The ABC fall 2016 schedule is missing “Scandal,” but the Shonda Rhimes series’ Thursday night spot has been taken by a new drama with an equally tantalizing title: “Notorious.”
“Scandal” will return to the lineup at midseason, new ABC entertainment president Channing Dungey said during a Tuesday call with reporters. She added that star Kerry Washington’s real-life pregnancy forced the network to adjust its schedule.
When “Scandal” returns, it will be joined by another Shondaland creation, “Still Star-Crossed.” The period drama tells the story of the aftermath of the deaths of Romeo and Juliet.
“Notorious,” by the way, is being touted as a sexy drama inspired by the real-life stories of criminal defense attorney Mark Geragos and cable news producer Wendy Walker.
I was asked on WGN’s Bill and Wendy Show last week if “Secrets & Lies” would be back for a second season. It will finally air this fall at 9/8c Sundays.
The network has picked up five new dramas and four new comedies, adding five of those shows to the ABC fall 2016 schedule. It has shifted the nights and times for some returning series.
Below you will find a list of ABC’s renewed and canceled shows, the fall 2016 schedule, descriptions of and full trailers for all the new 2016-17 series.
Renewed: “Agents of SHIELD,” “American Crime,” “black-ish,” “The Catch,” “Dr. Ken,” “Fresh Off the Boat,” “The Goldbergs,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “How to Get Away With Murder,” “Last Man Standing,” “The Middle,” “Mistresses,” “Modern Family,” “Once Upon a Time,” “Quantico,” “The Real O’Neals,” “Scandal,” “Secrets and Lies,” “20/20”
Canceled: “Agent Carter,” “The Astronaut Wives Club,” “Blood and Oil,” “Castle,” “The Family,” “Galavant,” “The Muppets,” “Nashville,” “Of Kings and Prophets,” “Rookie Blue,” “The Whispers,” “Wicked City”
Related: Fall 2016 TV schedule news
New 2016-17 TV shows — ABC
These shows are scheduled to debut this fall. Scroll down for the fall schedule.
Dramas
Conviction
Lawyer and former First Daughter Hayes Morrison (Hayley Atwell) is about to accept a job offered from her sexy nemesis, NY District Attorney Wayne Wallis, to avoid jail time for cocaine possession and avoid hurting her mother’s Senate campaign. Working with his team at the new Conviction Integrity Unit will let her use her brilliant mind to turn over cases where there is credible suspicion of wrongful conviction, and give her a chance to turn things around with her high-powered political family.
Additional cast: Eddie Cahill as Wayne Wallis, Shawn Ashmore as Sam Sullivan, Merrin Dungey as Maxine, Emily Kinney as Tess Thompson, Manny Montana as Franklin “Frankie” Rios and Daniel DiTomasso as Jackson Morrison
Production companies: Mark Gordon Company and ABC Studios
Executive producers: co-creator/writer Liz Friedman, director Liz Friedlander, executive producer Mark Gordon
Designated Survivor
Kiefer Sutherland returns to primetime in a conspiracy thriller as Tom Kirkman, a lower U.S. cabinet member who unexpectedly becomes president after a devastating attack on Washington. He will struggle to prevent the country and his own family from falling into chaos, as he is thrust into one of the most difficult presidencies in history.
Additional cast: Natascha McElhone as Alex Kirkman, Maggie Q as Hannah Watts, Kal Penn as Seth Wheeler, Adan Canto as Aaron Shore, Italia Ricci as Emily Rhodes, LaMonica Garrett as James Ritter, and Tanner Buchanan as Leo Kirkman
Production companies: Mark Gordon Company and ABC Studios Executive producers: creator David Guggenheim as well as Simon Kinberg, Kiefer Sutherland, Mark Gordon, Nick Pepper, Suzan Bymel and Aditya Sood. Paul McGuigan directed the first episode.
Notorious
Inspired by the real-life stories of famed criminal defense attorney Mark Geragos and cable news producer Wendy Walker, the drama promises a provocative look at the unique, sexy and dangerous interplay of criminal law and the media. Piper Perabo stars as Julia George and Daniel Sunjata plays Jake Gregorian.
Additional cast: Sepideh Moafi as Megan Byrd, Kate Jennings Grant as Louise Herrick, Ryan Guzman as Ryan, Kevin Zegers as Oscar Keaton, J. August Richards as Bradley Gregorian, Aimee Teegarden as Ella Benjamin
Production companies: Sony Pictures Television and ABC Studios
Executive producers: Mark Geragos, Wendy Walker, pilot director Michael Engler, Kenny Meiselas, Jeff Kwatinetz and Josh Barry
Comedies
American Housewife
Katie Otto (Katy Mixon), a confident, unapologetic wife and mother of three, raises her flawed family in the wealthy town of Westport, Conn., filled with “perfect” mommies and their “perfect” offspring.
Additional cast: Diedrich Bader as Jeff Otto, Johnny Sequoyah as Taylor, Daniel DiMaggio as Harrison, Julia Butters as Anna-Kat, Carly Hughes as Angela and Ali Wong as Doris
Production companies: Kapital Entertainment and ABC Studios
Executive producers: creator/writer Sarah Dunn, Aaron Kaplan, Rick Weiner and Kenny Schwartz, pilot director Ruben Fleischer
Speechless
Maya DiMeo (Minnie Driver) is a mom on a mission who will do anything for her husband Jimmy, her kids Ray, Dylan, and JJ, her eldest son with special needs. As Maya fights injustices both real and imagined, the family works to make a new home for themselves, and searches for just the right person to give JJ his “voice.”
Additional cast: John Ross Bowie as Jimmy DiMeo, Mason Cook as Ray DiMeo, Micah Fowler as JJ DiMeo, Kyla Kennedy as Dylan DiMeo and Cedric Yarbrough as Kenneth.
Production companies: Twentieth Century Fox Television and ABC Studios
Executive producers: writer Scott Silveri, Jake Kasdan and Melvin Mar
ABC Fall 2016 Schedule
(All times CT; new shows in all CAPS)
Monday
7 p.m. Dancing with the Stars
9 p.m. CONVICTION
Tuesday
7 p.m. The Middle (new day/time)
7:30 p.m. AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE
8 p.m. Fresh Off the Boat (new time)
8:30 p.m. The Real O’Neals (new time)
9 p.m. Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (new time)
Wednesday
7 p.m. The Goldbergs (new time)
7:30 p.m. SPEECHLESS
8 p.m. Modern Family
8:30 p.m. black-ish
9 p.m. DESIGNATED SURVIVOR
Thursday
7 p.m. Grey’s Anatomy
8 p.m. NOTORIOUS
9 p.m. How to Get Away with Murder
Friday
7 p.m. Last Man Standing
7:30 p.m. Dr. Ken
8 p.m. Shark Tank
9 p.m. 20/20
Saturday
7 p.m. Saturday Night Football
Sunday
6 p.m. America’s Funniest Home Videos
7 p.m. Once Upon a Time
8 p.m. Secrets and Lies
9 p.m. Quantico
New 2016-17 TV shows — ABC
These shows are schedule to debut at midseason.
Dramas
Still Star-Crossed
The period drama picks up where the famous story of Romeo and Juliet ends, charting the treachery, palace intrigue and ill-fated romances of the Montagues and Capulets in the wake of the young lovers’ tragic fate. The series is based on the book by Melinda Taub.
Cast: Wade Briggs as Benvolio Montague, Anthony Head as Lord Silvestro Capulet, Zuleikha Robinson as Lady Guiliana Capulet, Lashana Lynch as Rosaline, Ebonee Noel as Livia, Sterling Sulieman as Prince Escalus, Medalion Rahimi as Princess Isabella, Grant Bowler as Damiano Montague, Susan Wooldrigde as Nurse, Torrance Coombs as Paris and Dan Hildebrand as Friar Lawrence
Production companies: Shondaland, ABC Studios
Executive producers: writer Heather Mitchell, Shonda Rhimes, Betsy Beers, Michael Goldstein; Michael Offer is executive producer and director of the pilot.
Time After Time
Based on the novel by Karl Alexander and movie “Time After Time,” this fantastical cat-and-mouse adventure through time follows famed science fiction writer H.G. Wells (Freddie Stroma) as he is transported to modern-day Manhattan in pursuit of Jack the Ripper (Josh Bowman). Once H.G. arrives in New York City, he finds a world he never thought possible and a young woman who captivates him.
Additional cast: Genesis Rodriguez as Jane and Regina Taylor as Vanessa Anders.
Production companies: Outerbanks Entertainment, Warner Bros. Television
Executive producers: creator/writer Kevin Williamson, pilot director Marcos Siega
Comedies
Downward Dog
Based on the web series, “Downward Dog” is about a struggling millennial, Nan (Allison Tolman), from the point of view of her lonely and philosophical dog, Martin. One session at obedience school already makes them realize that even at their worst, they may be the best thing for each other.
Additional cast: Lucas Neff as Jason, Kirby Howell-Baptiste as Jenn, Barry Rothbart as Kevin and Mo Collins as Kim
Production companies: Legendary Television and ABC Studios
Executive producers: creators/writers Samm Hodges and Michael Killen, Mosaic Media Group’s Jimmy Miller and Sam Hansen, Animal’s Kathy Dziubek; Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky were executive producers of the pilot.
Imaginary Mary
Alice (Jenna Elfman) is a fiercely independent career woman whose life is turned upside-down when she meets the love of her life—a divorced father with three kids. This triggers even more upheaval when the slightly unhinged imaginary friend Mary (voiced by Rachel Dratch) she created as a child suddenly reappears to help her navigate the transition from single girl to a woman ready for a family. The CG animation is designed by Patrick Osborne.
Production companies: Sony Pictures Television, Happy Madison and ABC Studios
Additional cast: Stephen Schneider as Ben, Nicholas Coombe as Andy, Matreya Scarrwener as Dora and Erica Trembay as Bunny
Executive producers: writers/creators Adam F. Goldberg, David Guarascio and Doug Robinson; Osborne; pilot director Shawn Levy
Unscheduled limited series
When We Rise
“When We Rise” chronicles the real-life personal and political struggles, setbacks and triumphs of a diverse family of LGBT men and women who helped pioneer one of the last legs of the U.S. Civil Rights movement from its turbulent infancy in the 20th century to the once unfathomable successes of today. The seven-part limited series stars Guy Pearce as LGBT activist Cleve Jones, Mary-Louise Parker as women’s rights leader Roma Guy and Rachel Griffiths as her wife, social justice activist Diane.
Additional cast: Austin McKenzie as Younger Cleve Jones, Emily Skeggs as Younger Roma Guy, Jonathan Majors as Younger Ken Jones, and Fiona Dourif as Younger Diane
Production company: ABC Studios
Executive producers: creator/writer Dustin Lance Black, Laurence Mark, Bruce Cohen and premiere director Gus Van Sant
Unscheduled specials
Dirty Dancing
A three-hour adaptation of the beloved 1987 romantic drama and instant music classic, “Dirty Dancing” tells the story of Baby (Abigail Breslin) and dancer Johnny (Colt Prattes), who fall in love at a summer vacation hotel.
Production companies: Lionsgate Television, Allison Shearmur Productions
Additional cast: Debra Messing as Marjorie Houseman, Bruce Greenwood as Dr. Jake Houseman, Nicole Scherzinger as Penny, Sarah Hyland as Lisa Houseman, Tony Roberts as Max Kellerman, Trevor Einhorn as Neil, Shane Harper as Robbie Gould, J. Quinton Johnson as Marco, Beau “Casper” Smart as Billy, Katey Sagal as Vivian Pressman and Billy Dee Williams as Tito
Executive producers: Allison Shearmur; Eleanor Bergstein, executive music producer Adam Anders
Other credits: Wayne Blair directs; Andy Blankenbuehler is choreographer
Untitled David Blaine project
David Blaine returns to ABC for his final primetime special to follow-up his critically acclaimed ratings smash “David Blaine: Real or Magic,” with a groundbreaking new primetime event. The special reunites Blaine with Emmy Award-winning director Matthew Akers, who helmed “David Blaine: Real or Magic.”
Production company: Radical Media
Executive producers: Blaine, Justin Wilkes, Dave O’Connor
Ali: The Champion
An athlete, a humanitarian, and a civil rights activist, Muhammad Ali will be honored for his goodwill efforts that have impacted individuals from different walks of life around the world. In a new, two-hour special featuring live musical performances, his closest friends and contemporaries, admirers come together to celebrate the man who’s known the world over as simply The Greatest.
Executive producer: Ron Weisner