created this new “space tourism comedy,” starring Hugh Laurie as the captain of a space cruise ship called Avenue 5. The cast also includes Josh Gad as the money man behind Avenue 5, and Zach Woods as the head of customer relations. (10 p.m. Jan. 19, HBO)

Awkwafina in her new series, "Awkwafina is Nora From Queens." (Photo: Comedy Central)

“Awkafina is Nora From Queens”: Performer and writer Awkafina (“The Farewell,” “Crazy Rich Asians”) stars in a new comedy that’s based on her own experiences growing up in Flushing, Queens. The cast includes BD Wong and Bowen Yang. (10:30 p.m. Jan. 22, Comedy Central)

“Star Trek: Picard”: Anticipation is high for this series, starring Patrick Stewart returning to his famous role as Jean-Luc Picard. About all we know about “Star Trek: Picard” is what the show’s website says, namely that the “series will follow this iconic character into the next chapter of his life.” (Streaming beginning Jan. 23; streaming via CBS All Access)

“Shrill”: Aidy Bryant returns for a second season of the Portland-set comedy about a writer dealing with her career and her relationships. (Streaming beginning Jan. 24, Hulu)

“High Fidelity”: The Nick Hornby book-turned-movie gets a new angle, thanks to Zoe Kravitz (“Big Little Lies”) in the lead role as a Brooklyn record store owner processing her relationships with the help of music. (Streaming beginning Feb. 14, Hulu)

“Hunters”: Al Pacino stars as the organizer of a team of Nazi hunters, who set out to deliver justice in New York City in the 1970s. Jordan Peele (“Get Out”) is an executive producer. (Streaming beginning Feb. 21, Amazon Prime Video)

“Better Call Saul”: After being gone for way too long, Bob Odenkirk and the rest of the outstanding cast return for Season 5 of the “Breaking Bad” spinoff/prequel. (10 p.m. Feb. 23, AMC)

“Little Fires Everywhere”: Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington star in a series adapted from Celeste Ng’s novel about what happens in mid-‘90s Shaker Heights when Washington’s character, an artist and free-thinker, moves in. (Streaming beginning March 18, Hulu)

“Top Chef”: Season 17, which takes place in Los Angeles, will bring back 15 finalists and fan favorites, including Portland celebrity chef Gregory Gourdet. (10 p.m. March 19, Bravo)

“Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker”: Octavia Spencer seems like inspired casting for this limited series that tells the true story of the self-made millionaire businesswoman Madam C.J. Walker. (Streaming beginning March 20, Netflix)

-- Kristi Turnquist

kturnquist@oregonian.com 503-221-8227 @Kristiturnquist

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