Another year, another few TV seasons with a variety of new programming. What were our favorite new comedies and dramas that you need to start watching?
‘Masters of Sex’
Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on Showtime. On its face it’s a show about the study of sex, but underneath is one of the best and deepest new dramas of the season. With compelling character relationships and gasp-worthy moments, the true story of Bill Masters is brilliantly brought to life by top notch actors Michael Sheen in the titular role and Lizzie Caplan as his assistant Virginia Johnson.
Fanning out the supporting cast are Allison Janney as a wife in a dead-end relationship and Beau Bridges as Dr. Masters’ boss Barton Scully. Eye candy comes in smaller actors Nicholas D’Agosto and Teddy Spears who offer bonus drama and light humor as well as several reality checks. – Andrew Sims
‘Almost Human’
Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on Fox. Though it may seem too soon to pin Almost Human as the best new fall show of 2013, its short time on air so far brings sci-fi familiarity in a nostalgic way. Taking place in 2048 where the crime rate has gone up 400%, the show follows John Kennex (Karl Urban), a cop that returns to work after being in a coma for 17 weeks due to an attack against his team. Kennex learns to use his new prosthetic leg and that it is now protocol to be partnered with a humanlike android.
After eventually being partnered with Dorian (Michael Ealy) – a more humanlike than average android – Kennex decides he could be worse off. The humor this duo share is better than most buddy cop shows and becomes progressively better with each new episode. Each week we explore a different aspect of the new technology used in this not-too-distant future world and it is enticing. Given the chance, I see this show making as long a run as the similar Fringe. – Brandi Delhagen
‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’
Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m. ET on Fox. Wanted: Great comedy with smart, ambitious women, a stereotype-defying gay character, a main character that is adorable, as well as brilliant, and a big burly cop that is afraid to go back out in the field. Well look no further folks! Brooklyn Nine-Nine is all of the above and more. It provides non-stop laughs and manages to do so without making it’s characters out to be idiots. Andy Samberg’s character is a clever and absolutely a-dork-able lead that manages to be funny while also actually achieving his goals and stopping the bad guys.
Sure, the entire police force of Brooklyn Nine-Nine gets into some of the usual antics of buddy cop movies and sitcoms gone-by, but the cast and crew take it to a fresh, fun new level that you can’t help but adore week after week. Throw in the likes of Terry Crews and the straight-faced Andre Braugher and you’ve got a hit in the making. I highly recommend Brooklyn Nine-Nine to compliment the already great Tuesday night comedies Fox has to offer. You will not be disappointed. – Kristen Kranz
‘Sleepy Hollow’
Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on Fox. Sleepy Hollow brings history and fiction together to bring us, undoubtedly, one of the best fall shows of 2013. With its roots set in Washington Irving’s classic tale, Sleepy Hollow manages to mix history and magic in a whole new way that no other show has done. You think you know the story of Ichabod Crane? Try again! With the twists and changes that Sleepy Hollow develops it completely alters the way you think about the classic tale and brings a refreshing outlook to the revolutionary war, free masonry, and way way more. – Kyle Herzallah
‘The Blacklist’
Mondays at 10 p.m. ET on NBC. The Blacklist is an action-packed series filled with well written characters and twisty plot lines that keep you on the edge of your seat. When Raymond ‘Red’ Reddington (James Spader) walks into the FBI to turn himself in, no one is ready for the deal he offers. Known as the “concierge of crime,” Red has something to offer the FBI: The Blacklist. It contains the most-wanted criminals in the world and Red knows how to get them. In order for the FBI to get the list Red says that he must work with rookie agent Elizabeth (Lizzie) Keene.
Each episode focuses on a criminal of the week but the deeper mystery lies with Red’s near-obsession with Lizzie. Theories run rampant about Red’s connection to Elizabeth, but little is revealed. Another mystery is Elizabeth’s husband – a man who seems like an average teacher but keeps a chest with fake passports and cash hidden under the floorboards. – Jennifer Lamoureux
‘Orange is the New Black’
All episodes available on Netflix. Orange is the New Black is the ultimate Netflix original binge-watching show. While protagonist Piper ends up being very unlikable, it’s her descent into putridness that rivets the viewer. The tight background stories of this prison drama give us a LOST vibe, while the love interests rival those of TV greats like Grey’s Anatomy. And the best part of all Netflix original shows? On top of Netflix uploading them in full-season sums, they aren’t written for the commercial break. If this is where television is heading, sign us up! – Mitch Clow
‘Once Upon a Time in Wonderland’
Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz continue their creative magic twisting classic fairytale worlds together in their latest fall debut, Once Upon a Time in Wonderland. Starring a relatively unknown cast, the show still totes a few big names with John Lithgow voicing the White Rabbit and Naveen Andrews putting a fresh spin on Jafar.
Fans of Once Upon a Time will have no trouble recognizing the weekly flashback driven story lines mixed with present day conflict. Jam packed with nods to both Disney fans and readers of Lewis Carroll’s works, Once Upon a Time in Wonderland provides unique stories for each character’s reasons for coming to Wonderland. The show sets off a wild Thursday night drama block on ABC, but do not let the references to genies and caterpillars fool you! Once Upon a Time in Wonderland is chock full of twists and you never know who may fall down the rabbit hole at any moment! – Brittany Lovely
‘Hostages’
Mondays at 10 p.m. ET on CBS. Watch Hostages on CBS if you are interested in a network television show that more closely mimics the limited runs of the shows on premium channels. Hostages will remind you a lot of 24, but with less urgency and more intense character development.
Dylan McDermott shines in the leading role as an FBI agent tasked with creating an assassination plot against the President of the United States. Toni Collette, who plays a surgeon, acts as his key pawn in a scheme that becomes more complex and rewarding each week. Don’t be afraid of the show after only watching a few episodes. Although it has many cliffhangers, it delivers on its implied promise to the viewer to continue the story-line in believable and unexpected ways. – Ryan Golden