If there’s a downside to the current Peak TV era, it’s that there’s just so much of it to sort through. With so many quality shows premiering, it’s easy to lose track of what’s really worth watching. To help you simplify your viewing schedule, we’ve assembled an ever-evolving list of the must-know-about premieres that are popping up on broadcast, cable, and streaming in the near future.
Last Update: August 21st
The Tick — Amazon, August 25th
After a successful pilot released last year, the third TV outing for The Tick promises to be slightly more dramatic and less satirical, focusing on the relationship between the title character (Peter Serafinowicz) and his sidekick, Arthur Everest (Griffin Newman).
Disjointed — Netflix, August 25th
Chuck Lorre (The Big Bang Theory) is aboard to produce this sitcom starring Kathy Bates as the owner of a Los Angeles cannabis dispensary.
American Horror Story: Cult — FX, September 5th
Ryan Murphy’s horror anthology continues for a seventh season with a nod toward American politics. Lena Dunham and Billy Lourde join the cast, along with the regular ensemble players.
You’re The Worst Season 4 — FXX, September 6th
A look at modern love and commitment through the eyes of two characters who aren’t really capable of either, the comedy’s fourth season will pick up where the third season finale left off, when Jimmy (Chris Geere) proposed to Gretchen (Aya Cash), then promptly deserted her.
Bojack Horseman Season 4 — Netflix, September 8th
The acclaimed Netflix animated tragicomedy, which is centered on the washed-up celebrity Bojack Horseman (Will Arnett), returns for a fourth season.
Orville — FOX, September 10th
Seth McFarlane (Family Guy, American Dad) pays comedic homage to Star Trek as creator and star of Orville, about a mid-level exploration vessel set 300 years in the future.
The Deuce — HBO, September 10th
From the mind of David Simon, who helmed both The Wire and Treme, The Deuce takes a hard-hitting look at life in the porn industry in the late ’70s and early ’80s. It stars James Franco as real-life twins Vincent Martino and Frankie Martino, major players in the Times Square scene who end up working as a front for the mob.
Fear The Walking Dead Season 3, Part 2 — AMC, September 10th
The spinoff series of AMC’s mega-hit The Walking Dead, Fear The Walking Dead returns in September after a jaw-dropping midseason finale.
Better Things Season 2 — FX, September 14th
In the vein of FX’s beloved Louie, (and executive produced by Louis CK himself), Better Things returns for a second season as it continues to follow the life of Sam Fox (Pamela Adlon, who will direct all 10 episodes), a struggling actress who tries to balance out her professional life while raising her three daughters.
Vice Principals Season 2 — HBO, September 17th
HBO’s darkest comedy continues its look at two feuding high school vice principals, Neal Gamby (Danny McBride) and Lee Russell (Walter Goggins) who formed an uneasy alliance to usurp the new principal, Dr. Brown (Kimberly Herbert Gregory).
The Good Place Season 2 — NBC, September 20th
The whimsical comedy starring Kristen Bell as a woman wrongly sent to a utopian afterlife after her death is back for a second season will return to resolve the cliffhanger that ended season one.
Fuller House Season 2 — Netflix, September 22nd
https://youtu.be/Tqs21OVrc2I
The Netflix revival of the popular sitcom was popular enough to be renewed for two more seasons by the streaming service, with season two set to premiere exactly 30 years after Full House debuted on ABC back in 1987.
South Park Season 21 — Comedy Central, September 23rd
After indirectly parodying Donald Trump and the 2016 election in season 20, South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker are pivoting their focus back to the antics of the kids when they return for their new season this fall.
Broad City Season 4 — Comedy Central, September 23rd
https://youtu.be/aO6Gz6_8yZA
After their third season ended with our favorite kweens getting into their first real fight, Broad City stars Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer promise they’ll be coming in “hard and raw” for the show’s upcoming fourth season.
Star Trek: Discovery — CBS, September 24th
Set roughly 10 years before the original Star Trek series, Discovery’s first season looks to relaunch the franchise after the JJ Abrams produced films did the same on the big screen.
The Brave — NBC, September 25th
Anne Heche stars in a military procedural that focuses on a group of highly-trained undercover Special Ops forces, as well as the Defense Intelligence Agency in charge.
The Voice Season 13 — NBC, September 25th
The reality singing competition is back for its 13th season, adding Jennifer Hudson alongside veteran judges Miley Cyrus, Blake Shelton, and Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine.
The Good Doctor — ABC, September 25th
From David Shore, the creator of House, comes another medical show focusing on a brilliant but socially awkward doctor. This time, he’s a surgeon who suffers from autism. Actor Daniel Dae Kim co-produces the show, adapted from a South Korean soap opera.
Me, Myself, and I — CBS, September 25th
A comedy that takes a look at a man through three distinct periods of his life. John Larroquette plays him at age 65, set 25 years in the future, SNL alum Bobby Moynihan plays him as a present-day 40-year-old, and Jack Dylan Grazer plays him at age 14, set in 1991.
The Opposition With Jordan Klepper — Comedy Central, September 25th
The Daily Show correspondent goes solo in his show where he’ll focus on dragging far-right media outlets such as InfoWars, which he seemed to channel in the show’s most recent trailer.
Young Sheldon — CBS, September 25th
This spin-off of the tremendously successful Big Bang Theory focuses on a young Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons) and his trials and tribulations as a nine-year-old attending high school in east Texas. Parsons will narrate the series, which is being helmed by Big Bang Theory creator Chuck Lorre.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 5 — FOX, September 26th
Season five will pick up where the action left off during the show’s lauded fourth-season when a jury found Detectives Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg) and Rosa Diaz (Stephanie Beatriz) guilty for a bank robbery.
This Is Us Season 2 — NBC, September 26th
The breakout hit returns for season two, moving from its Tuesday night timeslot to Thursday as part of the return to the ‘Must-See TV‘ lineup.
Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Brothers — NBC, September 26th
An eight-episode miniseries that focuses on the real-life case of Erik and Lyle Menendez and the alleged murder of their parents. The Sopranos’ Edie Falco stars as defense attorney Leslie Abramson.
SEAL Team — CBS, September 27th
Homeland producer Benjamin Cavell serves as showrunner for a series about a highly-trained Navy SEAL team, following them on the training, planning, and execution of their clandestine missions.
Empire Season 4 — Fox, September 27th
The hit drama, set against the backdrop of the music industry, will be a crossover episode with creator Lee Daniels’ other series, Star, and will feature characters from both shows.
Gotham Season 4 — FOX, September 28th
The prequel series’ fourth season promises to focus on the young Bruce Wayne’s (David Mazouz) journey toward becoming Batman.
Great News Season 2 — NBC, September 28th
After premiering its first season last April, Tina Fey’s evening news satire is set for a second season, which will also feature Fey in a recurring role. Reid Scott, best known as Dan on HBO’s Veep will also co-star.
Superstore Season 3 — NBC, September 28th
The former midseason replacement with creative roots from The Office has slowly become a stable performer for NBC with a solid reputation among critics. Will season 3 time jump past the events of the season finale that threaten to (at least temporarily) scatter the Cloud 9 family?
Will & Grace Revival — NBC, September 28th
https://youtu.be/TY10pANm4eM
Must See TV nostalgia wouldn’t be complete without an actual staple from that lost era of primetime network dominance. Enter the new adventures of Will & Grace, reborn following a brief reunion during the election and ready to retcon the show’s original ending and thrill fans who have been missing the award winning and barrier-breaking sitcom.
The Blacklist Season 5 — NBC, September 27th
While its spinoff, The Blacklist: Redemption only lasted one season, the crime drama will return for a fifth season, allowing “Red” Reddington (James Spader) to continue his streak of ratting out the world’s most dangerous criminals.
Marvel’s Inhumans — ABC, September 29th
https://youtu.be/KaaLbjZ3mj8
In Marvel’s Inhumans, the super-powered Black Bolt (Anson Mount) and the rest of the Inhumans royal family tries to handle the fallout of a military coup.
Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 9 — HBO, October 1st
The beloved comedy focusing on the trials and tribulations of comedian Larry David is back after a six-year hiatus, and he’s bringing co-stars Cheryl Hines, Jeff Garlin, Susie Essman, J.B. Smoove, and more back with him. When asked why he waited so long, he simply told TV Line “Why not?”
The Simpsons Season 29 — FOX, October 1st
TV’s longest running sitcom and animated series is about to break another record: the longest running scripted show. The record currently stands at 635 episodes, held by Gunsmoke. But that record will soon be broken when the show returns for its 29th year. “Take that Gunsmoke, you lost a race you didn’t even know you were running!” said Homer Simpson (Dan Castellaneta) in a statement released from FOX.
Bob’s Burgers Season 8 — FOX, October 1st
H. Jon Benjamin (who also voices Archer on FX) lends his voice talents to the titular patriarch/burger joint owner who’s constantly run ragged by his family. For their upcoming season premiere, the show will use fan art submitted through a website, which was appropriately nicknamed Bob’s Fart.
Ghosted — FOX, October 1st
Craig Robinson and Adam Scott play a skeptic and a true believer (respectively) who are recruited by a government agency to investigate paranormal activity in present-day Los Angeles.
Ten Days In The Valley — ABC, October 1st
This ten-episode miniseries stars Kyra Sedgwick as a TV producer in the middle of separating from her husband, whose life is then turned more upside down when her daughter suddenly goes missing. Erika Christensen and Malcolm-Jamal Warner also co-star.
Wisdom Of The Crowd — CBS, October 1st
Jeremy Piven stars as a Silicon Valley innovator who uses cutting edge technology to develop an app that allows him to crowd-source clues to help solve his daughter’s murder. Before long, he realizes it can be used to solve other crimes as well.
Marvel’s The Gifted — FOX, October 2nd
https://youtu.be/qTzW9rMcbzk
A suburban couple’s life is turned upside down when it’s revealed that their children possess mutant powers. The pilot episode will be directed by longtime X-Men big-screen auteur Bryan Singer.
Kevin (Probably) Saves The World — ABC, October 3rd
Jason Ritter stars as Kevin, a man caught in a downward spiral before he’s granted the ability to talk to god — then tasked to save the world with his new ability.
The Mayor — ABC, October 3rd
A musical comedy from Jeremy Bronson and Tony Award-winning Hamilton star Daveed Diggs focuses on a young rapper who runs for mayor of his hometown as a publicity stunt — and wins. Community’s Yvette Nicole Brown and Lea Michele also star.
Once Upon A Time Season Seven — ABC, October 6th
The fantasy series shakes up its cast, shifts its focus and brings in new characters for its seventh season. With only three members of the regular cast set to return, rumor has it this may be the show’s final season.
Supergirl Season 3 — CW, October 9th
The typically light and friendly superhero show hints that it may be taking a dark turn for its third season, with Supergirl possibly even turning her back on humanity.
Mr. Robot Season 3 — USA, October 11th
Sam Esmail’s high-stakes hacker drama returns for its third season, which has added Bobby Cannavale (Master of None) to the cast as a used car salesman.
Riverdale Season 2 — CW, October 11th
A breakout hit based on the long-running Archie comic series, Riverdale’s sophomore season looks to pick up where the season-one finale left off.
I Love You, America — Hulu, October 12th
Comedian Sarah Silverman will host a weekly talk show on the ever-expanding streaming service, where she’ll offer up her unique perspective on today’s topical issues.
Arrow Season 6 — CW, October 12
CW’s ‘Arrowverse’ will continue to expand, as the show’s sixth season promises a four-way crossover with Supergirl, The Flash, and Legends of Tomorrow.
Supernatural Season 13 — CW, October 12th
The CW’s long-running genre show will continue to take chances in its 13th season, which will include an animated episode where the Winchester brothers will team up with the gang from Scooby-Do.
Mindhunter — Netflix, October 13th
After the towering success of House of Cards, creator David Fincher is bringing an all-new series to the streaming service. This one, set in 1979, focuses on two FBI agents who get help solving their cases from interviews with imprisoned serial killers. It’s based on real-life agent John Douglas, who was the inspiration for Jack Crawford in several Hannibal Lecter books. Charlize Theron will produce the show.
White Famous — Showtime, October 15th
Based on the true-life story of Jamie Foxx, SNL alum Jay Pharoah stars as a black comedian on the verge of making it big. The cast will include Michael Rapaport, Natalie Zea, and Stephen Tobolowsky, as well as Foxx himself.
Loudermilk — Audience Network, October 17th
Produced by Peter Farrelly, Ron Livingston stars as Dave Loudermilk, a grumpy substance abuse counselor who struggles with his own sobriety, along with his day-to-day life.
The Walking Dead Season 8 — AMC, October 22nd
https://youtu.be/3l82kiUvnKM
It’s all out war as Rick (Andrew Lincoln) leads an alliance between Alexandria, The Hilltop, and The Kingdom against Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and his all-powerful group, The Saviors.
Stranger Things Season 2 — Netflix, October 27th
After a widely successful first season, Netflix’s Stranger Things returns, promising viewers that “1984 only gets stranger.”
