Fall 2016 TV Preview: New debuts and returning favourites to watch this season

The fall 2016 TV lineup is brimming with must-see programming - no matter what your fancy. From action revivals to highly anticipated dramedies (ahem, Sarah Jessica Parker's return to HBO!), political thrillers, royal histories and a host of LOL-worthy sitcoms (including one very exciting crossover!), we've rounded up all the new and returning shows you'll want to have in your downtime arsenal this season. Click through our gallery to plan your attack...
<span style="font-size: larger; font-weight: bold;">LETHAL WEAPON</span><br><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>PREMIERE</strong> Sept. 21, City</span> <p>The blockbuster franchise that inspired four movies and originally starred Mel Gibson and Danny Glover is getting the small-screen treatment this fall. A new generation will see Damon Wayans and Clayne Crawford as the veteran LAPD detective and fearless rookie cop in this update of the action-packed buddy comedy.</p> Photo: &copy; Rogers Media
<span style="font-size: larger; font-weight: bold;">THE GREAT INDOORS</span><br><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>PREMIERE</strong> Oct. 27, Global</span> <p>A renowned reporter (comic Joel McHale) returns from his adventures in the wild to <em>Outdoor Limits</em> magazine's headquarters, where he's tasked with joining the office's young digital team. They learn from one another even as they hilariously clash over story ideas and workplace etiquette.</p> Photo: &copy; Global
<span style="font-size: larger; font-weight: bold;">BETTER THINGS</span><br><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>PREMIERE</strong> Sept. 8, FX Canada</span> <p>Louis C.K.'s longtime collaborator and <em>Louie</em> castmate Pamela Adlon stars in this funny series, which the pair co-created. It follows a working actress and single mother raising her three daughters in Hollywood. "It’s not comedy or dramedy," explains Pamela of the genre-defying project. "It’s like the incredible feelings show.”</p> Photo: &copy; Bell Media
<span style="font-size: larger; font-weight: bold;">DIVORCE</span><br><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>PREMIERE</strong> Oct. 9, HBO Canada</span> <p><em>Sex and the City</em> devotees should know that the role that returns Sarah Jessica Parker to TV is a far cry from Carrie Bradshaw. In this dramedy, she and Thomas Haden Church are a couple going through a drawn-out separation. Scenes from a divorce do lend themselves to laughs – tune in and see. </p>
<span style="font-size: larger; font-weight: bold;">KIM'S CONVENIENCE</span><br><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>PREMIERE</strong> Oct. 4, CBC</span> <p>Toronto actor Ins Choi was inspired by his own relatives to write a play about a Korean immigrant family and the downtown convenience store they run. Now he has adapted the hit stage production into a heartfelt, urban TV comedy about putting down roots and family dynamics.</p> Photo: &copy; CBC
<span style="font-size: larger; font-weight: bold;">THE GOOD PLACE</span><br><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>PREMIERE</strong> Sept. 19, Global</span> <p>Kristen Bell stars alongside Ted Danson in this comedy about a woman who passes away and finds herself in The Good Place. It's a town where it's impossible to curse, always sunny and full of people who have done good deeds throughout their lives. The only problem? Turns out, Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen) is not one of those people.</p> Photo: &copy; Global
<span style="font-size: larger; font-weight: bold;">THE CROWN</span><br><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>PREMIERE</strong> Nov. 4, Netflix</span> <p>Monarchists take note! This 10-part drama follows Queen Elizabeth II's reign from her early years to the present. With the sovereign in the spotlight, expect to see her 1947 wedding as well as her work with British politicians over several decades dramatized with beautiful period costumes and terrific acting. Brit Claire Foy stars as Her Majesty, while <em>Doctor Who</em>'s Matt Smith transforms into the Duke of Edinburgh.</p> Photo: &copy; Netflix
<span style="font-size: larger; font-weight: bold;">BULL</span><br><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>PREMIERE</strong> Sept. 20, Global</span> <p>Saving a client in court isn't about proving something to a judge, it's about winning over a jury. That's where psychologist Dr. Jason Bull comes in. Based on the early career of Dr. Phil (who co-wrote the pilot), the drama stars <em>NCIS</em>'s Michael Weatherly as the head of a trial-consulting firm that helps clients get a read on jurors, witnesses and the accused.</p> Photo: &copy; Global
<span style="font-size: larger; font-weight: bold;">THIS IS US</span><br><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>PREMIERE</strong> Sept. 20, CTV</span> <p>It's safe to say that this emotional dramedy from the writer of <em>Crazy, Stupid, Love</em> has already found a place in viewers' hearts. Since its release in May, the online trailer has been viewed more than eight million times. The show slowly reveals the unexpected ways all the characters (including Mandy Moore and <em>Gilmore Girls</em>' Milo Ventimiglia) are connected.</p> Photo: &copy; Bell Media
<span style="font-size: larger; font-weight: bold;">DESIGNATED SURVIVOR</span><br><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>PREMIERE</strong> Sept. 21, CTV</span> <p>Fans of <em>24</em> will be thrilled to see Canadian Kiefer Sutherland back on the small screen. In this new drama, he plays Tom Kirkman, a cabinet member who unexpectedly becomes the President of the United States. He takes over the Oval Office to help the country recover from a deadly attack.</p> Photo: &copy; CBC
<span style="font-size: larger; font-weight: bold;">HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER</span><br><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>PREMIERE</strong> Sept. 22, CTV</span> <p>True to form, this crime drama from Shonda Rhimes wrapped with a cliffhanger that had fans clamouring to find out who shot Wes's dad, where Frank disappeared to and what's next for the Keating five.</p> Photo: &copy; Bell Media
<span style="font-size: larger; font-weight: bold;">HEARTLAND</span><br><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>PREMIERE</strong> Oct. 2, CBC</span> <p>This enduring homegrown fan favourite gets back in the saddle for a 10th season of family drama. We can't wait to pick up where the last season left off, with Amy (Amber Marshall) revealing to Ty (Graham Wardle) on their first wedding anniversary that she's pregnant with their first child!</p> Photo: &copy; CBC
<span style="font-size: larger; font-weight: bold;">FRESH OFF THE BOAT</span><br><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>PREMIERE</strong> Oct. 12, shomi</span> <p>Pack your bags! The Huang boys will be the fish out of water when they travel to their parents' homeland in this breakout sitcom's season premiere. The family's off to Taiwan to find Grandma and Uncle Gene (guest star Ken Jeong).</p> Photo: &copy; Shomi
<span style="font-size: larger; font-weight: bold;">MADAM SECRETARY</span><br><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>PREMIERE</strong> Oct. 2, Global</span> <p>President Dalton's offer to name Elizabeth (Téa Leoni) the new vice-president of the United States left fans wondering if the former CIA analyst could leave her secretary title behind. Look out for guest star Morgan Freeman, the show's Oscar-winning producer, in the first episode of the season.</p>
<span style="font-size: larger; font-weight: bold;">JANE THE VIRGIN</span><br><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>PREMIERE</strong> Oct. 18, shomi</span> <p>The show's titular heroine (Gina Rodriguez) tied the knot with Michael last season, but things took an unexpected turn when he was shot. Will he live to tell the tale? Check out season three of this comedic telenovela about one girl's outrageous life (yes, she was accidentally artificially inseminated) to find out.</p>
<span style="font-size: larger; font-weight: bold;">NARCOS</span><br><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>PREMIERE</strong> Sept. 2, Netflix</span> <p>Based on the true story of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar (Wagner Moura), this dark drama takes viewers along for the ride as the world-famous criminal tries to outrun the authorities. Not caught up? There's still time to binge-watch the first season.</p>
<span style="font-size: larger; font-weight: bold;">MOM</span><br><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>PREMIERE</strong> Oct. 27, City</span> <p>Allison Janney and Anna Faris are comic gold as a mother-daughter duo recovering from addiction. Also back for the fourth season: recurring guest star Rosie O’Donnell as the ex-girlfriend of Bonnie (Allison) who comes between mother and daughter.</p>
<span style="font-size: larger; font-weight: bold;">THE WALKING DEAD</span><br><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>PREMIERE</strong> Oct. 23, AMC</span> <p>Find out who met their demise at the hands of Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) in the cliffhanger that had fans of the zombie survival drama in disbelief. The former <em>Grey's Anatomy</em> star says his villainous character is just getting started. “It’s a reset on <em>The Walking Dead</em> world. It’s Negan’s world now.”</p> Photo: &copy; AMC
<span style="font-size: larger; font-weight: bold;">NEW GIRL</span><br><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>PREMIERE</strong> Sept. 20, City</span> <p>In the season première marking the directorial debut of star Zooey Deschanel, Zooey's lovable character Jess tries to keep her feelings for Nick at bay, and Cece and Schmidt start life as newlyweds. Comedy worlds collide in October, when <em>New Girl</em> and <em>Brooklyn Nine-Nine</em> air two back-to-back crossover episodes.</p> Photo: &copy; Rogers Media
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