12 Netflix originals to ring in the new decade

Medical Police: Season 1 – January 10

Speaking of pedigree, this genre-bending comedy comes from the team behind critical and cult favorite Children’s Hospital. That means David Wain, Rob Corddry, Krister Johnson, and Jonathan Stern got together with basically the same cast and made a medical mystery romance adventure crime series. Medical Police follows doctors played by Erinn Hayes and Rob Huebel as they uncover the mystery behind a potential epidemic after they’re recruited as secret government agents. They’re cops! And doctors! At the same time!

Given this group’s comedic chops, I have no doubt that this series is going to be wild, innovative, absurd, and deeply funny. Co-stars Rob Corddry, Sarayu Blue, Malin Akerman, Ken Marino, and Lake Bell round out the cast, along with appearances by Craig Robinson, Jason Schwartzman, and Fred Melamed. These guys also have access to some big-name actors and comedians, so it’s possible we might see some more familiar faces pop up along the way. Just think about everyone who was in Wet Hot American Summer and you already have a pretty big list of possibilities.

AJ and the Queen: Season 1 – January 10

This American odyssey dramedy comes from creators RuPaul and Michael Patrick King (Sex and the City) as a down-on-her-luck drag queen (RuPaul) takes an RV on a cross-country tour and reluctantly brings a young orphaned stowaway along for the ride. While the trailer presents a picture of something warm, funny, quirky, and dramatic, this road movie-style series is a touching journey of acceptance and self-discovery. The quirky touches of Americana and shades of personal tragedy remind me of a flashier, more urban Hedwig and the Angry Inch with more of a focus on comedy one-liners.

While the series does look a little cheesy and on-the-nose, what would a series about drag queens be without a good helping of camp beside it? Plus, I love RuPaul. While I’ve never been an active follower of his career, he’s always been a presence at the periphery of my life. As a kid, I distinctly remember watching his VH1 talk show and credit him with my introduction to queer culture. Growing up in a rural community in a household that simply never addressed the existence of alternative sexualities, RuPaul played a huge part in garnering acceptance and challenging heteronormative attitudes. I love that this cultural icon continues to share is life, art, and love with the world.