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Fall's here, which means school's in session, although if you're a real TV nerd, you know that Fall also means new TV SZN is approaching. It's the traditional time of year when TV networks (and streaming services) unleashed some of their most promising new series, as well as their most talked-about returning shows. With so many options for watching so many shows, it'd make sense to get a handle on what will be the best use of your time, right? We've got you, don't trip.
This Fall, we'll see the final season of one of USA's most critically-acclaimed shows, while Netflix (alongside Drake) brings another UK fan favorite to its service. We have the latest addition to the black-ish universe, as well as the newest hero to join The CW's Arrowverse. One of your favorite podcast becomes a TV show, and some of the biggest names in the hip-hop game are on a hunt for the next big thing. That's not to mention what HBO has in store.
Draw up your schedule now; here's a look the most anticipated shows for fall 2019.
'Top Boy'
Stars: Ashley Walters, Kane Robinson, Malcolm Kamulete, Shone Romulus
Network: Netflix
Release date: September 13, 2019
If you thought Drake's forays into TV and films were done with Euphoria, know that he's got another trick up his sleeve. Two years ago, it was announced that he'd be bringing the acclaimed British series Top Boy to Netflix, following two explosive four-episode seasons. The third season, which will clock in at ten episodes, will find Dushane and Sully being joined by some new faces in a new story that still feels grounded in the gritty street life. English artists Little Simz and Santan Dave are joining the cast, which also includes London's own Kano. If you've never watched before, run through the first two series on Netflix then dive in.
'mixed-ish'
Stars: Arica Himmell, Tika Sumpter, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Gary Cole, Christina Anthony, Mykal-Michelle Harris, Ethan William Childress
Network: ABC
Release date: September 24, 2019
Like black-ish? Love grown-ish? Welcome to mixed-ish, the next installment of ABC's "-ish" extended universe. Instead of diving deeper into the children of the Johnson clan, this prequel series takes us back to Rainbow's upbringing as a mixed child born growing up in the '80s, facing everything from discrimination to moving from a hippie commune to the suburbs. Rising star Tika Sumpter plays Rainbow's mother, while the legendary Mark-Paul Gosselaar (aka Zack Morris from Saved By the Bell) is her father. Should be interesting to see if the "-ish" universe goes three for three.
'Stumptown'
Stars: Cobie Smulders, Jake Johnson, Michael Ealy
Network: ABC
Release date: September 25, 2019
Based on Greg Rucka and Matthew Southworth's graphic novel of the same name, ABC's Stumptown finds Cobie Smulders played the kind of private investigator who will get the job done by any means necessary. Hard-hitting and action-packed, the series could satiate the hunger of those looking for series showing people on the right side of the law bending the rules until they break them...or the bad guys they are investigating.
'Godfather of Harlem'
Stars: Forest Whitaker, Vincent D'Onofrio, Ilfenesh Hadera, Antoinette Crowe-Legacy, Nigél Thatch, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Lucy Fry, Paul Sorvino, Giancarlo Esposito, Rafi Gavron
Network: Epix
Release date: September 29, 2019
The story of notorious mob boss Bumpy Johnson shouldn't be new to anyone; it's the basis for films like American Gangster and Hoodlum, among others, but Epix's Godfather of Harlem, which finds legend Forest Whitaker taking on the iconic role, has a twist. Instead of just being about how Johnson took his territory back, it highlights his relationship with Malcolm X (portrayed by Nigél Thatch) as well. It looks to examine an important period for Harlem, where two different wars were brewing.
'Batwoman'
Stars: Ruby Rose, Meagan Tandy, Camrus Johnson, Nicole Kang, Rachel Skarsten, Dougray Scott, Elizabeth Anweis
Network: The CW
Release date: October 4, 2019
With Ruby Rose donning the Batwoman 'fit during the Arrowverse's "Elseworlds" crossover, the official next installment of the CW's DC-based series had made her grand entrance. Now getting her own series, Batwoman will find Bruce Wanye's cousin, Kate Kane (Rose), cleaning up the Gotham City streets in Wayne's absence. The CW's got a great handle on these Arrowverse characters, so while much isn't known about where Batwoman is headed, the series at least has a solid foundation to build upon.
'Raising Dion'
Stars: Alisha Wainwright, Ja'Siah Young, Michael B. Jordan, Jason Ritter, Jazmyn Simon
Network: Netflix
Release date: October 4, 2019
The comic series Raising Dion makes its live-action leap via this titular series, which is executive produced Michael B. Jordan (who also stars in the series). Dion is being raised by single mother Nicole after the death of her husband Mark (Jordan). Raising a kid by yourself is hard enough, but raising a special kid like the supowered Dion is a whole other ball of wax. Do you keep his abilities secret, or at least figure out how to avoid your son being exploited? What happens when the world finds out that this black boy has superpowers? This ten-episode series will examine all of that.
'Mr. Robot' (Final Season)
Stars: Rami Malek, Carly Chaikin, Portia Doubleday, Martin Wallström, Christian Slater, Michael Cristofer, Stephanie Corneliussen, Grace Gummer, BD Wong, Bobby Cannavale
Network: USA
Release date: October 6, 2019
The end is finally near. We've had to wait long enough, but Sam Esmail's series is coming to a gloriously dark end. Early footage from Season 4 builds up the final battle between Elliot (Rami Malek) and the mysterious Whiterose (BD Wong); can Elliot find a way to control Mr. Robot? Will Elliot's sister—or any of his remaining associates—remain? Has Leon caught up on any more classic television series? And most importantly, what will happen to the country...or world...if their battle turns fatal? Here's to hoping Esmail can stick the landing.
'Rhythm + Flow'
Stars: T.I., Cardi B, Chance The Rapper
Network: Netflix
Release date: October 9, 2019
Netflix is getting into the competitive TV show game with Rhythm + Flow, which finds judges T.I., Cardi B, and Chance The Rapper scouring the country for the next big hip-hop star. The series drew insane flack for being one of the first shows to NOT have an entire season of episodes released at the same time (although a simple explanation about how competition series like American Idol and America's Got Talent are rolled out), but it'll be interesting to see what Netflix, and these judges, can do to turn the genre on its ear.
'The Read with Kid Fury and Crissle West'
Stars: Kid Fury, Crissle West
Network: Fuse
Release date: October 11, 2019
One of the illest podcast out there, The Real does a fantastic job of mixing pop culture news alongside real talk regarding what's going on in our country today, from a black, LGBTQ+ point of view. Hosts Kid Fury and Crissle West will bring their hilariously frank discussions to the small screen, with special celebrity/musical guests getting in on the discussion. If you've been following the podcast since its inception, it's dope to see these two take it to the next level.
'Watchmen'
Stars: Regina King, Don Johnson, Adelaide Clemens, Tim Blake Nelson, Louis Gossett Jr., Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Andrew Howard, Tom Mison, Frances Fisher, Jacob Ming-Trent, Sara Vickers, Dylan Schombing, Jean Smart, Jeremy Irons
Network: HBO
Release date: October 20, 2019
Damon Lindelof's highly-anticipated Watchmen series will be invading HBO for a nine-episode season in October. The comic book series is seen as a classic, and while there are polarizing opinions of the 2009 film, neither is said to be a direct source for Lindelof's series. This Watchmen will be looking to tell its own story on that foundation, and with a gem like Regina King leading a stacked cast (which includes everyone from Don Johnson and Jeremy Irons to Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) into a world of masked superheroes and vigilantes who operate in the dark and are set to wage war against one another.
'The End of The F**ing World'
Stars: Alex Lawther, Jessica Barden, Gemma Whelan, Wunmi Mosaku, Steve Oram, Christine Bottomley, Navin Chowdhry, Barry Ward
Network: Netflix
Release date: November 2019
Did Netflix's The End of The F**ing World, which was said to be a limited series, need a second season? Probably not; the story told in the graphic novel is what made up the entire first season. It was stellar, gripping television, and if we can use series like The Leftovers, which only got better once the source material was used up, we're hoping this series can achieve all of that and more. Not much is known about Season 2; we're surprised we have a month of release! Either way, this will be one series to be on the lookout for, especially if you're a fan of the ultraviolence and crass humor.