Rev Up For New Shows

by IMDb-Editors
We're taking a look at the television series IMDb users are most eager to watch this fall. The following shows all have series premieres this season, and our rankings are based on traffic data to our IMDb series pages. — Bret Federigan

10. "Atlanta" (FX)

Donald Glover seeks to give a fresh spin on the Atlanta rap scene with this semiautobiographical comedy-drama series that highlights the many talents of the former "Community" star and "30 Rock" writer. Glover serves as executive producer and also stars as Earnest "Earn" Marks, an ambitious college dropout whose estranged cousin suddenly becomes a star. Glover is an accomplished stage performer -- as a recording artist he's known as Childish Gambino -- and on this FX series he writes and performs all his own raps, which means the show should sound as good as it looks. In recent interviews, Glover has said "Atlanta" will be "'Twin Peaks' for rappers." What that actually means, who knows? But the possibilities are certainly intriguing.

9. "Conviction" (ABC)

Hayley Atwell hasn't had much time to mourn the cancellation of her most recent series, "Agent Carter," as she's returning to ABC as the centerpiece of another drama. With "Conviction," Atwell trades in the trappings of the Marvel Universe for the rough-and-tumble legal world of New York City. She plays Hayes Morrison, the daughter of a former U.S. president and also a talented lawyer, who is coerced into a high-profile gig as head of the city's Conviction Integrity Unit. It's from that perch that the former wild child must lead a team that investigates cases of the wrongfully convicted. Eddie Cahill stars as her boss, District Attorney Conner Wallace. Also joining the cast is Shawn Ashmore, whose work in theX-Men film franchise should make him very familiar to Marvel fans.

8. "Kevin Can Wait" (CBS)

The last time Kevin James was entertaining primetime viewers was as parcel delivery man Doug Heffernan on CBS' long-running and popular "King of Queens." This time around, James plays another civil servant: a newly retired police officer named Kevin who finds the transition to a more family-centric life in Long Island a bit challenging. Accompanying James for his second family sitcom is "Childrens Hospital" veteran Erinn Hayes, who plays Kevin's wife Donna, and Leonard Earl Howze, Lenny Venito, and Gary Valentine, who as Kevin's guy squad all provide him some much needed testosterone to counterbalance the demands of having to raise three kids. "King of Queens" ran for 9 seasons and continues to enjoy success in syndication worldwide. So, no pressure there …

7. "Designated Survivor" (ABC)

After returning to primetime briefly for a limited run on "24: Live Another Day," Kiefer Sutherland seems finally ready to put his Jack Bauer days behind him for good. In fact, he passed on "24: Legacy" in order to do this series. But he's not straying too far from the genre of politics-driven thrillers. In "Designated Survivor," Sutherland plays Tom Kirkman, a Cabinet Secretary who is thrust into the role of U.S. President by circumstance: an attack on the country kills everyone above him in the line of succession. Along for the ride is another familiar face to TV fans, Maggie Q, late of "Stalker" and "Nikita." And in a key supporting role is Kal Penn, with whom Sutherland collaborated on "24" and who plays a White House staffer. The latter is noteworthy since Penn actually worked in the White House during the first term of the Obama administration in the office of Public Engagement.

6. "Lethal Weapon" (FOX)

If last season's "Rush Hour" serves as any guide, there's no guarantee of success for networks when deciding to bring a beloved cop buddy comedy from the big screen to the small screen. But FOX is not only willing to translate the popular Lethal Weapon franchise for primetime viewers; it's also remaking another well-known movie franchise with "The Exorcist." With "Lethal Weapon," FOX is hoping that a couple of veteran actors and familiar faces will help this film adaptation find better success than its immediate forebears. Clayne Crawford ("Rectify") and Damon Wayans ("Happy Endings") headline the series as the unlikely pairing of unhinged cop and veteran detective. Among those on hand to balance out this duo is Jordana Brewster, who plays the LAPD's psychologist.


5. "MacGyver" (CBS)

The network that rebooted "Hawaii Five-0" for a whole new generation of fans is doing the same with 1980s classic "MacGyver." Viewers, however, expecting to see something very similar to the series that starred Richard Dean Anderson as a scrappy and sciency-savvy adult Swiss Army Knife shouldn't hold their breath. This latest reincarnation serves up a 20-something Angus "Mac" MacGyver, played by X-Men veteran Lucas Till, who heads up a secret organization in the U.S. government that uses his uncanny knowledge and resourceful skills to solve problems of global importance. At work, MacGyver is joined by Jack Dalton, portrayed by former "CSI" star George Eads. And at home he tangles with his roommate Wilt Bozer, played by Justin Hires, who starred in last season's "Rush Hour."


4. "This Is Us" (NBC)

In a recent interview, star Milo Ventimiglia tried to explain the pronounced popularity of his new drama series' trailer, which has been racking up a record number of views across the internet: "In a television landscape that is populated with superheroes and high concepts and aliens and scandals, I think what 'This Is Us' is doing is simplifying life." In many respects, NBC is hoping this much anticipated dramedy will touch viewers in the same way that "Parenthood" did for both casual fans and critics alike. But in this drama, instead of unpeeling the complex layers of a clan, "This Is Us" follows the seemingly disparate lives of a group of people born on the same day whose fortunes ultimately end up converging. The cast boasts a slew of familiar faces to join Ventimiglia: Mandy Moore, Sterling K. Brown,Alan Thicke, and Justin Hartley among others. If the trailer is any indication, prepare yourself for some emotional viewing.


3. "Luke Cage" (Netflix)

Like "Jessica Jones" and "Daredevil" before it, "Luke Cage" is part of a wide-reaching deal by Disney and Marvel to bring to Netflix a set of live-action series that culminates in "The Defenders" miniseries. "Cage" is the third title to result from the agreement and follows the justice-seeking exploits of a character that was introduced to viewers in "Jessica Jones."Mike Colter stars as the titular hero, a former convict with unworldly strength and titanium-hard skin who rededicates his life to fighting crime in New York. Rounding out the cast areMahershala Ali as crime boss Cornell "Cottonmouth" Stokes and Alfre Woodard as local politician Mariah Dillard. Look for recurring appearances from Rosario Dawson, who reprises her role as Claire Temple from both "Daredevil" and "Jessica Jones." Fun fact: Every episode of the series is named after a Gang Starr song.

2. "Timeless" (NBC)

If you love classic science fiction tropes and time-traveling escapades, "Timeless" just may be the fix you need this fall. The series, which is the union of Shawn Ryan ("The Shield") and Eric Kripke ("Supernatural"), centers around Garcia Flynn (Goran Visnjic), a supervillain who steals a time machine in order to destroy present-day America by changing the course of its past. And the trio burdened with the responsibility of trying to thwart Flynn is a history professor (Abigail Spencer), a soldier (Matt Lanter), and a scientist (Malcolm Barrett). According to one network executive, the series is "Back to the Future meets 'Mission: Impossible.'" And NBC is so confident in the series that it's given it the coveted Monday night slot after "The Voice."

1. "Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life" (Netflix)

What began with "Arrested Development" in 2013 and continued with "Fuller House" this past winter has blossomed into a full-blown nostalgia tour on Netflix, which is rebooting the popular "Gilmore Girls" franchise for a limited run beginning this November. Set again in Stars Hollow, "A Year in the Life" will be made up four 90-minute episodes, each covering a season of the year. More importantly, the series is welcoming back a parade of beloved characters and faces including Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, Milo Ventimiglia, Melissa McCarthy, and Jared Padalecki among others. Whether the Gilmore reunion is extended beyond this limited four-episode run remains to be seen. But for the time being, fans and you IMDb users are reveling in the temporary revival.