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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)
65%

#11%

Adjusted Score: 65139%

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: ... [More]

Starring: Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Lauren Cohan, Chandler Riggs

Directed By: Frank Darabont, Robert Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, David Alpert

This Is Us: Season 2 (2017)
92%

#10%

Adjusted Score: 92675%

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: ... [More]

Starring: Mandy Moore, Milo Ventimiglia, Sterling K. Brown, Chrissy Metz

Directed By: Dan Fogelman, Jess Rosenthal, Charlie Gogolak, John Requa

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

#6%

Adjusted Score: 100541%

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: ... [More]

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

Directed By: Joss Whedon, Jed Whedon, Maurissa Tancharoen, Jeffrey Bell

The Good Place: Season 2 (2017)
100%

#5%

Adjusted Score: 102953%

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

Synopsis: ... [More]

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

Directed By: Mike Schur, David Miner

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

#4%

Adjusted Score: 87025%

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: ... [More]

Starring: Sonequa Martin-Green, Doug Jones, Jason Isaacs, Shazad Latif

Directed By: Alex Kurtzman, Bryan Fuller, Heather Kadin, Gretchen J. Berg

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

#4%

Adjusted Score: 93810%

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: ... [More]

Starring: Andy Samberg, Andre Braugher, Terry Crews, Melissa Fumero

Directed By: Daniel J. Goor, Mike Schur, David Miner

The Flash: Season 4 (2017)
80%

#4%

Adjusted Score: 80273%

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: ... [More]

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

Directed By: Greg Berlanti, Andrew Kreisberg, David Nutter, Sarah Schechter

The Good Doctor: Season 1 (2017)
63%

#3%

Adjusted Score: 64881%

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: ... [More]

Starring: Freddie Highmore, Antonia Thomas, Nicholas Gonzalez, Chuku Modu

Directed By: David Shore, Daniel Dae Kim, David Kim, Seth Gordon

Bob's Burgers: Season 8 (2017)
- -

#3%

Adjusted Score: -1%

Critics Consensus:

Synopsis: ... [More]

Starring: H. Jon Benjamin, Dan Mintz, Eugene Mirman, John Roberts

Directed By: Loren Bouchard, Jim Dauterive

NCIS: Season 15 (2017)
- -

#3%

Adjusted Score: -1%

Critics Consensus:

Synopsis: ... [More]

Starring: Mark Harmon, Pauley Perrette, Sean Murray, Wilmer Valderrama

Directed By: Chas. Floyd Johnson, Mark Horowitz, Mark Harmon, Frank Cardea

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