FALL 2019 TV SURVEY: 40 MOST ANTICIPATED NEW SHOWS

Critics Consensus: Sunnyside settles for broad comedy over the specific insights its subject matter craves, shortchanging its superb cast and timely topics in the process.

Starring: Kal Penn, Joel Kim Booster, Kiran Deol, Dianna Maria Riva

Critics Consensus: As sharply dressed as it is smartly written, Godfather of Harlem walks familiar blocks to its own beat and makes a strong first impression.

Starring: Forest Whitaker, Vincent D'Onofrio, Ilfenesh Hadera, Antoinette Crowe-Legacy

Critics Consensus: Dollface has all of the right parts: a talented cast, a promising premise, and plenty of surreal intrigue -- if only its shallow vision of feminism didn't undermine them.

Starring: Kat Dennings, Brenda Song, Shay Mitchell, Esther Povitsky

Synopsis: A strong-willed father navigates the stress of the holiday season when his daughter brings her new boyfriend home for Christmas.

Starring: Dennis Quaid, Bridgit Mendler, Brent Morin, Siobhan Murphy

Critics Consensus: As emotional as it is illuminating, Diagnosis' deep dives into the lives of patients navigating complicated health care systems is at once harrowing and hopeful.

Starring: Dr. Lisa Sanders

Critics Consensus: An appealing cast can't make up for Almost Family's appalling premise.

Starring: Brittany Snow, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Emily Osment, Mustafa Elzein

Critics Consensus: As unique as Dolly herself, Heartstrings' many tales of heartache and love don't always play, but strong performances and a sense of tension should be enough for fans of music and melodramaalike.

Starring: Dolly Parton, Delta Burke, Gerald McRaney, Michele Weaver

Critics Consensus: While The Politician can't uphold all of its tantalizing promises, it delivers just enough soapy satire in a sumptuous setting to keep Ryan Murphy fans invested -- though its unlikely to win him many new votes.

Starring: Ben Platt, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jessica Lange, Zoey Deutch

Starring: Nick Wolfhard, Keith David, Charles Demers, Montse Hernandez

Critics Consensus: Bafflingly bad, the only mystery is how The I-Land got made in the first place.

Starring: Kate Bosworth, Natalie Martinez, Alex Pettyfer

Critics Consensus: While its family drama and superhero aspirations don't quite come together, compelling performances and a sense of wonder keep Raising Dion afloat and suggest that with a little more guidance it could become something great.

Starring: Alisha Wainwright, Ja'Siah Young, Michael B. Jordan, Jason Ritter

Critics Consensus: Groundbreaking, but unfortunately grating, Bob (Hearts) Abishola undermines its own progressive premise with underwhelming humor that relies too heavily on outdated stereotypes.

Starring: Billy Gardell, Folake Olowofoyeku, Christine Ebersole, Matt L. Jones

Critics Consensus: Perfect Harmony's precarious premise doesn't always hit the right notes, but a charming cast and and a few clever jokes inspire hope that with a little more practice it could really sing.

Starring: Bradley Whitford, Anna Camp, Geno Segers, Will Greenberg

Critics Consensus: Warm and funny, The Unicorn finds humor in unexpected places and shows off a whole new side of the talented Walton Goggins.

Starring: Walton Goggins, Rob Corddry, Michaela Watkins, Omar Miller

Critics Consensus: Daybreak's blend of soapy teen drama and post apocalyptic horror has some truly inspired moments, even if it feels like you've seen a few of them before.

Starring: Matthew Broderick, Krysta Rodriguez, Colin Ford, Sophie Simnett

Critics Consensus: Though Bluff City Law's procedural proceedings often feel outdated, fans of Jimmy Smits and Caitlin McGee may find comfort in its familiar beats.

Starring: Jimmy Smits, Caitlin McGee, Barry Sloane, Michael Luwoye

Critics Consensus: While not quite as impressive as its legendary subject matter, An American Saga is a beautifully rendered and raw exploration of the Wu-Tang journey.

Starring: Ashton Sanders, Shameik Moore, Dave East, Siddiq Saunderson

Critics Consensus: While All Rise can't quite rise above the shows it aspires to be, it shows potential for future growth while providing a decent showcase for Simone Missick.

Starring: Simone Missick, Wilson Bethel, Marg Helgenberger, Jessica Camacho

Critics Consensus: Though Why Women Kill falls short of its ambitious premise, fans of Marc Cherry and his impressive cast will find much to like it its darkly soapy and stylish delights.

Starring: Lucy Liu, Ginnifer Goodwin, Kirby, Jack Davenport

Critics Consensus: While Carol's Second Act earns high marks for bringing Patricia Heaton front and center, awkward plotting and lackluster jokes hold it back from living up to its star's high standards.

Starring: Patricia Heaton, Kyle MacLachlan, Ito Aghayere, Jean-Luc Bilodeau

Critics Consensus: Heartbreaking and powerful, Unbelievable transcends familiar true-crime beats by shifting its gaze to survivors of abuse, telling their stories with grace and gravity.

Starring: Kaitlyn Dever, Toni Collette, Merritt Wever, Dale Dickey

Critics Consensus: While it needs more time to establish its own comedic voice, mixed-ish and its appealing cast are off to a sweet and smart start.

Starring: Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Tika Sumpter, Christina Anthony, Arica Himmel

Critics Consensus: Led by an outstanding Allison Tolman, Emergence avoids becoming just another mystery-box mess with strongly-written characters that will keep viewers caring no matter the resolution.

Starring: Allison Tolman, Alexa Swinton, Owain Yeoman, Ashley Aufderheide

Critics Consensus: Though it may not win many new converts, fans of Danny McBride will find much to praise in The Righteous Gemstones's darkly hilarious pews.

Starring: Danny McBride, John Goodman, Adam DeVine, Edi Patterson

Critics Consensus: An appealing aesthetic and promising ensemble can't quite liven up Nancy Drew, a broody and bland mystery that follows too closely in the footsteps of the shows it aspires to be.

Starring: Kennedy McMann, Tunji Kasim, Alex Saxon, Leah Lewis

Critics Consensus: Strange, surreal, and surprising, Living With Yourself takes a minute to come together, but once it does it proves to be a clever rumination on identity driven by Paul Rudd's impressive dueling performances.

Starring: Paul Rudd, Aisling Bea, Bridget Everett, Zach Cherry

Critics Consensus: Though it shows promise, Prodigal Son sidelines a spectacular Michael Sheen in favor of a more pedestrian procedural that often drifts too deeply into the grotesque.

Starring: Tom Payne, Michael Sheen, Bellamy Young, Lou Diamond Phillips

Critics Consensus: While Treadstone is as action-packed and frenetically paced as you'd expect from the Bourne universe, it lacks the narrative momentum and cohesion necessary to set it apart.

Starring: Jeremy Irvine, Brian J. Smith, Omar Metwally, Tracy Ifeachor

Critics Consensus: Delightfully eerie, Creepshow captures the spirit of the original while forging its own spooky path.

Starring: Adrienne Barbeau, David A. MacDonald, Madison Thompson, Afemo Omilami

Critics Consensus: Smartly-written and effectively unsettling, Evil works best when it dares to delve into the depths of the uncomfortable questions it poses.

Starring: Katja Herbers, Mike Colter, Aasif Mandvi, Michael Emerson

Critics Consensus: Though its sumptuous setting and design often outshines its storytelling, Catherine the Great remains a seductive, if scattershot, period drama thanks to the great Helen Mirren.

Starring: Helen Mirren, Andrew Rothney, Antonia Clarke, Clive Russell

Critics Consensus: The daemon is in the details and while His Dark Materials' visual splendor and exceptional performances deftly capture the essence of Philip Pullman's seminal novels, it could use a little more magic.

Starring: Dafne Keen, Ruth Wilson, Lin-Manuel Miranda, James McAvoy

Critics Consensus: An epic fantasy adventure that will please old and new fans alike, Age of Resistance expertly builds on the lore of The Dark Crystal, crafting compelling new mythos without losing sight of the humanity at the story's heart.

Starring: Taron Egerton, Caitriona Balfe, Helena Bonham Carter, Harris Dickinson

Critics Consensus: Though the world of The Witcher at times feels only half-formed, Henry Cavill brings brawny charisma to a series teeming with subversive fantasy elements and dark humor.

Starring: Henry Cavill, Anya Chalotra, Freya Allan, Jodhi May

Critics Consensus: Though it needs more time to develop its own identity to truly soar, Batwoman's fun and stylish first season is a step in the right direction for representation and superhero shows alike.

Starring: Ruby Rose, Meagan Tandy, Camrus Johnson, Nicole Kang

Critics Consensus: Beautiful, but bloated, Carnival Row boasts meticulously crafted mythology and luscious world building -- unfortunately its story of haves and have nots simply has too much going on.

Starring: Orlando Bloom, Cara Delevingne, David Gyasi, Karla Crome

Critics Consensus: Bold and bristling, Watchmen isn't always easy viewing, but by adding new layers of cultural context and a host of complex characters it expertly builds on its source material to create an impressive identity of its own.

Starring: Regina King, Jeremy Irons, Don Johnson, Jean Smart

Critics Consensus: Action-packed and expertly-crafted -- if at times a bit too withholding -- The Mandalorian is a welcome addition to the Star Wars universe that benefits greatly from the cuteness of its cargo.

Starring: Pedro Pascal, Gina Carano, Carl Weathers, Giancarlo Esposito