It’s been a very busy week in American TV – as networks prepare their upfront presentations to advertisers next week, and most shows air their season (or series) finales, all your favourite American shows have either been ordered for another season – or put down. And the networks have also been deciding which new shows to pick up for the 2013-2014 TV seasons.
CANCELLED: The New Normal, Body Of Proof, Rules of Engagement, Happy Endings (although there are rumours another network may pick it up), Smash, Up All Night, Whitney, Guys With Kids, Go On, Southland, 1600 Penn, Vegas, CSI: NY, Red Widow, Malibu Country, How To Live With Your Parents For The Rest Of Your Life, Golden Boy, Monday Mornings.
If your favourite American drama, fantasy, comedy, whatever the hell Glee is nowadays, horror isn’t on that list then congratulations! As of writing this, it’ll be back for another season. However, a lot of great new shows have been greenlit for this fall, so here’s my pick of the ones you should watch out for:
The Originals (CW)
The Vampire Diaries spin-0ff, following Klaus (Joseph Morgan), Elijah (Daniel Gillies) and Rebekah (Claire Holt) Mikaelson as they head to New Orleans to prepare for the birth of Klaus’s son via werewolf Hayley (Phoebe Tonkin) and deal with the self-proclaimed Vampire King of New Orleans, Marcel (Charles Michael Davis). The backdoor pilot to The Originals aired as an episode of The Vampire Diaries’ current season, and this show promises to have a darker, less teen feel (no love triangles, PLEASE GOD) as it moves the fan favourite Original Vampires into their own show.
The Tomorrow People (CW)
Based on the original UK series, it’s the story of several young people around the world who represent the next stage in mankind: superpowers. Staring Robbie Ammel and Luke Mitchell.
Star-Crossed (CW)
An alien boy (Matt Lanter, 90210), and eight others of his kind are integrated into a high school after having been imprisoned at a camp ever since landing on earth. Things are complicated when he falls for a human girl (Aimee Teagarden, Friday Night Lights).
Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Fox)
From Mike Schur (The Office, Parks and Recreation) a new comedy staring Andy Samberg (Saturday Night Live), Terry Crews and Andre Braugher about a group of detectives.
Us and Them (Fox)
Based on the UK’s Gavin and Stacy, Jason Ritter and Alexis Bledel (Gilmore Girls) star in this comedy. Two very different people meet and try to make a long distance relationship work, while dealing with their crazy family and friends.
Dads (Fox)
From Seth McFarlane (Family Guy, Ted), Giovanni Ribisi (Avatar), Seth Green (Buffy, Robot Chicken) and Brenda Strong (The Social Network, New Girl) star in this comedy about two guys in their 30s having their worlds turned upside down when their dads move in with them.
Mixology (ABC)
The writers of The Hangover go high-concept following a group of singles in a sexy Manhattan bar searching for love- all set over the course of one night. Staring Vanessa Lengies (Sugar from Glee).
Super Fun Night (ABC)
Rebel Wilson, from Bridesmaids and Pitch Perfect, writes, produces and stars in this new comedy about a junior attorney and her two best friends who have kept a standing date every Friday for the last 13 years. Conan O’Brien also has a role as Executive Producer, so all signs point to ‘this is going to be hilarious’.
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D (ABC)
Reprising his role from The Avengers films, Clark Gregg stars as Agent Phil Coulson, who assembles a small group of agents to investigate and protect the new, strange and unknown across the world. With Joss Whedon as Executive Producer, this is something fans of the Marvel verse definitely don’t want to miss.
Once Upon A Time In Wonderland (ABC)
A spin-off from Once Upon A Time, young Alice (Sophie Lowe), living in Victorian England, is considered insane with her tales of the far off land she visited down the rabbit hole, and the genie she fell in love with. Before the doctors can ‘cure’ her with a treatment that will make her forget everything, the White Rabbit (John Lithgow, 3rd Rock from The Sun) and the Knave of Hearts (Michael Socha, Misfits) return to take her back to Wonderland.
Crazy Ones (CBS)
A father daughter workplace comedy set in the world of advertising, staring Robin Williams (Your Childhood) and Sarah Michelle Geller (Buffy). Worth giving a try for just the cast.
Intelligence (CBS)
Sawyer from Lost is coming back to TV! Josh Holloway stars as an agent at the ‘US Cyber Command’ who has a microchip implanted in his brain that allows him to access the entire electromagnetic spectrum, and the show is from Empire State writer Michael Seitzman.
Believe (NBC)
From J.J Abrams (Lost, Star Trek) an unlikely relationship forms between a young girl and a recent prisoner who is tasked with protecting her gift from the evil elements that hurt her power. Staring Johnny Sequoyah, Jake McLaughlin and Delroy Lindo.
Dracula (NBC)
Dracula (Jonathan Rhys Meyers, The Tudors) arrives in London, and his previous plans are complicated when he falls in love with a young woman who appears to be the reincarnation of his dead wife.
Crisis (NBC)
Everyone from CEO’s to The President are brought to their knees by an unlikely puppeteer, as they are pulled into an international conspiracy. The FBI and a rookie secret service agent are forced together to figure out the mystery. Staring Gillian Anderson, Rachael Taylor and Dermot Mulroney.