New Fall Series: Previews of the Most Promising

Here are trailers for a few new series that look promising (or at least interesting):

Beauty and the Beast - CW



I loved the series from the 80s with Ron Perlman and Linda Hamilton. Kristen Kreuk, who played Lana Lang in the CW's Smallville plays Catherine, and Jay Ryan plays Vincent.

Ryan is very good looking, but we'll see what he looks like as the beast, and if he is as good as Ron Perlman was as Vincent. I hope this updated version will be worth watching.

Elementary - CBS



As those of you who read my blog knows, I love the BBC's Sherlock. Elementary also brings Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famous detective into a modern setting. However, this series brings the English detective (Jonny Lee Miller) across the pond to Manhattan. And Watson is a woman (Lucy Liu). Aidan Quinn plays Inspector Gregson. I am a big fan of Aidan, so that makes one more reason for me to watch. I am really looking forward to this series.

Interesting sidenote: Benedick Cumberbatch (who plays Holmes in Sherlock) and Jonny Lee Miller were in a production of Frankenstein last year at the National Theatre in London. The two actors took turns playing the dual roles of Frankenstein and his monster (a tag-team performance that won them the 2012 UK Olivier Award for Best Actor). Frankenstein/Monster, Sherlock/Sherlock.

The Arrow - CW



This new series is a spin-off of Smallville. It has a bit of The Count of Monte Cristo vibe, doesn't it? Superheroes are really big right now, so I hope this one is good and that it sticks around. Who knows, it may last as long as Smallville (10 seasons).

As you can tell, there are only three new series that I'm really excited about right now. Sad commentary on the new Fall season.