The New Year is upon us, and a new year brings new television. Many of our favorite shows will return from hiatus as early as January 3, and the winter TV season also brings some fresh faces to the mix. After a lot of looking back on the year of 2010, it’s time to look forward at what’s ahead for us in 2011. To make it a little easier, I’ve compiled this nifty little list of TV events that have me excited for a new year. Here they are in no particular order.

Glee: The Super Bowl Episode (and the return of Jonathan Groff)

The second season of Glee has definitely been uneven, but when it’s up, it’s up, and I for one am looking forward to the show’s return on February 6^th after the Super Bowl. Not only will we get two episodes of Glee in one week, but if the spoilers are true this episode is shaping up to be one major event. The episode will potentially feature two major guest stars, Katie Couric is expected to drop by and Gwyneth Paltrow will reportedly reprise her role as Holly Holiday. Viewers can expect a mash-up of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” with another song that is yet to be confirmed. Reports have also surfaced that additional songs by Katy Perry, Lady Antebellum, and The Black Eyed Peas will be performed. Finally, Blaine and the Dalton Academy Warblers will reportedly perform Destiny’s Child’s “Bills, Bills, Bills.”

Besides the super-sized return of Glee after the winter hiatus, I am also anticipating the expected return of Jonathan Groff as bad-boy Jesse St. James. Ryan Murphy has said that he will be returning this season. Although the writers may have effectively ruined his character will last season’s egg debacle (I’m still bitter), I love J. Groff and it is nice to see him on Glee alongside his real like BFF Lea Michele.

The Walking Dead returns

After a much too short six-episode run on AMC this Fall, fans of The Walking Dead have a long time to wait. The show is not set to return until the fall season of 2011. I know I’m not the only one who can’t wait to see what happens next, and I REALLY want to know what Dr. Jenner whispered in Rick’s ear.

Pretty Little Liars Mid-season premiere

Fans of Pretty Little Liars don’t have to wait much longer as the mid-season premieres Jan. 3 on ABC Family. The second half of the season will reportedly shed some light on the identity of “A” and it absolutely promises more of the guilty pleasure fun the show brought us last summer.

Off the Map

I’m excited for this show for one reason and one reason only: the return of Zach Gilford (formerly known as QB 1 Matt Saracen in Friday Night Lights). Besides Zach, this medical drama set in a remote South African village is brought to us by the creator of Grey’s Anatomy, Shonda Rhimes, which certainly bodes well for the medical drama.

The series will premiere Jan. 12 on ABC.

Friday Night Lights- the final season

As a Comcast subscriber I have been unable to watch the DirecTV exclusive airing of the fifth and final season of Friday Night Lights. I am eagerly anticipating the return of Tami and Eric Taylor to NBC this spring; despite the bittersweet feeling I get knowing that this season will be the last. I trust that Friday Night Lights will not let us down, and fans should get an ending they can live with.

Drop Dead Diva Season 3

The season 2 finale last summer left us with one heck of a cliffhanger. Jane is last seen frantic with worry after Grayson was hit by a car when running after Jane. The episode ended with Grayson looking at Jane and calling her Deb. I am rather impatiently awaiting the return of Drop Dead Diva to Lifetime this summer.

Klaus on The Vampire Diaries

This season’s big bad on The Vampire Diaries is Klaus, the oldest vampire still walking the earth who is hell-bent on sacrificing Elena to break the curse that keeps vamps hiding in the shadows (if they don’t have one of those convenient rings of course). Entertainment Weekly reports that hundreds of actors have read for the role of Klaus, who will be appearing before the season’s end. My personal pick for Klaus? Jason Dohring of course, the Veronica Mars veteran even has experience playing a vampire as he appeared as one in the short-lived CBS series Moonlight.

Falling Skies on TNT

Steven Spielburg’s Falling Skies is set to premiere on TNT this summer. With a newly released trailer hitting the web in full force, Falling Skies has quickly risen to one of 2011’s most anticipated new shows. The alien invasion drama stars TV veteran Noah Wyle (ER).

Being Erica Season 3 on SOAPNET

I’m new to Being Erica (I’m currently about halfway through season 1). But, I can already tell that I love this charming Canadian import about woman and her time-traveling therapy sessions. The third season will air in the US on SoapNet beginning January 26.

Being Human on SyFy

Being Human is a remake of the BBC series of the same name that follows three roommates: a werewolf, a vampire, and a ghost. The series will premiere on Jan. 17.

So you made it through my top 10 and now I have one more: a new year’s wish for TV.

Owen’s possible return to Nikita

Devon Sawa is just such a hottie and he returned to the radar this fall with a guest-starring role on the CW’s Nikita. No official reports have surfaced that he will reprise his role as Owen, a rogue Division agent, but I certainly hope he will.