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- CreatorTerence WinterStarsSteve BuscemiKelly MacdonaldMichael ShannonAn Atlantic City politician plays both sides of the law by conspiring with gangsters during the Prohibition era.
- CreatorLouis C.K.StarsLouis C.K.Hadley DelanyUrsula ParkerThe life of Louie C.K., a divorced comedian living in New York with two kids.
- CreatorSteven LevitanChristopher LloydStarsEd O'NeillSofía VergaraJulie BowenThree different, but related, families face trials and tribulations in their own uniquely comedic ways.
- CreatorDan HarmonStarsJoel McHaleDanny PudiDonald GloverA suspended lawyer is forced to enroll in a community college with an eccentric staff and student body.
- CreatorDoug EllinStarsKevin ConnollyAdrian GrenierKevin DillonFilm star, Vince Chase, navigates the vapid terrain of Los Angeles with a close circle of friends and his trusty agent.
- CreatorJenji KohanStarsTaylor SchillingDanielle BrooksTaryn ManningConvicted of a decade-old crime of transporting drug money, ordinarily law-abiding Piper Chapman is sentenced to 18 months behind bars and quickly discovers the realities of life-changing prison time.
- CreatorTom KapinosStarsDavid DuchovnyNatascha McElhoneEvan HandlerA writer tries to juggle his career, his relationship with his daughter and his ex-girlfriend, as well as his appetite for beautiful women.
- CreatorBlake AndersonAdam DevineAnders HolmStarsBlake AndersonAdam DevineAnders HolmA single-camera comedy featuring three friends who work together as telemarketers from 9 to 5, and live together from 5 to 9.
- CreatorJenji KohanStarsMary-Louise ParkerHunter ParrishAlexander GouldWhen a suburban mother turns to dealing marijuana in order to maintain her privileged lifestyle after her husband dies, she finds out just how addicted her entire neighborhood already is.
- CreatorJohn AltschulerMike JudgeDave KrinskyStarsThomas MiddleditchT.J. MillerJosh BrenerFollows the struggle of Richard Hendricks, a Silicon Valley engineer trying to build his own company called Pied Piper.
- CreatorCarter BaysCraig ThomasStarsJosh RadnorJason SegelCobie SmuldersA father recounts to his children - through a series of flashbacks - the journey he and his four best friends took leading up to him meeting their mother.
- CreatorBen BestJody HillDanny McBrideStarsDanny McBrideSteve LittleKaty Mixon GreerMany years after he turned his back on his hometown, a burned-out major league ballplayer returns to teach Physical Education at his old middle school.
- CreatorNic PizzolattoIssa LópezStarsVince VaughnColin FarrellRachel McAdamsAnthology series in which police investigations unearth the personal and professional secrets of those involved, both within and outside the law.
- CreatorEmily KapnekStarsKaren GillanJohn ChoAllyn RachelAfter being the subject of an embarrassing viral video, a self-involved 20-something enlists the help of a marketing expert to revamp her image in the real world.
- StarsAmi JamesTommy MontoyaMegan MassacreAmi James, a breakout from Miami Ink, will open a new shop, Wooster Street Social Club, in SoHo.
- StarsDana WhiteMike RoweHerb DeanSixteen top mixed martial arts fighters compete for a UFC contract.
- CreatorLena DunhamStarsLena DunhamAllison WilliamsJemima KirkeA comedy about the experiences of a group of girls in their early 20s.
- CreatorFrank DarabontStarsAndrew LincolnNorman ReedusMelissa McBrideSheriff Deputy Rick Grimes wakes up from a coma to learn the world is in ruins and must lead a group of survivors to stay alive.
- CreatorGlen MorganStarsChloë SevignyJames D'ArcyJames MorrisonFollows Catherine Jensen, a recently promoted homicide detective who enlists the help of Thomas Schaeffer, a forensic psychologist, to track down serial killers and relentlessly seeks the truth behind the disappearance of her brother.Have we seen it?: Not yet, but we saw a brief sizzle reel.
Why We're Excited: Based on a Danish crime series of the same name, Chloë Sevigny seems perfectly cast as the driven, stoic Catherine Jensen and we like the idea of James D'Arcy as her onscreen partner. Are there many, many crime procedurals about serial murderers on the air? Of course. So the real hook, then, will be to see how Sevigny plays with the tension stemming from the driving subplot of the series: the case Jensen is trying to build against her father (played by Bruce Davison).
Series Premiere: 10pm Monday, March 3, on A&E. - CreatorRonald D. MooreStarsCaitríona BalfeSam HeughanSophie SkeltonClaire Beauchamp Randall, a nurse in World War II, mysteriously goes back in time to Scotland in 1743. There, she meets a dashing Highland warrior and gets drawn into an epic rebellion.Have we seen it?: A sizzle reel was recently shown to critics in Los Angeles.
Why We're Excited: Based on one of the most successful genre-romance fiction franchises of the last twenty years, this adventure series should balance out Starz's testosterone-heavy schedule quite nicely. If done correctly.
If nothing else, fans are no doubt excited to see this recently released production still, which reportedly captures one of the most iconic moments of the book... and makes a person wonder if "Outlander's" hero Jamie Fraser isn't a distant ancestor of Christian Grey.
Series Premiere: 2014 (date TBA) on Starz. - CreatorAaron GuzikowskiStarsMartin HendersonJason MomoaJulianne NicholsonA local policeman tries to cope with the problems within his family while the growing tension in community leads to bloodshed.Have we seen it?: Yes.
Why We're Excited: In the course of exploring a profound culture clash that exists within a small town, we're treated to deeply moving performances by Martin Henderson, playing the conflicted sheriff, and Julianne Nicholson as his wife. But Jason Momoa's enigmatic, sinister portrayal of Phillip Kopus challenges the viewer's perception of who is truly the antagonist. Within just the first couple of episodes, Momoa's Kopus seems unnerving, dangerous and tragic all at once. It's unclear whether he'll ultimately gain any empathy from viewers, but he certainly makes us curious to see where this story will go.
Series Premiere: 9pm Thursday, February 27, on SundanceTV. - CreatorCraig SilversteinStarsJamie BellHeather LindSamuel RoukinA Long Island farmer bands together a group of childhood friends to form an unlikely group of spies who turn the tide in America's fight for independence.Have we seen it?: Yes.
Why We're Excited: In an entertainment landscape that posits that Abraham Lincoln was a vampire hunter and George Washington crusaded against demons, it's refreshing to see an American historical drama rooted in actual history. "Turn" incorporates plenty of dramatic tension into the mix, and gives us several rugged, dashing characters that had us hooked in the first episode. The question is whether subsequent hours can live up to the promise, of course, but the premiere was fairly impressive.
Series Premiere: 9pm Sunday, April 6, on AMC. - CreatorBrannon BragaAdam SimonStarsJanet MontgomeryShane WestSeth GabelSupernatural horror loosely based on Salem's 17th century witch trials.Have we seen it?: A sizzle reel was recently shown to critics in Los Angeles.
Why We're Excited: Before WGN became a nationally-available cable channel, it was a Chicagoland station that featured a number of syndicated action series in its lineup. "Salem" appears to be a nod to that lineage while also taking advantage of the specific supernatural "witchy" trend in genre programming, mainly represented by FX's "American Horror Story: Coven". Another factor in "Salem" favor? One of its EPs is Brannon Braga, known for his work on many genre series including "Star Trek: The Next Generation".
Series Premiere: 10pm Sunday, April 20, on WGN America. - CreatorRobert RodriguezStarsD.J. CotronaZane HoltzJesse GarciaA Texas Ranger is in hot pursuit of the infamous Gecko brothers and their hostages. They all end up trapped in a desert bar secretly run by vampires and discover a vampire conspiracy.Have we seen it?: A sizzle reel was recently shown to critics in Los Angeles.
Why We're Excited: The first original scripted series for Robert Rodriguez's new cable network looks ridiculous, frankly. But considering that this is a channel dedicated to showcasing some of the best unsung grindhouse films and content targeting young adult audiences, it also seems like a perfect fit. Rodriguez intends to plumb Mesoamerican mythology to expand his take on the world of vampires. But we're also kind of curious to see Wilmer Valderrama play a crime lord. It all sounds like the making of a perfect so-bad-it's-good pleasure. Can't wait to take a bite.
Series Premiere: 9pm Tuesday, March 11, on El Rey. - StarsNeil deGrasse TysonChristopher EmersonKeythe FarleyAn exploration of our discovery of the laws of nature and coordinates in space and time.Have we seen it?: A shortened presentation was recently screened for critics in Los Angeles.
Why We're Excited: Science is not exactly top-of-mind with the American public these days, sadly, but watching this series' attempt to change that is thrilling. Tyson is a gregarious host, dazzling the viewer with the wonders of the universe as beautiful graphics illustrate his narration. Though some may cringe at the idea that Seth MacFarlane is producing this update of "Cosmos," his animated contributions to each episode contribute to the sense of childlike wonder in each subject Tyson tackles. While history tells us "Cosmos" probably won't survive for long in Fox's Sunday primetime line-up, we'll happily watch for as long as it lasts.
Series Premiere: 9pm Sunday, March 9, on Fox. - CreatorNoah HawleyStarsBilly Bob ThorntonMartin FreemanAllison TolmanVarious chronicles of deception, intrigue, and murder in and around frozen Minnesota. All of these tales mysteriously lead back one way or another to Fargo, North Dakota.Have we seen it?: Yes.
Why We're Excited: One can be forgiven for wondering how, exactly, a series version of Fargo was going to work. But then, a person might recall that the joy of that movie wasn't simply in solving the crime but in getting to know the characters and the specific flavors and rhythms of the place.
This is where the first hour of "Fargo" the television drama excels. Yes, there are terrible crimes committed, but the characters are brilliantly brought to life by some very famous actors, some of whom are barely recognizable in their roles. However, the two highest profile actors in the bunch, Billy Bob Thornton and Martin Freeman, far and away steal the show. Expect to see this series to get plenty of notice during the run-up to the Emmys and the Golden Globes.
Series Premiere: 10pm Tuesday, April 15, on FX. - CreatorJohn LoganStarsJosh HartnettTimothy DaltonEva GreenExplorer Sir Malcolm Murray, American gunslinger Ethan Chandler, scientist Victor Frankenstein and medium Vanessa Ives unite to combat supernatural threats in Victorian London.Have we seen it?: A sizzle reel was recently shown to critics in Los Angeles.
Why We're Excited: Series creator John Logan says he was fascinated by the idea of taking classic Universal horror monsters of the '40s -- the Wolfman, Frankenstein, Dracula -- and creating a mythology where they could exist on the same stage and taken seriously. In doing so, he also seeks to create a visually sensual, erotically-charged experience. Done correctly, this show could be anything but dreadful. We'll just have to find out.
Series Premiere: 10pm Sunday, May 11, on Showtime. - CreatorGary JanettiMark RavenhillStarsDerek JacobiIan McKellenFrances de la TourFreddie Thornhill (Sir Ian McKellen) and Stuart Bixby (Sir Derek Jacobi) are an old gay couple who have been together for nearly fifty years. Their lives now revolve around entertaining their frequent guests and hurling insults at each other at every opportunity.Have we seen it?: Yes. So have UK viewers.
Why We're Excited: While film stars crossing over to work on TV series is still somewhat novel to American audiences, it seems to be more fluid over in Europe. That said, it's fairly surprising to see classical actors Derek Jacobi and Sir Ian McKellen headlining a sitcom created by Gary Janetti, a writer best known for his work on "Will & Grace" and for writing several memorable Stewie-centric episodes of "Family Guy". Accordingly, "Vicious" is very broad, British farce that in the hands of lesser actors probably wouldn't work. But Jacobi and McKellen are clearly having the time of their lives here, helped along by some wonderfully quotable dialogue.
Series Premiere: 10:30pm Sunday, July 6 on PBS. - CreatorDamon LindelofTom PerrottaStarsJustin TherouxAmy BrennemanChristopher EcclestonThree years after the disappearance of 2% of the global human population, a group of people in a small New York community try to continue their lives while coping with the tragedy of the unexplained nature of the event.Have we seen it?: Yes.
Why We're Excited: Well, considering how dark and grueling the first hour was to watch, "excited" might not be the best word. But the first hour of "The Leftovers" is just weird, sad, nihilistic and mysterious enough to earn a little more rope from this writer. Beneath the despair in that opening episode, one can see something else is sparkling. Is it brilliance? Is it worthless flashiness? We'll only know after viewing a few more episodes.
Series Premiere: Summer (date TBA) on HBO - CreatorHoward GordonGideon RaffCraig WrightStarsAdam RaynerJennifer FinniganAshraf BarhomAn unassuming American family is drawn into the workings of a turbulent Middle Eastern nation.Have we seen it?: Yes.
Why We're Excited: We are long past the point at which FX earned its status as a basic cable channel with premium products, but between this, "Fargo" and "The Strain," 2014 is shaping up to be a particularly stellar one. However, out of its three newest dramas, this one may be the most difficult proposition for American viewers. While it's true that we enjoy political potboilers, it's unclear whether audiences will invest their time in a drama about the son of a Middle Eastern dictator who returns home, unwillingly, to reestablish family ties.
Series Premiere: Summer (date TBA) on FX. - CreatorGuillermo del ToroChuck HoganStarsCorey StollDavid BradleyKevin DurandA mysterious viral outbreak with hallmarks of an ancient and evil strain of vampirism ravages the city of New York.Have we seen it?: A sizzle reel was recently shown to critics in Los Angeles.
Why We're Excited: We didn't see much -- production has just barely gotten started. But the stylish, creepy tidbit that FX showed critics was enough to ask executive producer Carlton Cuse plenty of questions about it, leaving us very thirsty to see more.
Series Premiere: 2014 (date TBA) on FX. - CreatorMichael Patrick KingLisa KudrowStarsLisa KudrowLance BarberRobert Michael MorrisAn ex A-list celebrity attempts to rekindle the flame of her once prominent acting career with nothing but a camera crew and some determination.
- StarsAndre ParrTanisha ThomasNatalie NunnA group of rebellious women are put in a house together in an experiment intended to moderate their behavior.
- CreatorNeil CrossStarsIdris ElbaDermot CrowleyMichael SmileyJohn Luther is a brilliant homicide detective with a knack for getting inside the minds of murderers. Unfortunately, his unconventional methods and personal demons put him at odds with his team.
- CreatorMark GatissSteven MoffatStarsBenedict CumberbatchMartin FreemanUna StubbsThe quirky spin on Conan Doyle's iconic sleuth pitches him as a "high-functioning sociopath" in modern-day London. Assisting him in his investigations: Afghanistan War vet John Watson, who's introduced to Holmes by a mutual acquaintance.
- CreatorGreg BerlantiGeoff JohnsAndrew KreisbergStarsGrant GustinCandice PattonDanielle PanabakerAfter being struck by lightning, Barry Allen wakes up from his coma to discover he's been given the power of super speed, becoming the Flash, and fighting crime in Central City.
- CreatorGreg BerlantiMarc GuggenheimAndrew KreisbergStarsStephen AmellKatie CassidyDavid RamseySpoiled billionaire playboy Oliver Queen is missing and presumed dead when his yacht is lost at sea. He returns five years later a changed man, determined to clean up the city as a hooded vigilante armed with a bow.
- CreatorDaniel PowellAmy SchumerStarsAmy SchumerKevin KaneKyle DunniganAmy Schumer switches from sketches to doing stand-up to interviewing people on the street and people of interest, usually following a certain theme.
- CreatorBruno HellerStarsBen McKenzieJada Pinkett SmithDonal LogueThe story behind Detective James Gordon's rise to prominence in Gotham City in the years before Batman's arrival.Wait, wait... Fox expects us to buy into a chapter of the Batman universe that doesn't actually have Batman in it? Yes, in "Gotham" we meet 12-year-old Bruce Wayne in the moment that changes him forever. But he's years away from becoming The Dark Knight, and far less important to the survival of Gotham than James Gordon, Batman's eventual partner in law enforcement.
Based on the origin stories of a young James Gordon and a younger Harvey Bullock (played by Ben McKenzie and Donal Logue), "Gotham" is one of the most highly anticipated new shows on the fall schedule. These two actors display a strong onscreen chemistry and ably carry the pilot's center.
We'll admit that "Gotham" has the familiarity of a police drama; it's about the city's two most famous cops, after all, and it's executive produced by procedural vetaran Bruno Heller ("The Mentalist"). But its tale of urban decay, indicting the city's socioeconomic structure at every level, is its engine. If the producers and stars effectively weave this idea through future episodes, an audience longing to see Batman won't be much of an issue to contend with.
One expects that DC fans will be watching closely to see how "Gotham" handles the origin stories of its villains. Sticklers for maintaining the purity of the source material's canon won't be pleased with the liberties taken here. For those curious to see new interpretations of Poison Ivy, The Riddler, Catwoman and Penguin, "Gotham" may pleasantly surprise you. The most tantalizing villain in the pilot, for example, is Jada Pinkett Smith's Fish Mooney, a creation specific to the show.
Some may still miss The Dark Knight, but from my point of view, watching the darkness develop in this city through the eyes of these two men is enough of a tempting proposition.
Series premiere: 8pm Monday, September 22 on Fox. - CreatorPeter NowalkStarsViola DavisBilly BrownJack FalaheeA group of ambitious law students and their brilliant criminal defense professor become involved in a twisted murder plot that promises to change the course of their lives."How to Get Away with Murder" shares a key similarity with its lead-in "Scandal," in that the entire series is about maintaining appearances – the difference being that once Olivia Pope repairs to her condo with a bowl of popcorn and a huge glass of wine, her mask comes off. Whereas in "Murder", it's difficult to tell whether imposing defense attorney and criminal law professor Annalise Keating (Viola Davis) ever gives us an honest moment to work with. Even in a scene in which she shows a glimmer of vulnerability when she'd by herself, staring in a mirror and weeping, seems utterly staged.
That one of the show's central tensions, and if there's an actress who can sustain that in future episodes, it's Viola Davis.
As for the murder mystery arc referenced in the title -- yes, there's one of those to explore -- its reveal should serve as a twisty carrot-on-a-stick to keep viewers coming back for more.
Series premiere: 10pm Thursday, September 25 on ABC. - CreatorJennie Snyder UrmanStarsGina RodriguezAndrea NavedoYael GrobglasA young, devout Catholic woman discovers that she was accidentally artificially inseminated.Like other shows that challenge viewers to see past their titles, this clever dramedy takes what sounds like a ridiculous premise -- a virgin becomes pregnant via accidental insemination during her annual pelvic exam, oopsie! -- and transforms it into an utterly charming journey that is so much better and more intelligent that the name suggests.
Skillful writing and strong performances, particularly the one delivered by its star Gina Rodriguez, grant the story a level of warmth and soul most of this fall's crop of shows can't match. Rodriguez is surrounded by an extraordinary cast anchored by Andrea Navedo as her young mother Xiomara, and Ivonne Coll as her devout grandmother, who lend a bright energy to this telenovela masquerading as lighthearted dramedy.
Living without regret is a major theme of the pilot, so take a cue from that idea and check out the premiere. Even if you don't want to admit to your friends that you plan to watch "Jane", or that you did, just watch. You'll be glad you did.
Series premiere: 9pm Monday, October 13 on The CW - CreatorKenya BarrisStarsAnthony AndersonTracee Ellis RossMarcus ScribnerA family man struggles to gain a sense of cultural identity while raising his kids in a predominantly white, upper-middle-class neighborhood.The central idea of "Black-ish" is a familiar one: Anthony Anderson's "Dre" Johnson is an executive at an ad firm who grew up in a rough neighborhood and is proud to be able to provide his wife Rainbow (Tracee Ellis Ross) and their four kids with everything he didn’t have, like a big beautiful house in a safe neighborhood, and a top-shelf education at a fancy school.
This all reads as pretty average sitcom fodder to the typical viewer, and that's precisely the thing that's eating at Dre. In his view, while the Black experience is part of the dominant culture, it's also something over which African Americans should hold a sense of exclusivity and ownership. His children don't share that viewpoint, however, and he fears that their disregard of Black culture means he's failing them.
The intent here is not to create an "African American" comedy, and viewers don't have to be African American to get it.
Americans of every ethnicity are seeking connections to their ancestral cultures, enough to sustain an industry based on tracing one's genealogy.
There are broader relatable points in that idea, although the main thing audiences may connect is the widening relationship gap between the ideas held by older generations and that of their children and grandchildren.
Using comedy to foster discussions about race and culture has been done before, although the subject can make viewers uncomfortable. But the well-meaning if out-of-touch dad is a familiar, beloved sitcom archetype. The difference between the success and failure of this series will be in how well its writers and cast can blend these ideas and make viewers fall in love with Johnsons.
Series premiere: 9:30pm Wednesday, September 24 on ABC. - CreatorChris ChibnallStarsDavid TennantAnna GunnVirginia KullWhen a young boy is found dead on an idyllic beach, a major police investigation gets underway in the small California seaside town where the tragedy occurred. Soon deemed a homicide, the case sparks a media frenzy, which throws the boy's family into further turmoil and upends the lives of all of the town's residents.Viewers who watched the excellent "Broadchurch" on BBC America last summer may have met the announcement that Fox would be doing an American version with a bit of eye-rolling.
To ease the tale's transition from Britain to its new setting in a Northern California oceanside town, David Tennant is reprising his role from the original, albeit with a rather strange accent, and the incomparable Anna Gunn steps in to the role originated by Olivia Colman. Gunn's detective is tougher around the edges than Colman's, which we're only mentioning because if you've seen "Broadchurch", the first two episodes of "Gracepoint" may feel like you're watching a rerun with unfamiliar actors. They US episodes are virtually a carbon copy of the original's opening acts.
That said, other Americanized versions of British shows started out the same as their sources in order to establish the story before taking drastically different turns to distinguish themselves (the first few episodes of "The Office" did that, for example), so it's possible that "Gracepoint" will transform into its own distinct work.
Clone though it may be, odds are a large portion of the American audience hasn't seen the original. So even if Tennant is reprising his role pretty much in body and spirit, that might not matter too much -- he and Gunn partner nicely, and if the original's appeal is an indicator, the thrilling murder mystery could be enough to win "Gracepoint" its own group of enthusiastic fans.
Series premiere: 9pm Thursday, October 2 on Fox. - CreatorMargaret NagleStarsOctavia SpencerDave AnnableAstroA group of teenagers live together as patients at a hospital's pediatric ward and learn how to deal with their illnesses, the experiences that they have, and the people that they meet.Narrated by a boy in a coma who is watching the action of his peers from a different plane, the longterm residents in "Red Band's" pediatric ward are committed to living out the adolescent experience in spite of their dire health circumstances. They're lippy, mischievous and rebellious. One is the archetypical mean girl. Together, their various personalities give viewers everything we'd find enjoyable about watching a high school drama, without the high school and with much higher stakes.
"Red Band" is an American version of a Catalan series, but to US viewers it could be described as "House" (without the cranky title character) meets The Breakfast Club. There are tones of "Glee" in the pilot, in that it balances snark and whimsy while tugging at heartstrings.
While Octavia Spencer is the marquee draw here, with Dave Annable as the other main adult tending these patients, the premiere's main focus is on the young cast, and their strong performances make the story endearing.
One questions how long the show can stick with the comatose kid-as-narrator device, but the pilot was executed well enough to earn my attention for a few more episodes.
Series premiere: 9pm Wednesday, September 17 on Fox. - CreatorDave GrohlStarsDave GrohlTaylor HawkinsPat SmearSonic Highways commemorates the Foo Fighters 20th anniversary by documenting the eight-city recording odyssey that produced their latest, and eighth, studio album.In this eight part series, Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl embarks on a musical odyssey across the United States, examining the history, environment and people that came to define America's musical identities as experienced in Austin, Chicago, Los Angeles, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Seattle and Washington, D.C.
The show neatly ties in with the Foo Fighters' eighth album release, but if you're at all familiar with Grohl, you shouldn't need any convincing to watch a series that he's created and produced. Grohl's one of the most profoundly learned, passionate musical explorers we've got.
Still have doubts? Watch the trailer.. If it doesn't give you even the smallest of chills, check your pulse to make sure you're still alive.
Series premiere: 11pm Friday, October 17 on HBO. - CreatorHagai LeviSarah TreemStarsDominic WestRuth WilsonMaura TierneyA struggling novelist and a young waitress strike up an extramarital relationship that promises to forever change the course of their lives."The Affair" is one of those pilots where the less information a person knows going in, the more enjoyable savoring the hour potentially can be.
The basic conceit: Ruth Wilson plays Alison, a waitress at a Hamptons diner who has been shattered by a personal loss, and who is struggling to connect to her husband Cole (Joshua Jackson). When Noah (Dominic West), a harried but attractive married man, comes into her diner with his wife Helen (Maura Tierney) and their kids, the connection between the two is palpable.
This grows into an affair, of which we only see the seed in the pilot. Or do we? We can't be sure, any more than we can accurately describe the moral characters of any of these people. The tale is told from two very distinct perspectives, neither of which feels entirely truthful. Who is the seducer? Are his or her actions justified? "The Affair's" first episode leads the viewer asking a lot of questions, none can be answered easily.
But it's appear that Noah and Alison's tryst is merely the launchpad for a more complex examination of marriage, trust and tragedy, which one only sees by sticking around until the end of its first hour.
Series premiere: 10pm Sunday, October 12 on Showtime. - CreatorJoey SolowayStarsJeffrey TamborAmy LandeckerGaby HoffmannAn L.A. family with serious boundary issues have their past and future unravel when a dramatic admission causes everyone's secrets to spill out.One of the most moving, bold offerings on tap for fall, "Transparent" is a provocative glimpse at sex and identity filtered through the prism of a family dramedy.
"Transparent's" three siblings -- a rich, bored housewife who yearns to return to her nearly forgotten younger self; a navel-gazing music producer with intimacy issues; and their aimless youngest sister -- are struggling to find a direction in the world. They all lean on their father Mort, who is drained not only by their collective neediness but by a deep secret he's yearning to reveal but can't quite bring himself to share.
It's highly doubtful that any broadcast or cable network would allow series creator Jill Soloway to explore the psychological terrain that she does here. In telling Mort's story and setting the table for everyone else's, "Transparent" illuminates the inner struggles posed in questioning ones gender and sexual identity, and does so with a great deal of care and subtlety. The pilot proved to be simultaneously frustrating (in the best sense of the term) and surprising, and one expects future episodes to thoughtfully build from that strong foundation.
Series Premiere: September 26 on Amazon Instant Video. Free for Prime subscribers. - CreatorAlex GansaHoward GordonStarsClaire DanesMandy PatinkinDamian LewisA bipolar CIA operative becomes convinced a prisoner of war has been turned by al-Qaeda and is planning to carry out a terrorist attack on American soil.Season Premiere: 9pm Sunday, October 5 on Showtime.
- CreatorJeff EastinStarsMatt BomerTim DeKayWillie GarsonA white-collar criminal agrees to help the FBI catch other white-collar criminals using his expertise as an art and securities thief, counterfeiter, and conman.Season Premiere: 9pm Thursday, November 6 on USA.
- CreatorMatt CormanChris OrdStarsPiper PeraboChristopher GorhamKari MatchettFresh out of the farm, Annie Walker must adapt to the challenging life of a CIA operative under the guidance of her handler, Auggie. But soon she realizes her recruitment might have to do with her last boyfriend rather than her talent.Midseason Premiere: 10pm Thursday, November 6 on USA.
- CreatorAaron SorkinStarsJeff DanielsEmily MortimerJohn Gallagher Jr.A newsroom undergoes some changes in its workings and morals as a new team is brought in, bringing unexpected results for its existing news anchor.Season Premiere: 9pm Sunday, November 9 on HBO.
- CreatorLee AronsohnChuck LorreStarsJon CryerAshton KutcherAngus T. JonesA hedonistic jingle writer's free-wheeling life comes to an abrupt halt when his brother and 10-year-old nephew move into his beach-front house.Season premiere: 9pm Thursday, October 30 on CBS.
- CreatorElizabeth MeriwetherStarsZooey DeschanelJake JohnsonMax GreenfieldAfter a bad break-up, Jess, an offbeat young woman, moves into an apartment loft with three single men. Although they find her behavior very unusual, the men support her - most of the time.Season premiere: 9pm Tuesday, September 16 on Fox.
- CreatorJeff DavisStarsKirsten VangsnessMatthew Gray GublerA.J. CookA group of criminal profilers who work for the FBI as members of its Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) using behavioral analysis and profiling to help investigate crimes and find the suspect known as the unsub.Season premiere: 9pm Wednesday, October 1 on CBS.
- CreatorKevin WilliamsonStarsDylan McDermottMaggie QVictor RasukA team of detectives investigates stalkers in Los Angeles.Series premiere: 10pm Wednesday, October 1 on CBS.
- CreatorDaniel CeroneDavid S. GoyerStarsMatt RyanHarold PerrineauCharles HalfordA man struggling with his faith who is haunted by the sins of his past is suddenly thrust into the role of defending humanity from the gathering forces of darkness.Season premiere: 10pm Friday, October 24 on NBC.
- CreatorSteve FranksStarsJames Roday RodriguezDulé HillTimothy OmundsonWhen a novice sleuth convinces the police he has psychic powers, he and his reluctant best friend are hired on as consultants to help solve complicated cases.
- CreatorAaron KorshStarsGabriel MachtPatrick J. AdamsMeghan MarkleOn the run from a drug deal gone bad, brilliant college dropout Mike Ross finds himself working with Harvey Specter, one of New York City's best lawyers.
- CreatorAdam HorowitzEdward KitsisStarsGinnifer GoodwinJennifer MorrisonLana ParrillaA young woman with a troubled past is drawn to a small town in Maine where fairy tales are to be believed.
- CreatorAdrian CruzPhilip LevensStarsTricia HelferGil BellowsBrian Van HoltA young woman's murder causes the subjects of a century-long mission to populate a new world to question the true nature of the project as they approach the point of no return.
- CreatorBrad FalchukRyan MurphyHalley FeifferStarsLady GagaKathy BatesAngela BassettAn anthology series centering on different characters and locations, showcasing different aspects of horror.
- CreatorMara Brock AkilStarsGabrielle UnionLisa VidalRaven GoodwinThe life of a young Black woman, her work, her family and the popular talk show which she hosts.
- CreatorMatthew CarnahanStarsDon CheadleKristen BellBen SchwartzCharming, fast-talking Marty Kaan and his crack team of management consultants use every dirty trick in the book to woo powerful CEOs and close huge deals in this scathing, irreverent satire of corporate America today.
- CreatorBeau WillimonStarsKevin SpaceyMichel GillRobin WrightA Congressman works with his equally conniving wife to exact revenge on the people who betrayed him.
- CreatorAnn BidermanStarsLiev SchreiberEddie MarsanDash MihokRay Donovan, a professional "fixer" for the rich and famous in Los Angeles, can make anyone's problems disappear except those created by his own family.
- CreatorCourtney A. KempStarsOmari HardwickLela LorenNaturi NaughtonJames "Ghost" St. Patrick, a wealthy New York nightclub owner who has it all; dreaming big, catering to the city's elite, and living a double life as a drug kingpin.
- CreatorShonda RhimesStarsKerry WashingtonDarby StanchfieldKatie LowesA former White House Communications Director starts her own crisis management firm only to realize her clients are not the only ones with secrets.
- StarsNatalya NeidhartBrie GarciaNikki GarciaFollow the lives of the WWE divas in their work and relationships.
- StarsJimmy FallonThe RootsSteve HigginsJimmy Fallon hosts the Tonight Show and interviews celebrities, plays games with them and has a musical or comedic guest perform.
- CreatorSean JablonskiStarsMatt PassmoreStephanie SzostakBlair RedfordA husband begins to track his wife's extramarital affair with a male escort.
- CreatorBryan FullerStarsHugh DancyMads MikkelsenCaroline DhavernasExplores the early relationship between renowned psychiatrist Hannibal Lecter and a young FBI criminal profiler who is haunted by his ability to empathize with serial killers.
- CreatorJay DuplassMark DuplassSteve ZissisStarsMark DuplassMelanie LynskeyAmanda PeetTwo couples living under the same roof struggle to keep their relationships alive while pursuing their individual dreams.
- CreatorNeal BrennanDave ChappelleStarsDave ChappelleDonnell RawlingsRudy RushComedian Dave Chappelle hosts this sketch-comedy show that parodies many of the nuances of race and culture.
- CreatorAdam ReedStarsH. Jon BenjaminJudy GreerAmber NashCovert black ops and espionage take a back seat to zany personalities and relationships between secret agents and drones.
- CreatorRob McElhenneyGlenn HowertonStarsCharlie DayGlenn HowertonRob McElhenneyFive friends with big egos and small brains are the proprietors of an Irish pub in Philadelphia.
- CreatorColette BursonDmitry LipkinStarsThomas JaneJane AdamsCharlie SaxtonA former high school sports legend, turned middle-aged high school basketball coach, finds a way to benefit from his biggest asset.
- StarsKatherine von DrachenbergAmi JamesDarren Brass5 tattoo artists move to South Beach to open up a tattoo shop.
- StarsKatherine von DrachenbergAdrienne IronsideCorey MillerKat Von D returns home to Los Angeles to realize her dream of opening her own tattoo shop. She soon has musicians and rising stars lining up at High Voltage Tattoo for her famous black and grey ink designs.
- StarsDave NavarroOliver PeckChris NunezTen of the country's most creative and skilled tattoo artists are judged by icons of the tattoo world. They compete for a hundred thousand dollars and the title of "INK MASTER".
- CreatorDavid BenioffD.B. WeissStarsEmilia ClarkePeter DinklageKit HaringtonNine noble families fight for control over the lands of Westeros, while an ancient enemy returns after being dormant for millennia.
- CreatorVince GilliganPeter GouldStarsBob OdenkirkRhea SeehornJonathan BanksThe trials and tribulations of criminal lawyer Jimmy McGill in the years leading up to his fateful run-in with Walter White and Jesse Pinkman.
- CreatorJessica KnappettStarsJessica KnappettLydia Rose BewleyLauren O'RourkeAfter graduating from university, twenty something year-olds Meg, her cousin Bunny and their friend Laura share a flat and face the ups and downs of love and life.
- StarsCasper Van DienIan Anthony DaleSamantha WinA motley crew of fighters are recruited one by one to take part in a deadly inter-dimensional martial arts tournament in which the future of the planet itself is at stake.
- StarsShanin LonswaySpencer MatthewsJamie LaingThe spoiled first world brats from the normal made in Chelsea abomination go on holiday/vacation in New York City. watch them squander their parents money for 45 minutes every week.
- StarsJamie LaingMark-Francis VandelliOlivia BentleyA Reality TV show documenting the antics and heartbreaks of a close knit group of twenty-somethings in London's most exclusive borough, Kensington & Chelsea.
- CreatorLee DanielsDanny StrongStarsTerrence HowardTaraji P. HensonJussie SmollettA hip-hop mogul must choose a successor among his three sons who are battling for control over his multi-million dollar company, while his ex-wife schemes to reclaim what is hers.
- CreatorJohn RidleyStarsFelicity HuffmanRegina KingTimothy HuttonSeasonal anthology series. Season 1: The lives of the participants in a trial with significant racial motives are forever changed during the legal process.
- CreatorJesse ArmstrongSam BainStarsBrit MarlingBertie CarvelPaterson JosephA look at the people in charge and on the front lines of a contemporary police force.
- CreatorBarbie KligmanStarsRyan PhillippeJuliette LewisKaDee StricklandEach series, a detective focuses on the prime suspect in a murder case; but everyone has something to hide.
- CreatorChris MorganStarsRamón RodríguezJay HernandezRZAAs kid, Ryan Lopez got connected to gang boss Javier Acosta. He's now detective in LAPD's Gang Task Force. While secretly passing info on to Javier, he's a good cop 95% of the time.
- CreatorDrew GoddardStarsCharlie CoxVincent D'OnofrioDeborah Ann WollA blind lawyer by day, vigilante by night. Matt Murdock fights the crime of New York as Daredevil.
- CreatorGlenn KesslerTodd A. KesslerDaniel ZelmanStarsKyle ChandlerBen MendelsohnLinda CardelliniA family is forced to face their past secrets and scars when the black sheep returns home.
- CreatorMatthew WeinerStarsJon HammElisabeth MossVincent KartheiserA drama about one of New York's most prestigious ad agencies at the beginning of the 1960s, focusing on one of the firm's most mysterious but extremely talented ad executives, Donald Draper.
- CreatorMaurissa TancharoenJed WhedonJoss WhedonStarsClark GreggMing-Na WenBrett DaltonThe missions of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division.
- StarsTimothy SpallEleanor Worthington-CoxJuliet StevensonAn 11 year-old Janet terrorized by the paranormal activity permeating every room - or so she'd like everyone to believe; especially Mr. Grosse, the doting researcher who goes to great lengths to protect her from the strange, dark forces.
- CreatorIvan RaimiSam RaimiTom SpezialyStarsBruce CampbellRay SantiagoDana DeLorenzoAsh has spent the last thirty years avoiding responsibility, maturity, and the terrors of the Evil Dead until a Deadite plague threatens to destroy all of mankind and Ash becomes mankind's only hope.
- CreatorSam EsmailStarsRami MalekChristian SlaterCarly ChaikinElliot, a brilliant but unstable cyber-security engineer and vigilante hacker, becomes a key figure in a complex game of global chaos when he and his shadowy allies try to take down the corrupt corporation his company is paid to protect.
- StarsKatherine ParkinsonGemma ChanLucy CarlessIn a parallel present where the latest must-have gadget for any busy family is a 'Synth'--a highly-developed robotic servant that's so similar to a real human--is transforming the way we live.
- CreatorStephen LevinsonStarsDwayne JohnsonJohn David WashingtonDonovan W. CarterA series centered around a group of football players and their families, friends and handlers.