As the summer comes to an end, it means there is less time for camping, hiking, biking, surfing, boating, and any number of other activities. It's not all bad, though. After all, the end of summer means the beginning of the fall, which means plenty of new and returning geeky TV shows.
If you haven't been keeping track of what shows are on the way, don't worry. We've put together a list of TV shows you should keep an eye out for, whether they're brand new, returning, or, as you'll see, a strange mix of both.
1. The Boys
The only show on this list that is already airing at the time of writing, the second season of The Boys dropped in the beginning of September on Amazon Prime Video. After the roller coaster of the first season, it will be interesting to see where this adaptation of the Garth Ennis-penned comic goes from here.
2. Dragon's Dogma
Normally, we wouldn't be excited about a show based on a video game, but after what Netflix has done with Castlevania and The Witcher, we're interested to see what this anime based on the game of the same name has to offer. Dragon's Dogma premiers September 17 on Netflix.
3. Ratched
A psychological thriller based on a villainous character from the 1962 novel (and then 1975 film) One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest? Not many people would have guessed this one, but Ken Kesey's character is certainly worth exploring more of. This one airs one day after Dragon's Dogma, September 18 on Netflix.
4. Star Trek: Discovery
This is an odd one. The first season of Star Trek: Discovery, which originally aired on the CBS All Access streaming service in 2017, will air on CBS proper on September 24, three years after its original debut. If you've already seen it as well as the following season, you need to wait a little longer for season three, which arrives on CBS All Access on October 15.
5. neXt
If you prefer your dystopian sci-fi to be set in the present, neXt is for you. The show, which follows a cybersecurity team countering a rogue artificial intelligence that is constantly improving itself, airs on Fox beginning October 6.
6. Swamp Thing
This is another sort of re-premier, but this one may be even stranger. Swamp Thing initially aired on the DC Universe streaming service in 2019, but was quickly cancelled. The CW has acquired the rights to show it, and will show the already-cancelled show from the start, beginning October 6.
7. The Mandalorian
After the fantastic first season, The Mandalorian is probably one of the most highly anticipated second seasons of the year. It's going to be tough to top the first season, but if any show can do it, it's this one. Season two of The Mandalorian premieres October 30 on Disney+.
8. The Stand
Not everybody will be in the mood for an "apocalyptic vision of a world decimated by plague" right now, but if you are, you're in luck. This second miniseries based on the Stephen King novel (another aired back in 1994) comes to CBS All Access just a few days before the start of winter on December 17.
9. Star Trek: Picard
Okay, so this one hasn't been officially confirmed for the fall. For all we know, it could come in early 2021. Still, after all of the setup that the first season provided, we can't wait to see where the titular Picard and his crew end up.
Need Something to Watch While You Wait?
While some of these shows are either airing now or in the near future, some of them are still a few months out. If you're only interested in a show or two that won't be airing for a while, you'll need something to do to keep yourself entertained in the meantime.
We've got you covered, assuming you've got a Netflix subscription. Just take a look at our list of mind-bending Netflix shows absolutely loaded with plot twists. Surely you'll find something to keep your eyes on the TV for a few hours at the very least.