As we sidle up to what could be a chilly winter, D.C.’s favorite fictional powerbrokers will be heating it up on TV. Here’s a look at who is coming back this month, or not long after, and where we last left them. Beware, spoilers abound. –Carten Cordell
‘Scandal’
Returns Feb. 27, ABC
When we last left Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington), her father was out of a job, her mother a terrorist and things with her sorta boyfriend, President Fitz Grant (Tony Goldwyn) were still up in the air.
Unless Mama Pope is planning to pick up the tab for a whole lot of family therapy, things will again be dicey for the Gladiators.
‘House of Cards’
Returns Feb. 14, Netflix
Corrupt Congressman Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) managed to slither his way into the VP office last season, but presiding over the Senate won’t be the end-all-be-all for this dastardly ne’er-do-well.
While Underwood plots his next move, journalist Zoe Barnes (Kate Mara) is looking to unravel conspiracy on top of conspiracy in this addictive hit.
‘Veep’
Returns April 6, 2014, HBO
Things might be looking up for Vice President Selina Meyer (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). After a litany of political missteps, Meyer’s frenemy—POTUS—decided not to seek reelection, clearing the way for the hapless protagonist to make a run for the Oval Office.
While all seems well, Armando Iannucci’s opus to political ineptitude will again shower audiences in laughable gaffes.
‘The Americans’
Returns Feb. 26, FX
One of the surprise hits of 2013 is back, as undercover KGB agents (Keri Russell, Matthew Rhys) try to elude and outwit U.S. intelligence at the height of the Cold War.
(February 2014)