Fall 2018 TV Survey: 40 Most Anticipated Returning Shows
We asked TV fans, “Which returning fall TV shows are you most looking forward to?” See which series our survey respondents chose, ranked by popularity, below. (Respondents were allowed one choice.)
The winner took top spot with 7.2 percent of the vote, while second place got 6.4 percent. Third place was the write-in vote, featuring some top titles like Outlander and Doctor Who, along with offerings like Vikings, Ray Donovan, college football, and The Crown (maybe — season 3 still doesn’t have a release date), but also some titles that — sorry to break it to you — definitely aren’t expected to return until 2019, like Game of Thrones, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Gotham, Stranger Things, Victoria, and Star Trek: Discovery. There was also a lot of “you can’t make me pick just one!” grousing among the write-in votes. (Noted for next time.) The top Nielsen-rated series of 2017 took fourth place at 5.3 percent, and fifth place got 4.8 percent.
Disagree with the survey results? Tell us in the comments who you think should have made the list or have been ranked higher.
#39
Critics Consensus: Superstore remains a furtively fearless riot in its comedic approach to heavy, timely issues.
#38
Synopsis: Castaways inhabit a remote destination and attempt to outwit, outlast and outplay each other for a prize of $1 million.
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#37
Critics Consensus: Arrow recovers from a creative rut by throwing Oliver Queen in the slammer and letting the series' reliable ensemble blossom into the forefront.
#34
Critics Consensus: South Park recaptures its sardonic magic in a less serialized season that remains hit-or-miss in its resonance but undeniably funny no matter who it skewers.
#30
Critics Consensus: Though cynics may struggle to see it, Poldark's fourth season pairs a surprisingly multilayered side of social commentary with its soapy romantic delights.
#28
Critics Consensus: Faced with the responsibility of aiding Freeland through trying times, the Pierce family takes Black Lightning back by storm.
#27
Critics Consensus: House of Cards folds slightly under the weight of its labyrinthian ending -- thankfully Robin Wright's commanding performance is more than enough to keep it standing strong.
#26
Critics Consensus: Suspend your disbelief and hold on to your beanie: Season 3 of Riverdale is off the rails, and delightfully so.
#25
Critics Consensus: Castlevania sinks its fangs into vampiric lore during a devilishly fun second season that benefits from an expanded sense of scale and episode tally that allows the series to fully spread its leathery wings.
#22
Critics Consensus: BoJack Horseman continues confidently down the thematic rabbit hole with a fresh and poignant season that's as devastating as it is hilarious.
#21
Critics Consensus: This just in: while the nostalgia and wit are welcome, Murphy Brown's dated messaging tactics feel heavy-handed and smug, leaving this formerly formidably timely series feeling like a reboot reaching for the headlines.
#19
Critics Consensus: Carried by the exceptional Rachel Bloom and her equally talented castmates, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend's final season further explores the depths of Rebecca's mental illness with humor, heart, and humanity.
#17
Critics Consensus: Last Man Standing isn't the most realistic sitcom on the dial, but its idealistic representation of opposites living in harmony offers sorely needed hope during divided times.
#16
Critics Consensus: The Flash's fifth season maintains the show's high standard for compelling visuals, chilling villains, and well-scripted moments of humor, but also turns a more focused gaze on the role of family dynamics amongst the increasingly complex characters.
#15
Critics Consensus: Shameless enters its ninth season on a tight budget of fresh stories left to tell, but still finds some rich new notes of characterization -- all while gracefully bidding adieu to Emmy Rossum.
#14
Critics Consensus: The crafty addition of minor sci-fi elements and a terrific William Forsythe to the show's already engrossing narrative make The Man in the High Castle's third season another worthy binge.
#13
Critics Consensus: Grey's Anatomy continues to diagnose and treat previous season's weaknesses to deliver a seemingly impossible 15th season of original storytelling.
#11
Critics Consensus: Like Midge herself, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel charges full speed ahead in a second season brimming with warmth, empowerment, and a whole lot of laughs.
#10
Critics Consensus: Supernatural remains engrossing despite its almost spooky longevity, patiently doling out new paranormal challenges in a season that takes the time to reflect on a seismic shift amongst the ensemble's dynamics.
#9
Critics Consensus: It's Always Sunny's winning formula keeps the laughs rolling and the stomachs turning in a thirteenth season that's topical, triumphant, and toxic in the best way.
#8
Critics Consensus: Fun, focused, and surprisingly thoughtful, The Orville's second season makes good use of its talented crew.
#7
Critics Consensus: There is comfort in finding that not much has changed in its final season, as the tried-and-true themes and jokes of the previous 11 seasons brings The Big Bang Theory to a tender ending.
#6
Critics Consensus: Charming and curious as ever, The Good Place remains a delightfully insightful bright spot on the television landscape.
#5
Critics Consensus: Ryan Murphy and his murderers' row of witchy performers literally save the world -- and franchise -- in Apocalypse, the series most ambitious crossover swing yet.
#4
Critics Consensus: Nine seasons in, The Walking Dead feels more alive than ever, with heightened tension and a refreshed pace that rejuvenates this long-running franchise.
#3*
Critics Consensus: Outlander's epic romance settles into a violent fourth season, planting its flag on the American frontier while treading on darker themes.
#3*
Critics Consensus: Carried by Jodie Whittaker's boundless energy and charm, Doctor Who's latest regeneration manages to feel fresh well into the show's 55-year tenure.
#2
Critics Consensus: The Man with No Fear returns to top form with a third season that begins tediously slow but gradually generates comic book thrills, immeasurably helped by the welcome return of Vincent D'Onofrio's menacing Kingpin.
#1
Critics Consensus: With a lot of love, hugs, and tears, season three of This is Us continues to please fans with new intense storylines.
*No. 3 was the write-in vote, of which Doctor Who and Outlander were tied as the returning fall shows with the most votes.
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