Fans of Game of Thrones know all about waiting for a show to return to TV. An HBO executive finally gave them a little good news this week: a window of time in which they can look for the series to return. At the Television Critics Association, HBO programming president Casey Bloys said the series will return for its final season in the first half of 2019, according to Vox.
While having that answer at least feels like something, 2019 is months away, and there’s so much great television to be enjoyed now that summer is ending. This fall, we still get to see zombies and superheroes, but we also continue to learn how Jack Pearson’s family held together after his death on This Is Us and see how Ryan Murphy envisions an apocalypse in season eight of American Horror Story.
Here are the dates when our favorite shows are returning and what we’ve heard about them so far.
‘Better Call Saul’
Returns: Monday, Aug. 6 at 9 p.m. on AMC
Season four moves the show from just a prequel into great TV in its own right, according to Indiewire. Since the ultimate outcome for these characters is already known, the best way to create buy-in is through subtle nuances of character — something the show does masterfully in its new season.
‘Bachelor in Paradise’
Returns: Tuesday, Aug. 7 at 8 p.m. on ABC
Will they or won’t they? Fall in love, that is. For these Bachelor Nation hopefuls, love is always a promise just waiting in the wings, and we’ll be right there to see if it makes an appearance. In season five, look for lots of castoffs from Becca and Arie’s seasons, as well as Wells Adams and Yuki Kimura as the bartenders.
‘Fear the Walking Dead’
Returns: Sunday, Aug. 12 at 9 p.m. on AMC
Season five isn’t a lock yet for this zombie drama, but fans still have half of season four to enjoy. Since Lennie James (who plays Morgan Jones) came over from The Walking Dead, it’s a guarantee his character will be sticking around the prequel for however long it runs. But aside from that nearly sure thing, almost every character is up for grabs this season — if a walker can just get close enough.
‘Insecure’
Returns: Sunday, Aug. 12 at 10:30 p.m. on HBO
Lots of good character exploration is going to take place in season three, showrunner Prentice Penny told TV Guide. “This season, we follow characters we don't normally follow. We are definitely meeting new people. A lot of new people. It's different when one of your friends has a baby and is married and how that starts to affect the group dynamic. Molly is trying to adult, Tiffany is certainly adulting and maybe Kelly is left out of that. We wanted to explore the overall dynamics of all that."
‘Ballers’
Returns: Sunday, Aug. 12 at 10 p.m. on HBO
The cars, the scenery, the surfing… based on the trailer for season four, it looks like Spencer is putting down roots in Los Angeles this season. Look for John David Washington, Omar Benson Miller, Donovan Carter, Troy Garity, London Brown, Jazmyn Simon and Brittany S. Hall to return.
‘Mr. Mercedes’
Returns: Wednesday, Aug. 22 at 10 p.m. on Audience Network
According to Deadline, this second season will be inspired by a trilogy of Stephen King stories: Mr. Mercedes, Finders Keepers and End of Watch. Jack Huston, who plays a villainous doctor, and Maximiliano Hernandez, who plays an assistant DA, are joining the cast for season two.
‘Ozark’
Returns: Friday, Aug. 31 on Netflix
According to Cosmopolitan, Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, Sofia Hublitz, and Charlie Tahan have all confirmed their participation in season two. While Julia Garner and Skylar Gaertner are not officially confirmed, they have been sharing social media posts from Atlanta, where Ozark is filmed.
Bateman, who directs and produces the show, said that season two is a “good escalation of everything as far as danger, the business challenges and — domestically — our relationship. Obviously, there’s the opportunity for Marty to work very closely with the Snells and with Ruth. He’s got $50 million to wash now instead of $8 million. These huge escalations are going to present more complications and higher stakes for him. We’ve got the riverboat casino and probably some bureaucratic and civic challenges. We’re going to have some bad guys that are probably wearing ties next year as opposed to blue jeans. He might spend a little time up in St. Louis or Kansas City in pursuing some of these bigger deals that he’s going to need to accomplish to get this bigger number washed."
‘It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia’
Returns: Wednesday, Sept. 5 at 10 p.m. on FXX
According to Deadline, the gang at Paddy’s Pub will have a shake-up this season as Glenn Howerton has left to star in A.P. Bio. FXX released this synopsis of what to expect in season 13: “The Gang Returns… mostly… in the 13th season of the FXX original comedy series It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Mac (Rob McElhenney), Charlie (Charlie Day), Dee (Kaitlin Olson) and Frank (Danny DeVito) return to their duplicitous, scheming ways at Paddy’s Pub, while Dennis (Glenn Howerton) takes on the new role of father in North Dakota. Last season, the Gang experienced new highs — Mac acknowledged his sexuality and Charlie convinced the Waitress, his longtime target of affection, to move in with him — and the lowest of lows — Frank became the official beverage sponsor of a terrorist group, Dee helped a man reach rock bottom, and Dennis was investigated for murder.
“Even without Dennis Reynolds, the Gang has its hands full as Charlie hopes to have a child with the Waitress, Mac sets out to understand his newfound sexuality, Dee takes feminism to new heights and Frank goes to great lengths for the Gang to experience the greatest moment in Philadelphia sports history — an Eagles Super Bowl victory.”
‘Shameless’
Returns: Sunday, Sept. 9 at 9 p.m. on Showtime
EW reported that in season nine, the Gallagher family will take on heady issues like gender equality, politics and STDs. Frank tries his hand at politics, Lip takes in a wandering girl who is his ex’s niece, Debbie takes on equal rights at work and Carl adjusts to both life at military school and marriage.
‘The Deuce’
Returns: Sunday, Sept. 9 at 9 p.m. on HBO
Although James Franco seemed absent from the season two release info for The Deuce, HBO has come forward to say that it is “comfortable with a second season” of the show. By that, the network means it is comfortable with continuing to have Franco on the series. HBO has defended Franco against claims of sexually inappropriate behavior, according to Deadline.
‘American Horror Story: Apocalypse’
Returns: Wednesday, Sept. 12 at 10 p.m. on FX
Creator Ryan Murphy previously said that season eight would be a crossover between AHS: Murder House and AHS: Coven, according to Collider, so expect cast and characters from both to appear. Cody Fern has just been cast as Michael Langdon, the son of Jessica Lange’s character Constance in season one. This is the very child who showed up at the end of season one and who murdered his nanny, so who knows what dark secrets his story holds.
‘Dancing With the Stars’
Returns: Monday, Sept. 24 at 8 p.m. on ABC
There are no cast announcements yet on this new season of DWTS, but this will the first season when the franchise is testing America to see just how much dancing we can take. DWTS: Juniors will air on Sunday nights with DWTS returning on Monday. Juniors will be pre-taped to work around the kids’ schedules, according to TV Guide.
‘The Resident’
Returns: Monday, Sept. 24 at 8 p.m. on Fox
TVLine confirmed that three of the series’ regulars will be leaving this season: Moran Atias, Merrin Dungey, and Melina Kanakaredes. But Jane Leeves (from Fraser!) will be joining the team for season two, and Malcolm Jamal-Warner (Dr. Austin) and Glenn Morshower (Marshall Winthrop, Conrad’s father) have been upped to series regulars.
‘The Big Bang Theory’
Returns: Monday, Sept. 24 at 8 p.m. on CBS (and its regular time on Thursday, Sept. 27 at 8 p.m. on CBS)
Writers haven’t revealed much about season 12 yet, but they did cave to pressure from the crowd at San Diego Comic-Con to confirm one thing: no baby this year for Amy and Sheldon. That’s OK; there’s plenty of mileage to be had from a married genius without his roommate.
‘Young Sheldon’
Returns: Monday, Sept. 24 at 8:30 p.m. on CBS (and its regular time on Thursday, Sept. 27 at 8:30 p.m. on CBS)
No news yet on the direction for the second season of the hit show, so expect to keep learning more about what made our favorite awkward scientist the way he is.
‘The Good Doctor’
Returns: Monday, Sept. 24 at 10 p.m. on ABC
The series brought in great ratings for its first season, according to Country Living, so a renewal wasn’t a surprise. Producers are keeping plot points for season two quiet but have confirmed that Chuku Modu, who plays Dr. Kalu, will not be returning. Upped to series regulars this year are Will Yun Lee as Dr. Park and Fiona Gubelmann as Dr. Reznick.
‘NCIS’
Returns: Tuesday, Sept. 25 at 8 p.m. on CBS
We’ll never forget Pauley Perrette’s Abby, but it is time to move on with the 16th season of NCIS. Look for Diona Reasonover to join as a series regular, according to TVLine. Returning stars include Mark Harmon, Sean Murray, Emily Wickersham, Wilmer Valderrama, Maria Bello, Brian Dietzen, Rocky Carroll and David McCallum.
‘This Is Us’
Returns: Tuesday, Sept. 25 at 9 p.m. on NBC
Do we even want to go on without Jack? Yes, because the Pearson family clearly did, and we have to find out how. What we know about this new season is that we’re going to learn more about Beth, according to Good Housekeeping, as well as Jack’s time in the military. Mandy Moore told Extra that in season three, we’ll come to like Miguel and we’ll learn more about how their relationship developed. Most of all, we’ll see how the whole family is coping with the loss of their beloved Jack.
‘The Gifted’
Returns: Tuesday, Sept. 25 at 9 p.m. on Fox
With so many superhero shows on TV right now, everyone is looking for that one series that will be a hit. The Gifted has fit the bill for Fox, with high ratings according to Den of Geek. EW also reported that season two might shine a light on what happened during the 7/15 incident that led to anti-mutant laws.
“I would definitely like to explore 7/15 in more detail,” showrunner Matt Nix said to TVLine. “What exactly happened there is certainly one of the central questions of the series, [and wouldn’t work in a single episode]. It’s a bigger deal than that.”
‘The Voice’
Returns: Tuesday, Sept. 25 at 8 p.m. on NBC
TVLine made a pretty well-reasoned argument for why the block should be done away with for season 15 of The Voice, and it will be interesting to see how the creators respond. While we wait to find that out, we do already know that coaches Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, Alicia Keys and Kelly Clarkson will be back for their famous sparring and smack talk.
‘Empire’
Returns: Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 8 p.m. on Fox
Deadline reported that Nicole Ari Parker has been upped to a series regular for season five, which will find her looking to shed her trophy wife role for some serious power.
‘The Goldbergs’
Returns: Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 8 p.m. on ABC
There's no hiding from Beverly Goldberg. The show that makes us simultaneously long for and cringe at the 1980s is back for a sixth season with the family that is almost uncomfortably familiar.
‘Survivor’
Returns: Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 8 p.m. on CBS
How many times can Survivor continue to test the mettle of armchair wilderness experts? At least once more, because this 37th season takes us back to Fiji to watch Survivor: David vs. Goliath, which pits underdogs against those who’ve been living on top of the world.
Jeff Probst told Entertainment Weekly that even he came to an epiphany during the filing of this season. “I asked myself the question: Why do we make this show? And I was surprised with the answer. Because I thought we made it for the audience. But as I continued to write I realized, no, we make it for the 20 people who play. We put all of our time and energy, we leave our families — which gets harder every single season — we endure our own cyclones and miserable boat rides and long days in the jungle so that we can give these 20 people an adventure that may change the rest of their life."
‘South Park’
Returns: Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 10 p.m. on Comedy Central
South Park is already confirmed through at least season 23 on Comedy Central, so anticipating this season wasn’t much stress for fans, according to Den of Geek. In true form for the series, no details have been released yet on plot or character points.
‘Modern Family’
Returns: Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 9 p.m. on ABC
So much heartbreak. Co-creators Steve Levitan and Christopher Lloyd have confirmed that they intend to end the series after its 10th season, coming up this fall.
Levitan told The Hollywood Reporter that they don’t want to get stale. “Our plan is to end it at 10. If we can leave with most of our audience wanting more, I think that's the right way to do it. Never say never, but I just can't imagine that we'd go past that," he said.
‘Chicago Med’
Returns: Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 8 p.m. on NBC
A proposal, a work change, a medical emergency — so much happened at the end of Chicago Med season three that will make great fodder for season four. Not much has been released about the new season except that it will air Wednesdays as part of a whole Chicago lineup, with Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D.
‘Chicago Fire’
Returns: Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 9 p.m. on NBC
CBS is giving viewers a whole evening to spend in the windy city with their Chicago Wednesdays. Look for season seven of Chicago Fire to be bookended by its counterpart programs Chicago Med and Chicago P.D. on Wednesday nights.
‘Chicago P.D.’
Returns: Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 10 p.m. on NBC
Rob Morrow (Northern Exposure) is joining the cast for season six as an outspoken critic of the police department who is forced to reach out for their help, according to TVLine.
‘Grey’s Anatomy’
Returns: Thursday, Sept. 27 at 8 p.m. on ABC
How much more complete devastation can fans take? Quite a bit, apparently, because we’re coming back for season 16 of this roller coaster nighttime soap. However, Elite Daily pointed out that things are at an uncommonly settled point in the Grey’s universe, something that almost never happens when there is a season break. So, do fans need to brace for the new season? Who knows. But there’s a possibility of a time jump, if Elite Daily’s theory holds up.
‘The Good Place’
Returns: Thursday, Sept. 27 at 8 p.m. on NBC
During their Comic-Con appearance creators of this inventive show teased fans with the news that this fall Michael will find his way to Earth and try to undo this whole mess with our four flawed but well-meaning humans. Will he be able to change their destinies? And does that leave us on earth for this season? Say it ain't so! We want more Good/Bad Place and all the Janet that comes with it in season three.
‘How to Get Away With Murder’
Returns: Thursday, Sept. 27 at 10 p.m. on ABC
Season four ended with what could have made a great series finale, according to TV Guide, but ABC has still renewed the Shondaland show for at least one more season. Showrunner Pete Nowalk said they’re going to bring some levity to season five, so expect things to look a little different in the flashbacks. Gabriel Maddox has also been added as a series regular, so look for his character, Rome Flynn, to have his fingerprints all over this season.
‘Mom’
Returns: Thursday, Sept. 27 at 9 p.m. on CBS
Considering Allison Janney’s Emmy win for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series, it’s no surprise that this sitcom was renewed for a sixth season. CBS Entertainment President Kelly Kahl called Mom a “linchpin comedy” for the network that “tackles provocative social issues,” according to Country Living. Expect more of the same in season six.
‘The Simpsons’
Returns: Sunday, Sept. 30 at 8 p.m. on Fox
The popular comedy set a record last season as the longest running scripted series in American TV history, so what else could The Simpsons possibly do in season 30? Details are being held close, but Entertainment Weekly did find out that Tracy Morgan will be popping in for two episodes, playing himself and riffing on his near-death experience after a car accident in 2014.
‘Family Guy’
Returns: Sunday, Sept. 30 at 9 p.m. on Fox
Everyone else has done it, so Family Guy is not going to be left out. The series is planning an episode that pokes fun at President Donald Trump in season 17, when the Griffins move to Washington, D.C., according to Entertainment Weekly. Peter is hired as Trump’s communications director when it’s discovered that he’s an expert on fake news. Another episode will pay tribute to the loss of Mayor Adam West, with Brian and Quagmire both in contention for the vacant mayoral post.
‘SEAL Team’
Returns: Wednesday, Oct. 3 at 9 p.m. on CBS
Last year seemed like prime time for military dramas, but of the three that debuted, only SEAL Team is heading into its second season, reported Cinemablend. Some changes behind the scenes are taking place this year with John Glenn joining the team as showrunner. A new creative direction was cited as the reason for the change, according to Deadline.
‘Criminal Minds’
Returns: Wednesday, Oct. 3 at 10 p.m. on CBS
Spencer Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler) starts season 14 under the gun as a serial killer cult tries to recruit him, holding Garcia hostage as bait, according to TV Guide.
‘Superstore’
Returns: Thursday, Oct. 4 at 8 p.m. on NBC
No news yet on what direction the Cloud 9 gang will take in season four, but so far, it looks like no cast members have been cut. Season three left things hanging with pregnancy news for Amy and a kiss that wasn’t everything fans hoped for with Jonah. After three seasons of teasing the relationship, showrunners have to give fans something soon.
‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’
Returns: Thursday, Oct. 4 at 10 p.m. on NBC
How long could SVU go on? As long as Mariska Hargitay wants it to. That was the message from an NBC exec at an event last spring, according to E! News.
Good news: Hargitay still loves coming to work on the record-setting show, now in its 20th season. She told the outlet, “You know what? Nineteen years later and I'm finding myself deeply inspired and committed and finding new places to go and challenged. I want to be challenged. As long as that's happening, I'm very happy and very fulfilled."
‘Will & Grace’
Returns: Thursday, Oct. 4 at 9 p.m. on NBC
With Jack recently engaged, could it result in a role switch with Will in season 11? Erik McCormack thinks it could. He told TV Guide, “I think it's a fun idea to explore that Jack is the one who gets married and not Will because that [would] drive Will insane. When I think about the possibility of Jack getting married, it's almost like switching places. Like Will becomes the one that's sleeping around all the time, suddenly [becoming] the boy-crazy one as a reaction to Jack's stability. Who knows."
‘Fresh Off the Boat’
Returns: Friday, October 5 at 8 p.m. on ABC
No news on the plans yet for the Huang family in season five, but look for more insightful commentary on what it means to be Asian American, middle class and just a family trying to make their way.
‘Speechless’
Returns: Friday, Oct. 5 at 8:30 p.m. on ABC
John Cleese will be guesting on the season three premiere as Maya’s estranged dad, according to Variety. His character is described as hot-tempered, grudge-holding, sharp-witted and irresistibly charming.
‘The Man in the High Castle’
Returns: Friday, Oct. 5 on Amazon Prime Video
According to news released during Comic-Con, season four will take on more of a sci-fi feel, with the Nazis experimenting with alternate realities, The Wrap reported. They’ve discovered that in some universes, they didn’t win the war, which they don’t like and seek to remedy.
‘Riverdale’
Returns: Sunday, Oct. 7 at 8 p.m. on The CW
Things are grim in the dark alternate world of Archie and friends. The Express reported that season two ended with Archie arrested for murder, and news from Comic-Con is that Chic Cooper could be teaming with the Black Hood in season three. At least Jughead is back!
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‘The Walking Dead’
Returns: Sunday, Oct. 7 at 9 p.m. on AMC
When Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Norman Reedus sat down during Comic-Con, they revealed that things will be very different for Negan in season nine.
“It’s gonna be Negan fighting some inner demons. I think being locked up doesn’t suit him very well, which I think is probably Rick and everyone’s plan to begin with,” Morgan told Variety. ”And I think Negan is having to take a good long, hard look in the mirror and maybe not enjoying what he’s seeing, and certainly not enjoying jail very much. So we’re definitely going to see a different side to Negan this year.”
‘Madam Secretary’
Returns: Sunday, Oct. 7 at 10 p.m. on CBS
Big guest stars are in store for the drama this season. Hillary Clinton, Madeleine Albright and Colin Powell will all show up on the series to guide fictional secretary of state Elizabeth McCord, according to CBS. Look for those very special moments during the season premiere.
‘Supernatural’
Returns: Thursday, Oct. 11 at 8 p.m. on The CW
Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles teased season 14 to a packed house at San Diego Comic-Con, revealing that things will change for Sam this season. While Sam is away, Dean finds himself in a leadership role in which he’ll sink or swim.
“He’s kind of distracted. He hasn’t shaved in a little while. All of these [hunters from the other world] are under his watchful eye in the bunker. Sam without Dean, for however long that lasts, needs to take the cues and lessons he’s learned from Dean and pass them on to the apocalypse hunters. It’s a fun new part of Sam,” Padalecki said.
As for Sam, his storyline as Michael the archangel will explore what it means to him to purify the earth, according to TVLine.
‘Blindspot’
Returns: Friday, Oct. 12 at 8 p.m. on NBC
Blindspot had a huge twist at the end of season three, and Entertainment Weekly sat down with executive producer Martin Gero to find out how it could play out in the new season. “As we started to have longer and longer conversations about the beginning of season four, we were very conscious of creating conflict between Jane and Weller, because they'd been through so much already, what could we do that could break these two or put them through strain, because they’re so solid?”
He also confirmed that who Roman has been talking to all season will be revealed, although Roman’s run has ended. “Roman is 100 percent dead, yeah,” Gero said.
‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’
Returns: Friday, Oct. 12 at 9 p.m. on The CW
Co-creators Rachel Bloom and Aline Brosh McKenna spoke to the Los Angeles Times during Comic-Con to drop some hints about what’s to come in season four. They didn’t say much, though.
“In this season we’re making more of an episodic show about a girl who is rebuilding her life,” Bloom said.
Brosh McKenna added, “And then about halfway through the season, we’re going to rip the parachute on another propulsive story that will take us to the end.”
As long as Rebecca continues to live out her world through song and dance, it’s a solid bet that fans will be satisfied.
‘Black-ish’
Returns: Tuesday, Oct. 16 at 9 p.m. on ABC
No news has been released on what to expect in season five, but one thing is certain: We're glad to see Bow and Dre back together! After that drama, fans will be happy with whatever the writers come up with this next season.
‘Midnight, Texas’
Returns: Friday, Oct. 26 at 9 p.m. on NBC
Though the town successfully defeated a demon last season, they could be facing an even bigger threat in season two: a corporate demon. The hotel that’s been purchased to be turned into a healing center will lead to initial skepticism, which is quelled when they come to the aid of a local, according to Indiewire.
“Last season, we played with the conceit that the threat to Midnight was lurking under the streets,” showrunner Eric Charmelo told TVLine. “This season, the threat is amongst the Midnighters. So it’s kind of ferreting out who that threat is and what the end game is.”
‘Vikings’
Returns: Wednesday, Nov. 28 at 9 p.m. on the History Channel
There have been many family rifts throughout Vikings, but season six may be the bloodiest one yet as Ivar and Lagertha battle for control. And who is it that pops up at the end of that trailer? Look for Rollo to be showing his face around some familiar stomping grounds.
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