Like every year, 2022 also holds a huge promise for the modern female viewer, no matter which part of the world she may be in or what her background may be. There are upcoming shows that will tackle difficult subjects like sexual assault and consent, while others are dramas that trace the nuances of the lives of diverse women. Others still are period or fantasy dramas that are all set to take you back in time, albeit with a bit of a feminist twist.
Want to get your watchlist sorted right now? Here are a few shows you should be watching in 2022.
Bridgerton: Season 2
While the first season of this much-loved Netflix show focused on the love story of Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Bassett, the second season will focus on Anthony Bridgerton and an Indian-origin debutante he hopes to marry, Edwina Sharma. One of the most anticipated shows of 2022, Bridgerton: Season 2 is expected to have just as much of an impact.
Ms. Marvel
Yes, the Pakistani-American teenage superhero, Kamala Khan aka Ms. Marvel is all set to hit the home screens in 2022! Like all Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) releases on Disney+ Hotstar in 2021, Ms. Marvel is also expected to have stars and heroes from the other shows and movies making their unique appearances. This is certainly set to be one of the biggest Marvel releases in 2022.
The Crown: Season 5
Another highly anticipated entry for 2022, the fifth season of The Crown will focus on how the British monarchy, led by Queen Elizabeth II, dealt with the 1990s. One of the key highlights of the season is touted to be the death of Lady Diana Spencer and the crisis of the monarchy that followed. With an all-new cast to replace the old one, this show is being awaited by fans to deliver some very nuanced performances as usual.
Conversations With Friends
Based on the novel of the same name by Sally Rooney, Conversations With Friends is the story of a 21-year-old college student, Frances, her ex-girlfriend (and now best friend) Bobbi, and a married couple they meet. The ups and downs in the relationships of these four people, three of whom are female characters with their own intrigues and nuances, are charted out in a best-selling novel—which is being adapted by the BBC and Hulu into a 12-episode series.
The Gilded Age
Those who love period dramas and powerful female characters in them are expecting a lot from The Gilded Age, created by the team behind Downton Abbey. Set in the American Gilded Age, the story explores the entry of a woman from rural Pennsylvania into the elite New York society dominated by old-money aristocrats. The show is set to be released on January 25.
Anatomy Of A Scandal
Based on the 2018 bestselling novel by Sarah Vaughan, this Netflix show will explore the world of sexual consent, assault and privilege. Seen through the lens of an alleged perpetrator of rape, a victim who fights back, and a lawyer well-versed in sexual assault cases, this production is highly awaited in 2022.
Superhoe
Touted to be a groundbreaking BBC drama, Superhoe is the story of Sasha Clayton, a 25-year-old wannabe singer and rapper, who is kicked out of her home and has to learn how to fend for herself while making a career out of her talents by becoming a social media influencer. Created by Nicole Lecky, who also plays the lead role, Superhoe will explore the dark underbelly of social media and women’s presence on these platforms.
House Of The Dragon
The prequel to HBO’s Game of Thrones has been talked about amongst fans for three years now, and the Long Night of wait is finally set to be over in 2022. With the story of the Targaryens’s Dance of the Dragons (more like death of the dragons, oops, spoiler alert!) as its basis, all eyes are now going to be on Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower, two powerful women who plunged the six kingdoms into a devastating war for the Iron Throne.
Wahala
Three 30-something Nigerian-British women, who navigate their lives in a bond of sisterhood until a wealthy newcomer sends everything in a tizzy. Based on the yet-to-be-released novel by Nikki May, Wahala is being created by BAFTA-nominated showrunner, Theresa Ikoko. Predicted to be one of the most amazing narratives about the cross-cultural lives of women in 2022, Wahala is being created by BBC.
Queens
This Disney+ show follows the lives of four 40-something women who plunge headfirst into a hip-hop career. With a cast packed with African-American women who have feminism as a major agenda to promote through their music, this show is all set to be a big one for women everywhere.