The 2023 fall TV season is going to look slightly different this year than in previous years amid the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
Networks have been working overtime to overhaul the schedules and lineups to present the best content possible, so while new productions are currently paused, there are plenty of already-completed shows in the pipeline that are ready for their premiere, along with some “new-ish” shows that are either coming from streaming or Canada directly to your primetime network.
See also: Fall 2023 TV Schedule—NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox, and The CW
We’re breaking down all of the must-watch and highly-anticipated shows—new and returning—for the fall TV season below! You don’t have to look far to find something to enjoy, so let us know what’s making your list this season.
Wilderness – Sept 15 on Prime Video
Based on the 2017 novel of the same name written by B.E. Jones, the series focuses on a seemingly perfect couple who have it all whose dream vacation swiftly turns into a nightmare fueled by heartbreak and revenge. The cast includes Jenna Coleman, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, and Ashley Benson.
All Rise – Sept. 16 on Own
If you’ve been with All Rise since its CBS days, you’re going to want to catch the final third season for a proper goodbye and to see how it all ends following the shocking cliffhanger, while also digging into the last legal cases on the series.
American Horror Story – Sept 20 on FX
AHS: Delicate, the 12th installment of the horror franchise, arrives just in time for spooky season. And for the first time ever, a season is based on a novel by Danielle Valentine titled Delicate Condition, which gives plenty of Rosemary’s Baby vibes. The talk of the town is the casting, which includes Emma Roberts in the lead role alongside Kim Kardashian, The Resident’s Matt Czuchry, and Cara Delevigne. It will be split into two parts, with the first arriving on Sept. 20 on FX and streaming the next day on Hulu. There’s currently no premiere date for the second part, however, the AHS spinoff American Horror Stories will also return with a four-episode Halloween event on Hulu on Oct. 26. Get ready for the thrills.
The Irrational – Sept. 25 on NBC
Alec Mercer is “the science guy,” who knows a thing or two about psychology and what makes people do certain things, which is particularly useful when trying to solve difficult and high-stakes cases and murders. Not only is the premise catchy and appeals to procedural fans, but its also got a stacked cast with Jesse L. Martin, Maahra Hill, Travina Springer, Molly Kunz, and more.
Sullivan’s Crossing – Oct. 4 on The CW
The Canadian series is making its way to The CW, and fans of small-town shows like Virgin River are going to love it!
The series, adapted from the bestselling novels by Robyn Carr (who also penned the aforementioned Netflix hit) stars Morgan Kohan, One Tree Hill’s Chad Michael Murray, and Gilmore Girl’s Scott Patterson as it follows the journey of a neurosurgeon named Maggie Sullivan who rediscovers her past after leaving Boston for the refuge of her childhood home in Sullivan’s crossing following some legal trouble.
Goosebumps – Oct. 13 on Disney+ and Hulu
Re-live your childhood with the Goosebumps live-action series based on R.L. Stine’s bestselling books. The first five episodes will drop on Friday, Oct. 13 (fittingly) as part of Disney+’s “Hallowstream” and Hulu’s “Huluween” celebrations, with the remaining 5 episodes premiering weekly. The first two episodes will also hit Freeform for “31 Nights of Halloween.”
As for what to expect, it will center on five high schoolers who investigate the tragic passing of a teen three decades prior while unearthing dark secrets from their parents’ past. The series is sure to deliver one spooky adventure!
Ghosts UK – Nov. 16 on CBS
Before there was the U.S. version of Ghosts, the U.K. version was the talk of the town. The critically acclaimed series, which inspired the CBS adaptation, will be filling the void this season as the network has acquired the episodes for a November premiere. See how it all started—and compare versions to figure out which one you like better, though I’ve heard the original is bloody brilliant. Ghosts UK ran for a total of 4 seasons, kicking off in 2019.
Virgin River Holiday episodes – Nov. 30 on Netflix
Virgin River Season 5 just hit the streaming giant on Sept. 7, but fans will be getting a holiday present in the form of two bonus episodes that will have you spending the Christmas season in your favorite scenic small town. Find out what’s in store—spoiler, it’s likely plenty of cozy vibes with a dash of drama.
Sex Education – Sept 21. on Netflix
The wait is almost over. Following a two-year hiatus, Sex Education is back and better than ever for its final season, consisting of eight total episodes, including a final that clocks in at 83 minutes. You can get all the necessary closure on Sept. 21.
The reboot of the popular 1990s drama is leaping back to NBC this October with two new faces joining the team—Queen of the South’s Peter Gadiot and The 100’s Eliza Taylor—as series regulars. It’s one of the few scripted projects hitting broadcast amid the strike and will feature plenty of incredible guest stars along the way Manifest’s Melissa Roxburgh and Blindspot’s Francois Arnaud.
Chucky – Oct. 4 on Syfy
The famous foul-mouthed killer doll is back to bring more nightmares straight to your screen. Jennifer Tilly and Brad Dourif will be reprising their roles in the slasher as Chucky infiltrates the nation’s capital in an attempt to take over the first family for murderous reasons.
legends never die. i’m about to rise again bitches #chucky pic.twitter.com/TYGkbbemwd
— Chucky (@ChuckyIsReal) July 24, 2022
Lupin – Oct. 5 on Netflix
It’s been 2 years since we’ve last checked in on Assane Diop, now in hiding as he’s known as France’s most-wanted fugitive, but we’ll finally get to catch up with him this October when the third season drops. And a teaser revealed plans for his biggest, boldest, and most “insane” heist to date, setting his sights on the Black Pearl, which becomes the source of many problems after kidnappers take hold of his mother in exchange for the gem. The escapades will stretch a total of 7 episodes.
Loki – Oct 6. on Disney+
It’s an MCU world and we’re just living in it. You know when McDonald’s throws a whole promotion behind your show, it’s a big deal. The second installment will find Tom Hiddleston’s character trying to make sense of everything that transpired at the end of season 1. And don’t worry, he’ll still be slipping through time and space, pulled between the past, the present, and the future, as evidenced by plenty of trippy visuals.
The Fall of the House of Usher – Oct. 12 on Netflix
Netflix is taking a bite out of the horror genre with a series inspired by Edgar Allen Poe’s work, an 1839 short story of the same name. Roderick Usher (played by The Resident’s Bruce Greenwood) is, fittingly, the CEO of a corrupt pharmaceutical company, who has to face his past when his children, the heirs, begin to perish mysteriously. There are elements of pure horror mixed with dark comedy for an offering perfect for spooky season.
Frasier Revival – Oct 12. on Paramount+
Original series star Kelsey Grammer is Dr. Frasier Crane and embarks on a new chapter in a different city that forces him to face new challenges, relationships, and more. There’s definitely a nostalgia angle at play, but it’s nice reconnecting with a familiar face after all these years.
Fear The Walking Dead – Oct. 22 on AMC
The Walking Dead spinoff is gearing up to air its final set of episodes, with a focus on the core original characters including Madison and Strand’s reunion. And there’s even a resurrection for a character long presumed dead as a teaser shows Tory Otto is very much alive and ready for sweet revenge. I guess it’s to be expected for a show about zombies, right? See how it all ends this October.
NCIS: Syndey – Nov. 13 on CBS
NCIS and NCIS: Hawai’i may be on hiatus, but NCIS: Sydney, the highly anticipated spinoff series, will be entertaining fans this fall. The franchise is expanding, offering plenty of gorgeous new scenery for fans to take in, while keeping in line with what they’ve come to expect in terms from the elite group, including signature uniforms and action. The cast will include Brit Olivia Swann, leading the NCIS part of the team as NCIS Special Agent Michelle Mackey, with Aussie Todd Lasance as her 2IC AFP counterpart, Sergeant Jim “JD” Dempsey.