“Utopia” (Fox), Sept. 7 at 8/7c
Pioneers will begin a new civilization off-the-grid in Southern California, where they will live, survive and — hopefully — thrive for a full calendar year. Fox will live-stream the happenings around-the-clock.
“Boardwalk Empire” (HBO), Sept. 7 at 9/8c
The masterful Prohibition-era drama marks its fifth and final season with a leap through time, and more devastating storytelling.
“Sons of Anarchy” (FX), Sept. 9 at 10/9c
With FX’s biker drama preparing to rev up and ride into the sunset with its final season, Jax Teller (Charlie Hunnam) will have a lot do deal with — primarily, whether he will save or destroy the club he’s found himself in charge of.
“Hell’s Kitchen” (Fox), Sept. 10 at 8/7c
Gordon Ramsey has essentially become the face of Fox, and his trademark show tends to live up to the dramatic hype. Let’s see (again) if the too many cooks in the kitchen can stand the heat.
“The Biggest Loser” (NBC), Sept. 11 at 8/7c
The reality series, once again down a Jillian Michaels, returns to help people achieve their fitness dreams.
“Dancing With the Stars” (ABC), Sept. 15 at 8/7c
Julianne Hough is back! This time as a judge. Savor the conflict of interest as she judges her brother Derek’s moves.
“New Girl” (Fox), Sept. 16 at 9/8c
Jess (Zooey Deschanel) and Nick (Jake Johnson) are no longer an item, but the gang must go on. Damon Wayans Jr. returns as a cast regular, which is awesome, plus, Jessica Biel is guesting as a rival of the titular “New Girl.” Sounds like a fun season.
“The Mindy Project” (Fox), Sept. 16 at 9:30/8:30c
One of the most underrated comedies on TV will hopefully continue to pick up steam in its third season. Rhea Perlman (“Cheers”) will join the cast as Chris Messina’s on-screen mom.
“Red Band Society” (Fox), Sept. 17 at 9/8c
Expect tears and laughs and more tears and laughs. Who knew sick kids could make for solid network TV? Apparently Fox, who are catching many good vibes — and reviews — for the Octavia Spencer-Dave Annable dramedy.
“Madam Secretary” (CBS), Sept. 21 at 8/7c
Politics get personal in this new drama, which stars Tea Leoni as a secretary of state who balances world affairs with family matters.
“The Good Wife” (CBS), Sept. 21 at 9/8c
The last season of “The Good Wife” delivered one of the most gasp-inducing TV moments of the year, with the shooting death of Will Gardner (Josh Charles). It will be interesting to see if the series can top that this time out.
“Gotham” (Fox), Sept. 22 at 8/7c
A Batman prequel that has exactly zero fully formed characters from the DC Comics universe. But what it does have is Ben McKenzie, Donal Logue, Jada Pinkett Smith and a ton of hype. It’s a good start, and a pretty good pilot.
“The Voice” (NBC), Sept. 22 at 8/7c
Can you have it like that? You got it like that. Former “Can I Have It Like That” and “Hollaback Girl” collaborators Gwen Stefani and Pharrell Williams get spinning chairs as they join the rotating panel of coaches.
“The Big Bang Theory” (CBS), Sept. 22 at 8/7c (The show moves back to Thursday nights at 8/7c on Oct. 30.)
The massively popular nerd comedy already generated drama ahead of its premiere, thanks to contract negotiations that delayed production on the season. Lucrative new deals should help the stars laugh it off.
“Scorpion” (CBS), Sept. 22 at 9/8c
Prepare to feel a little bit dumber than usual while watching this one — it’s about a genius and his international network of super-geniuses, who form the last line of defense against the complex threats of the modern age.
“Sleepy Hollow” (Fox), Sept. 22 at 9/8c
“Sleepy Hollow” was a big breakout hit for Fox in its freshman run last fall. This year, Mark Goffman and crew see if they can avoid the one-hit wonder fate of fellow Fox show “The Following.” “Sleepyheads” are optimistic, and it looks like they have good reason to be.
“The Blacklist” (NBC), Sept. 22 at 10/9c
An FBI agent and former bad guy who is absolutely, we’re totally sure not her dad reunite in the biggest new show of last season.
“Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D” (ABC), Sept. 23 at 9/8c
Lucy Lawless joins the Disney-Marvel’s masterpiece of corporate synergy as the Marvel Universe’s most capable mortals make do in a super-powered world.
“NCIS: New Orleans” (CBS), Sept. 23 at 9/8c
Scott Bakula, Lucas Black and Zoe McLellan star in this offshoot of CBS’ hugely successful “NCIS,” which moves the crime-investigation action to the Big Easy. Time to break out the Mardi Gras beads!
“Awkward” (MTV), Sept. 23 at 10/9c
The crew heads towards graduation on the continuation of Season 4, which means college apps! Jenna (Ashley Rickards) is single again and sure to have new dating disasters. But, is it really over between her and Matty (Beau Mirchoff).
“Chicago Fire” (NBC), Sept. 23 at 10/9c
The smokiest series in Dick Wolf’s empire returns for its third season, as sister show “Chicago P.D.” comes back for Season 2.
“Forever” (ABC), Sept. 23 at 10/9c
Ioan Gruffudd plays a New York City medical examiner who has an unusual secret: He can’t die. Lending his years of knowledge to solving crimes, he’s also trying to figure out his own immortality.
“Person of Interest” (CBS), Sept. 23 at 10/9c
Prepare for the stakes to be upped this season. Harold, Shaw and Reese take on new identities and, as Finch warns, a war is at hand.
“The Mysteries of Laura” (NBC), Sept. 24 at 8/7c
Debra Messing, clearly one of NBC’s favorite actors, returns in a new series as a cop who busts bad guys while trying to raise two sons who are the mischievous kind of bad, not the murderous kind.
“The Middle” (ABC), Sept. 24 at 8/7c
The Hecks are back. More adventures from the middle class, middle American family.
“The Goldbergs” (ABC), Sept. 24 at 8:30/7:30c
All the kids are still in the same grade on Season 2, so don’t expect a new school year.
“Law and Order: SVU” (NBC), Sept. 24 at 9/8c
NBC’s venerable procedural has done the unthinkable in recent seasons — taking us deep into characters’ personal lives. But it’s paid off. The Mariska Hargitay-led drama is the current longest-running, scripted, non-animated primetime American show.
“Modern Family” (ABC), Sept. 24 at 9/8c
Fresh off its fifth consecutive Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series, ABC’s most popular show just dares us to find anything wrong with it. And we can’t.
“Black-ish” (ABC), Sept. 24 at 9:30/8:30c
Created by Kenya Barris and starring Anthony Anderson, “Black-ish” leaves no stereotype unturned — and finds a fresh take on all of them. Anderson plays a man who worries that his children are forgetting their African-American culture, and that his boss is treating him like a token. The issues are serious, but the jokes are solid.
“Chicago P.D.” (NBC), Sept. 24 at 10/9c
Taking its lead from cable dramas like “The Shield,” NBC’s returning cop drama brings us officers who stay on the barely legal side of the thin blue line.
“Nashville” (ABC), Sept. 24 at 10/9c
The musical drama will make history by having two life performances during its otherwise taped premiere episode. Derek Hough, Laura Benanti will appear on Season 3’s debut.
“Bones” (Fox), Sept. 25 at 8/7c
The show that just keeps on giving. “Bones” is entering its 10th season — but where will it go now that the two main characters are finally married? Well, prison — at least for David Boreanaz’s character.
“Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC), Sept. 25 at 8/7c
After losing Sandra Oh, who left the series last season, Geena Davis has joined as a new surgeon and Kate Burton will reprise her role as Dr. Ellis Grey.
“Scandal” (ABC), Sept. 25 at 9/8c
Mathew Del Negro, Mary McCormack, Portia de Rossi, Josh Randall, as well as Sonya Walger join Season 4 in hush-hush roles.
“How to Get Away With Murder” (ABC), Sept. 25 at 10/9c
From Shonda Rhimes (“Scandal” and “Grey’s Anatomy”), Viola Davis plays an attorney and college professor who teaches her students with real world cases and the gray areas that win cases.
“Parenthood” (NBC), Sept. 25 at 10/9c
Parenthood, as Jason Robards told us in the 1989 film that inspired the series, never ends. But “Parenthood” ends this season, hopefully after resolving some of the huge questions from Season 5.
“The Amazing Race” (CBS), Sept. 26 at 8/7c
Will CBS’ long-running reality competition get even more amazing — and perhaps even racier — in its upcoming season? Stay tuned!
“Shark Tank” (ABC), Sept. 26 at 8/7c (9/8c time slot premieres Oct. 3)
More contenders will try to sell the “sharks” on their business ideas.
“Hawaii Five-O” (CBS), Sept. 26 at 9/8c
Prepare for a much more conspiracy-minded season: “Lost” alum Jorge Garcia, who plays conspiracy theorist Jerry Ortega, has been upped to series regular for the Aloha State drama’s fifth run.
“Blue Bloods” (CBS), Sept. 26 at 10/9c
Expect things to get steamy when this police drama comes back on the air — executive producer Kevin Wade has said that the possibility of a romantic relationship between partners Jamie Reagan and Eddie Janko will be more deeply explored this time out.
“Once Upon a Time” (ABC), Sept. 28 at 8/7c
Last season was all bout “Wicked.” Next season, prepare for “Frozen.”
“The Simpsons” (Fox), Sept. 28 at 8/7c
Why not? With a cool new app and website — Simpson’s World — will help breathe new life into the long-running animated series. Plus, crossover episodes with “The Family Guy” and “Futurama” won’t hurt either.
“Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (Fox), Sept. 28 at 8:30/7:30c
The show that won the Golden Globe in its first year was snubbed by the Emmys. The legitimately great ensemble comedy has plenty of space for growth, including the “Will They or Won’t They?” storyline with Andy Samberg’s and Melissa Fumero’s characters.
“Family Guy” (Fox), Sept. 28 at 9/8c
“The Simpsons Guy.” Enough said.
“Resurrection” (ABC), Sept. 28 at 9/8c
“Game Of Thrones” actress Michelle Fairley will be playing Jacob’s (Landon Gimenez) grandmother, who hasn’t aged since her “death.” How many more will come back?
“CSI” (CBS), Sept. 28 at 10/9c
The series’ writers have promised a “super dark and twisted” season this time out. Brace yourselves.
“Revenge” (ABC), Sept. 28 at 10/9c
Producers tease Emily (Emily VanCamp) will find out her father is still alive and will have to deal with the consequences of her actions against those she thought were behind his murder.
“Mom” (CBS), Sept. 29 at 8:30/7:30c
“Mom” is getting a little more Marjorie this season: Mimi Kennedy, who plays Christy’s pal and Bonnie’s nemesis, has been moved up to series regular for the sophomore season.
“Castle” (ABC), Sept. 29 at 10/9c
Matt Letscher guests on the premiere episode, which will shed light on the most important case of Beckett’s (Stana Katic) life. Also, whoever is behind Rick’s (Nathan Fillion) kidnapping can become a season-long story arc.
“NCIS: Los Angeles” (CBS), Sept. 29 at 10/9c
Things could be heating up between Kensi and Deeks. Is this a friendship or a love connection?
“Selfie” (ABC), Sept. 30 at 8/7c
“Doctor Who’s” Karen Gillan stars as a vapid social media star who has an abrupt fall from grace and reaches out to co-worker Henry (John Cho) for an image makeover.
“Manhattan Love Story” (ABC), Sept. 30 at 8:30/7:30c
Romantic comedy that follows couple Dana (Analeigh Tipton) and Peter’s (Jake McDorman) inner thoughts as they navigate the complicated terrain of a modern day relationship.
“Happyland” (MTV), Sept. 30 at 11/10c
A young woman working at a theme park falls for a studly young man who — eek — may be her brother. It’s just one more loop on MTV’s latest emotional roller coaster.
“Criminal Minds” (CBS), Oct. 1 at 9/8c
According to the Twitter account CM_SetReport, the upcoming season will involve, at least in part, a container labeled “Infectious Linens.” Maybe it’s time for a trip to Bed Bath & Beyond.
“Stalker” (CBS), Oct. 1 at 10/9c
Dylan McDermott and Maggie Q star in this psychological thriller about detectives in the Los Angeles Police Department’s Threat Assessment Unit. Tasked with tracking stalkers, they’re aided by the fact that they exhibit stalker-ish traits themselves.
“The Vampire Diaries” (The CW), Oct. 2 at 8/7c
Damon and Bonnie were engulfed by a bright light at the end of Season 5, but on this show, that’s not the same as being dead and buried. Season 6 picks up a few months after that brouhaha, in a recently de-magicked Mystic Falls. But how will Elena cope in the wake of Damon’s disappearance? In the most deliciously dramatic fashion possible, we hope.
“Gracepoint” (Fox), Oct. 2 at 9/8c
Did you like “Broadchurch?” Well, this is pretty much exactly that.
“Reign” (The CW), Oct. 2 at 9/8c
The Black Plague is coming! The epidemic that wiped out hundreds of millions of people in the 14th Century will be the backdrop to some sexy and dangerous courtly intrigue when The CW’s hit freshman drama returns for season 2.
“Bad Judge” (NBC), Oct. 2 at 9/8c
Produced by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay, the new comedy finds Kate Walsh playing a very Ferrelly character: a hard-drinking, hard-rocking, hard-loving judge who may stumble into doing some good.
“A to Z” (NBC), Oct. 2 at 9:30/8:30c
NBC dares us not to fall in love with the adorable Ben Feldman (“Mad Men”) and Cristin Milioti (“How I Met Your Mother”) as we follow their relationship from A to… yeah, you get it. Rashida Jones is among the executive producers, and narration comes courtesy of Katey Sagal, who has a little TV history with love and marriage, love and marriage.
“Last Man Standing” (ABC), Oct. 3 at 8/7c
Tim Allen returns as Mike Baxter, the lone male voice in a family of women.
“America’s Next Top Model” (The CW), Oct. 3 at 9/8c
Miss J. is back for the second cycle which includes men competing with the women.
“Homeland” (SHO), Oct. 5 at 9/8c
If you liked everything about “Homeland” except for Sgt. Nicholas Brody, have we got the season for you. Claire Danes returns as a CIA agent now stationed in the Middle East as she mourns the death of her double-agent lover. Or is it triple-agent? We kind of lost track.
“Mulaney” (Fox), Oct. 5 at 9:30/8:30c
John Mulaney is a great stand-up comedian and an even better joke writer. Will that translate to TV? NBC, which originally had the show, didn’t seem to think so. But Nasim Pedrad is also a delight, so … we’ll see.
“The Originals” (The CW), Oct. 6 at 8/7c
The sophomore season of the New Orleans-set “Vampire Diaries” spin-off will give us our first Kol crossover, a hungry, hungry hybrid in Hayley, and a new witch named Kaleb (played by “Teen Wolf‘s” Daniel Sharman.)
“The Flash” (The CW), Oct. 7 at 8/7c
A lighter, more supernaturally tinged offshoot of CW’s “Arrow,” “The Flash” follows Barry Allen as he’s struck by lightning, gains superhuman speed and sets out to be a hero of Central City – even as he’s haunted by his mother’s mysterious death from years ago.
“Supernatural” (The CW), Oct. 7 at 9/8c
Sam and Dean Winchester find themselves fighting the good fight for opposing teams. Dean transformed into a demon at the end of Season 9, an arc unlikely to be wrapped up quickly. More importantly, the show’s upcoming 200th episode will be a musical one. Here’s hoping Sam can carry a tune!
“Arrow” (The CW), Oct. 8 at 8/7c
As Oliver Queen embraces his role as a hero more and more, he also finally makes a move on Girl Friday Felicty Smoak – though their big first date may end in more mayhem. It’s not easy being green.
“Kingdom” (DirecTV), Oct. 8 at 9/8c
Frank Grillo, Kiele Sanchez, Matt Lauria, Jonathan Tucker, Nick Jonas and Joanna Going star in this series set in the world of mixed martial arts.
“Cristela” (ABC), Oct. 10 at 8:30/7:30
ABC passed on this pilot before Cristela Alonzo and her people shot it themselves and got a wildly enthusiastic reception. Alonzo plays a woman trying to become a lawyer, and driving her Mexican-American family a little crazy in the process.
“The Walking Dead” (AMC), Oct. 12 at 9/8c
When last we saw our heroes, it looked a lot like they were about to be eaten — and not even by zombies. Previews for the new season suggest things may get better, though it’s relative. The best case scenario, for the time being, is wandering a zombie-infested landscape, desperate for food and shelter. At least we have a couple of will-they-or-won’t-they relationships to keep things light.
“Jane the Virgin” (The CW), Oct. 13 at 9/8c
A young woman who has carefully maintained her virginity is accidentally artificially inseminated at a hospital. It could have made for a crackling malpractice drama, but the producers wisely opted to focus on the emotional dynamics instead. Based on a hit Venezuelan telenovela.
“Marry Me” (NBC), Oct. 14 at 9/8c
“Burning Love” star Ken Marino is everywhere lately, including this comedy based partly on the real marriage of his new TV wife, Casey Wilson. She’s recently married to series creator David Caspe.
“About a Boy” (NBC), Oct. 14 at 9:30/8:30c
Expect more huggy moments and more pro-carnivore propaganda (the two male leads bonded over meat in the pilot) as the comedy returns for Season 2.
“The Affair” (SHO), Oct. 19 at 10/9c
“The Wire” veteran Dominic West plays Noah, a New Yorker who has and risks it all for an affair with a waitress (Ruth Wilson) while vacationing for the summer in Long Island. Her husband is played by Joshua Jackson, and his wife by Maura Tierney, proving that some people will just never be happy with anything.
“The 100” (The CW), Oct. 22 at 9/8c
In season 1 they met the Grounders, and then were captured by mysterious Mountain Men, just as some grown ups made it down to Earth safely. What’s next for the 100? Hopefully a hot shower and some clean clothes, but probably just more death and destruction.
“Web Therapy” (SHO), Oct. 22 at 11/10c
After debuting, appropriately enough, online, Lisa Kudrow’s comedy series returns for its latest session on Showtime. Kudrow plays a therapist who looks for breakthroughs during short, intense online sessions.
“Grimm” (NBC), Oct. 24 at 9/8c
The supernatural detective drama is usurping the conventional wisdom that nothing can survive Friday nights. Fans of the show find that its mix of grime, grit and humor are well-worth staying in for.
“Constantine” (NBC), Oct. 24 at 10/9c
NBC hopes its found the perfect Friday-night playmate to “Grimm” in its new supernatural series about a cynical DC Comics antihero who hunts demons.
“The Millers” (CBS), Oct. 30 at 8:30/7:30c
The Will Arnett dysfunctional family comedy enters its second season with a newly fortified cast. “Will & Grace” alum Sean Hayes is coming aboard as a series regular, playing Kip Withers, the new best friend of Carol Miller — and a source of tension for her son Nathan.
“Two and a Half Men” (CBS), Oct. 30 at 9/8c
As the once-huge CBS comedy rides into the sunset with its final season, it’s unclear if ousted star Charlie Sheen will return for one last appearance. However, wedding bells are in the air — the season will feature a same-sex marriage between Walden (Ashton Kutcher) and Alan (Jon Cryer).
“The McCarthys” (CBS), Oct. 30 at 9:30/8:30c
A comedy about a loud, sports-crazed Boston family, with gay themes? How can you resist?
“Elementary” (CBS), Oct. 30 at 10/9c
Emmy voters just lavished awards on TV’s other “Sherlock,” but Jonny Lee Miller as Sherlock Holmes and Lucy Liu as Watson will just have to settle for scoring a bigger American audience than the British version does.
“MasterChef Junior” (Fox), Nov. 7
Cooking, kids, Gordon Ramsey. Expect slightly fewer bleeps from a typical Ramsey Fox show — slightly.
“State of Affairs” (NBC), Nov. 17
Katherine Heigl loses sleep as the woman responsible for giving the President of the United States her daily intelligence briefing.