The Netflix 2020 hot list: From Sex Education to After Life - The TV shows we can't wait to watch this year

2019 was a huge year for Netflix - with a brand new, critically-acclaimed series of Stranger Things, the return of The Crown with an all new cast, and the introduction of Ricky Gervais' heartfelt comedy drama, After Life.

But 2020 is set to be even bigger, as all those shows make their anticipated return to the streamer - alongside brand new soon-to-be-hits like The English Game and The Stranger.

We've rounded up the TV shows we can't wait for this year. Get binge-watching with BT TV.

The Stranger

When is it on?

The Stranger is streaming on Netfix from Thursday, January 30.

What’s it about?

The Stranger is an adaptation of the Harlan Coben novel of the same name. The description reads as follows:

“Adam Price has a lot to lose: a comfortable marriage to a beautiful woman, two wonderful sons, and all the trappings of the American Dream: a big house, a good job, a seemingly perfect life.

“Then he runs into the Stranger. When he learns a devastating secret about his wife, Corrine, he confronts her, and the mirage of perfection disappears as if it never existed at all.

“Soon Adam finds himself tangled in something far darker than even Corrine's deception, and realises that if he doesn't make exactly the right moves, the conspiracy he's stumbled into will not only ruin lives - it will end them…”

Why watch it?

Richard Armitage (The Hobbit), above, will lead the upcoming psychological thriller from the makers of Safe.

Sex Education series 2

When is it on?

Season 2 of Sex Education is streaming from Friday, January 17.

What’s it about?

In season 1 of Sex Education, we met Otis Milburn - an inexperienced, socially awkward high school student who lives with his mother, a sex therapist (Gillian Anderson).

In season 2, as a late bloomer Otis must master his newly discovered sexual urges in order to progress with his girlfriend Ola whilst also dealing with his now strained relationship with Maeve.

Meanwhile, Moordale Secondary is in the throes of a Chlamydia outbreak, highlighting the need for better sex education at the school and new kids come to town who will challenge the status quo.

Why watch it?

Sex Education has been described as the “best British teen drama since Skins”.

Narcos: Mexico season 2

When is it on?

Narcos: Mexico season 2 streams on Netflix from Thursday, February 13.

What’s it about?

Narcos: Mexico explores the origins of the modern drug war by going back to its roots, starting at a time when the Mexican trafficking world was a disorganised group of independent growers and dealers. The plot for season 2 has not yet been announced.

Why watch it?

It features an entirely new cast and separate storyline from the original Narcos series of the same name, so you can get stuck into Narcos: Mexico straight away without having to catch up.

After Life series 2

When is it on?

The second series of After Life is streaming on Netflix from Friday, April 24. 

What’s it about?

Ricky Gervais (The Office, Extras) stars as a features writer for a local newspaper who adopts a gruff new persona after struggling to come to terms with his wife's death, in an effort to push away those trying to help him.

Why watch it?

After Life was praised by critics for its portrayal of grief, with Brian Lowry from CNN writing that Gervais’ mix of comedy and grief in the script makes for a "bittersweet and melancholy series".

Stranger Things season 4

When is it on?

There's no confirmed release date, but we're hoping it's on Netflix in the latter half of 2020.

What’s it about?

Set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, in the early 1980s, Stranger Things follows a group of teenagers and the strange, supernatural events that occur around the town.

Why watch it?

Series 3 ended on a MAJOR cliffhanger for one particular character, and we cannot wait to find out what happens!

The Crown season 4

When is it on?

There's no confirmed release date but hopefully we can look forward to the next season of The Crown in November or December 2020.

What’s it about?

The Crown is a historical drama series that follows the reign and personal life of Queen Elizabeth II (played by Claire Foy in seasons 1 and 2, and Olivia Colman in seasons 3 and 4).

Why watch it?

Series 4 will introduce Lady Diana Spencer - played by Emma Corrin - the future wife of Prince Charles, and who later became the Princess of Wales.

Ozark season 3 

When is it on?

Ozark is streaming on Netflix from Friday, March 27.

What’s it about?

A financial adviser drags his family from Chicago to the Missouri Ozarks, where he must launder $500 million in five years to appease a drug boss.

Why watch it?

You might know Jason Bateman largely as a comedy actor (Arrested Development, Horrible Bosses), but his ‘gripping’ dramatic performance has been praised by critics. The show also has a 92% approval rating on RottenTomatoes.com.

The Haunting of Bly Manor

When is it on?

The Haunting of Bly Manor is landing on Netflix on 2020.

What’s it about?

Following on from The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor is the second season in The Haunting anthology series on Netflix.

Bly Manor is an adaptation of classic gothic literature novella The Turn of the Screw by Henry James, according to whats-on-netflix.com.

Why watch it?

The Haunting of Hill House was the Netflix sleeper hit of 2018, reinvigorating the TV horror genre.

Dead To Me season 2

When is it on?

Dead To Me season 2 is streaming on Netflix from Friday, May 8.

What’s it about?

Recently bereaved Jen (Christina Applegate) is determined to solve her husband’s hit-and-run murder, but her quest takes an unexpected turn when she joins the Friends of Heaven support group.

There, she meets Judy (Linda Cardellini), who is suffering her own grief over losing a partner, but is also hiding a pretty huge secret.

Why watch it?

Dead To Me marked Anchorman star Applegate’s first TV work 'in seven years, revealing that the show’s ‘unique presence’ was what took her out of ‘semi-retirement’.

The English Game

When is it on?

The English Game is streaming on Netflix from Friday, March 20.

What’s it about?

The mini-series traces the invention of football and how it quickly rose to become the world's game by crossing class divides.

Why watch it?

The English Game has been written and executive produced by Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes.