Sigh. It's become clear that a number of our favorite fall TV shows won't be returning in September as they usually do every year. This year has been a rough one for entertainment, and as much as most TV lovers have been looking forward to seeing their favorite primetime series return, some of those shows won't be premiering for weeks, and in some cases, more than a month. In fact, a lot of what's on TV now — and will be premiering over the next couple of weeks — is actually spring and summer shows that were delayed as well.
Many shows simply couldn't film on their normal schedules or had to shut down because of health and safety concerns, and some others may already be done filming but have wait their turn as shows that were set to premiere earlier cycle through (and time slots are freed up). It's a weird time all around, but thankfully, many of our favorite shows are successful enough that the networks haven't given up on them, and rather than being canceled altogether, they will just have to premiere at a later date. This list has some of the shows we'll have to wait just a bit longer for.
'This is Us'
Starting with a biggie, NBC's This is Us won't be premiering until November 10. This much-awaited hit show — starring Mandy Moore, Chrissy Metz, Sterling K. Brown, Susan Kelechi Watson, Justin Hartley, and Milo Ventimiglia — usually premieres in September, but it will return to TV two months later because of production delays.
'Brooklyn Nine-Nine'
One of America's favorite modern comedies, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, won't be premiering early this fall as was originally scheduled. This year was actually supposed to mark the show's first fall premiere, which is no longer happening. In fact, word has it that the show, starring SNL-alum Andy Samberg, won't be returning to NBC until some time in the beginning of 2021. As of now, it'll still come out early enough to be considered a mid-season premiere.
'Making It'
A couple of seasons ago, veteran TV comedians Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman brought some serious laughs to the reality genre with their DIY show Making It. Although this charming show that pits crafters and DIYers against each other in a friendly competition will be returning eventually, it won't be until mid-season. At the time of this writing, there was no official premiere date.
'Good Girls'
This show about three moms — who unexpectedly get involved in some serious crimes — has become something of a cult favorite. Starring Christina Hendricks, Retta, and Mae Whitman, Good Girls has been seriously delayed. Season four isn't scheduled to come out until sometime next year. The 2021 premiere date hasn't been announced yet, but we hope it's early on.
'New Amsterdam'
The highly rated New Amsterdam, a medical drama with a twist, should have been marking its third season this month, but early on in the global health issue, the show was forced to shut down production. The show will be returning sometime during mid-season, but an exact premiere date has yet to be announced.
'Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist'
Still a relative newbie, Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist wasn't NBC's biggest hit last season, but it did well enough to get picked up for a second season. This quirky musical comedy was originally supposed to premiere early in the fall, but it has been pushed back to mid-season, with an official date not yet released.
'DC's Legends of Tomorrow'
The popular superhero series DC's Legends of Tomorrow features a group of heroes and villains who must unite to prevent the apocalypse. Sadly, it won't premiere at all this fall. Instead, it has been pushed into next year. It very likely won't air until sometime in the spring of 2021, but a date has yet to be announced.
'Supergirl'
Similarly, fan favorite Supergirl — which chronicles the adventures of Superman's female cousin — was supposed to have a fall premiere in 2020, but along with a spate of CW shows, it won't debut until 2021. Supergirl is not scheduled for January, as many other of the network's hit shows are, so it likely won't hit the air until spring or even summer.
'The Flash'
Though the exact date has yet to be released, the hit show The Flash — starring Grant Gustin (one of our personal faves) — has been postponed to mid-season. CW execs have confirmed that The Flash will return to TV for its seventh season in January 2021, so viewers will at least have some kind of superhero fix to look forward to before Legends and Supergirl return.
'Riverdale'
Another crowd favorite, Riverdale, will join The Flash with a January 2021 premiere, rather than premiering this fall as originally planned. Fans anxiously awaiting the return of Jughead and Archie should keep an eye out for an official premiere date soon, but they will have to wait at least a few more months before they actually get to watch new episodes.
'Roswell, New Mexico'
Another newer show, Roswell, New Mexico, a reboot of the '90s series, was originally set to return with its third season this fall. Instead, it will be premiering mid-season, along with some of the previously mentioned CW shows such as Supergirl. There's no exact date just yet.
'9-1-1'
It's no real surprise that the dynamic, action-packed Fox series 9-1-1 has also been delayed. With all of the show's massive disaster scenes and its large cast, it must have been a challenge to arrange filming safely. Season four of 9-1-1 is scheduled for a mid-season premiere sometime next year.
'Hell's Kitchen'
With host Chef Gordon Ramsay's permanent home being in the UK, the long-running reality cooking competition show Hell's Kitchen has obviously been delayed due to the new normal. The show should have premiered this fall, but it has been pushed back to an indefinite mid-season date.
'Blue Bloods'
The popular cop drama Blue Bloods, starring Tom Selleck and Donnie Wahlberg, will not be returning for its 11th season this month as it was supposed to. It's definitely being moved to mid-season. A new premiere date had not been announced, but it's expected to be revealed soon.
'Young Sheldon'
Fans of this popular Big Bang Theory spin-off about the young boy genius Sheldon Cooper will sadly have to wait a few more months before watching new episodes from the series' next installment. It's been confirmed that the sitcom will definitely be returning to TV, but season four won't premiere until sometime in 2021.
'American Idol'
With this long-running singing competition show's virtual auditions just coming to a close on September 9, it goes without saying that the premiere of American Idol's 19th season will be delayed. As of now, ABC is preparing for a mid-season return, but exactly what that will look like is yet to be seen.
'Grey's Anatomy'
All the folks who anxiously await the return of arguably the most popular medical drama in American history each fall will have to hold out a bit longer. Grey's Anatomy just recently resumed production, so Season 19 is likely looking at a mid-season premiere, but a date has yet to be released.
'A Million Little Things'
The long-awaited return of ABC's breakout drama series A Million Little Things, which follows a group of friends as they embark on life changes after losing a loved one, will not happen this fall. Production still had not resumed in early August, and a date for the show's anticipated mid-season premiere has not been announced, but it will definitely be back.
