Ron Cephas Jones has once again been nominated for an Emmy for his guest role as William, Randall Pearson’s (Sterling K. Brown) deceased biological father on NBC’s “This Is Us.” But his third nod for the same part comes for playing not one, but two different versions of the character that only exist in his son’s mind during a “what if?” exercise in a therapy session.
“I’ve never experienced that before and going into it, I had to constantly remind myself that it was nothing like anything else we’ve done before,” Jones told TheWrap of the Season 4 episode, titled “After the Fire.” “I guess the difficult part was trying to get into Randall’s head. So I had to keep referring back to the writer and the director to make sure that actions were conducive to who William would have been through Randall’s mind.”
During the episode, Randall sits down with Dr. Leigh (Pamela Adlon) and tells her exactly what he thinks his life would have been like if he had stopped his father, Jack (Milo Ventimiglia), from going back inside their house when it was burning down, which is what led him dying of a heart attack that same night.
Also Read: 'This Is Us' Creator Dan Fogelman Says Season 5 Will Include Coronavirus Plot
Randall goes down two paths, one a best case scenario that shows him finding out about William from his mother Rebecca (Mandy Moore) as a teen, as opposed to the reality of her keeping William a secret and Randall discovering him later in life. In this time line, Randall bonds with William almost immediately, which leads adult Randall to noticing his biological father’s cancer early enough to save him from dying of it.
“It was a constant learning process of how to get it right through Randall’s dream and through Randall’s idea of who William was,” Jones said. “Also, it was the first time I had an opportunity to work with [‘This Is Us’ actor Niles Fitch], the younger Randall, which was mind-blowing in itself because I had to go back even further to re-create — in Randall’s young mind, in Randall’s mind through therapy — what that situation would have been like. So I didn’t have Sterling there to make any reference either.”
The darker “what if?” timeline Randall imagines in therapy is one in which, as Jones put it, young Randall faces “total rejection” from William when he finds out about him as a teenager and goes to see him with Jack.
Also Read: Fall TV 2020: All the Premiere Dates for New and Returning Shows - So Far (Photos)
“If you think about human behavior, it’s easier to discard than it is to accept,” Jones said, “If you just think about that premise alone, just human behavior, it easier to fear than it is to love. It’s easier to reject than it is to accept. And that’s human behavior, our first instinct is to reject, you have to work at acceptance. You have to work at love. So the rejecting comes at all levels, whatever stage of grief it is, you can identify with rejection.”
This is also where never having worked with Fitch before worked in Jones’ favor.
“I had never, in my mind, accepted Randall in that particular scene. So I didn’t even really have to look at Niles. It was a total rejection of the idea that I had ever had a child. So to not even focus on him and instead look at Milo– or Jack, who I didn’t know was Jack. And of course in the character you’re not thinking it’s Milo, it’s just some strange white man with some kid, and then the subconscious of me registered it. And hopefully– that was the difficult part, if the camera could pick up that moment where it registers in his subconscious and then he pushes it to his consciousness to say, I reject everything that’s in front of me and even the idea that you would even say that this is my son, that was the goal in the action of that particular moment. Just total rejection.”
He added: “But there’s a moment where you maybe see that he knows it, but the rejection happens so fast and so totally that by the time you blink, the door has slammed.”
Also Read: Here Are the Premiere Dates for Broadcast TV's New and Returning Fall Shows (Updating)
Jones doesn’t know if he’ll be back for the upcoming fifth season of “This Is Us” — which has yet to begin production amid the pandemic or set a premiere date, but is still holding a spot on NBC’s fall lineup — though he is hopes to find out more about Rebecca and William’s complicated past one day.
“There are a lot of questions I still have about his relationship fully to Randall’s mother,” Jones said. “And hopefully I get to be included in that.”
Fall TV 2020: All the Premiere Dates for New and Returning Shows - So Far (Photos)
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ABC/Netflix/HBO/Peacock
Fall is in full swing, but not much has changed since this summer with many people still staying at home as much as possible to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Luckily, dozens of new and returning shows are premiering this autumn to keep you company. TheWrap has rounded up all the dates we know -- so far -- for Fall TV shows' debuts. We will continue to update the list as more become available.
For the purposes of this gallery, we've designated Sept. 1 as the beginning of fall rather than the official Sept. 22 start, since "Fall TV" is sure to be more loosely defined this year.
Also Read: Winter TV 2021: All the Premiere Dates for New and Returning Shows – So Far (Photos)
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MTV
Series: "Teen Mom 2" Net: MTV Premiere Date: Tuesday, Sept. 1 Time: 8 p.m.
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MTV
Series: "16 and Recovering" Net: MTV Premiere Date: Tuesday, Sept. 1 Time: 9 p.m.
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NBC
Series: "Transplant" Net: NBC Premiere Date: Tuesday, Sept. 1 Time: 10 p.m.
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BET
Series: "House of Payne" Net: BET Premiere Date: Wednesday, Sept. 2 Time: 8 p.m.
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BET
Series: "Assisted Living" Net: BET Premiere Date: Wednesday, Sept. 2 Time: 9 p.m.
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Peacock
Series: "A.P. Bio" Net: Peacock Premiere Date: Thursday, Sept. 3 Time: N/A
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HBO Max
Series: "Raised by Wolves" Net: HBO Max Premiere Date: Thursday, Sept. 3 Time: N/A
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Netflix
Series: "Away" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Friday, Sept. 4 Time: N/A
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Peacock
Series: "Noughts + Crosses" Net: Peacock Premiere Date: Friday, Sept. 4 Time: N/A
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Amazon Prime Video
Series: "The Boys" Net: Amazon Prime Video Premiere Date: Friday, Sept. 4 Time: N/A
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OWN
Series: "Black Love" Net: OWN Premiere Date: Saturday, Sept. 5 Time: 9 p.m.
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Starz
Series: "Power Book II: Ghost" Net: Starz Premiere Date: Sunday, Sept. 6 Time: 9 p.m.
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NBC
Series: "American Ninja Warrior" Net: NBC Premiere Date: Monday, Sept. 7 Time: 8 p.m.
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Spectrum Originals
Series: "L.A's Finest" Net: Spectrum Originals Premiere Date: Wednesday, Sept. 9 Time: N/A
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Hulu
Series: "Woke" Net: Hulu Premiere Date: Wednesday, Sept. 9 Time: N/A
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Netflix
Series: "Julie and the Phantoms" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Thursday, Sept. 10 Time: N/A
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Netflix
Series: "The Duchess" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Friday, Sept. 11 Time: N/A
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Showtime
Series: "Our Cartoon President" Net: Showtime Premiere Date: Sunday, Sept. 13 Time: 8:30 p.m.
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ABC
Series: "Dancing With the Stars" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Monday, Sept. 14 Time: 8 p.m.
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HBO
Series: "The Third Day" Net: HBO Premiere Date: Monday, Sept. 14 Time: 9 p.m.
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HBO
Series: "We Are Who We Are" Net: HBO Premiere Date: Monday, Sept. 14 Time: 10 p.m.
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Epix
Series: "Enslaved" Net: Epix Premiere Date: Monday, Sept. 14 Time: 10 p.m.
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Comedy Central
Series: "Tosh.0" Net: Comedy Central Premiere Date: Tuesday, Sept. 15 Time: 10 p.m.
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Netflix
Series: "Challenger: The Final Flight" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Wednesday, Sept. 16 Time: N/A
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FXX
Series: "Archer" Net: FXX Premiere Date: Wednesday, Sept. 16 Time: 10 p.m.
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Peacock
Series: "Departure" Net: Peacock Premiere Date: Thursday, Sept. 17 Time: N/A
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HBO Max
Series: "The Great Pottery Throw Down" Net: HBO Max Premiere Date: Thursday, Sept. 17 Time: N/A
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Hulu
Series: "Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Friday, Sept. 18 Time: N/A
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Hulu
Series: "Pen15" Net: Hulu Premiere Date: Friday, Sept. 18 Time: N/A
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Netflix
Series: "Ratched" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Friday, Sept. 18 Time: N/A
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The CW
Series: "World's Funniest Animals" Net: The CW Premiere Date: Friday, Sept. 18 Time: 9 p.m.
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Fox
Series: "L.A.'s Finest"* Net: Fox Premiere Date: Monday, Sept. 21 Time: 8 p.m. *Broadcast debut of Spectrum Originals series' first season
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Fox
Series: "Filthy Rich" Net: Fox Premiere Date: Monday, Sept. 21 Time: 9 p.m.
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Fox
Series: "The Masked Singer" Net: Fox Premiere Date: Wednesday, Sept. 23 Time: 8 p.m.
-
Fox
Series: "I Can See Your Voice" Net: Fox Premiere Date: Wednesday, Sept. 23 Time: 9 p.m.
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Amazon
Series: "Utopia" Net: Amazon Prime Video Premiere Date: Friday, Sept. 25 Time: N/A
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FX
Series: "A Wilderness of Error" Net: FX Premiere Date: Friday, Sept. 25 Time: 8 p.m.
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Fox
Series: "The Simpsons" Net: Fox Premiere Date: Sunday, Sept. 27 Time: 8 p.m.
-
Fox
Series: "Bless the Harts" Net: Fox Premiere Date: Sunday, Sept. 27 Time: 8:30 p.m.
-
Fox
Series: "Bob's Burgers" Net: Fox Premiere Date: Sunday, Sept. 27 Time: 9 p.m.
-
Showtime
Series: "The Comey Rule" Net: Showtime Premiere Date: Sunday, Sept. 27 Time: 9 p.m.
-
Fox
Series: "Family Guy" Net: Fox Premiere Date: Sunday, Sept. 27 Time: 9:30 p.m.
-
FX
Series: "Fargo" Net: FX Premiere Date: Sunday, Sept. 27 Time: 10 p.m.
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NBC
Series: "Weakest Link" Net: NBC Premiere Date: Tuesday, Sept. 29 Time: 8 p.m.
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AMC
Series: "Gangs of London" Net: AMC+ Premiere Date: Thursday, Oct. 1 Time: N/A
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AMC
Series: "The Salisbury Poisonings" Net: AMC+ Premiere Date: Thursday, Oct. 1 Time: N/A
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Getty
Series: "Monsterland" Net: Hulu Premiere Date: Friday, Oct. 2 Time: N/A
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Netflix
Series: "Emily in Paris" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Friday, Oct. 2 Time: N/A
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CBS
Series: "Undercover Boss" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Friday, Oct. 2 Time: 9 p.m.
-
Series: "Warrior" Net: Cinemax Premiere Date: Friday, Oct. 2 Time: 10 p.m.
-
NBC
Series: "Saturday Night Live" Net: NBC Premiere Date: Saturday, Oct. 3 Time: 11:30 p.m.
-
Series: "Pandora" Net: The CW Premiere Date: Sunday, Oct. 4 Time: 8 p.m.
-
Showtime
Series: "The Good Lord Bird" Net: Showtime Premiere Date: Sunday, Oct. 4 Time: 9 p.m.
-
Epix
Series: "Britannia" Net: Epix Premiere Date: Sunday Oct. 4 Time: 9 p.m.
-
AMC
Series: "The Walking Dead: World Beyond" Net: AMC Premiere Date: Sunday, Oct. 4 Time: 10 p.m.
-
AMC
Series: "Soulmates" Net: AMC Premiere Date: Monday, Oct. 5 Time: 10 p.m.
-
DC Universe
Series: "Swamp Thing"* Net: The CW Premiere Date: Tuesday, Oct. 6 Time: 8 p.m.
*Broadcast debut of DC Universe series' first season
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NBC
Series: "Ellen's Game of Games" Net: NBC Premiere Date: Tuesday, Oct. 6 Time: 9 p.m.
-
Fox
Series: "Next" Net: Fox Premiere Date: Tuesday, Oct. 6 Time: 9 p.m.
-
The CW
Series: "Devils" Net: The CW Premiere Date: Wednesday, Oct. 7 Time: 8 p.m.
-
The CW
Series: "Coroner" Net: The CW Premiere Date: Wednesday, Oct. 7 Time: 9 p.m.
-
The CW
Series: "Supernatural" Net: The CW Premiere Date: Thursday, Oct. 8 Time: 8 p.m.
-
NBC
Series: "Connecting..." Net: NBC Premiere Date: Thursday, Oct. 8 Time: 8 p.m.
-
The CW
Series: "The Outpost" Net: The CW Premiere Date: Thursday, Oct. 8 Time: 9 p.m.
-
Disney+
Series: "The Right Stuff" Net: Disney+ Premiere Date: Friday, Oct. 9 Time: N/A
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Netflix
Series: "The Haunting of Bly Manor" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Friday, Oct. 9 Time: N/A
-
AMC
Series: "Fear the Walking Dead" Net: AMC Premiere Date: Sunday, Oct. 11 Time: 9 p.m.
-
ABC
Series: "The Bachelorette" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Tuesday, Oct. 13 Time: 8 p.m.
-
The CW
Series: "Tell Me a Story"* Net: The CW Premiere Date: Tuesday, Oct. 13 Time: 9 p.m.
*Broadcast debut of CBS All Access series' first season
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CBS
Series: "The Amazing Race" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Wednesday, Oct. 14 Time: 9 p.m.
-
BET
Series: "Sistas" Net: BET Premiere Date: Wednesday, Oct. 14 Time: 9 p.m.
-
CBS All Access
Series: "Star Trek: Discovery" Net: CBS All Access Premiere Date: Thursday, Oct. 15 Time: N/A
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Hulu
Series: "Helstrom" Net: Hulu Premiere Date: Friday, Oct. 16 Time: N/A
-
Netflix
Series: "Grand Army" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Friday, Oct. 16 Time: N/A
-
ABC
Series: "Shark Tank" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Friday, Oct. 16 Time: 9 p.m.
-
ABC
Series: "America's Funniest Home Videos" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Sunday, Oct. 18 Time: 7 p.m.
-
Getty
Series: "Supermarket Sweep" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Sunday, Oct. 18 Time: 8 p.m.
-
ABC
Series: "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Sunday, Oct. 18 Time: 9 p.m.
-
ABC
Series: "Card Sharks" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Sunday, Oct. 18 Time: 10 p.m.
-
Netflix
Series: "Unsolved Mysteries" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Monday, Oct. 19 Time: N/A
-
NBC
Series: "The Voice" Net: NBC Premiere Date: Monday, Oct. 19 Time: 8 p.m.
-
ABC
Series: "The Goldbergs" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Wednesday, Oct. 21 Time: 8 p.m.
-
ABC
Series: "The Conners" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Wednesday, Oct. 21 Time: 9 p.m.
-
ABC
Series: "black-ish" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Wednesday, Oct. 21 Time: 9:30 p.m.
-
Netflix
Series: "The Queen's Gambit" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Friday, Oct. 23 Time: N/A
-
HBO
Series: "The Undoing" Net: HBO Premiere Date: Sunday, Oct. 25 Time: 9 p.m.
-
NBC
Series: "This Is Us" Net: NBC Premiere Date: Tuesday, Oct. 27 Time: 9 p.m.
-
ABC
Series: "American Housewife" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Wednesday, Oct. 28 Time: 8:30 p.m.
-
NBC
Series: "Superstore" Net: NBC Premiere Date: Thursday, Oct. 29 Time: 8 p.m.
-
Disney+
Series: "The Mandalorian" Net: Disney+ Premiere Date: Friday, Oct. 30 Time: N/A
-
ABC
Series: "The Good Doctor" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Monday, Nov. 2 Time: 10 p.m.
-
HBO Max
Series: "Two Weeks to Live" Net: HBO Max Premiere Date: Thursday, Nov. 5 Time: N/A
-
CBS
Series: "Young Sheldon" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Thursday, Nov. 5 Time: 8 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "B Positive" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Thursday, Nov. 5 Time: 8:30 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "Mom" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Thursday, Nov. 5 Time: 9 p.m.
-
Getty Images
Series: "Braxton Family Values" Net: WE TV Premiere Date: Thursday, Nov. 5 Time: 9 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "NCIS: Los Angeles" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Sunday, Nov. 8 Time: 8:30 p.m. ET/8:00 p.m. PT
-
CBS
Series: "NCIS: New Orleans" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Sunday, Nov. 8 Time: 9:30 p.m. ET/9 p.m. PT
-
Showtime
Series: "Moonbase 8" Net: Showtime Premiere Date: Sunday, Nov. 8 Time: 11 p.m.
-
Netflix
Series: "Dash & Lily" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Tuesday, Nov. 10 Time: N/A
-
FX on Hulu
Series: "A Teacher" Net: FX on Hulu Premiere Date: Tuesday, Nov. 10 Time: N/A
-
NBC
Series: "Chicago Med" Net: NBC Premiere Date: Wednesday, Nov. 11 Time: 8 p.m.
-
NBC
Series: "Chicago Fire" Net: NBC Premiere Date: Wednesday, Nov. 11 Time: 9 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "S.W.A.T." Net: CBS Premiere Date: Wednesday, Nov. 11 Time: 9 p.m.
-
NBC
Series: "Chicago PD" Net: NBC Premiere Date: Wednesday, Nov. 11 Time: 10 p.m.
-
ABC
Series: "Station 19" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Thursday, Nov. 12 Time: 8 p.m.
-
NBC
Series: "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" Net: NBC Premiere Date: Thursday, Nov. 12 Time: 9 p.m.
-
ABC
Series: "Grey's Anatomy" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Thursday, Nov. 12 Time: 9 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "The Unicorn" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Thursday, Nov. 12 Time: 9:30 p.m.
-
IMDb TV
Series: "Alex Rider" Net: IMDB TV Premiere Date: Friday, Nov. 13 Time: N/A
-
Apple TV+
Series: "Doug Unplugs" Net: Apple TV+ Premiere Date: Friday, Nov. 13 Time: N/A
-
NBC
Series: "The Blacklist" Net: NBC Premiere Date: Friday, Nov. 13 Time: 8 p.m.
-
Discovery
Series: "Gold Rush: White Water" Net: Discovery Premiere Date: Friday, Nov. 13 Time: 9 p.m.
-
Netflix
Series: "The Crown" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Sunday, Nov. 15 Time: N/A
-
Showtime
Series: "The Reagans" Net: Showtime Premiere Date: Sunday, Nov. 15 Time: 8 p.m.
-
HBO
Series: "Murder on Middle Beach" Net: HBO Premiere Date: Sunday, Nov. 15 Time: 10 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "The Neighborhood" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Monday, Nov. 16 Time: 8 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "Bob Hearts Abishola" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Monday, Nov. 16 Time: 8:30 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "All Rise" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Monday, Nov. 16 Time: 9 p.m.
-
HBO
Series: "His Dark Materials" Net: HBO Premiere Date: Monday, Nov. 16 Time: 9 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "Bull" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Monday, Nov. 16 Time: 10 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "NCIS" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Tuesday, Nov. 17 Time: 8 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "FBI" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Tuesday, Nov. 17 Time: 9 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "FBI: Most Wanted" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Tuesday, Nov. 17 Time: 10 p.m.
-
ABC
Series: "Big Sky" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Tuesday, Nov. 17 Time: 10 p.m.
-
ABC
Series: "For Life" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Wednesday, Nov. 18 Time: 10 p.m.
-
MTV
Series: "Jersey Shore Family Vacation" Net: MTV Premiere Date: Thursday, Nov. 19 Time: 8 p.m.
-
ABC
Series: "A Million Little Things" Net: ABC Premiere Date: Thursday, Nov. 19 Time: 10 p.m.
-
Hulu
Series: "Animaniacs" Net: Hulu Premiere Date: Friday, Nov. 20 Time: N/A
-
Amazon Prime Video
Series: "The Pack" Net: Amazon Prime Video Premiere Date: Friday, Nov. 20 Time: N/A
-
FX
Series: "Black Narcissus" Net: FX Premiere Date: Monday, Nov. 23 Time: 8 p.m.
-
Peacock
Series: "Saved by the Bell" Net: Peacock Premiere Date: Wednesday, Nov. 25 Time: N/A
-
HBO Max
Series: "The Flight Attendant" Net: HBO Max Premiere Date: Thursday, Nov. 26 Time: N/A
-
Netflix
Series: "Virgin River" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Friday, Nov. 27 Time: N/A
-
CBS
Series: "SEAL Team" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Wednesday, Dec. 2 Time: 9 p.m.
-
Apple TV+
Series: "Stillwater" Net: Apple TV+ Premiere Date: Friday, Dec. 4 Time: N/A
-
Netflix
Series: "Selena: The Series" Net: Netflix Premiere Date: Friday, Dec. 4 Time: N/A
-
CBS
Series: "MacGyver" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Friday, Dec. 4 Time: 8 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "Magnum P.I." Net: CBS Premiere Date: Friday, Dec. 4 Time: 9 p.m.
-
CBS
Series: "Blue Bloods" Net: CBS Premiere Date: Friday, Dec. 4 Time: 10 p.m.
-
Showtime
Series: "Shameless" Net: Showtime Premiere Date: Sunday, Dec. 6 Time: 9 p.m.
-
Showtime
Series: "Your Honor" Net: Showtime Premiere Date: Sunday, Dec. 6 Time: 10 p.m.
-
Epix
Series: "Pennyworth" Net: Epix Premiere Date: Sunday, Dec. 13 Time: 9 p.m.
-
Amazon Prime Video
Series: "The Expanse" Net: Amazon Prime Video Premiere Date: Wednesday, Dec. 16 Time: N/A
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CBS All Access
Series: "The Stand" Net: CBS All Access Premiere Date: Thursday, Dec. 17 Time: N/A
Here’s when 145 broadcast, cable and streaming series debut and come back
Fall is in full swing, but not much has changed since this summer with many people still staying at home as much as possible to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Luckily, dozens of new and returning shows are premiering this autumn to keep you company. TheWrap has rounded up all the dates we know -- so far -- for Fall TV shows' debuts. We will continue to update the list as more become available.
For the purposes of this gallery, we've designated Sept. 1 as the beginning of fall rather than the official Sept. 22 start, since "Fall TV" is sure to be more loosely defined this year.
Also Read: Winter TV 2021: All the Premiere Dates for New and Returning Shows – So Far (Photos)