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Netflix frequently strives to build incredibly detailed and visually stunning fictional worlds in its shows, like with both the animated series Castlevania and the live-action The Witcher. While One Piece might have the richest backstory of any Netflix series, due to its extensive manga source material, it’s just one of many fantasy shows on the platform with equally expansive and immersive worlds.

At a recent event for Dexter: Resurrection, Michael C. Hall, who plays Dexter Morgan, hinted at the roles of two new villains in season 2: The New York Ripper/Don Framt and The Five Borough Killer. Brian Cox will be playing The New York Ripper, a serial killer whose backstory was established in season 1 and is now being fully introduced.

Harry Shum Jr., who plays Dr. Blue Kwan on Grey’s Anatomy, recently told E! News he’s unsure about his character’s future in season 23. He admitted he doesn’t know what’s next, saying, “I really don’t know – I’m finding out along with the viewers. I’m hoping the show will explore whether fans want to see his character stay away or return to the hospital.”

According to FlixPatrol, Criminal Minds is currently a popular show on Paramount+, ranking as the ninth most-watched program in both the United States and Australia. It’s back in the Top 10, even ahead of its nineteenth season. The show is also performing well internationally, holding the No. 4 spot in France and No. 3 in Italy. Criminal Minds is available on Disney+ in certain regions and is currently gaining traction in Greece and Malta.

Everything shifted when The Mandalorian became a huge hit on Disney+, earning great reviews and attracting a large audience. This success prompted Lucasfilm to create a series centered around Boba Fett and another following Cassian Andor, a character originally from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. These shows also started incorporating characters from Star Wars animated series, culminating in a series dedicated to Ahsoka Tano, a character previously exclusive to animation.

You might not realize this, but Tom Hardy actually started his on-screen career in what many consider the best historical drama ever made – Band of Brothers. It’s a small role, and honestly, most people – even those who’ve seen the series multiple times – completely miss it. But once you know to look for him, he’s impossible to ignore. It’s a fascinating little footnote in the career of such a major star.

The final installment in Peter Jackson’s vision for The Lord of the Rings, The Hunt for Gollum, is set to release on December 17, 2027. This film marks a significant shift for the franchise, as Andy Serkis – the actor who brilliantly brought Gollum to life and was previously overlooked by the Academy Awards – is now directing. Serkis will undoubtedly bring his own unique style to the story, which may differ from the look and feel established by Jackson. Regardless of how it’s received, The Hunt for Gollum signals the end of an era for The Lord of the Rings.

It’s not surprising when shows with poor reviews but large audiences get renewed. So, it’s even more certain that shows praised by critics and popular with viewers will continue. For example, even though Prime Video’s Scarpetta received weak reviews but was renewed for a second season, another Prime Video thriller has earned both a fourth and fifth season thanks to its combination of positive reviews and broad appeal.

The latest episode of The Boys shifted the focus back to the main group, though the finale still leaves some storylines unresolved. The episode had a particularly somber ending, but it also featured a flashback to seven years earlier. A motivating speech by Butcher gave the team a much-needed boost.

The first season of “Off Campus” surprised viewers by starting a romance between Allie Hayes and Dean Di Laurentis much earlier than the books. In the original series by Elle Kennedy, Allie (Mika Abdalla) and Dean’s (Stephen Kalyn) story doesn’t begin until the third book, “The Score.” Readers first follow Hannah (Ella Bright) and Garrett (Belmont Cameli) in “The Deal,” then John Logan (Antonio Cipriano)’s relationship in “The Mistake.” The season also ended with another twist: a new romantic rival for Dean, Hunter Davenport (Charlie Evans), both on the ice rink and in his personal life.