2018 Midseason TV Survey: Winter’s Most Anticipated New and Returning Series

We surveyed TV fans and asked which midseason returning and premiering series they were most looking forward to in the first quarter of 2018. The top series, according to 623 Rotten Tomatoes users (out of 1,359 total survey respondents), include The Walking Dead (returning from its midseason break), The X-Files (returning for its 11th season), The Alienist (a new TNT miniseries), and, in the reality category, American Idol (getting reboot treatment).

Click through to find out which other series made the top 10 in each category.

MIDSEASON RETURNS | NEW SEASON PREMIERES | NEW SERIES & TV MOVIES | REALITY

Series Returning Midseason

These series, chosen by Rotten Tomatoes users, debuted their current seasons in the fall and are returning early in the new year to continue their runs.

Top 10 out of 40 titles: 

The Walking Dead: Season 8 (2017)
64%

#11%

Adjusted Score: 64.116%

Critics Consensus: The Walking Dead's eighth season energizes its characters with some much-needed angst and action, though it's still occasionally choppy and lacking forward-moving plot progression.

Synopsis: Season 8 of this drama series brings an all-out war. Rick (Andrew Lincoln), Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and Ezekiel (Khary Payton)... [More]

Starring: Sean Freeland, Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Chandler Riggs

Directed By: John Polson, Mike Satrazemis, Michael E. Satrazemis, Dan Liu

This Is Us: Season 2 (2017)
92%

#10%

Adjusted Score: 92.744%

Critics Consensus: This is Us continues to tug at heartstrings with an emotional exploration of family that ensures viewers will want to keep the tissues close -- and their loved ones closer.

Synopsis: The story of a family whose three same-aged siblings struggle in unique ways throughout their lives is chronicled in this... [More]

Starring: Milo Ventimiglia, Mandy Moore, Justin Hartley, Chrissy Metz

Directed By: Ken Olin

Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Season 5 (2017)
100%

#6%

Adjusted Score: 100.535%

Critics Consensus: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. swings for the fences with large-scale storytelling and wild twists that elevate season 5 from the saturated MCU and into its own space.

Synopsis: Season 5 of the superhero series opens with a big change in setting: Coulson (Clark Gregg) and most of his... [More]

Starring: Clark Gregg, Ming-Na Wen, Chloe Bennet, Iain De Caestecker

Directed By: Jed Whedon, Nina Lopez-Corrado, Kevin Tancharoen, Jesse Bochco

The Good Place: Season 2 (2017)
100%

#5%

Adjusted Score: 103.047%

Critics Consensus: By voluntarily blowing up its premise, The Good Place sets up a second season that proves even funnier than its first.

Synopsis: Series 2 of this comedy follows a New Jersey woman enters the afterlife and tries to become a better person... [More]

Starring: Kristen Bell, Ted Danson, William Jackson Harper, Jameela Jamil

Star Trek: Discovery: Season 1 (2017)
83%

#4%

Adjusted Score: 86.954%

Critics Consensus: Although it takes an episode to achieve liftoff, Star Trek: Discovery delivers a solid franchise installment for the next generation -- boldly led by the charismatic Sonequa Martin-Green.

Synopsis: This sci-fi series follows the voyages of Starfleet on their quest to explore new planets and new life forms. Set... [More]

Starring: Jason Isaacs, Sonequa Martin-Green, Michelle Yeoh, Doug Jones

Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Season 5 (2017)
100%

#4%

Adjusted Score: 97.684%

Critics Consensus: Brooklyn Nine-Nine's final year with Fox pops with such joyous affection that it could have been a satisfying closer for the series, but the ensemble's unflappable chemistry continues to gel so well that viewers will be glad that these cops will live to fight crime again.

Synopsis: A sitcom following the lives of a group of detectives in a New York precinct, including one slacker who is... [More]

Starring: Andy Samberg, Andre Braugher

The Flash: Season 4 (2017)
79%

#4%

Adjusted Score: 79.326%

Critics Consensus: After an unsteady turn in season three, The Flash returns to its roots with a fourth season packed with humor, spectacle, and a whole lot of heart.

Synopsis: With Barry/The Flash (Grant Gustin) voluntarily committing himself to imprisonment in the Speed Force, Iris (Candice Patton) forcefully leads a... [More]

Starring: Grant Gustin, Candice Patton, Danielle Panabaker, Carlos Valdes

Directed By: Glen Winter, David Mcwhirter, Harry Jierjian, Kevin Mock

The Good Doctor: Season 1 (2017)
63%

#3%

Adjusted Score: 65%

Critics Consensus: The Good Doctor's heavy-handed bedside manner undermines a solid lead performance, but under all the emotionally manipulative gimmickry, there's still plenty of room to improve.

Synopsis: Dr. Shaun Murphy (Freddie Highmore) is a junior surgeon, who is on the autism spectrum and has savant syndrome. Shaun... [More]

Starring: Freddie Highmore, Nicholas Gonzalez, Beau Garrett, Antonia Thomas

Directed By: Seth Gordon, Michael Patrick Jann, Stephen DePaul, John Dahl

Bob's Burgers: Season 8 (2017)

#3%

Adjusted Score: -0.209%

Synopsis: Season 8 of the animated series opens with an episode inspired by fan-art that features the kids trying to get... [More]

Starring: H. Jon Benjamin, John Roberts, Kristen Schaal, Eugene Mirman

NCIS: Season 15 (2017)

#3%

Adjusted Score: -0.14%

Synopsis: Imprisoned by rebels after a failed mission in Paraguay, NCIS Senior Special Agent Timothy McGee (Sean Murray) and his boss,... [More]

Starring: Mark Harmon, David McCallum, Pauley Perrette, Sean Murray

Directed By: Leslie Libman, Tony Wharmby, Dennis Smith, Thomas J. Wright

Top 10 based on 1,359 overall survey responses: 

1. The Walking Dead – 10%
2. This Is Us – 9%
3. Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – 5%
4. The Good Doctor – 4%
5. Star Trek: Discovery – 4%
6. NCIS – 4%
7. The Big Bang Theory – 4%
8. The Good Place – 4%
9. How to Get Away With Murder – 3%
10. Supernatural – 3%

MIDSEASON RETURNS | NEW SEASON PREMIERES | NEW SERIES & TV MOVIES | REALITY