Netflix Announces Gilmore Girls Release, Show Renewals

Binge-watching Netflix has never been so good. On Wednesday, July 27, the programming platform made huge announcements that will have you avoiding social settings for weeks. The network gave audiences official release dates of multiple shows, most notably the highly anticipated Gilmore Girls revival. We’ve compiled every release date, renewal, and casting announcement in one place. Check out the list, and binge-watch responsibly!

 

Chef’s Table: France – September 2, 2016 at 12:01 a.m. PT

In the third installment of the culinary series, audiences can travel across the globe from their living room; the series will showcase the crème de la crème of French chefs. The chefs will talk about what inspires them and how it translates into their individual styles. The filmmakers will dive deeper than just the kitchen, giving a personal look into the daily lives of these carefully curated chefs, from their diverse backgrounds to the evolution and craft of their chosen cuisine as well as their quests for sensory perfection. The chefs included this season are: Alain Passard (L’Arpege), Michel Troisgros (Maison Troisgros), Adeline Grattard (Yam’Tcha) and Alexandre Couillon (La Marine). You can catch up on the Boardwalk Pictures production by binge-watching the first two seasons of Chef’s Table, currently streaming exclusively on Netflix.

Easy – Thursday, September 22, 2016, at 12:01am PT

Easy is an anthology series from creator Joe Swanberg that explores diverse Chicago characters as they fumble through the modern maze of love, sex, technology, and culture. The eight-episode series, written and directed by Swanberg, features an all-star cast of Orlando Bloom, Malin Akerman, Jake Johnson, Marc Maron, Dave Franco, Hannibal Buress, Emily Ratajkowski, Michael Chernus, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Aya Cash, Jane Adams, Elizabeth Reaser, Evan Jonigkeit and more.

The Ranch (Part 2 of season one) – October 7, 2016, at 12:01am PT

Set in present day on a Colorado ranch, this half-hour multi-camera comedy series stars Ashton Kutcher, Danny Masterson, Sam Elliott and Debra Winger. Life on The Ranch is never easy and things get even more complicated in part 2 of season one. It seems like ex-football star Colt Bennett (Kutcher) has finally accepted his place on the family ranch, but he and his brother Rooster (Masterson) will have to prove themselves to their father Beau (Elliot) if they ever hope to become partners. Maggie (Winger) has hopes of her own and they may no longer involve her on-again/off-again husband and after finally saving his ranch, Beau might be losing his family. And if life weren’t complicated enough, when Colt’s high school sweetheart Abby (Elisha Cuthbert) expresses doubts about her fiancé, Colt must choose between his current girlfriend and his first love. Dysfunctional doesn’t even cover this family. The Ranch is executive produced by Don Reo (Two and Half Men, My Wife and Kids) and Jim Patterson (Two and a Half Men,Mike and Molly). Kutcher and Masterson also serve as executive producers.

Black Mirror – October 21, 2016, at 12:01am PT

Black Mirror is an anthology series exploring themes of contemporary techno-paranoia. Without questioning it, technology has transformed all aspects of our lives; in every home; on every desk; in every palm – a plasma screen, a monitor, a Smartphone – a “Black Mirror” reflecting our 21st Century existence back at us. The series is created and written by Charlie Brooker, and executive produced by Brooker and Annabel Jones. Its third season will bring six episodes, with guest stars including: Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Mackenzie Davis, Jerome Flynn, Alex Lawther, Bryce Dallas Howard, Alice Eve, James Norton, Michael Kelly, Malachi Kirby, Madeline Brewer, Kelly MacDonald, Wyatt Russell and Hannah John-Kamen.

Lovesick – November 17, 2016, at 12:01am PT

The second season of Lovesick, the series formerly known as Scrotal Recall, stars Johnny Flynn, Antonia Thomas and Daniel Ings, all returning for more fun in this delightful, romantic comedy. Season two will consist of eight episodes. Series creator Tom Edge returns as writer for season two and serves as Executive Producer along with Murray Ferguson, Andy Baker and Ed Macdonald. Lovesick is produced by Clerkenwell Films.

Beat Bugs – November 18, 2016, at 12:01am PT

Inspired by the songs of The Beatles, Beat Bugs tells is a feel-good, musical story. The animated show, now entering its second season, follows five best friends who together discover life’s most important lessons in an overgrown suburban backyard. The Beat Bugs live out these childhood adventures to the words and music of The Beatles.

Created by Josh Wakely, Beat Bugs features covers by world-leading music artists including P!nk, Eddie Vedder, James Corden, Regina Spektor, Of Monsters and Men, The Shins, Chris Cornell and Sia, among others to be announced soon. The 13-episode first season will be available globally on August 3rd, and will be second run in Australia.

Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life – November 25, 2016, at 12:01am PT

It’s finally time to return to Stars Hollow. Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life includes four 90-minute chapters, each spanning one of the four seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. The revival, like its predecessor, is created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, who executive produces, writes and directs the four 90-minute chapters with Daniel Palladino. The project is from Dorothy Parker Drank Here Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television.

Captive – December 9, 2016, at 12:01am PT

From the highest profile cases to those kept hidden from the public, comes a new docu-series from acclaimed executive producer Doug Liman and producers Simon and Jonathan Chinn. The producers of Captive have gained privileged access to the most challenging negotiations of our time — revealing how hostage-taking, and the efforts to resolve it, have evolved to address an escalating international trend. The episodes look at a wide range of situations from the viewpoint of everyone involved: the victims and their families back home, the experienced negotiators, business leaders, government officials and the kidnappers themselves.

One Day at a Time – January 6, 2017, at 12:01am PT

A reimagining of the Norman Lear classic, centering on a Cuban-American family. Our heroine is a recently separated, former military mom (Justina Machado) navigating a new single life while raising her radical teenaged daughter and socially adept tween son, with the “help” of her old school Cuban-born mom (Rita Moreno) and a friends- without-benefits building manager named Schneider. The 13-episode first season of One Day at a Time is produced by Act III Productions, Inc., Snowpants Productions and Small Fish Studios in association with Sony Pictures Television. Norman Lear, Mike Royce, Gloria Calderón Kellett and Michael Garcia are executive producers.

 

Though Netflix didn’t announce exact dates for every show, they did announce which shows have been renewed. Below, find the complete list of second season renewals for 2017:

Chelsea

Chelsea Handler is back with a freshly stamped passport and new global outlook as she tackles today’s tough issues with the same acerbic wit and fearless curiosity you know and love. Join her as she travels around the world in 90 episodes – from Russia, Japan, and Mexico City, across the U.S. and back again – to explore the subjects that matter most to you. Chelsea features celebrities, dignitaries, and surprise guests engaging in thought-provoking, yet hilarious conversations about topics like international cultures, alternative lifestyles, education, health, sports, parenting, politics, and more. Season 1 of Chelsea is currently streaming three times a week exclusively on Netflix.

Lady Dynamite

Lady Dynamite is a single-camera comedy series based on what actor/comedian Maria Bamford has accepted to be “her life.” The occasionally surreal episodes, refracted across multiple time periods inspired by Bamford’s life, tell the story of a woman who loses – and then finds – her s**t.

Lady Dynamite also stars Fred Melamed as Bamford’s manager and close friend Bruce Ben-Bacharach, and Mary Kay Place plays Bamford’s mother. Guest stars in the second season include Patton Oswalt, Ana Gasteyer, Jon Cryer, Mira Sorvino, Brandon Routh, June Diane Raphael, Adam Pally, Dean Cain, Sarah Silverman, Tig Notaro and Jenny Slate. Pam Brady, Mitch Hurwitz and Maria Bamford are executive producers on the Netflix production.

Real Rob

Rob Schneider’s comedy series is an exaggerated yet brutally honest depiction of the comedian’s real life, interspersed with his stand-up comedy performances. Managing the ups and downs of a Hollywood career and its celebrity treatment (with his younger Mexican wife, a new baby, an ever-present stalker and a completely incompetent assistant), this comedy series is as close to the bone real life of the internationally famous comedian. The 8-episode second season, now a Netflix original series, stars and is produced and directed by Schneider. Patricia Schneider and Jamie Lissow also appear in the series.

 

New Series/Casting Announcements:

Netflix also announced its newest series, an animated musical show for children from writer/director Josh Wakely (Beat Bugs). The untitled Motown project revolves around a lovable, funny and slightly shy 8-year-old boy named Ben, who discovers he has the extraordinary ability to bring street art to life. Ben and his family live in the imaginary city of Motown, based on Detroit and its rich musical heritage. Inspired by the words and melodies of Motown’s classic songs, Ben and his friends Angie and Mickey, along with a cast of street art characters, discover that creativity is magic as they revive vibrancy to their city and learn life lessons.

Internationally-renowned recording artist and songwriter Smokey Robinson will serve as Executive Music Producer. The show will feature contemporary artists performing hit songs from the Motown catalog that will serve as inspiration for each episode. The series will bring 52 iconic songs to life, including those made famous by all-time greats like Robinson, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5, Lionel Richie, The Supremes, The Temptations and Stevie Wonder.

Adding even more star power to its programming, Jennifer Garner has signed on as voice of Mama Llama in the Netflix original animated series Llama Llama, set to premiere in 2017. Based on the acclaimed and best-selling book series by author and illustrator Anna Dewdney, the show tells heartwarming tales about childhood moments and adventures, as well as the special connections between lead character Llama, his family, and best friends. Llama and his mother, in particular, share a warm and loving bond — she is his rock and safe haven as her son experiences growing up.

“I’ve read Anna Dewdney’s Llama Llama books to my kids hundreds of times in the last ten years,” said Garner. “Little did I know it would all count as rehearsal — I’m thrilled to bring Mama Llama to life for Netflix! The Llama Llama books are so fun to read — your kids won’t even notice they are learning life lessons, such as how to battle boredom, or braving the first day of school. But when your kids watch the coziness of Mama Llama’s relationship with her Little Llama, be ready for an extra snuggle as you connect, while learning about the world around you.”

Produced by Genius Brands International, Llama Llama is led by an all-star team of creators including Oscar®-winning director Rob Minkoff (The Lion King), director Saul Blinkoff (Doc McStuffins), showrunner Joe Purdy, legendary art director Ruben Aquino (Frozen, Aladdin, Mulan, The Little Mermaid, Pocahontas, The Lion King) and Emmy®-award winning producers Jane Startz and Andy Heyward.

In the tween age group, Greenhouse Academy (formerly The Greenhouse) announced its cast. The live-action series is set in an elite boarding school in Southern California called “The Greenhouse.” Students are divided into two rival houses that must join forces to conquer challenges when an evil plot is uncovered. Paula Yoo (West Wing, Defiance, Eureka) is adapting with showrunner Giora Chamizer, who wrote and created the original series. Nutz Productions, a subsidiary company of Ananey Communications, will produce the series for Netflix.

Series regulars include Jessica Amlee, Cinthya Carmona, Nadine Ellis, Reina Hardesty, Dallas Hart, BJ Mitchell, Ariel Mortman, Chris O’Neal, Benjamin Papac, Finn Roberts, Parker Stevenson and Grace Van Dien, as well as Ishai Golan, who is a recurring cast member.