Each year, the transition into fall brings with it the promise of new stories, old favorites, and the comforting ritual of settling into a weekly appointment with a beloved show.
Why “Fall TV” Still Matters
Even in the streaming era, when premieres roll out all year long, there’s still something special about the cadence of fall: premieres, midseason breaks, sweeps, and the slow buildup of narrative arcs over months. It’s when networks lean hard, when shows that survived the summer find new life, and when fans reengage with characters and worlds they missed.
This fall, there’s a strong lineup of returning series—some long-running, some niche but cherished, some with new casts or creative leaps. Below, I go deep into six shows (or suites of shows) that I’m particularly excited to see again. These picks span genres and platforms, and each has its own “why I’m watching” hook.
1. One Chicago Universe: Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., Chicago Med
If you follow network television, the One Chicago franchise remains one of the dependable pillars of the schedule. The three interconnected dramas—Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med—all return this fall, on NBC.
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What’s New / What to Watch For
Season numbers and timing:
Chicago Fire enters its 14th season, Chicago P.D. its 13th, and Chicago Med its 11th. They begin airing October 1, 2025.
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Cast changes and shakeups:
The upcoming seasons will include departures from the cast (some familiar faces will exit) and new leadership dynamics, particularly in Chicago Fire.
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Interconnected storytelling:
Because the shows share characters and occasionally crossover plotlines, developments in one can ripple into the others. For long-time fans, this makes for compelling “which show do I watch this week?” decisions.
Why I’m Excited
There’s a comfort in returning to a well-worn world—knowing the tone, seeing how characters evolve, spotting how the writers respond to real-world events (emergencies, social issues, etc.). These shows also tend to be workhorse dramas: they don’t always take big creative risks, but when they do, it’s interesting to see how they balance continuity and innovation.
I’ll be especially curious to see how they handle both the exit of existing cast members (which can be painful if done poorly) and the integration of new characters. Also, after more than a decade of existence, can the franchise still feel fresh? That’s the challenge.
2. Abbott Elementary (Season 5)
One of my favorite recent comedies is Abbott Elementary. Its mockumentary format, its heart for underfunded schools, and its ensemble cast make it both funny and emotionally resonant. Good news: it’s coming back for Season 5 this fall.
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What We Know
The fifth season premieres October 1, 2025.
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All main cast members are confirmed to return, including creator/star Quinta Brunson.
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Season 5 will again lean into holiday-themed episodes (Halloween, Christmas).
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A plot thread to follow: Barbara Howard (a beloved character) will have a major storyline.
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Filming began August 6, 2025.
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What to Watch For
Whether Abbott maintains its balance of humor and poignancy without slipping into caricature or sentimentality.
How fresh the writers can keep the school setting—new challenges, staff, or systemic issues.
Whether guest stars or recurring arcs shake up the tone (e.g. more outside-the-classroom storylines).
Why I’m Excited
Abbott Elementary pulled off a rare thing: being both funny and socially meaningful while feeling light and warm. After four strong seasons, I’m eager to see whether it can sustain its quality or even surprise me. Sometimes comedies plateau, but if they lean into character growth (rather than just “jokes”), they can stay vibrant. This show feels like one that has the foundation to do that.
3. 9-1-1 / Grey’s Anatomy / NCIS / Other Legacy Series
A fall television tradition is the return of long-running network dramas—procedurals, hospital shows, crime dramas, etc. This fall is no exception. According to Entertainment Weekly’s schedule:
9-1-1 returns in October.
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Grey’s Anatomy returns in the fall.
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The NCIS franchise (original NCIS, NCIS: Origins, NCIS: Sydney) also has new seasons lined up this fall.
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These shows offer very different flavors:
Grey’s Anatomy is emotionally driven, character- and relationship-focused.
NCIS and its spin-offs tend toward procedural crime-solving with ensemble casts.
9-1-1 sits somewhere between emotional drama and episodic emergencies.
I’m interested to see how these shows evolve in 2025. Many have already passed their peaks. Can they keep us caring? Will they do something different?
One particular question is how Grey’s Anatomy, in its later seasons, handles continuity, legacy characters (return visits), and perhaps reinvention. For NCIS and spin-offs, crossovers are always fun, but only if they organically contribute to character arcs.
4. Streaming & Platform Returns: Stranger Things, Landman, Nobody Wants This, and Others
Linear TV isn’t the whole picture anymore. Some of the most buzzed-about returns are happening on streaming platforms, often with more freedom to take risks. Here are a few standouts:
Stranger Things (Final Season)
The franchise that defined late-2010s prestige genre TV is returning with its final season, released in parts starting November 26, 2025.
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The split release means the story will unfold over multiple drops, keeping tension and conversation alive.
Because it’s the last season, stakes are higher, and the potential for surprises or bold narrative choices is greater.
But there’s also weight of expectations—fans have strong attachments, and finales are hard to satisfy.
I’ll be watching not just for plot, but for how they wrap up character arcs and themes: identity, memory, friendship, trauma. Can they stay true to their core mood while giving a satisfying conclusion?
Landman (Season 2)
Landman is set to return in November 2025.
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It’s one of several projects from Taylor Sheridan’s TV empire.
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The show’s first season laid groundwork in its world and characters; now, the question is whether season 2 can expand rather than stagnate.
Sheridan’s projects often play in moral gray zones, so I’ll watch how they deepen conflicts and not just rehash arcs.
The addition of new cast members (e.g. Sam Elliott) suggests they’ll broaden the narrative scope.
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Nobody Wants This (Season 2)
A romantic comedy / dramedy that had some buzz earlier, Nobody Wants This returns October 26, 2025.
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It may not be the biggest show of the season, but I like its softer, character-based storytelling.
Here I’m curious to see whether the tone deepens or if it leans into more broad romantic-comedy beats. Sometimes the second season of a streaming rom-com struggles: is the conflict still fresh? Do the leads still have chemistry?
Others to Watch
Abbott Elementary (already discussed) is also streaming when episodes air, so it straddles both worlds.
Solar Opposites returns on Hulu.
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The Diplomat returns October 17.
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Maxton Hall – The World Between Us (Season 2) premieres November 7, 2025.
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In streaming, the question is less “will it get renewed?” and more “will it get noticed?” With so many options, retaining audience interest is harder. But I trust some of these shows to deliver what I want: character, mood, worldbuilding, and emotional stakes.
5. New Casts, Reboots, and Surprises: When Returning Feels Fresh
A few shows returning this season aren’t just “same-old, same-old,” but come with changes or reinventions worth tracking.
Scrubs Revival
Yes — Scrubs is coming back, with many original cast members returning.
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It’s not just nostalgia: medical dramas (and sitcoms set in hospitals) have evolved, and the revival is promising to examine how medicine, interns, and the field have all changed.
Zach Braff, Donald Faison, Sarah Chalke, Judy Reyes, and John C. McGinley are among the returning cast.
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New cast additions are expected.
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The revival is slated for 2026, so this is more of a “coming soon” than a fall return.
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Still, it’s a noteworthy revival, because Scrubs had a distinct tone—humorous, absurd, often emotional. How will it balance its legacy with contemporary storytelling? I’ll be watching.
Peaky Blinders (New Installments)
While Peaky Blinders originally ended in 2022, it’s returning via two new “blood-soaked” series focusing on the Shelby family.
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This feels more like extending a mythos than simply reviving the show.
The new set-up takes place in 1953, post–World War II.
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It’s a chance to explore new historical terrain, new political tensions, and new characters alongside legacy ones.
It must balance honoring the original’s tone (gritty, moody, stylish) with fresh stakes.
I’m curious to see if the new chapters live up to the original’s reputation. Sometimes extensions become diluted, but when done well, they enrich the original.
6. Challenges, Risks, and What Could Go Wrong
Whenever shows return, especially ones with long histories or streaming overlap, there are risks. Here are a few I’ll watch out for this fall:
Fatigue & Complacency
Long-running franchises (One Chicago, NCIS, etc.) risk becoming formulaic. The tension between giving fans what they want and surprising them is delicate. If the writers lean too safe, the shows can feel rote.
Cast Turnover & Departures
When key actors leave, shows must adapt. Sometimes the narrative just writes them out; other times, new characters try to fill gaps. The transitions can be jarring if not handled gently.
Tone Shifts & Platform Pressures
Streaming shows may face pressure to chase metrics (bingeability, novelty) rather than consistency. A show that started slow or character-driven might feel compelled to pivot midstream.
Audience Fragmentation & Discoverability
There are more shows than ever now. Even a returning show with pedigree must compete for attention. Viewers subscribe to multiple platforms but often cherry-pick. Keeping momentum across weeks isn’t easy.
Narrative Overreach
Some shows try to “go big” upon return: crossovers, sprawling arcs, high-stakes cliffhangers. There’s a danger in overreaching—for example, pushing too far beyond what the characters can credibly handle.
My Personal “Must-Watch” List
Here’s how my internal “ranking” of which returning shows I’ll make time for falls out:
Stranger Things (final season) — must see how they end it.
Abbott Elementary — for warmth, humor, and well-drawn characters.
One Chicago shows — I’ll likely tune into Fire and Med.
Landman Season 2 — I want to see what the show becomes.
Nobody Wants This — lower stakes, but charming.
Scrubs revival or Peaky Blinders new installments — curiosity picks.
That may shift as promos, early reviews, and buzz come in. But as of now, those are the ones I’ll try not to miss.
Looking Ahead: Fall TV in Context
While we often treat fall as a traditional “TV season,” the media landscape has shifted. Streaming, on-demand, global releases, midseason dumps—all of these challenge the old model. But I think fall still has symbolic importance: premieres with fanfare, the return to weekly viewing patterns, and a sense that we’re heading into a narrative “season.”
In that spirit, these returning shows aren’t just new episodes—they carry emotional weight: the return of favorite characters, the continuation of stories we’ve invested in, and the chance to revisit fictional worlds as time has moved on (for both characters and viewers). Some shows may surprise us, some may underdeliver—but I find value in the attempted continuations.