The 7 Shows To Look Forward To On Netflix

After House of Cards came and conquered, Netflix suddenly became a serious contender in the world of original small screen programming. Since then, the resurrection of Arrested Development, along with new shows Hemlock Grove and Orange Is The New Black have helped to solidify this and, you'll be pleased to hear, there's plenty more where all that came from.

We've had a look ahead at what's to come and whittled it down to the seven original shows that should definitely be on your radar and eventually on your watch list. In the next 12 months (and a bit), you'll be binge-watching...

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Starring: Ellie Kemper, Jane Krakowski, Tituss Burgess

One of the most impressive coups for Netflix of late was their purchase of this highly anticipated comedy. Originally set to be shown on NBC, the network changed their mind and sold it. Sounds like it could be a dud though, huh? Not likely since the show is created by Tina Fey and her 30 Rock colleague Robert Carlock. The plot follows a woman, played by Bridesmaids' Ellie Kemper, who escapes a doomsday cult and starts her life over in New York. For 30 Rock fans, the casting of Jane Krakowski as a "wealthy Manhattanite" is excellent news.

When? March 6

Bloodline

Starring: Kyle Chandler, Sissy Spacek, Linda Cardellini

While it's definitely tempting to binge-watch a comedy, there's something even more addictive about clicking 'next episode' for a thriller. This one sounds like it has strong "call in sick to work and throw your phone into the bath" potential. It's a psychological thriller about a family with dark secrets from the creators of Damages and it boasts one hell of a cast, including Super 8's Kyle Chandler, Animal Kingdom's Ben Mendelsohn, as well as Sissy Spacek and Sam Shepard. A sinister trailer can be seen here.

When? March 20

DAREDEVIL

Starring: Charlie Cox, Vincent D'Onofrio, Rosario Dawson

Given that 11 years has now passed since Ben Affleck donned the Daredevil suit to, ahem, a fair amount of groans, it seems like a fair time for Marvel to reboot the character for the small screen. Taking it in a different direction seems like a wise idea and the casting of Boardwalk Empire's Charlie Cox is a solid start while the intention to make the 13-episode season feel like one long movie bodes well. It also helps that Drew Goddard, of Cabin in the Woods brilliance, is at the helm.

When? April 10

Sense8

Starring: Naveen Andrews, Daryl Hannah, Tuppence Middleton

While Cloud Atlas might not have hit quite as expected and with Jupiter Ascending now pushed back until next year, Matrix creators The Wachowskis are now turning their attention to the small screen. This ambitious new show will follow eight characters around the world who become telepathically linked. Each episode will follow a different character and each actor has already been signed on for a confident five seasons. We expect big things.

When? Early 2015

NARCOS

Starring: Wagner Moura, Boyd Holbrook, Pedor Pascal

We can probably all agree that Vinny Chase's take on Pablo Escobar left a lot to be desired so we're hoping this gritty new take on the Medellin cartel will work out somewhat better. It's coming from José Padilha, known for the acclaimed Elite Squad films and more recently his surprisingly impressive Robocop remake, and Escobar will be played by Elite Squad and Elysium star Wagner Moura.

When? 2015

A.K.A. Jessica Jones

Starring: Krysten Ritter

The relationship with Marvel continues with this female-fronted show starring Breaking Bad's Krysten Ritter as Jessica Jones, a former superhero who now runs a detective agency, specialising in cases involving people with special powers. The show will also feature another Marvel character Luke Cage who will then spin off to his own show. It's being billed as a gritty crime show, which sounds intriguing, especially given the more generic superheroics of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. If the characters of Jones and Cage prove popular enough then Marvel are keen to turn them into movie franchises.

When? Late 2015

Love

Starring: Gillian Jacobs, Paul Rust

Another big name heading to Netflix is Frat Pack head honcho Judd Apatow, who has created a new show following a couple, played by Community's Gillian Jacobs and I Love You Beth Cooper's Paul Rust. It's exciting news since Apatow has previously shown flashes of brilliance on the small screen, with Freaks and Geeks and Girls among his small screen credits. It's also a confident pick-up from Netflix with an agreement for two seasons. With this and directing the upcoming Amy Schumer vehicle Trainwreck, we're hoping for a mini Apatow comeback after the underwhelming This Is 40.

When? Early 2016

(Images: Rex Features)