The Witcher and 6 fantasy shows that will definitely be back in 2023

2022 was a massive year for fans of the fantasy genre.  After years in development, this year saw the debuts seasons of several massive new originals including HBO’s House of the Dragon, Netflix’s The Sandman, and Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. It’s also brought new seasons of several returning favorites, including Outlander and Stranger Things. 

It’s going to be hard to top 2022, but 2023 will look to carry the torch with its own incredible lineup.

While some of 2022’s biggest hits will remain on the sidelines in the year ahead, there are others waiting in the wings to keep fans entertained.

Fantasy shows that will be back in 2023

2023 has the potential to be another huge year for fantasy, in part because we’ll have new seasons of several amazing fan favorites.

As is becoming the norm with complex productions, many fantasy shows often take longer to make. This results in longer gaps between seasons. While there are some shows like House of the Dragon we know won’t return in 2023, there are several fantasy shows which should definitely be back, including The Witcher!

When does The Witcher return? (2023)

One of the biggest fantasy shows coming in 2023 is without a doubt The Witcher, which returns for its third season in 2023. Although Netflix has not yet announced when season 3 will premiere, it has confirmed The Witcher season 3 is coming in Summer 2023.

With a summer release date set, it’s likely we’ll see the next season of The Witcher arrive between June and August 2023 — though we can’t rule out a late May drop as Memorial Day weekend has been used to kick off the summer on Netflix before.

Given that the Fourth of July holiday falls in the middle of the work week, it seems unlikely Netflix will have a big release connected to the holiday weekend in 2023; however, if there is any show Netflix might lead with in early July, it’s The Witcher.

We should know for sure when the new season will release as we inch closer to summer. For now, fans can rest easy knowing they won’t have to wait until late in the year.

When does The Mandalorian return? (2023)

It’s truly crazy to think that The Mandalorian hasn’t released a new episode since 2020, but fortunately, the wait for Mando and Grogu’s return is coming to an end. Following what has been the show’s longest hiatus yet, The Mandalorian will finally return for its third season on March 1, 2023.

While there have been some amazing Star Wars shows released during this hiatus, The Mandalorian remains the most popular Star Wars series. The show is already among the most anticipated shows of 2023 not just for Disney+, but for television in general.

Is The Wheel of Time season 2 coming in 2023?

At this time, Amazon has not yet confirmed when the second season of The Wheel of Time is coming out, but the show is expected to return in 2023. Filming on season 2 has already been completed, meaning that the creative team should have more than enough time to finish post-production process in time for season 2 to release in 2023.

Given the scope of the show, we’d be shocked if the new season debuted before summer 2023. Instead, it’s most likely that we’d see The Wheel of Time season 2 arrive in the fall, similar to how the first season of the show debuted in the fall of 2021.

When does Loki return? (2023)

The God of Mischief will return for another adventure in Summer 2023. Get ready for Loki season 2.

Considering how successful the first season was on Disney+, it’s possible the show’s second season could arrive in June 2023. However, it’s looking likely we could have to wait until late summer for the next season to arrive due to the fact that Echo season 1, another Marvel show, is expected to release in summer 2023 as well and is slated to arrive before Loki ‘s second season.

When does Carnival Row return? (2023)

Following an extended hiatus, Carnival Row will return for its second and final season on February 17, 2023. The 10-episode season is expected to tie up the narrative of the show, which first premiered in 2019.

Is Good Omens season 2 coming in 2023?

After a four-year hiatus, Good Omens will finally return in Summer 2023! The show’s return date was confirmed during its New York Comic Con panel in October 2022, with an official premiere date to be announced later. Considering season 1 debuted on May 31, 2019,  it’s possible we could see season 2 arrive in late May or early June.

An early summer release date for the show would help Amazon bridge the gap between some of its other shows airing in the spring and fall. It would also give the network a buzzy title to promote during the summer, which is traditionally not as competitive a period.

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