Key dates include the premiere of *Will
In the 2027 television landscape, ABC has clarified its midseason calendar, giving viewers a detailed view of when 16 major productions will return. The announcement follows a bold decision made at the start of the year: ABC renewed its whole scripted portfolio, a rarity in the industry, and avoided any cuts. That strategy forced adjustments to episode orders for some series and pushed back the debut of others.
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Stephen King and Ed Harris’s Cult Classic „Knightriders” Now Free to Stream OnlineFor example, season 3 of High Potential and season 3 of Shifting Gears will now air in the fall. The fate of season 3 of R. J. Decker remains uncertain; its second season was shortened to just seven episodes. As the fall shows enter their winter hiatuses, the newly published midseason schedule lets fans know exactly when their favorite series will be back.
Key dates include the premiere of Will Trent season 5 on January 5 at 8:00 p.m. ET, followed by High Potential season 3 at 9:00 p.m. ET. Shifting Gears season 3 will launch with a two‑episode event featuring a reunion of 2 Broke Girls stars Kat Dennings and Beth Behrs on January 6 at 8:00 p.m. ET. The Rookie season 9 follows at 9:00 p.m. ET, and the second spin‑off, The Rookie: North , debuts at 10:00 p.m. ET. ABC will also roll out the documentary series Surviving a Scandal , which examines notorious figures such as Milli Vanilli, Octomom and Joey Buttafuoco.
On January 7, 9‑1‑1 season 10 returns from its midseason break at 8:00 p.m. ET, followed by 9‑1‑1: Nashville season 2 at 9:00 p.m. ET, and Grey’s Anatomy season 23 closes the block at 10:00 p.m. ET. The network’s sole sitcom, Abbott Elementary , comes back on January 13 at 8:31 p.m. ET. A detailed table released earlier lists the full schedule, including award ceremonies, special events and a High Potential post‑Super Bowl special.
ABC has been developing original projects throughout
Because the Grey’s Anatomy spin‑off has been postponed to later in 2027, the only brand‑new series debuting in January is The Rookie: North . The show follows Alex Holland, played by Jay Ellis (known from HBO’s Insecure ), whose life is upended by a violent home invasion. Under creator Alexi Hawley, Holland must prove himself to a skeptical training officer, rookie colleagues, and his own standards as a new Pierce County police officer. The cast also features Chris Sullivan, Karen Fukuhara, Froy Gutierrez, Janet Montgomery, Mya Lowe and Malik Watson. The pilot includes cameo appearances from The Rookie regulars Nathan Fillion, Melissa O’Neil and Eric Winter.
ABC has been developing original projects throughout 2026, including a potential rival to Tracker starring Justin Hartley, leaving the future of its scripted lineup still in question. For now, fans won’t have to wait long for the schedule to resume its normal rhythm.
Will Trent is a crime drama that follows special agent Will Trent, abandoned at birth and raised in the Atlanta foster system. His traumatic past drives him to become a highly authorized investigator who ensures others don’t suffer as he did. Meanwhile, Morgan, a brilliant but unconventional single mother of three, teams up with a methodical detective after solving a crime while working as a cleaner. Their unlikely partnership blends Morgan’s off‑beat thinking with the detective’s disciplined approach, creating a surprisingly effective duo.
These details paint a clear picture of ABC’s future, offering a varied slate from complex thrillers like Will Trent to accessible comedies such as Abbott Elementary . The network’s strategy of renewing most titles underscores a commitment to stability and audience loyalty, despite necessary tweaks to episode counts and launch dates. Ongoing successes for franchises like The Rookie and 9‑1‑1 highlight ABC’s narrative strength, while new entries such as Surviving a Scandal and The Rookie: North expand its creative horizon. The 16‑title schedule promises viewers a broad range of experiences—from urban action to psychological drama and warm sitcoms—maintaining high expectations for the years ahead.
