The most highly anticipated returning TV shows

Everyone loves a good TV series to binge-watch, and we have such a huge range of shows to choose from thanks to popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video and Apple TV. However, the abundance of content often makes it hard to keep up with the newest trending shows and their latest drop in episodes. 

Many new seasons of well-known TV shows are on the horizon, such as Stranger Things Season 5 and Squid Games Season 2. To determine which of the well-loved returning TV shows fans are most excited for, we have ranked them and given an anticipation score, based on a range of search data. 

We considered recent search data metrics when scoring each show — with 40% of the score coming from the average monthly search volume, 30% from recent search trends, and 30% from year-over-year changes. Each of these metrics reflects a level of importance when scoring based on anticipation and recent trends.

Read on to find out the 10 most anticipated TV series returns:

10. The Traitors UK, Season 3

Anticipation score: 7

The Traitors UK has already been renewed for season 3 at BBC One for next year pic.twitter.com/MNvGsBsAj7

— Reality TV News/Updates (@Realitytv__fan) November 3, 2023

Following the enormous success of series 1 and 2, the UK version of The Traitors is set to return to screens in early 2025. The beloved series has become a family favourite all down the country, and has taken over all of our lives since its first season — it is safe to say we are all desperate for more! 

The reality competition show sees a group of contestants complete various missions and challenges within a castle in the Scottish Highlands. The IMDb summary of the show tells us that: “Amongst the players lie the ‘Traitors’ who meet in secret and decide who to eliminate from their fellow players known as 'Faithfuls'. All contestants compete to be the last ones standing and for a chance to win up to £120k!”

According to our research, searches for ‘The Traitors UK, Season 3’ have massively increased in the past year, seeing a 28,900% rise! This clearly shows just how excited people are! 

9. Heartstopper, Season 3

Anticipation score: 7

Give a warm hello (and meow) to MICHAEL HOLDEN! 🍂 Heartstopper Season 3 premieres October 3! pic.twitter.com/xt81NqQK8u

— Netflix (@netflix) July 27, 2024

The coming-of-age romantic comedy will be back on Netflix for its third series on October 3rd 2024. Heartstopper grew in popularity after hitting screens in April 2022, but the story originated as graphic novels written by Alice Oseman. The LGBTQ+ young adult series has become the UK's fastest-selling graphic novel ever and Volume 5 sold 60,012 copies in the first three days since its release on 7 December!

The teen drama sees teenagers Charlie and Nick discover their unlikely friendship might be something more as they navigate school and young love. According to Tudum by Netflix, the third series will introduce fresh new faces, including Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey. We can also expect to see Nick and Charlie’s relationship deepen as they face their biggest emotional challenges yet.

We found an average of 12,100 monthly searches for ‘Heartstopper Season 3’, putting it in joint place with The Traitors with an anticipation score of 7.

8. Rick and Morty, Season 8

Anticipation score: 7

‘RICK & MORTY’ Season 8 will release in 2025. pic.twitter.com/LZtLBJNTbE

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) January 22, 2024

The Emmy-winning animated series is back for its eighth season in 2025 — this is slightly delayed due to the recent writer's strike. The sitcom is about an ill-tempered, alcoholic scientific genius named Rick Sanchez and his teenage grandson, Morty Smith. It is clear the show is extremely popular, with Season 3 delivering the highest ratings in history for the streaming platform, Adult Swim — it was also the most-watched comedy show for 18-to-34-year-olds in the United States in 2017.

According to TV Guide, the last season was left on a cliffhanger, so fans are itching to see the impact of these moments in the new season. Show co-creator Dan Harmon told Variety about what fans can expect for Season 8, and that it will have the same flow and vibe as the past two seasons, meaning story-driven serialised episodes and separate episodes of Rick and Morty's adventures together.

It is no surprise this show is highly anticipated — people are keen to see the outcome of the cliffhanger, judging by the 10,244% increase in searches since last year.

7. You, Season 5

Anticipation score: 10

NEW‼️ Penn Badgley on set of #YouNetflix season 5 in NYC!!! pic.twitter.com/iArVoYzeBK

— Ally | YOU season 5 news🦋🧢 (@YouNetflixUpdte) July 26, 2024

It is official, You will be returning for its fifth and final season at the end of 2024, with production recently underway in New York City - where the show all started. With its dark twists and turns, the thriller series has had viewers gripping their seats ever since its first season aired on Netflix in 2018. Fans will see Penn Badgley’s character return with a new tense storyline, but will questions finally be answered?

Based on the novels by Caroline Kepnes, You centres on Joe, a book lover, and hopeless romantic with a yearning to stalk and kill the women he (claims to) love, as well as anyone else who stands in his way. Each series takes him to a new city, in his attempts to hide his identity, and often includes a new love interest for Joe to infatuate over. According to Tudum by Netflix, there will be a new character, Bronte, played by Madeline Brewer, who they describe as an enigmatic and free-spirited playwright who gets a job at Joe’s new bookstore!

According to search data, You has an average of 18,100 monthly searches, which shows its constant popularity as people have been searching for any information on season 5 since the last season in February 2023.

6. Emily in Paris, Season 4

Anticipation score: 12

Time to chic things up! Emily in Paris Season 4 Part 1 arrives August 15 ✨ Part 2 on September 12! pic.twitter.com/Bo7nyfBC0a

— Netflix (@netflix) July 22, 2024

The romantic-comedy drama will see its fourth season released in two parts, the first on the 15th of August, and the second 12th of September. Many fans will be gearing up to watch the first part of the Emmy and Golden Globes-nominated series as it draws closer to its release on Netflix!

Creator Darren Star tells Tudum, “Emily finds herself with a busy travel schedule in Season 4 of Emily in Paris. From the French Alps to the piazzas of Rome, viewers will vicariously experience amazing new locations through Emily’s eyes. Expect new characters, a lot more drama, romance, and a whole new language to try and master.”

The popular series sees protagonist, Emily (played by Lily Collins), an ambitious twenty-something marketing executive from Chicago, unexpectedly land her dream job in Paris when her company acquires a French luxury marketing company, and she is tasked with revamping their social media strategy. The TV show follows Emily through her new life in Paris, navigating relationships, work and friendships. 

Search data reveals that Emily in Paris, Season 4 has an average of 22,200 monthly searches which is relatively high when comparing it against the other shows on the list - proving the show's overall acclaim. 

5. Wednesday, Season 2

Anticipation score: 27

Let’s talk about Wednesday Season 2 with Jenna Ortega, Emma Myers, Joy Sunday, and Hunter Doohan. #Tudum2023 pic.twitter.com/VnstsffJHQ

— SoundsOfSeries (@SoundsOfSeries) June 17, 2023

The comedy-horror based on the character Wednesday Addams from The Addams Family, saw its first season premiere in November 2022, and the much-awaited second season is set to release in 2025 — fans will still have to wait for a confirmed date. Tim Burton’s Wednesday captivated viewers with its dark wit, intriguing characters, and distinctive Burtonesque aesthetic and accumulated 12 Emmy nominations!

In the young adult series, the Addams family’s eldest child, played by Jenna Ortega, has left her family's spooky mansion for the halls of Nevermore Academy, a school with supernatural secrets of its own - described by Tudum. Just one week after the release of the first season, Wednesday was streamed for a total of 341.2 million hours, beating a record previously held by the phenomenon Stranger Things.

There is currently an average of 49,500 monthly searches for the sophomore season of Wednesday, which ranks higher than some more well-established shows, showing how impactful the gothic series was.

4. Squid Game, Season 2

Anticipation score: 33

The real game begins. Squid Game Season 2 is coming December 26.

The Final Season coming 2025. pic.twitter.com/Y3fQJ7LA2h

— Netflix (@netflix) July 31, 2024

Netflix’s Korean show, Squid Game, swiftly became the best-performing show for the renowned streaming platform back in 2021. A show with a dark and unique concept, Squid Game caught the attention of many people around the world due to its barbaric but thought-provoking nature. Many will be excited to know that Season 2 is set to premiere on 26th December 2024!

Season 1 introduced fans to the show’s distinctive deadly game which forces cash-hungry contestants to risk their lives. In return, they may win a life-transforming cash prize — or suffer the horrifying consequences. Seong Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung-jae) is Squid Game’s protagonist, and according to Tudum, Season 2 will pick up after Gi-hun’s jaw-dropping decisions in Season 1’s finale!

Search data shows Squid Game has an average of 60,500 monthly searches, which is the second highest amount of searches out of all the shows we have ranked, however, the show’s year-on-year change decreased by 55% - bringing the score down and placing Squid Games fourth place in our rankings.

3. Fallout, Season 2

Anticipation score: 39

Fallout's showrunners say Season 2 will "hit the ground running" thanks to a lot of groundwork like sets and assets from Season 1 being ready to use.

"We're going to be pedal to the metal to get season two out as fast as humanly possible." https://t.co/gyw6Fo12sq pic.twitter.com/qnw9TzxOTl

— IGN (@IGN) June 7, 2024

Amazon Prime Video’s hit series Fallout has been confirmed for another season, however, no date has been confirmed yet. The show became popular when its first season was released in April 2024, following its success firstly as a video game franchise.

The show borrows heavily from the video game franchise while telling an original story, with the apocalyptic TV series taking place in the year 2296, 15 years after the much-loved game Fallout: New Vegas. According to Slate: “The plot follows a naïve do-gooder (played by Ella Purnell), an armour-clad crusader (Aaron Moten), and a zombified bounty hunter (Walton Goggins).”

According to search data, Fallout, Season 2 has seen a huge rise in year-on-year searches, with an increase of 221,900%, however, the show had a monthly average of 18,100 searches and a decrease of 84% since April - placing the show in third place, and very close to Bridgerton!

2. Bridgerton, Season 4

Anticipation score: 39

It has been brought to this author’s attention that perhaps it is time to unmask the newest suitor of the marriage mart… Benedict Bridgerton's story is coming next season. pic.twitter.com/rn2bGOERdm

— Bridgerton (@bridgerton) July 23, 2024

Ever since the first Bridgerton season premiered around Christmas time in 2020, it instantly became a firm favourite for many. The historical romance series is set to make a return to screens and is confirmed to follow the story of Benedict Bridgerton, the bohemian second son of the family, which was confirmed shortly after the end of part 2 of season 3! 

Set in the Regency era, the Netflix show is based on the popular book series by Julia Quinn. Each season focuses on one of the eight Bridgerton siblings while they navigate London high society in search of love, surrounded by friends and rivals alike. Known for being the Regency version of Gossip Girl, local scandal takes over the lives of everyone in the ‘Ton’ as Lady Whistledown, the anonymous gossip writer, has a newsletter dedicated to all the scandalous gossip from London's elite.

The show has also helped to boost many acting careers for the Bridgerton cast - Jonathan Bailey, who plays Anthony, the eldest of the Bridgerton children, has gone on to break into Hollywood and scored a role in the highly awaited film adaptation of the stage musical Wicked. 

Search data shows a huge rise in searches for ‘Bridgerton, Season 4’ in the last year, with an increase of 8,338%. Searches also show a 2,968% increase since April, proving the rising anticipation for season 4 now season 3 is over! 

1. Stranger Things, Season 5

Anticipation score: 0.4

A behind-the-scenes look at 'STRANGER THINGS' Season 5 has been released.

The fifth and final season is halfway through filming.pic.twitter.com/vC83sfKhHd

— Agents of Fandom (@AgentsFandom) July 15, 2024

Stranger Things has been a Netflix favourite for many since its first season back in 2016 and has now become a classic TV series in pop culture. The science-fiction horror series has gained a huge fanbase, with its nostalgic atmosphere and popular soundtrack. Fans everywhere celebrate the 6th November as ‘Stranger Things Day’, a special day to share their love for the world of Stranger Things — this date relates to a momentous storyline in the first season of the show.

Set in Indiana in the 80s, a group of young friends witness paranormal forces and mysterious government exploits. As they search for meanings to their findings, they unravel a series of extraordinary secrets. The show catapulted the young actors into stardom and the world of Hollywood, especially Millie Bobby Brown, who plays Eleven — a young girl with special psychokinetic abilities. According to Tudum, while the audience learned quite a bit about the Upside Down in Season 4, there’s definitely more to come in Season 5!

Search data shows an average of 74,000 monthly searches which is the highest amount of searches amongst our rankings - this boosts the show’s score on our list into first place! 

There are so many TV series set to return at the end of 2024 and in 2025, many of which are highly anticipated! Whether your favourite show made our list, or this acted as inspiration for a new series to binge-watch ahead of the next season, we hope you are just as excited as we are for their return!

Methodology:

These shows are ranked based on an "anticipation score", which combines three key factors: average monthly search volume, recent search trends (three-month changes), and year-on-year changes in search. The score for each show is calculated using this formula:

Anticipation Score = ( Average Monthly Search ×0.4) + (Three-Month Changes × 0.3) + (YoY Changes × 0.3)

This means that 40% of the score comes from the average monthly search volume, 30% from recent search trends, and 30% from year-over-year changes. By combining these aspects, the score reflects both the current popularity and the recent growth in interest, giving a comprehensive measure of each show's adoration!

We then times the final number by 100, to gain a rounded number rather than a decimal. 

The full research and methodology can be found here.