Fall TV Preview 2021: A Closer Look at Returning Dramas

Credit: Apple TV+, ABC, NBC

Fall TV Preview 2021: A Closer Look at Returning Dramas

While there's always a slew of new TV to look out for, the returning shows are just as highly anticipated. The Morning Show, for example, will kick off its second season after being off the air for nearly two years. The first season, which starred Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Steve Carrell, dropped in November 2019 and ended with the leading women outing the misconduct happening at their network. In season 2, UBA boss Cory (Billy Crudup) begs Alex to come back to work as the network struggles to keep ratings up. The sophomore season will also face coronavirus head-on, as it takes place before the virus hits the U.S. Additionally, there are many new cast members, including Greta Lee, Julianna Margulies, Ruairi O’Connor, Hasan Minhaj and Holland Taylor. Many other fall shows will also be bringing in new cast members, including the One Chicago series. While Torrey DeVitto (Dr. Natalie Manning) and Yaya DaCosta (April Sexton) have exited Chicago Med, Guy Lockard and Kristen Hager have joined the cast. Meanwhile, on Chicago Fire, Adriyan Rae's medic Gianna Mackey will not return, and Hanako Greensmith will be promoted to a series regular. Scroll through the gallery below for more on the returning fall TV dramas: [podcast_block]

Credit: Apple TV+

The Morning Show

When season 2 kicks off, Aniston’s Alex and Witherspoon’s Bradley are forced to deal with the fallout from what happened at UBA. Spoiler alert: It’s not pretty. Carell’s disgraced anchor Mitch Kessler is also back, despite no longer having a job. (9/17, Apple TV+)

Credit: Fox

9-1-1

What better way to ring in a new season of Ryan Murphy’s wild first-responder drama than a citywide blackout and a stampede of animals that escaped the zoo. Only on this show! Side note: The hit’s spinoff, 9-1-1: Lone Star, is being held until early 2022, so buckle in. (9/20, Fox)

Credit: NBC

New Amsterdam

Will Max (Ryan Eggold) get his happy ending? That’s the question as season 4 of the medical series returns following his romantic moment with Sharpe (Freema Agyeman). “I just felt like it was time. I was so ready for these characters to go one way or the other,” Eggold says of the two finally getting together. However, don’t expect all rainbows. “It could be blissful,” adds Agyeman, “or it could crash and burn.” (9/21, NBC)

Credit: ABC

A Million Little Things

After an abbreviated season 3 due to Covid-19, season 4 will be the show’s biggest yet with 20 episodes. Following a huge cliff-hanger, which included Gary (James Roday Rodriguez) potentially ending Peter’s life, the series will answer the questions about Peter’s fate quickly, while Gary’s guilt will be a continued theme throughout. (9/22, ABC)

Credit: NBC

Chicago Med

While Halstead (Nick Gehlfuss) returns after being fired at the end of season 6, DaCosta’s April and DeVitto’s Manning won’t be back. Instead, expect to meet multiple new doctors on the premiere. (9/22, NBC)

Credit: NBC

Chicago Fire

After a cliffhanger left everything up in the air — or rather, everyone under a boat — the premiere will reveal the fates of Severide, Cruz, Capp and Tony. (9/22, NBC)

Credit: NBC

Chicago P.D.

After an informant is murdered during the season 9 premiere, Intelligence is faced with a hard truth. Meanwhile, they try to do anything in their power to help Burgess following last season’s shocking end. (9/22, NBC)

Credit: ABC

Grey’s Anatomy

The longest-running medical drama returns. And this time, Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) is conscious — at least at first. On the premiere, Kate Burton reprises her role as Meredith’s late mother, Ellis Grey, and will continue to appear in multiple episodes. Additionally, Peter Gallagher stars as one of Ellis’ old friends — which sounds very suspicious. (9/30, ABC)

Credit: Starz

Hightown

This time, it’s personal! Jackie (Monica Raymund) was able to play a cop during the first season, but she’s now ready to make an even bigger change and find the drug dealer who’s responsible for her best friend Junior’s death. However, the fact that she’s not an actual officer, and has a string of legal troubles of her own, may stand in her way. (10/17, Starz)