ABC picked up a new (their fifth!) Shondaland drama as well as shows from the minds behind Dawson's Creek, Jessica Jones, and Star Wars Rebels.
In many ways, ABC's 2016-2017 schedule represents a major change for the network. In February, Paul Lee was ousted as president of ABC Entertainment and Channing Dungey - formerly the head of drama development at the network - took over the job, hand-selecting which shows would make it to air.
But in other ways, the schedule is also in keeping with what has worked for ABC as of late (almost anything Shonda Rhimes, high concept soaps), which is largely because Dungey helped develop all of those dramas.
The most logical addition to ABC's slate is another show executive produced by Shonda Rhimes. Still Star-Crossed, which takes place in Verona after Romeo and Juliet's deaths, will join Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, How to Get Away With Murder, and The Catch in the increasingly crowded Shondaland block dubbed T.G.I.T. (T.G.I.M., perhaps? T.G.I.F.?).
Three new dramas boast big names in front of and behind the camera: 24 alum Kiefer Sutherland is now playing the president on Designator Survivor, Agent Carter herself (RIP) Hayley Atwell headlines the legal procedural Conviction, and Kevin Williamson (creator of Dawson's Creek, The Following, and Scream) sticks to his thriller roots with Time After Time, a cat and mouse game about Jack the Ripper.
As far as familiar ABC programming, many fans were shocked by the cancelation of Nashville (although, if we're being honest, it was long past time to free Connie Britton) and Dungey's drama roots may explain why the acclaimed but low-rated American Crime is coming back for Season 3. Still, other decisions were out of her hands: Quantico was renewed before she took over and the now-canceled Castle all but imploded with the exit of star Stana Katic.
Here's a closer look at the new shows coming to ABC in the 2016-2017 season.
Conviction
Who's in it? Hayley Atwell, Eddie Cahill, Shawn Ashmore, Merrin Dungey, Emily Kinney, Manny Montana, Daniel DiTomasso
Who created it? Liz Friedman, Liz Friedlander, Mark Gordon
What's it about? Former first daughter Hayes Morrison (Atwell) is trying to avoid jail time for cocaine possession and totally fucking up her mom's Senate campaign, so she accepts a job from her nemesis NY District Attorney Wayne Wallis (Cahill). Working for Wallis's new Conviction Integrity Unit, she's tasked with turning over cases where there might've been a wrongful conviction. Basically, Agent Carter is kicking ass all over again.
Bob D'amico / ABC
Designated Survivor
Who's in it? Kiefer Sutherland, Natascha McElhone, Maggie Q, Kal Penn, Adan Canto, Italia Ricci, LaMonica Garrett, Tanner Buchanan
Who created it? David Guggenheim, Simon Kinberg, Kiefer Sutherland, Mark Gordon, Nick Pepper, Suzan Bymel, Aditya Sood
What's it about? The 24 franchise continues on Fox without Jack Bauer on screen. Sutherland has instead chosen to star in this ABC thriller as Tom Kirkman, a lower cabinet member who becomes president after an unexpected attack on Washington. After all, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. The series also sees Maggie Q return to primetime as well as Kal Penn.
Still Star-Crossed
Who's in it? Wade Briggs, Anthony Head, Zuleikha Robinson, Lashana Lynch, Ebonee Noel, Sterling Sulieman, Medalion Rahimi, Grant Bowler, Susan Wooldrigde, Torrance Coombs, Dan Hildebrand
Who created it? Heather Mitchell, Shonda Rhimes, Betsy Beers, Michael Goldstein, Michael Offer
What's it about? What happened to the Montagues and Capulets after Romeo and Juliet met their tragic fate? This ShondaLand period drama, based on Melinda Taub's book of the same name, picks up after the feuding families have each lost someone with Briggs starring as Benvolio, and Head and Robinson as Lord and Lady Capulet. This cast may be even more diverse than Baz Luhrmann's.
Ed Herrera / ABC
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