2018-19 Preview: More on A Million Little Things, The Rookie, new ABC series
This morning, ABC announced its full fall schedule and with that, there are some new shows in the mix. This is a network at the moment in need of some big hits — after all, The Good Doctor was one of their few standouts from the 2017-18 campaign.
Are any of the new series below going to be successful? It’s a little too early to tell right now but we want to give you a sense as to some of what’s coming. Check out some details and trailers for all of the new / midseason series below!
Drama
A Million Little Things (Wednesdays, 10:00)
Cast – David Giuntoli, Ron Livingston, Romany Malco, Allison Miller, Christina Moses, Christina Ochoa, James Roday, Stephanie Szostak, Lizzy Greene
Logline – Dramedy about a group of friends who, for different reasons and in different ways, are all stuck in their lives, but when one of them dies unexpectedly, it’s just the wake-up call the others need to finally start living.
Reaction – This feels like the ABC version of This Is Us and we’ll say this: It’s an excellent cast and we’re thrilled to get more of James Roday on TV.
The Rookie (Tuesdays, 10:00)
Cast – Nathan Fillion, Afton Williamson, Eric Winter, Richard T. Jones, Melissa O’Neil, Titus Makin, Alyssa Diaz, Mercedes Mason
Logline – John Nolan is the oldest rookie in the LAPD. At an age where most are at the peak of their career, Nolan cast aside his comfortable small-town life and moved to L.A. to pursue his dream of being a cop. Now, surrounded by rookies 20 years his junior, Nolan must navigate the dangerous, humorous and unpredictable world of a “young” cop, determined to make his second shot at life count. Inspired by a true story.
Reaction – Another good cast, though the show’s work is cut out for it trying to make this into something more than yet another police show. With Fillion’s present you would probably assume that this is a little more comedic than the trailer suggests.
Whiskey Cavalier (midseason)
Cast – Scott Foley, Lauren Cohan, Ana Ortiz, Tyler James Williams, Vir Das
Logline – After an emotional breakup, FBI agent Will Chase (codename: Whiskey Cavalier) is assigned to work with CIA operative Francesca “Frankie” Trowbridge (codename: Fiery Tribune). Together, they lead an inter-agency team of spies who periodically save the world (and one other) while navigating the rocky roads of friendship, romance and office politics.
Reaction – Most of the show has been overshadowed by what it means for Cohan on The Walking Dead; yet, there is some promise here.
Grand Hotel (midseason)
Cast –
Logline – Soapy drama set against the backdrop of a Miami Beach hotel revolves around the family who owns the business, the staff who run it and the explosive secrets they hide under the perfect exterior. Based on the Spanish format.
Reaction – This feels a lot like ABC trying to get a big soap to appeal to telenovela fans. This is a huge swing for them, and we’ll just have to see if it ends up working.
The Fix (midseason)
Cast – Robin Tunney, Merrin Dungey, Breckin Meyer, Mouzam Makkar, Scott Cohen, Marc Blucas, Adam Rayner, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Alex Saxon
Logline – After losing the biggest case of her career and being shredded by the media, former prosecutor Maya Travis has left Los Angeles for a quiet life in rural Oregon. Eight years after her devastating defeat, the murderer strikes again, forcing Maya to return to L.A. to confront him one more time. Will she play by the rules, or will she do whatever it takes to get him behind bars?
Reaction – Hey, Robin Tunney is back on TV! Beyond just that, this is the series with Marcia Clark as an executive producer. It’s almost the sequel to the OJ Simpson trial with a creative twist.
Comedy
Single Parents (Wednesdays, 9:30)
Cast – Jake Choi, Taran Killam, Leighton Meester, Brad Garrett, Kimrie Lewis, Jake Choi, Sadie Hazelett, Grace Hazelett, Devin Trey Campbell
Logline – A group of dysfunctional single parents lean on one another as they raise their kids, look for love and ultimately realize survival is only possible with the help of one another.
Reaction – It’s cool to get Taran Killam back on television alongside Brad Garrett. It’s got a great timeslot so that’s a start.
The Kids are Alright (Tuesdays, 8:30)
Cast – Michael Cudlitz, Mary McCormack, Jack Gore, Sam Straley, Caleb MArtin Foote, Christopher Paul Richards, Sawyer Barth, Andy Walken, Sawyer Barth, Santino Barnard
Logline – Set in the 1970s, an Irish-Catholic family with a working-class dad, traditional mom and eight boisterous sons navigates changes big and small during one of America’s most turbulent decades.
Reaction – Interestingly, this is one of two ABC pilots this year with a Walking Dead connection. Also interestingly, the presence of Cudlitz may not actually be the most notable things about the show. It could, in the end, be about the kids.
One other series to remember here is the Goldbergs spin-off, which will be coming at midseason.
What new show are you the most interested in seeing on ABC this fall? Be sure to share right now in the comments!