We hope your DVRs are ready for a workout! Here are 16 television shows premiering this week, from Monday, September 22 to Sunday, September 28.
Last week was just playtime. This is it. These are the big leagues. Finally, after months of waiting, most of our favorite shows are back this week, 17 to be exact (including Downton Abbey, which premiered in the U.K. yesterday, September 21.)
Sure, there have been clips from Comic-Con, interviews with the show runners and extended trailers, but nothing can satiate the desire of a fan who was left with a cliffhanger (or tantalizing tease) of last season.
While this is the week you will most likely settle into your television watching routine, be sure to keep a little time open – there are a few more shows set to premiere over the next month.
‘Downton Abbey’ (ITV)
Sunday, September 21, 9 p.m. GMT/4 p.m. EST
The wait between Christmas of last year and September has been particularly agonising for fans of period drama Downton Abbey, but it is finally coming to its end this week. At least for our friends across the pond, the Crawley family, and everyone tangled up in their lives, will be gracing our screens once more — and we can scarcely wait for their return. When we left them last, Bates’ involvement in Green’s death was discovered by Mrs. Hughes and Mary, Edith had her baby and decided to leave her with a farming family nearby, and Mary was still being courted by both Lord Gillingham and Charles Blake.
The plot threads set up throughout the fourth season seem tipped to come to a head during this, and if the trailer is anything to go by, our premiere episode should start it off with a bang. We know that there’ll be a fire ravaging the halls of Downton fairly early on, but what else is in store for us? Will we finally find out Baxter’s deep, dark secret? Will Anna learn just what Bates did to the man that raped her? What schemes and manipulations will Thomas put into motion during the course of the season? And just who will Mary choose from her potential suitors? (This writer is still rooting for Charles Blake, despite what any spoilers may suggest.) It’s hard to believe that with only eight episodes they’ll be able to fit everything in, but Downton always manages to weave satisfying drama throughout their seasons that leave us perched on the edge of our seats, and unable to talk of anything but during the weeks its on air. And also drinking obscene amounts of tea, because when in Rome…
’Gotham’ (Fox)
Monday, September 22, 8:00 p.m.
Gotham is one of the most anticipated shows of the season, and after seeing the pilot we definitely understand why. Filled with amazing characters and gripping story arcs, we’re already attached to Gordon and afraid of Fish Mooney, so we’re looking forward to seeing what the rest of the season will bring.
‘The Voice’ (NBC)
September 22, 8:00 p.m.
The Voice kicks off its seventh season this month with some brand new coaches. Old favorites Adam Levine and Blake Shelton will welcome Gwen Stefani and Pharrell Williams into the fold, and the newbies will have to prove they have what it takes to fight for their favorite contestants and build a winning team. Both Gwen and Pharrell have clearly seen their share of success in the music business, and will undoubtedly have lots of helpful tips for their contestants. Ever since Usher broke Adam and Blake’s reign of terror last year, when his contestant Josh Kaufman won the season 6 title, the competition has been blown wide open, and Gwen or Pharrell could very well take home a win in their very first season.
‘The Big Bang Theory’ (CBS)
September 22, 8:00 p.m.
Last year was a season of ups and downs on The Big Bang Theory. Penny stressed Leonard out by quitting her job to pursue acting, but when this brave decision backfired, the on-again, off-again pair decided to finally put a ring on it! Meanwhile, Raj finally landed a steady girlfriend, while Howard and Bernadette were relieved and confused to find that Stewart (now minus one comicbook store) was the perfect nurse for Mrs. Wolowitz.
As for Sheldon, his elation at the discovery of a new element threw his self-esteem into turmoil, when his crowning achievement turned out to be an accident – though he did discover that kissing Amy wasn’t all that bad. But distraught at the changes heralded by Leonard and Penny’s engagement, Sheldon decided to hit the rails, and take a journey of self discovery – solo.
So what’s next? Well, it looks like Sheldon’s ride-about will be coming to an end as season 8 begins, and Sheldon may have more explaining to do (hello, Amy!) than he anticipated. Howard will find the relationship between his mom and Stewart unexpectedly stressful, and Penny’s decision to take a break from acting to make a little money may cause tension in more than one of her relationships.
Yes, it looks like Raj will be the happy one. It’s totally weird.
Next page: Red Reddington, Phil Coulson, and Debra Messing return to our televisions
‘Sleepy Hollow’ (Fox)
September 22, 9:00 p.m.
Sleepy Hollow was without a doubt one of the best new fall premieres last season, and we’re absolutely thrilled to see Ichabod Crane and Abbie Mills come back to our television sets! With so much more supported garnered behind the show and the world already built, this season has nowhere to go but up – we have two Horsemen of the Apocalypse already in town and a whole family dynamic between Ichabod, Katrina and Henry, so things are bound to get interesting.
‘The Blacklist’ (NBC)
September 22, 10:00 p.m.
The first season of The Blacklist was an intense ride as Raymond Reddington introduced the FBI to the blacklist, the worst criminals no one knows exist. Of course Red is on the FBI’s most wanted list put isn’t willing to relinquish control. The biggest mystery of the season is what is Red’s interest in FBI agent Liz Keen and there are many possibilities as Liz’s past isn’t an open book. Season 2 will see the Red and the FBI fighting it out with Berlin, the big bad with a personal vendetta against Red. The big question is did Liz’s husband die after being revealed as a spy? Will Liz find a new relationship with Agent Ressler? The Blacklist is sure to bring the drama and the laughs as only Red can do.
‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ (ABC)
Tuesday, September 23, 9:00 p.m.
Life was good for Agent Coulson and his team when Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. began – but everything changed when the Fire Nation HYDRA attacked.
One day, the team was about to apprehend the Clairvoyant. Then next, S.H.I.E.L.D. had collapsed under the weight of Captain America’s discovery that HYDRA had been hiding within the organization since its inception.
Agent Garrett was revealed to be the Clairvoyant, and Grant Ward his duplicitous toady. Team Coulson was forced underground, still hoping to cut off at least one of HYDRA’s heads. Defying the odds, Coulson and his team were able to pull off a win. Garrett was defeated (twice), Ward apprehended, and Mike Peterson freed from his tortured role as Deathlok. Nick Fury appointed Coulson Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., with a toolbox to help.
But all is far from well. Fitz is fighting for his life. The team is still hunted and in hiding. Skye’s unknown origins are coming back to haunt her, in the form of a very freaky father.
And the symptoms of the miracle drug GH-325 are at last making themselves known to Coulson, who ended the season numbly carving a collage of alien symbols into the wall. Who can Team Coulson trust, if they can’t even trust themselves?
‘Mysteries of Laura’ (NBC)
Wednesday, September 24, 8:00 p.m.
The Mysteries of Laura, a new cop dramedy that follows Laura Diamond who spends her days on the streets as an NYPD homicide detective and her nights wrangling her twin sons from PTA meetings to tucking them into bed. The show stars NBC alum, Debra Messing (Will and Grace, Smash) and Josh Lucas (Sweet Home Alabama) as a soon to be divorced couple with Lucas’ cop character respiring his role as the husband who won’t sign the papers. Hopefully the show will be able to stake a claim in the tricky buddy cop/parenthood realm, but with NBC’s track record of pilot cancellations, I’m not holding my breath.
‘Bones’ (Fox)
Thursday, September 25, 8:00 p.m.
With Booth now in jail because of last year’s finale, Bones is set to be an amazing season as Brennan and the team try to solve the case that sent him there. We can’t wait to see Brennan in action again, and see the rest of the Jeffersonian crew work together to bring Booth home. Plus, Sweets has an incredibly story line coming up with Daisy and that just adds the icing to the cake!
‘Grey’s Anatomy’ (ABC)
September 25, 8:00 p.m.
Grey’s Anatomy season 11 is kicking off and I’m a little skeptical now that Cristina is no longer on the show. But that doesn’t mean that I’m lost as a fan.
With the new twist of Maggie, I’m interested to see how Meredith will react to the news. She still has other half-sisters from her father but the only one she ever really connected with was Lexie. After everything Meredith has been through who knows what she’ll do!
This also brings Weber back into the game. In season 10 I felt as though his storyline distanced him from the rest of the characters. It was weird and I didn’t like it. But now he’s relevant again!
Now that Amelia is planning to stay in Seattle it should be interesting to see how she settles into the hospital. I’d like to see her get close to Meredith but some others too. Plus who’s side will she pick on the Seattle vs. D.C. debate?
Most of all, I’m ready to see where Alex and Jo’s relationship is going to go. They’re currently my favorite couple. They bring the show back to the same feeling as the first few seasons.
Next page: Olivia Pope, Captain Hook and Captain Holt return for new seasons
‘Scandal’ (ABC)
September 25, 9:00 p.m.
Thursday night’s hottest drama returns for season 4 in a new time slot: 9 p.m. eastern/pacific on ABC. Not only are we thrilled that the show is airing a little earlier on Thursday nights (we need our beauty rest for Friday!), we’re greatly looking forward to seeing Olivia Pope back in the saddle. Now that Kerry Washington’s real life baby has been birthed, series creator Shonda Rhimes says that the show will be turning its focus back onto the lead star. Expect a focus on the core characters and a format that will remind you of seasons 1 and 2 (i.e. a new case for Olivia Pope and Associates to crack every week). We can’t wait to see where Olivia flew off to and what will be bringing her back to D.C. Let’s guess why she’ll return to the Capitol: Fitz will beg the Secret Service to find her.
‘How To Get Away With Murder’ (ABC)
September 25, 10:00 p.m.
Shonda Rhimes’s newest endeavor, How to Get Away with Murder, premieres on September 25 on ABC. If you live in a city you may know something about it as it’s almost impossible to avoid the blood red posters on every corner. The cast is led by the impeccable Viola Davis as Annalise Keating, a law professor who becomes entangled in a murder along with her students. It also stars Alfred Enoch who, if you aren’t familiar, played Dean Thomas in the Harry Potter films. He’s also extremely good looking and British, so there’s that to keep in mind. The trailer alone promises sex, lies and, of course, plenty of drama. After binge watching Scandal this summer, there’s no way we can deny Shonda’s way of pulling audiences in and we’re sure How to Get Away with Murder will have a similar effect.
‘The Amazing Race’ (CBS)
Friday, September 26, 8:00 p.m.
The Amazing Race is airing its 25th season this year! If that’s not enough to get you excited here are a few reasons you should be: This season will kick off from Times Square in New York City so early in the morning that it was still pitch black outside. It should make for quite the opening scene. A new twist is being introduced this season, which may have a big impact in the race. It’s being called “The Save” and will give the team that finishes first in the premiere episode the ability to save themselves if they face elimination later in the race. That means that if a strong team has an off day for some reason – they could stay in the game anyways. I bet the Cowboys Jet and Cord would have loved this feature. Plus we will get to visit some new locations around the world including: St. Thomas, Virgin Islands; Valletta, Malta; and the Shetland Islands, Scotland. There will also be a team of Boston Firefighters that I may be partial to: Michael Ward and Scott Strazzullo. So there will definitely be some good guys to root for.
‘Once Upon a Time’ (ABC)
Sunday, September 28, 8:00 p.m.
Once Upon a Time’s third season expanded the family shrubbery maze beyond comprehension. The villainous Peter Pan and his rule over Neverland tested the darkest parts of Neal and Rumpelstiltskin’s hearts, while the Wickedness of Zelena’s arrival proved yet again that light magic will always win out over the dark. Season 4 will follow the same structure, splitting the season into two story arcs in the fall and spring. Viewers will first take a chilly trip to Arendelle where the characters from Frozen are not the only reason why everyone’s favorite couples are experiencing a cold shoulder. Will your favorite couple survive season 4? And who will be welcomed into the family this season?
‘Brooklyn Nine – Nine’ (Fox)
September 28, 8:30 p.m.
Jake Peralta, undercover detective? In the season 1 finale, we saw Jake get “fired” from the precinct in order to go undercover to help the FBI with a mission. But that wasn’t even the most surprising moment of the finale. That award belongs to Gina and Boyle, in bed, together. There are no words to really describe the surprise we had, but we doubt they’re eager to tell everyone (Rosa) about their romp in the bed. It’s probably safe to assume that soon, Jake will be back at the Nine-Nine and things will go back to “normal.” Well, as normal as you can get with these people.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine will also see guest stars such as Eva Longoria and Kyra Sedgwick playing a lawyer and Deputy Chief of police, respectively.
‘Revenge’ (ABC)
September 28, 9:00 p.m.
Revenge’s season 3 finale was arguably its best yet. It was filled with death, arrests, blackmail and our HBIC, Victoria, ending up in the mental hospital. Oh, did we forget to mention the resurrection of David Clarke himself?
Season 4 has added a local cop, Brian Hallisay (Privileged, The Client List) who’s rumored to get friendly with our leading lady, Emily. Victoria may have someone on her side with the addition of Nestor Serrano (Graceland) who will play police chief – and probably another friend with benefits of Victoria’s. Will David reveal himself now that his name’s been cleared? And with Victoria and Emily’s love lives down the drain, vengeance is sure to be imminent once again.
What shows will you be watching this week? Let us know in the comments!