No one knew when the pandemic struck that a bold new world would be unleashed in all aspects of life including entertainment.
The movie industry began recovering last year from closed theaters and strikes, but given the flat box office this year, it is still doing so.
As for network television? It may never recover again. It’s become a refuge for sports, reality TV programming, game shows and extremely limited scripted shows.
That last one is important. Sports provides a mass, captive audience thus making that programming more desired to advertisers.
Scripted shows? You want something intelligent, thought provoking and, yes, edgy? You have to pay for it because most of it is found on streaming services. The best part of that aspect of television viewing nowadays: there’s so much of it. The worst aspect of it: there’s so much of it, making it nearly impossible to track it all and, just as noticeably, consume it all.
With that in mind, let’s peek into what the networks and streamers have to offer this fall television season, which began with “The Paper” a couple of weeks ago.
‘9-1-1: Nashville’ brings Chris O’Donnell back to the screen in spinoff
ABC (WEWS, Channel 5)
“9-1-1 Nashville” (Oct. 9) – The third entry in Ryan Murphy’s “9-1-1” franchise heads to Nashville and stars Chris O’Donnell as a former rodeo star who now leads the local firehouse, working with his son played by Michael Provost.
‘Slow Horses’ and its dysfunctional spies return on Apple TV+ for season No. 5
Apple TV+
“The Savant” (Sept. 26) – Jessica Chastain stars an investigator who works to take down the vilest online hate groups in this series.
“Slow Horses” (Sept. 24) – This brilliant series featuring Gary Oldman and his group of spies working in a disgraced unit outside of the prestigious offices of British intelligence returns for its fifth – too short, six-episode – season.
“The Last Frontier” (Oct. 10) – One marshal (Jason Clarke) in the Alaskan wilderness must track down the dozens of violent inmates freed when a transport plane crashes. Former Stow resident Haley Bennett co-stars.
Popular ‘Blue Bloods’ series gets a spinoff starring Donnie Wahlberg, Sonequa Martin-Green
CBS (WOIO, Channel 19)
“Boston Blue” (Oct. 17) – The spinoff of the perennial favorite “Blue Bloods” sees Donnie Wahlberg’s popular character Danny Reagan move on to Beantown and is paired with a new partner portrayed by Sonequa Martin-Green (“Star Trek: Discovery”). Expect a similar format with a family dynamic. Also look for “Blue Blood” favorites, including Mike Amonsen (Sean Reagan) make appearances.
Josh Charles returns to television with medical series ‘Best Medicine’
Fox (WJW, Channel 8)
“Best Medicine” (Premiere TBD) – Josh Charles (“The Good Wife,” “Sports Night”) returns to series television as a big city doctor who moves to practice medicine in the small town where he spent his summers during his childhood.
Mark Ruffalo is a struggling FBI agent in gripping drama ‘Task’
HBO/HBO Max
“Task” (currently on HBO and streaming on HBO Max) – Haven’t checked this one out yet? Given Mark Ruffalo stars as a struggling FBI agent trying to get over the tragic death of his wife, it’s worth the watch. Add to the mix star in the making Tom Pelphrey and this proves to be a nuanced, complex drama. Of course, that’s expected from Brad Ingelsby, the creator of “Mare from Easttown.”
Ethan Hawke is a grizzled independent Tulsa reporter in ‘The Lowdown’
FX/Hulu
“The Lowdown” (Sept. 23) – Ethan Hawke as a scrappy based Tulsa, Okla. journalist is enough to make this an intriguing show, but when Emmy-winner Peter Dinklage (“Game of Thrones”) showed up on the screen, I knew I was hooked. The underappreciated Keith David is also part of the cast.
Hulu only
“Chad Powers” (Sept. 30) – Glen Powell stars as a former college quarterback looking to resurrect his football career on small-college Georgia football team by impersonating a goofy, but talented QB in this half-hour comedy.
Tracey Morgan, Tina Fey collaborate once again with ‘Reggie Dinkins’
NBC
“The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins” (TBD) – Tracey Morgan stars as a former football player who’s looking to shine up his tarnished reputation in this comedy produced by Morgan and Tina Fey. Daniel Radcliffe from “Harry Potter” fame stars in this comedy.
Jason Batemen back in ‘Black Rabbit,’ series featuring Jude Law on Netflix
Netflix
“Black Rabbit” (Sept. 18) – Jude Law and Jason Bateman star as brothers in this limited series where one brother (Bateman) returns home to wreak havoc on the life of his sibling who has opened a successful restaurant.
“Stranger Things (staggered release beginning Nov. 26.) – Is there any description needed for this show? The cultural phenomenon will end its run this year, breaking the hearts of many fans.
“Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Deathwatch” (TBD) – An animated series based on the Tom Clancy novel and videogame series with Liev Schreiber providing the lead’s voice.
‘The Paper’ gives off vibes from ‘The Office’
Peacock
“The Paper” (currently streaming) – By now fans of “The Office” should have picked this up. If you haven’t, bring friends to experience the struggles of a Toledo newspaper and its idealistic new editor in chief, Ned Sampson (Domhnall Gleeson).
‘Gen V’ back for another go around in ‘The Boys’ universe on Prime Video
Prime Video
“Gen V” (Sept. 17) – The spinoff of the violent superhero series “The Boys” returns for its second season.
George M. Thomas covers a myriad of things including sports and pop culture, but mostly sports, he thinks, for the Beacon Journal.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Streaming leads fall 2025 TV shows to watch: ‘Slow Horses,’ ‘Bad Rabbit’ and ‘The Lowdown’
Reporting by George M. Thomas, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
