Spoilers to know before watching this fall's returning shows
Spoilers to know before watching this fall's returning shows
With so many television channels and streaming platforms, it is understandably difficult to keep up with the latest and greatest programs currently on the air. In this age of peak television and binge-watching, there are simply too many options to choose from. Most viewers will eventually find their niche, picking up a few carefully selected shows. Still, the pressure to watch everything is real鈥攏o one wants to miss out on when it comes to discussing the season's biggest spoilers at the water cooler.
As the fall season approaches, audiences are gearing up for the return of their favorite shows. From comedies to character dramas and crime procedurals to action shows, the array of programs is more diverse than ever. With an abundance of content, many viewers may realize they aren't caught up on their shows in time for the new season.
In attempt to get viewers up to speed, 麻豆原创 has amassed a large collection of television spoilers for the purpose of catching you up on the most anticipated shows returning this fall, thanks to . Expect only narrative television shows鈥攖his list does not include any reality, competition, or game shows.
Read on to get the scoop on your favorite shows before they return.
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It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Air date: Sept. 5
Where to watch: FXX
The off-color sitcom 鈥淚t鈥檚 Always Sunny in Philadelphia鈥 ended with some uncharacteristically radical changes: Charlie has finally coupled up with The Waitress, Mac has publicly embraced his homosexuality, and Dennis has left The Gang to raise a child he fathered after a one-night stand. Glenn Howerton, co-creator of the show and the actor who plays Dennis, has remained tight-lipped on whether or not he鈥檇 return to the show, as he鈥檚 currently the lead on NBC鈥檚 鈥淎P Bio.鈥 Regardless of his fate, this upcoming landmark 13th season will also be followed with a record-breaking 14th season.
I Love You, America
Air date: Sept. 6
Where to watch: Hulu
鈥淚 Love You, America with Sarah Silverman鈥 doesn鈥檛 particularly have any spoilers, being a talk show. For those unfamiliar with the format, comedian Sarah Silverman hosts a weekly talk show, but the content is much more personal than topical. The show, which sees Silverman traveling around the country to talk to citizens going through extraordinary change, will have a 10-episode second season on Hulu.
Atypical
Air date: Sept. 7
Where to watch: Netflix
鈥淎typical鈥 focuses primarily on the character of Sam (Keir Gilchrist), an 18 year old on the autistic spectrum. The first season depicted Sam鈥檚 tumultuous family life, with Sam鈥檚 father (Michael Rapaport) temporarily leaving the family, his mother (Jennifer Jason Leigh) having an affair, his protective sister (Brigette Lundy-Paine) contemplating a move to a different school, and his 26-year-old therapist (Amy Okuda)鈥攁nd love interest鈥攂eing dumped by her boyfriend, only to discover that she is pregnant with his child. As with all Netflix shows, all episodes of the second season are available to binge at once.
Marvel's Iron Fist
Air date: Sept. 7
Where to watch: Netflix
After the events of season one of 鈥淚ron Fist鈥 and the crossover event 鈥淭he Defenders,鈥 the second season of this Marvel television show has Danny Rand (Finn Jones) take on the mantle of New York City鈥檚 protector from Daredevil. Facing off against his adoptive brother Davos (Sacha Dhawan), who believes himself to be the true person worthy of the mystical Iron Fist, Danny must also work to prevent an all-out war between gangs in Chinatown. This is the third Netflix show based in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to air a new season this year, following 鈥淛essica Jones鈥 and 鈥淟uke Cage,鈥 the latter of which featured the character of Danny Rand in a guest appearance.
The Deuce
Air date: Sept. 9
Where to watch: HBO
Focusing on the rise of the pornography industry in 1970s New York City, "The Deuce" comes from "The Wire" creator David Simon and stars Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Franco. The first season finale ended in tragedy鈥攚hile some characters progressed in life, prostitute Ruby (Pernell Walker) is killed after an argument leads to her being pushed out of a window.
Shameless
Air date: Sept. 9
Where to watch: Showtime
The acclaimed off-color comedy 鈥淪hameless鈥 is returning for a ninth season, making the show the longest-running program in Showtime鈥檚 history. The subject of the show is the Gallagher family and their misadventures, led by the patriarch and drunkard Frank (William H. Macy). This will be the final season for co-star Emmy Rossum, who portrays Frank鈥檚 eldest child Fiona Gallagher.
American Horror Story: Apocalypse
Air date: Sept. 12
Where to watch: FX
Anthology show 鈥淎merican Horror Story鈥 presents a different scenario and storyline every season, and 鈥淎pocalypse鈥 is the latest installment. New ground is broken here, however, with this eighth season being a crossover of the show鈥檚 first and third seasons, 鈥淢urder House鈥 and 鈥淐oven,鈥 respectively. With stars like Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, and the returning Jessica Lange playing multiple roles and reprising old characters, 鈥淎pocalypse鈥 depicts a group of survivors after a war results in a devastating nuclear winter.
American Vandal
Air date: Sept. 14
Where to watch: Netflix
Appearing to be sophomoric on the surface level, mockumentary series 鈥淎merican Vandal鈥 is actually a pointed satire of shows like 鈥淢aking a Murderer鈥 and the popular podcast 鈥淪erial.鈥 Depicting two high school sophomores investigating high school-level crimes, the first season had the two look into a student accused of vandalizing 27 faculty cars with phallic imagery. The second season has the two students tackling a new case after someone known as 鈥淭he Turd Burglar鈥 contaminates a cafeteria鈥檚 lemonade with laxatives.
BoJack Horseman
Air date: Sept. 14
Where to watch: Netflix
An existential animated dramedy starring a talking horse (voiced by Will Arnett), 鈥淏ojack Horseman鈥 is about an actor past his prime. Season four of the series was lauded as emotional, with the end of the season having BoJack discover that the character of Hollyhock (Aparna Nancherla), who he has bonded with, is his half-sister.
9-1-1
Air date: Sept. 23
Where to watch: Fox
A procedural co-created by Ryan Murphy ("Glee" and "American Horror Story"), "9-1-1" depicts first responders in the city of Los Angeles. By the end of the first season, police sergeant Athena (Angela Bassett) and firefighting captain Bobby (Peter Krause) have gone on their first date, and 911 operator Abby (Connie Britton) has left Los Angeles for Ireland. The Fox show will be back for a second season consisting of 16 episodes.
Bull
Air date: Sept. 24
Where to watch: CBS
Michael Weatherly stars as Dr. Jason Bull, a psychologist, in a show that is loosely based on Dr. Phil McGraw鈥檚 past experience as a trial consultant. The second season ends with Bull at a low point, drinking heavily after the revelation that his ex-wife is getting remarried. Even after a brief victory in court, Bull finds himself believing that he is experiencing a heart attack. But is it real or the result of stress? Viewers will find out the outcome once the third season airs on CBS.
The Big Bang Theory
Air date: Sept. 24
Where to watch: CBS
This top-rated television sitcom will return for a 12th and final season. The 11th season is centered around the wedding of Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Amy (Mayim Bialik), and their marriage is likely to be a focus of the final season. Fans of 鈥淭he Big Bang Theory鈥 worry not, for its prequel spinoff 鈥淵oung Sheldon鈥 will probably still be on the air.
Mr. Inbetween
Air date: Sept. 24
Where to watch: FX
Inspired by the 2005 cult film 鈥淭he Magician,鈥 鈥淢r. Inbetween鈥 is a new television show from Scott Ryan, the star, writer, and director of the film. Ryan will reprise all of his roles from 鈥淭he Magician鈥 for the six-part series. The show is about Ray Shoesmith (Ryan), a hit-man who also attempts to live a normal life, raising a child and finding romance.
The Resident
Air date: Sept. 24
Where to watch: Fox
The setting of 鈥淭he Resident鈥 is Chastain Park Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. With a large ensemble cast portraying various medical interns, residents, and doctors, the show focuses on the daily lives of the medical staff members both inside and outside the hospital. The first season ends with Nic (Emily VanCamp) set up by Lane (Melina Kanakaredes) for her own malpractice. Nic鈥檚 name is eventually cleared, and Lane is relieved of her duties.
The Good Doctor
Air date: Sept. 24
Where to watch: ABC
Returning for a second season is "The Good Doctor," which comes from "House" creator David Shore. Starring Freddie Highmore as Shaun Murphy, a gifted surgical resident on the autism spectrum, the show is about his life working at a prestigious hospital against all odds. Shaun discovered in the last episode of the first season that his mentor and biggest supporter Dr. Glassman (Richard Schiff) has an inoperable form of cancer.
Young Sheldon
Air date: Sept. 24
Where to watch: CBS
Spinning off from the widely watched 鈥淭he Big Bang Theory鈥 is 鈥淵oung Sheldon,鈥 a single-camera comedy without a laugh track that depicts the childhood of the character originated by Jim Parsons. Sheldon (Iain Armitage) finds that despite his high intelligence, he is ill-equipped to handle most social situations. The show鈥檚 inaugural season ends with Sheldon interfering with the romantic relationships of his grandmother, known as 鈥淢eemaw,鈥 to the point where Sheldon drafts a contract between the three parties involved.
Lethal Weapon
Air date: Sept. 25
Where to watch: Fox
Based on the 1980s and 1990s buddy cop film franchise of the same name, 鈥淟ethal Weapon鈥 will return missing one of its two stars. Initially starring Damon Wayans as Murtaugh and Clayne Crawford as Riggs, the latter has been ousted after his behavior on set was highly criticized by his co-workers, including Wayans. Crawford will be replaced by Seann William Scott portraying a new character. The second season ends dramatically, with Riggs killing his villainous father only to be shot while visiting his wife鈥檚 grave鈥攑ossibly a convenient way to off Crawford鈥檚 character.
NCIS
Air date: Sept. 25
Where to watch: CBS
Spinning off from 鈥淛AG,鈥 the venerable 鈥淣CIS鈥 is returning to the air for its 16th season. Depicting an investigative team looking into crimes surrounding the U.S. Navy and Marines, the 15th season ended with a cliffhanger. While the team investigates the kidnapping of Sloane (new cast member Maria Bello), they are shocked to not only discover the identity of the kidnapper, but to find that he has also kidnapped NCIS director Vance (Rocky Carroll).
NCIS: New Orleans
Air date: Sept. 25
Where to watch: CBS
Similar to the series it spun out of, 鈥淣CIS: New Orleans鈥 focuses on criminal investigations by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service in the New Orleans area. Starring 鈥淨uantum Leap鈥 and 鈥淓nterprise鈥 leading man Scott Bakula, this entry in the franchise is returning for a fifth season. The conclusion of the fourth season ended with a cliffhanger, with Pride (Bakula) shot and left to bleed out by a villainous character.
This Is Us
Air date: Sept. 25
Where to watch: NBC
The highly acclaimed drama series will be back for a third season, again focusing on the Pearson family. At this point in the series, viewers now know how Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) lost his life in a fire. The second season of "This is Us" ends with daughter Kate (Chrissy Metz) finally marrying Toby (Chris Sullivan). The upcoming third season will reportedly .
The Gifted
Air date: Sept. 25
Where to watch: Fox
A loose spinoff of the 鈥淴-Men鈥 film series, 鈥淭he Gifted鈥 tells the story of a family with mutant children on the run from an oppressive government after the heroic X-Men have disappeared. The first season has the family and a group of refugees hanging by a string, but the group escapes while fighting off the opposition. The end of the season sees Andy Strucker (Percy Hynes White) tempted by an offer to join the violent pro-mutant Hellfire Club.
American Housewife
Air date: Sept. 26
Where to watch: ABC
Katie Otto (Katy Mixon) is, as the title of 鈥淎merican Housewife鈥 implies, an American housewife. Moving to an affluent suburban town in Connecticut with her family, Katie navigates the social circles composed of wealthy and pretentious inhabitants. The second season ended with Katie proving herself to her peers, being able to run a spring gala event.
Empire
Air date: Sept. 26
Where to watch: Fox
Created by Lee Daniels (鈥淧recious鈥), this highly successful drama focuses on a family-run hip-hop label and the internal political struggles to control the enterprise. After a series of machinations, power couple Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard) and Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) lose the Empire company, but remarry. A shootout at the end of the season ends the fourth season on a cliffhanger, leaving the fates of several characters unknown.
Modern Family
Air date: Sept. 26
Where to watch: ABC
Emmy darling 鈥淢odern Family鈥 depicts three related families, and their quirky misadventures and interactions. Depicting a societally traditional family, a step-family, and a same-sex family, this popular sitcom shows how much the idea of a family has evolved. The show is returning for a 10th season, its last, and before the end of the show.
Star
Air date: Sept. 26
Where to watch: Fox
Set in the same universe as "Empire," "Star" follows three young women attempting to break into the music business. Co-starring significant names like Queen Latifah and Benjamin Bratt, "Star" will be back for a third season. The second season ended violently, with Bratt's character Jahil killed in a drive-by shooting and Latifah's character engaged in a gun duel with her sister; the end result is not shown.
The Goldbergs
Air date: Sept. 26
Where to watch: ABC
Inspired by the childhood of creator Adam Goldberg, 鈥淭he Goldbergs鈥 takes place during the 1980s in small-town Pennsylvania. The fifth season of the show ends at a school prom, with middle child Barry (Troy Gentile) impulsively proposing to long-time love interest Lainey (AJ Michalka), to the shock of all. The show is returning for a sixth season.
Chicago Fire
Air date: Sept. 26
Where to watch: NBC
The original series of Dick Wolf鈥檚 鈥淐hicago鈥 franchise depicts the everyday lives of firefighters from the Chicago Fire Department. Renewed for a seventh season, the show will feature new characters while parting ways with some old ones.
Chicago Med
Air date: Sept. 26
Where to watch: NBC
Premiering last out of Dick Wolf鈥檚 three 鈥淐hicago鈥 television shows, 鈥淐hicago Med鈥 is set in an emergency department at a medical center. The show is returning from its summer break for a fourth season.
Chicago P.D.
Air date: Sept. 26
Where to watch: NBC
Dick Wolf treads familiar territory with a new police show in his 鈥淐hicago鈥 franchise. Depicting beat cops in Chicago, the cast of characters fight against criminals involved in drug trafficking and other forms of organized crime.
Grey's Anatomy
Air date: Sept. 27
Where to watch: ABC
One of the earliest television projects by now-famous producer Shonda Rhimes, "Grey's Anatomy" is a diverse medical drama and one of the longest-running primetime shows currently on the air. Reaching its 15th season, the show is close to passing by "ER" as the longest-running medical drama.
How to Get Away With Murder
Air date: Sept. 27
Where to watch: ABC
From the mind of Shonda Rhimes, 鈥淗ow to Get Away With Murder,鈥 stars Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning actress Viola Davis as criminal defense lawyer Annalise Keating. As the show鈥檚 title implies, Keating and a group of five law students, become embroiled in a murder plot. After a crossover with the recently ended show 鈥淪candal鈥 and a plotline that leaves the Keating four鈥攐ne having been murdered at the end of season three鈥攔elatively happy and at peace, the show will come back for a fifth season to presumably shake things up.
Mom
Air date: Sept. 27
Where to watch: CBS
Co-created by Chuck Lorre (鈥淭wo and a Half Men鈥 and 鈥淭he Big Bang Theory鈥), 鈥淢om鈥 stars Anna Faris and Allison Janney as a previously estranged mother-daughter pair. Filmed in front of a live studio audience, 鈥淢om鈥 sincerely tackles important domestic family issues, particularly addiction. At the end of the fifth season, Christy (Faris) graduates from college and is accepted to law school, but contends with a gambling addiction when she loses a pair of diamond earrings gifted to her by Bonnie (Janney).
S.W.A.T.
Air date: Sept. 27
Where to watch: CBS
A relatively new crime drama, 鈥淪.W.A.T.鈥 stars Shemar Moore as Hondo, a well-respected Los Angeles-based former Marine who leads a new S.W.A.T. unit. The final episode of the first season has the team respond to a series of bomb threats in the city鈥攎eanwhile, drama ensures within the team, with team member Street (Alex Russell) getting kicked out of the group for lying to Hondo. Returning for a second season, this show is based off a 1975 show of the same name.
The Good Place
Air date: Sept. 27
Where to watch: NBC
The ending of season two of 鈥淭he Good Place鈥 shook up the premise of the show鈥攊n an effort to prove that Eleanor (Kristen Bell), Chidi (William Jackson Harper), Tahani (Jameela Jamil), and Jason (Manny Jacinto) are all worthy to enter The Good Place afterlife, Michael (Ted Danson) strikes up a deal with the powers-that-be. These four characters are sent back to Earth before their untimely deaths to resume their lives, with Michael observing them in order to prove his belief that these once-bad people will inherently become good.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Air date: Sept. 27
Where to watch: NBC
"Law & Order: SVU" will tie with its parent show in terms of running time as the longest-running scripted drama, coming back for its 20th season. "SVU," as always, depicts stories based on real-life cases of crimes, with episodes based on the Charlottesville riots and the Harvey Weinstein scandal. The most recent season ended in tragedy, with the character Peter Stone (Philip Winchester, migrating from the canceled show "Chicago Justice") losing his sister after she was kidnapped and killed.
Blue Bloods
Air date: Sept. 28
Where to watch: CBS
With Tom Selleck and Donnie Wahlberg in the lead roles, 鈥淏lue Bloods鈥 is about a family of police officers. The eighth season ends with the investigation of the 鈥淧rospect Park Six,鈥 similar to the real-life 鈥淐entral Park Five.鈥 Meanwhile, youngest son Jamie (Will Estes) gets engaged to his partner Eddie (Vanessa Ray). The show will be back for a ninth season.
Hawaii Five-O
Air date: Sept. 28
Where to watch: CBS
A reboot of the famous 1968 police procedural, 鈥淗awaii Five-O鈥 is beginning to approach the season count of the original. Entering its ninth season, the eighth season finale had a Russian submarine off the coast initiate some drama. In the meantime, Steve (Alex O'Loughlin) and Danny (Scott Caan) focus on their restaurant, and Tani (Meaghan Rath) finds a gun that matches one that killed the character of Noriko earlier in the season.
Last Man Standing
Air date: Sept. 28
Where to watch: Fox
After its cancellation from ABC, Fox picked up this Tim Allen sitcom, which focuses on a traditional and conservative father. After more than a year off the air, 鈥淟ast Man Standing鈥 will be revived for a seventh season. Before the series was canceled, Eve (Kaitlyn Dever), daughter of Mike Baxter (Allen) was set to attend the Air Force Academy.
MacGyver
Air date: Sept. 28
Where to watch: CBS
The reboot of the original 鈥淢acGyver鈥 is still going strong, about to enter its third season. A U.S. agent, MacGyver, played here by Lucas Till, is a skilled technician who uses his creativity and the environment around him to solve problems. The most recent season ended with Mac making a big decision and quitting the agency that he worked for.
Bob's Burgers
Air date: Sept. 30
Where to watch: Fox
One of several animated sitcoms on Fox, "Bob's Burgers" is returning for its ninth season. Focusing on the colorful and quirky Belcher family and their local burger restaurant, the show often finds the family members thrown into absurd situations and trying to figure their way out. The last episode of the eighth season was just another misadventure for them; the family is asked to cater a wedding between two people who fell in love at the restaurant, but naturally, nothing goes right.
Family Guy
Air date: Sept. 30
Where to watch: Fox
Enetering its 17th season, Seth MacFarlane鈥檚 鈥淔amily Guy鈥 is still playing catch-up with another perennial Fox animated show鈥斺淭he Simpsons.鈥 Centering on the Griffin family, the last episode of 鈥淔amily Guy鈥檚鈥 recent season had patriarch Peter Griffin (MacFarlane) fall into a coma. Apparently meeting God himself, Peter proves himself to be good for his family and returns home.
NCIS: Los Angeles
Air date: Sept. 30
Where to watch: CBS
The first spinoff of 鈥淣CIS鈥 boasts a large cast including stars like Chris O鈥橠onnell and LL Cool J, but recently lost cast member Miguel Ferrer to cancer. Season nine acknowledged Ferrer鈥檚 character as having died off-screen, with new character Shay Mosley (Nia Long) joining in his place. The last episode of season nine had the team go on a daring mission to save Mosley鈥檚 son.
The Simpsons
Air date: Sept. 30
Where to watch: Fox
鈥淭he Simpsons鈥 is showing no signs of slowing down, entering its landmark 30th season. The 29th season ended with the ghost of Maude Flanders returning, seeking revenge on Homer Simpson. Homer nearly ends up in heaven, but Bart saves his father at the last minute.
Criminal Minds
Air date: Oct. 3
Where to watch: CBS
鈥淐riminal Minds鈥 has a different approach to the crime procedural, with a Behavioral Analysis Unit focusing more on the criminal profile more than the crime itself. The 13th season ends with Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler) and Garcia (Kirsten Vangsness) in a life-threatening predicament, with a cliffhanger to tease fans. The 14th season will include the show鈥檚 300th episode.
SEAL Team
Air date: Oct. 3
Where to watch: CBS
Military drama "SEAL Team" portrays a group of Navy SEALs embarking on dangerous missions, showing the effects that their work has on their lives. Returning for a second season, Jason (David Boreanaz) will have to cope with his physical trauma, which resulted in various hallucinations at the end of the first season.
Station 19
Air date: Oct. 3
Where to watch: ABC
A spinoff of 鈥淕rey鈥檚 Anatomy,鈥 鈥淪tation 19鈥 follows the firefighters of Seattle Fire Station 19. The show wrapped up its first season with a major event, the cast of characters responding to a skyscraper fire. The episode ends on a cliffhanger, with the fates of all of the characters left uncertain after a blast shakes up the building.
Superstore
Air date: Oct. 4
Where to watch: NBC
A sitcom about the employees of fictional superstore Cloud 9, 鈥淪uperstore鈥 will premiere its fourth season. The third season ended with a live-streamed company-wide town hall, but employees Amy (America Ferrera) and Jonah (Ben Feldman) have a bit of a conflict. They reconcile and consummate their relationship, but inadvertently do so in front of a hidden camera broadcasting the video in the store.
Will & Grace
Air date: Oct. 4
Where to watch: NBC
The revived 鈥淲ill & Grace鈥 was renewed for a second season (out of a proposed three), but is in its 10th season overall. The first revived season ends with much awkwardness, with Will鈥檚 mom and Grace鈥檚 dad having an unexpected connection with each other. Will and Grace go through their own respective romantic troubles in the meantime, and they reconcile at the end鈥攂ut their parents unexpectedly get engaged.
Big Mouth
Air date: Oct. 5
Where to watch: Netflix
鈥淏ig Mouth鈥 is the creation of actor Nick Kroll, who voices a variety of characters including Nick Birch, a young boy struggling with adolescence. Joined by Andrew Glouberman (John Mulaney), the characters of 鈥淏ig Mouth鈥 learn about sex and arousal as they experience puberty. Season one ends with a sorrowful Andrew addicted to internet pornography.
Fresh Off the Boat
Air date: Oct. 5
Where to watch: ABC
A sitcom focused on an Asian-American family, "Fresh Off the Boat" takes place in the 1990s in a Florida suburb with a low Asian population. The season four finale ends with the show's protagonist Eddie (Hudson Yang) and his former crush Nicole (Luna Blaise) fighting gender conformity by defying their school dance's dress code; the two dress up in tuxedos inspired by the film "Dumb and Dumber."
Speechless
Air date: Oct. 5
Where to watch: ABC
鈥淪peechless鈥 follows a family with a disabled child鈥攐ne who communicates through a variety of means other than the spoken word. Starring Minnie Driver, the show鈥檚 family lives in a rundown house, but overall maintains a positive attitude. In the second season, J.J., the teenage child with cerebral palsy, wins a film festival for a horror project he worked on.
Madam Secretary
Air date: Oct. 7
Where to watch: CBS
T茅a Leoni portrays fictional United States Secretary of State Elizabeth McCord, navigating through her workplace and international diplomatic situations. Season four ends with a major international crisis, with the United States believing Russia to have launched nuclear warheads at the country. The crisis is averted, and McCord decides to run for President of the United States.
The Flash
Air date: Oct. 9
Where to watch: CW
Starring Barry Allen (Grant Gustin), this superhero show鈥檚 fifth season is quickly approaching. Team Flash defeats Clifford DeVoe, a.k.a. the Thinker, at the end of the fourth season. Shockingly, the future daughter of Barry and Iris (Candice Patton) arrives in the present day.
Black Lightning
Air date: Oct. 9
Where to watch: CW
This superhero show focuses on a middle-aged man named Jefferson Pierce (Cress Williams), who redons his former identity of Black Lightning. The show is heavily focused on local politics and crime, and has yet to show any connection to the other CW shows set in the DC universe. The show鈥檚 first season ended with a near-death Black Lightning losing his powers, only to regain them and defeat a corrupt government operation鈥攂ut Black Lightning鈥檚 rival Tobias (Marvin "Krondon" Jones III) believes he has found a way to defeat the eponymous hero.
Riverdale
Air date: Oct. 10
Where to watch: CW
Teen drama "Riverdale" has a reputation for its off-the-rails twists, and it ended its second season with one shocking plot development after another. The identities of the Black Hood killers are revealed, Jughead (Cole Sprouse) becomes king of the Serpents, Hermione (Marisol Nichols) wins a mayoral election, and Archie (KJ Apa) is elected student body president. All goes wrong for Archie, however, when he is falsely arrested for a series of murders that his girlfriend's father, Hiram (Mark Consuelos), is responsible for.
Blindspot
Air date: Oct. 12
Where to watch: NBC
Mystery crime drama Blindspot is returning for its fourth season, featuring Jaimie Alexander as a woman with amnesia who finds herself covered in tattoos. Known as 鈥淛ane Doe,鈥 but born as Alice Kruger, by the end of season three Jane is married to Agent Kurt Weller (Sullivan Stapleton) and has reverted to a previous identity known as 鈥淩emi Briggs.鈥 Remi has devious intentions, planning to destroy the FBI from within.
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Air date: Oct. 12
Where to watch: CW
The Rachel Bloom musical comedy is returning for a fourth and final season. Rebecca, played by Bloom, is diagnosed with borderline personality disorder in the third season. At the end, Rebecca鈥檚 former classmate and former fake boyfriend Trent goes too far for Rebecca, who pushes him off a roof, putting him in a full body cast鈥擱ebecca then pleads guilty to attempted murder.
Dynasty
Air date: Oct. 12
Where to watch: CW
This reboot of the 1980s soap opera, 鈥淒ynasty鈥 is centered on the billionaire Carrington family and their machinations for and against each other. Updated from the original show, the cast of characters is far more diverse than that of its namesake. After its first season ended with a fire, the second season will follow up on the aftermath and reveal who amongst the family survived.
Supergirl
Air date: Oct. 14
Where to watch: CW
Tangentially related to the CW Arrowverse, Supergirl focuses on Kara Danvers (Melissa Benoist) and her adventures as both a superpowered heroine and a reporter. The third season ended with Kara traveling back in time to change the outcome of an essential fight, an action that is sure to have consequences. One such result was teased at the end of the finale, with a duplicate Kara appearing.
Arrow
Air date: Oct. 15
Where to watch: CW
This superhero show has fluctuated in popularity, but will undergo some radical changes for its seventh season. Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) outs himself as the Green Arrow Vigilante in order to save his team from further prosecution. The story of this new season will begin with Queen in prison.
Black-ish
Air date: Oct. 16
Where to watch: ABC
The popular politically and socially charged sitcom is coming back for a fifth season, not long after getting a spinoff called 鈥淕rown-ish.鈥 The fourth season ended with parents Dre (Anthony Anderson) and Bow (Tracee Ellis Ross) having been separated, but the two reconcile and resume their marriage. During the fourth season, ABC canceled the airing of an episode that criticized President Donald Trump.
Splitting Up Together
Air date: Oct. 16
Where to watch: ABC
The set-up of 鈥淪plitting Up Together鈥 finds a family in a peculiar and specific arrangement after the parents' divorce. The mother (Jenna Fischer) and father (Oliver Hudson) alternate between being the primary parent and living life as a single adult. The first season ends with the parents, Lena and Martin, potentially reconciling their love.
Supernatural
Air date: Oct. 18
Where to watch: CW
The longest-running fantasy series 鈥淪upernatural鈥 will return to the CW for a 20-episode 14th season. The 13th season ends with long-time character Lucifer defeated by Dean (Jensen Ackles) with the help of archangel Michael (also played by Ackles)鈥擬ichael then double crosses and takes control of Dean. Presumably, co-protagonist Sam (Jared Padalecki) will deal with this development.
DC's Legends of Tomorrow
Air date: Oct. 22
Where to watch: CW
A motley crew of characters from all over the Arrowverse unites in a series of crazy time-travel adventures. Rip Hunter (Arthur Darvill), the time-traveler who brought these characters from 鈥淭he Flash鈥 and 鈥淎rrow鈥 together, sacrifices his life for the team, who triumph over main villain Mallus. At the end of season three, their vacation is interrupted by John Constantine (Matt Ryan), who will join the cast for the fourth season.
Midnight, Texas
Air date: Oct. 26
Where to watch: NBC
A supernatural story, "Midnight, Texas" is based off a series of books from the same author of the book series that became "True Blood." The show focuses on a group of mythical characters, including a witch, a demon, and a vampire, amongst others. By the end of the first season, psychic Manny (Fran莽ois Arnaud) is saved from demonic possession, but is plagued by spirits soon afterward.
Ray Donovan
Air date: Oct. 28
Where to watch: Showtime
鈥淩ay Donovan鈥 stars Liev Schreiber as the titular character, a fixer involved with a law firm that represents rich and powerful clients. The show is returning for a sixth season and will move its location to New York. At this point in the story, Ray has transitioned more into a hitman than a fixer, and his wife Abby (Paula Malcomson) has committed suicide rather than continuing cancer treatment.
House of Cards
Air date: Nov. 2
Where to watch: Netflix
The sixth and final season of Netflix鈥檚 flagship show 鈥淗ouse of Cards鈥 is finally arriving after some real-life controversy delayed production. Former star and producer Kevin Spacey played President Frank Underwood, who resigned his position, leaving his wife and Vice President Claire Underwood (Robin Wright) as his successor. After Spacey was fired from the show following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, Wright finds herself as the lead of the show鈥攚ith Frank Underwood apparently killed off in-between seasons.
Oultander
Air date: Nov. 4
Where to watch: Starz
Adapted from the book series of the same name, 鈥淥utlander鈥 combines elements of science fiction, fantasy, history, and romance into one television show. The show tells the story of a World War II nurse Claire (Caitriona Balfe) who is transported back in time to 1743, encountering Highland warrior Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan). At the end of the third season, Claire and Jamie make a grand escape on a ship, eventually surviving a shipwreck. The show is not only due to air its fourth season, but eventual fifth and sixth seasons are planned as well.