Disney’s ABC network has announced mid-season premiere dates for the new dramas “The Crossing,” “Deception,” “For The People” and the “Grey’s Anatomy” spinoff, as well as new comedies “Alex, Inc.” and “Splitting Up Together.” This is a strong line up for a network that already has a number of popular shows.
The “Grey’s Anatomy” spinoff joins the TGIT lineup with a special two-hour premiere Thursday, March 22 (9:00-11:00 p.m. EDT), before assuming its regular timeslot Thursday, March 29 (9:00-10:00 p.m. EDT). The final four episodes of “Scandal” will air at 10 p.m., Thursdays, beginning March 29. The series finale airs April 19.
Deception
When his career is ruined by scandal, superstar magician Cameron Black has only one place to turn to practice his art of deception, influence and illusion – the FBI. Using every trick in the book and inventing new ones, he will help the government catch the world’s most elusive criminals while staging the biggest illusions of his career. The series is from writer/executive producer Chris Fedak (“Chuck”) and executive producers Greg Berlanti, Martin Gero and Sarah Schechter. Illusionist David Kwong (“Now You See Me”) will co-produce.
“Deception” stars Jack Cutmore-Scott as Cameron Black, Ilfenesh Hadera as Kay Daniels, Lenora Crichlow as Dina Clark, Amaury Nolasco as FBI Agent Mike Alvarez, Justin Chon as Jordan Kwon, Laila Robins as FBI Agent Deakins and Vinnie Jones as Gunter Gustafsen.
I put this one first because I think it has the best potential to be a show I regularly watch. A police procedural that involves magic and illusion? Sign me up!
Deception premieres Sunday, March 11 at 10|9c
Alex, Inc
Based on Alex Blumberg’s successful podcast “StartUp,” comedy series “Alex, Inc.” is all about the things that happen – the good, the bad and the ugly – when a journalist and family man quits his job to start his own company. He quickly discovers it’s going to be a lot harder than he thought.
The series stars Zach Braff as Alex Schuman, Michael Imperioli as Eddie, Tiya Sircar as Rooni Schuman, Hillary Anne Matthews as Deirdre, Elisha Henig as Ben Schuman and Audyssie James as Soraya Schuman.
Of the comedy’s Alex, Inc. appears to have the best potential to pick up an audience.
Alex, Inc. coming to ABC Wednesday, March 28 at 8:30|7:30c.
Splitting Up Together
Splitting Up Together is coming to ABC on Tuesday, March 27 at 9:30|8:30c.
The Crossing
Jude Ellis (Steve Zahn) is the sheriff of Port Canaan, a small fishing town, whose plans for a quiet life change instantly when refugees from a war-torn country wash up on his beach seeking asylum, only the country these people are from is America – and the war they are fleeing hasn’t happened yet. As the Feds set out to uncover the truth behind the mysterious migration, Jude will launch an investigation of his own with the help of his loyal sheriff’s deputy, Nestor Rosario (Rick Gomez). Reece (Natalie Martinez) is a refugee but she’s different. She’s an “Apex,” a member of a genetically engineered human population. Her only goal once she arrives in town is to find her daughter, Leah (Bailey Skodje), from whom she is separated during the Crossing.
Leading the investigation for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is Emma Ren (Sandrine Holt), whose pursuit of the truth is complicated by the fact that her boss, DHS Undersecretary Craig Lindauer (Jay Karnes), seems to know a lot more about the migration than he’s telling her. Emma’s second-in-command is Bryce Foster (Luc Roderique), an empathetic agent who comes to find himself in over his head. Another vital member of the government team is Dr. Sophie Forbin (Georgina Haig), who has her own personal reasons for researching the Apex phenomenon and what it could mean to the future of science. Caleb (Marcuis W. Harris) and his wife, Rebecca (Simone Kessell), Hannah (Kelley Missal) and Paul (Rob Campbell) are all survivors from the crossing who come bearing dark secrets and a desperate pursuit for a better life.
The Crossing premieres on ABC on Monday, April 2 at 10|9c.
For The People
Set in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (a.k.a. “The Mother Court”), the new Shondaland series show follows six talented young lawyers working on opposite sides of the law and handling the most high-profile and high-stakes federal cases in the country.
Best friends Sandra Bell (Britt Robertson) and Allison Adams (Jasmin Savoy Brown) serve as public defenders alongside Jay Simmons (Wesam Keesh) and their boss, Federal Public Defender Jill Carlan (Hope Davis). They face off against prosecutors Seth Oliver (Ben Rappaport), Leonard Knox (Regé-Jean Page), Kate Littlejohn (Susannah Flood) and their supervisor, chief of the Criminal Division in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Roger Gunn (Ben Shenkman). Our lawyersare joined by Judge Nicholas Byrne (Vondie Curtis-Hall), who rules on some of the court’s most controversial cases, and Tina Krissman (Anna Deavere Smith), the formidable clerk of Court who keeps everyone in line.
These young lawyers will be put to the test both personally and professionally as their lives intersect in and out of America’s most prestigious trial court.
For the People premieres March 13th at 10pm on ABC>
Grey’s Anatomy Spinoff
The latest series from the executive producers of “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Scandal” and “How to Get Away with Murder” follows a group of heroic firefighters at Seattle Fire Station 19 – from captain to newest recruit – as they risk their lives and hearts both in the line of duty and off the clock. These brave men and women are like family, literally and figuratively, and together they put their own lives in jeopardy as first responders to save the lives of others.
The series stars Jaina Lee Ortiz as Andy Herrera, Jason George as Ben Warren, Grey Damon as Jack Gibson, Barrett Doss as Victoria Hughes, Alberto Frezza as Ryan Tanner, Jay Hayden as Travis Montgomery, Okieriete Onaodowan as Dean Miller, Danielle Savre as Maya Bishop and Miguel Sandoval as Captain Pruitt Herrera.
This will be the last season of new shows from Shondaland. Let’s hope these productions take off.
More news from Disney’s ABC Network coming soon.