In this day and age, TV shows premiere all year around, but there’s still something really magical about the fall season. It’s that time of the year when all the new series we’ve heard about since May finally debut and when many of our favorites finally return after the long summer break.
Even though cable and streaming services have changed the game tremendously, September officially kicks off the TV season. So pull up a seat, while I introduce you to what I think are this year’s hottest new shows on network TV. But you don’t have to take just my word for it.
Red Band Society (FOX)
Who: From Margaret Nagle (Boardwalk Empire); Starring Octavia Spencer (The Help), Dave Annable (Brothers & Sisters), Griffin Gluck, Nolan Sotillo, Charlie Rowe, Rebecca Rittenhouse, Brian Bradley, Ciara Bravo and Zoe Levin.
What: The series is a provocative, unconventional and, at times, comic high school drama told through the eyes of a group of teenagers who meet as patients in the pediatric ward of Ocean Park Hospital in Los Angeles. The series is part comedy, part drama, with a tone that’s unique unto itself.
When, Where: Wed, Sept. 17 at 9PM on FOX.
Why:
@KSiteTV Aug 4 Finally watched the @RedBandSociety pilot last night. Well done & very optimistic series despite the setting. Made me smile.
@cadlymack May 31 Okay, I’ve watched all the fall pilots I have any interest in watching. Red Band Society is my new great love.
@LacyMB Aug 27 Watched the @RedBandSociety pilot and just loved it. Looking forward to the full season (and getting my tissues ready now). #redbandsociety
Gotham (FOX)
Who: From Bruno Heller (The Mentalist); Starring Ben McKenzie (Southland, The O.C.), Donal Logue (Sons of Anarchy, Terriers), Erin Richards, David Mazouz (Touch), Jada Pinkett Smith (The Matrix), newcomer Camren Bicondova, Robin Lord Taylor (The Walking Dead), Zabryna Guevara (Burn Notice), Sean Pertwee (Camelot, Elementary).
What: Before there was Batman, there was GOTHAM. Everyone knows the name Commissioner Gordon. He is one of the crime world’s greatest foes, a man whose reputation is synonymous with law and order. But what is known of Gordon’s story and his rise from rookie detective to Police Commissioner? What did it take to navigate the multiple layers of corruption that secretly ruled Gotham City, the spawning ground of the world’s most iconic villains?
When, Where: Mon, Sept. 22 at 8PM on FOX
Why:
@TVGMDamian Aug 21 Rewatching the @Gotham pilot…Holy prequel, Batman! Ben McKenzie & Jada Pinkett are so damn good.
@tbrick2 Aug 21 Rewatched the #Gotham pilot and am officially all about the villains. Sorry Batman, baddies are just more fun.
@LauInLA Jul 20 As a big lame Batman nerd, there are things that irritate me about the #Gotham pilot, but I’m still very excited to see more.
How to Get Away with Murder (ABC)
Who: From Shonda Rhimes (Scandal, Grey’s Anatomy); Starring Viola Davis (The Help), Billy Brown (Dexter), Alfred Enoch (Harry Potter), Katie Findlay (The Killing), Matt McGorry (Orange Is the New Black), Charlie Weber (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Liza Weil (Gilmore Girls), Jack Falahee, Aja Naomi King and Karla Souza.
What: The brilliant, charismatic and seductive Professor Annalise Keating gets entangled with four law students from her class. Little do they know that they will have to apply what they learned to real life, in this masterful, sexy, suspense-driven legal thriller from Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers, executive producers of “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Scandal.”
When, Where: Thu, Sept. 25 at 10PM on ABC.
Why:
@JarettSays May 13 I can not undersell how much I LOVED “How To Get Away With Murder.” Easily my most anticipated new fall show
@NatalieAbrams May 19 Viola Davis is fierce in How to Get Away With Murder. Great casting all around. Will definitely be watching this fall #PilotWatch
@clarissa373 May 14 Get ready for me to say all the good things about “How to Get Away With Murder” because I have a new love.
Selfie (ABC)
Who: From Emily Kapnek (Suburgatory); Starring Karen Gillan (Doctor Who, Guardians of the Galaxy), John Cho (Harold & Kumar, Star Trek, Sleepy Hollow), Allyn Rache, David Harewood, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Natasha Henstridge and Tim Peper.
What: “Instafamous” Eliza Dooley has 263,000 followers who hang on to her every post, tweet and selfie. But one lonely day, she has a revelation: being friended is not the same as having actual friends. She asks marketing guru Henry to ‘rebrand’ her self-obsessed reputation and teach her how to connect with people in the real world. Loosely based on “My Fair Lady,” “Selfie” explores the modern struggles of Eliza and Henry, as he tries to teach her how to live life offline – whether she ‘likes’ it or not.
When, Where: Tue, Sep. 30 at 8PM on ABC. But you can watch it now.
Why:
@jopinionated Aug 19
Watching #Selfie pilot. Talk about a 360 from Nebula! Didn’t recognize Karen Gillan! Cute show for social media generation/addicts. Like me.
@danielletbd Jul 15
Karen Gillan’s line delivery is spot on. We DO all know an Eliza in this social media culture. I know many. #Selfie
@emmaloggins Sep 7
Just watched the pilot for #Selfie – and I kinda adore it. :)
Stalker (CBS)
Who: From Kevin Williamson (The Following, Scream); Starring Maggie Q (Nikita), Dylan McDermott (American Horror Story), Victor Rasuk, Mariana Klaveno and Elisabeth Rohm (Angel).
What: A psychological thriller about detectives who investigate stalking incidents – including voyeurism, cyber harassment and romantic fixation – for the Threat Assessment Unit of the LAPD. Det. Jack Larsen (McDermott) is a recent transfer to the Unit from New York City’s homicide division, whose confidence, strong personality and questionable behavior has landed him in trouble before. His boss, Lt. Beth Davis (Maggie Q), is strong, focused and an expert in the field, driven by her traumatic personal experience as a victim.
When, Where: Wed, Oct. 1 at 10PM on CBS.
Why:
@tbrick2 May 23 #Stalker: so good. And Maggie Q is amazing, as always. (Just watch with the lights on. And doors locked. etc.)
@cadlymack May 30 Just watched @kevwilliamson‘s new show STALKER and now I will never sleep again.
@MaggieFurlong Jul 16 I need more episodes of Stalker please CBS. Creepy. As. Hell.
@RobynRossTVG Jul 3 Whoever told me I can watch #stalker at home was lying. Now I’m scared
The Flash (The CW)
Who: From Andrew Kreisberg (Arrow); Starring Grant Gustin (Glee, Arrow), Candice Patton (The Game), Rick Cosnett (The Vampire Diaries) , Danielle Panabaker (Necessary Roughness, Justified), Carlos Valdes (Once on Broadway), Tom Cavanagh (Ed, Eli Stone) and Jesse L. Martin (Law & Order).
What: After nine months in a coma, Barry awakens to find his life has changed – an accident has given him the power of super speed, granting him the ability to move through Central City like an unseen guardian angel. For now, only a few close friends and associates know that Barry is literally the fastest man alive, but it won’t be long before the world learns what Barry Allen has become… The Flash.
When, Where: Tue, Oct. 7 at 8PM on The CW.
Why:
@colliderfrosty May 24
Watched THE FLASH pilot. Really well done. Loaded with action & even though it was a rough cut the effects were great. Can’t wait 2 see more
@BastardMachine Jul 18
So, yeah, I loved #TheFlash pilot as well. Totally on brand, fun, plus has Tom Cavanagh. #Ed Apparently #IHeartCW
Jane the Virgin (The CW)
Who: From Jennie Snyder Urman (Emily Owens M.D.); Starring Gina Rodriguez (Filly Brown, The Bold and the Beautiful), Justin Baldoni (Single Ladies, The Bold and the Beautiful) , Brett Dier (Ravenswood), Andrea Navedo (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Golden Boy), Yael Grobglas (Reign), Ivonne Coll (Switched at Birth, The Bold and the Beautiful) and Jaime Camil (Devious Maids, Que pobres tan ricos).
What: When Jane Villanueva was a young girl, her grandmother, Alba, convinced her of two things: telenovelas are the highest form of entertainment, and women must protect their virginity at all costs. Now age 23, all of Jane’s meticulous life plans are turned upside down when she sees her doctor for a routine check-up and is accidentally artificially inseminated with a specimen meant for the patient in the next room.
When, Where: Mon, Oct. 13 at 9PM on The CW.
Why:
@BastardMachine Jul 18
Next up is #JaneTheVirgin and, wow, I loved that pilot. Seriously. Really impressed.
@LauInLA Jul 18
#JaneTheVirgin is completely adorable — great sense of identity and fun in the pilot, despite the wacky premise.
@MattMitovich Jun 2
Dios mio… JANE THE VIRGIN is a sudsy hoot…. Twistier than GOSSIP GIRL?