(Photo by Lucasfilm/Disney+)
FALL 2020 TV SURVEY: 30 MOST ANTICIPATED RETURNING SHOWS
For Rotten Tomatoes’ annual Fall TV Survey, we asked 1,000 of our users what they’re most looking forward to in the coming TV season and to reflect on the best shows from seasons past.
While the fall TV season might not necessarily look the same as it did a year ago, there’s still plenty of programming headed to the small screen in the next few months. The main difference: premiere dates. Sure, there are fewer shows coming back, but the more noticeable change is the fact that most shows won’t premiere in September (or even October) like normal. Theoretically, though, many of our favorite series are headed back to TV before 2020 is over.
The first question in our Fall TV Survey was which returning shows fans were most looking forward to. Readers were given more than one vote, allowing them to spread the love around. (Come on, who only watches one single show?)
Unsurprisingly (for anyone who’s seen it, at least), The Mandalorian topped the list — by a wide margin. Around 47 percent of users are looking forward to the live-action Star Wars series’ second season, with 30 percent of women and 52 percent of men all voting for the Disney+ hit. The title is by far the most universally beloved series across all demographics with 50 percent of respondents in the 18-34 age bracket; 47 percent in the 35-54 bracket; and 21 percent in the 55 and over bracket.
FX’s Fargo, with the delayed season 4 (starring Chris Rock) premiering in September, was in second place among Rotten Tomatoes users at 18 percent. And in third, NBC’s time-jumping tearjerker This Is Us, with 16 percent of respondents saying they’re looking forward to season 5 (21 percent of women, 9 percent of men). Grey’s Anatomy scored much higher among women than men (13 percent vs. 4 percent), while men were far more excited about the return of Fargo (18 percent vs. 7 percent) and Star Trek: Discovery (17 percent vs. 6 percent). And while 15 percent of users aged 55 and up were excited about The Crown (and 10 percent of users aged 35-54), just 6 percent of the 18-34 demo were looking forward to the historical Netflix drama.
Read on to find out all of Rotten Tomatoes users’ most anticipated returning series.
Disagree with the survey results? Tell us in the comments who you think should have made the list or have been ranked higher.
Synopsis: America's best undiscovered talent goes head-to-head on teams led by four of today's biggest musical icons, who playfully compete against...
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Synopsis: Dr. Jason Bull is the charming and cocky founder of successful trial consulting firm Trial Analysis Corporation, where he and...
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Synopsis: It has been said that friendship isn't one big thing, it's a million little things. That is certainly true for...
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Synopsis: Tom Selleck stars as Frank Reagan, the New York Police Commissioner, and patriarch of the Reagan clan, a multigenerational family...
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Synopsis: Skeptical psychologist Kristen Bouchard joins David Acosta, who is training to be a Catholic priest, and a blue collar contractor...
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Adjusted Score: 87632%
Critics Consensus:
Synopsis: This groundbreaking series from executive producer Dick Wolf's "Law & Order" franchise chronicles the ripped-from-the-headlines investigations of the NYPD's Special...
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Synopsis: Starting over isn't easy, especially for small-town guy John Nolan, who, after a life-altering incident, is pursuing his dream of...
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Synopsis: For young Sheldon Cooper, it isn't easy growing up in East Texas. Being a once-in-a-generation mind capable of advanced mathematics...
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Synopsis: For decades, ex-government agent Raymond "Red" Reddington has been one of the globe's most wanted fugitives. But then he agreed...
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Synopsis: Dre Johnson (Anthony Anderson) has it all: a great job, a beautiful wife, Rainbow (Tracee Ellis Ross), four kids and...
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Synopsis: In the 1980s, geeky Adam uses a video camera to document his family's crazy life. His mother, Beverly, is overprotective...
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Synopsis: This high-intensity medical drama follows a team of doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital who are faced with life-or death...
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Adjusted Score: -1%
Critics Consensus:
Synopsis: Naval Criminal Investigative Service Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs leads a group of colorful personalities in investigating crimes -- ranging...
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Synopsis: This animated series features the adventures of the Griffin family. Endearingly ignorant Peter and his stay-at-home wife, Lois, reside in...
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Adjusted Score: 68173%
Critics Consensus: Though it leaves some fan favorites high and dry, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina's final season hits enough emotional highs to serve as a fitting farewell to the Queen of Hell.
Synopsis: This long-running animated comedy focuses on the eponymous family in the town of Springfield in an unnamed U.S. state. The...
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Synopsis: Shaun Murphy, a young surgeon with autism and savant syndrome, relocates from a quiet country life to join the surgical...
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Adjusted Score: 100238%
Critics Consensus:
Adjusted Score: -1%
Critics Consensus:
Adjusted Score: 96188%
Critics Consensus: As funny and poignant as ever, Superstore closes up shop with a superb sixth season that solidifies its place as one of TVs greatest workplace comedies.
Synopsis: Bob Belcher is a third-generation restaurateur who runs Bob's Burgers with his loving wife and their three children. Bob believes...
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Adjusted Score: 93831%
Critics Consensus: With less canonical baggage and a welcome dose of character development, Discovery continues to forge its own path and is narratively all the better for it.
Adjusted Score: 87611%
Critics Consensus: His Dark Materials' chilly emotional core and imposing complexity is unlikely to win over the unconverted, but its sophomore season rewards the faithful with impeccable production values and cerebral thrills.
Adjusted Score: 107363%
Critics Consensus: Whatever historical liberties The Crown takes in its fourth season are easily forgiven thanks to the sheer power of its performances - particularly Gillian Anderson's imposing take on The Iron Lady and newcomer Emma Corrin's embodiment of a young Princess Diana.
Synopsis: The Pearson family's generational story unfolds in this emotional drama. In moments of love, joy, triumph and heartbreak, revelations emerge...
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Adjusted Score: 89346%
Critics Consensus: Though Fargo's ambitious fourth season struggles to maintain momentum, fine performances and a change of scenery make for an engaging -- if uneven -- departure from the series' norm.
Adjusted Score: 95063%
Critics Consensus: With fan favorites and fresh faces galore both in front of and behind the camera,The Mandalorian's sophomore season solidifies its place as one of Star Wars's most engaging and exciting sagas.
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