13 Must-See Fall TV Shows

Summer can be a great time to catch up on TV shows and binge watch on Netflix, but you better get caught up soon because new TV just just around the corner. The fall TV shows are about to  get underway and there are tons of of quality shows returning and promising new shows on the horizon. Check out our top picks for what you need to watch live, on hulu, on DVR, or any which way you can.

READ || Fall TV Premieres Schedule

New Girl

Fox – September 17

New Girl has remained consistently hilarious throughout its first two seasons and I am excited to see where the third season goes. The dynamic between Nick and Jess will add a whole new layer of interesting storylines as well as the re-introduction of Coach (played by Damon Wayans Jr.). While I questioned the decision to add in Winston instead of just recasting Coach, I am glad that now we’ll get to see Damon Wayans Jr. back on TV for a few episodes. I wonder if there could be anything there between him and Cece, since I don’t believe they had the chance to meet in the pilot. – Kristal Bailey

 

The Mindy Project

Fox – September 17

Of all the 2012-13 new TV series I didn’t watch for whatever reason, I regretted missing out on The Mindy Project most of all. So I bought myself the new S1 DVD set, binge-watched like there was no tomorrow, and fell completely in love with it. Dr. Lahiri (Mindy Kaling) and I share common feelings on many important things, such as NYC’s outer boroughs, the fact that You’ve Got Mail is better than Sleepless in Seattle, and the proper reaction to finding a butterfly in your apartment. Every episode so far has unabashedly declared—in true 30 Rock style—“I want to go there.” The Mindy Project pulls no punches (sometimes literally) in its humor; weight, age, failed relationships, race, and the like are tackled with sarcasm, sharp wit, and hilarious tactlessness. Best of all, The Mindy Project is not afraid to present women as the imperfect creatures we are, and to sympathetically explore/mock just how stressful it is to get everything we thought we wanted. – Sarah Katz

Hesitant to jump in to this one? Skip the first season, watch this recap, and jump in on the season two premiere:

 

The Blacklist

NBC – September 23

Master-criminal (James Spader) “mysteriously turns himself in and offers to give up everyone he has ever worked with. His only condition: He will only work with a newly minted FBI agent (Megan Boone) with whom he appears to have no connection.” The show is penned by Perfect Stranger’s Jon Bokenkamp. It also stars Ryan Eggold, Diego Klattenhoff, Harry Lennix and Ilfenesh Hadera. – Jim Napier

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

ABC – September 24

If it were just a Marvel live-action show, I’d be excited. If it were just a new Joss Whedon show, I’d be excited. The fact that it’s both has my excitement levels off the charts. I was lucky enough to catch the pilot at D23 Expo and absolutely loved it. The pilot had action, wit, charm, tons of storytelling possibilities, and a dash of that signature Joss Whedon humor. This show is big, expensive, and has the possibilities of being a piece of the Marvel Cinematic Universe patchwork with guest spots from smaller heroes, agents, and who knows what else. If the season can live up to the potential of its pilot, this could be truly amazing. – Kristal Bailey

 

The Crazy Ones

CBS – September 26

I believe that this half-hour workplace comedy starring Robin Williams and Sarah Michelle Gellar in the leads is primed to be must-watch TV this fall. The single-camera show is about a father-and-daughter advertising team. David E. Kelley is penning the pilot and is serving as executive producer. The show also stars James Wolk, Amanda Setton and Hamish Linklater. – Jim Napier

 

The Michael J. Fox Show

NBC – September 26

It is great to see Michael J. Fox back on TV. Fox plays Mike, a former New York news anchor who goes back to work but still manages to find time to drive his wife (Betsy Brandt) and three kids crazy. Fox serves as executive-producer with Sam Laybourne and Will Gluck. The show also stars Conor Romero, Juliette Goglia, Jack Gore, Kate Finneran and Wendell Pierce. – Jim Napier

 

Once Upon a Time

ABC – September 29

The topic of Peter Pan has been somewhat verboten to ABC’s Once Upon a Time—thanks to the character’s longstanding-and-complicated relationship with British copyright law—since the show’s first ‘once upon a time…’. So much more shocking then were the season 2 finale’s revelations about his role in the show’s canon, his never-ending search for a very special boy (#SaveHenry), and his true nature in their universe. All this, plus the chance to see Emma (Jennifer Morrison) take on a magical crusade with her parents, Snow (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Prince Charming (Josh Dallas), has my expectations and excitement for Once Upon a Time’s season 3 running high. (P.S. Don’t miss the season 2 recap special Once Upon a Time: Journey to Neverland airing before the season 3 premiere on Sunday, September 29 @ 7PM/6c). – Sarah Katz

 

Scandal

ABC – October 3

Last season, Scandal blew all our minds with its last-minute, Empire Strikes Back-like finale revelation that the alarmingly devious Rowan (Joe Morton) was also Olivia’s (Kerry Washington) father(!!) and left us to agonize all summer over far too many questions: Who told the press about Olivia and Fitz (Tony Goldwyn)? What formerly Huck-like (Guillermo Díaz) thing will Quinn (Katie Lowes) do next? (And to whom?) Will anyone realize Jake (Scott Foley) has been thrown in Huck’s old hole? And what the f–k is B6-13 really up to? I literally got anxious just writing this paragraph. Is it October 3rd yet?! – Sarah Katz

 

American Horror Story: Coven

FX – October 9

I am not an aficionado of the horror genre; in fact, I’m what you might call a ‘total chicken.’ I accidentally saw a horror thriller a few months ago and had to sleep with my lights on for the following two nights. (No joke.) And yet, I have an undeniable and morbid fascination with the terrifying greatness that is American Horror Story. With the incredible cast lined up for the show’s third iteration, and my well-deserved faith in the show’s creative leadership (Brad Falchuk and Ryan Murphy), American Horror Story: Coven is a fall TV series that literally cannot begin soon enough to satisfy my curiosity and desire to dive into what is sure to be a unique and truly alarming new universe. – Sarah Katz

 

The Tomorrow People

The CW – October 9

Yes, it’s basically a live action X-Men show. I don’t have a problem with that, especially when it’s got Julie Plec, writer/producer of The Vampire Diaries, and Phil Klemmer, writer of Chuck, at the helm I trust they’ll be able to make a snappy, fun, yet still dramatic genre television show. Add in some solid talent like Peyton List (Mad Men) and Mark Pellegrino (Lost) and the talent in front of and behind the camera makes this one to watch. – Kristal Bailey

 

The Vampire Diaries

The CW – October 10

While the show hit it’s high in seasons two and three, the new direction of the fifth season could be just what it needs to get back on track. The Originals are going off to their own show in New Orleans, so this season should look very different without Klaus and his ilk. Plus, with the cliffhanger of the doppelganger and Stefan’s final moments….I can’t wait to see just how everything turns out and how long it takes everyone to pick up on the change. – Kristal Bailey

Catch up on the central love triangle and get a peek at the new season:

 

Ravenswood

ABC Family – October 22

I’ll be honest: I don’t really get ABC Family’s new Pretty Little Liars spinoff Ravenswood yet. I’ve heard some important keywords—i.e., town curse, I. Marlene King, and Tyler Blackburn—but anything deeper than the show’s surface level currently eludes me. And right now, I’m loving that about Ravenswood. The opportunity to enter an entirely new universe with so little advance knowledge is rare—and I have complete faith in I. Marlene King, Oliver Goldstick, and Joseph Dougherty’s ability to create a world that will immediately grab my attention and refuse to give it up without a fight. – Sarah Katz

 

Almost Human

Fox – Monday, November 4

I loved Karl Urban in Dredd, and like the idea of him in the role of another cop. This buddy cop actioner stars Michael Ealy, Minka Kelly, Lili Taylor, Mackenzie Crook, Mekia Cox and Michael Irby. In this futuristic cop show, human cops like John Kennex (Urban) are teamed with android partners like Dorian (Ealy). J.J Abrams is executive producing and Fringe’s J.H. Wyman is writing. – Jim Napier

Honorable mentions: The Walking Dead, The Originals, Grimm, Arrow, and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

Did we leave off your favorite show? Comment with your must-see picks below!