Fall TV Preview 2018: 5 New Shows to Watch

The modern TV landscape is gearing up for its second wave. With Facebook, Apple and Disney gearing up to be massive content engines that will go head-to-head with Netflix, Amazon, HBO, Hulu, the broadcast networks and everything in between, there has never been a time where more shows are available to audiences. Nearly every week, a streaming service or network drops a new must-see series.

With so many new series to watch and with so little free time below is a list of the five most exciting upcoming shows debuting this fall, including a new comedy, a returning comedy (sorta!), a returning drama and a new drama. (Plus a bonus!)

New Comedy: "Camping"
Network: HBO
Airdate: Oct. 14
Episodes: 8

Jennifer Garner returns to the small screen for the first time in over a decade with "Camping," an HBO comedy remake of a British with Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner – both of whom created "Girls" – showrunning. The 30-minute "Camping" follows husband and wife Walt (David Tennant) and Kathryn (Garner) during a camping trip Kathryn plans for Walt's 45th birthday. Things quickly go haywire and the special event spirals out of control. The comedy also features Juliette Lewis, Bridget Everett, Busy Philips and Nicole Richie.

Returning Comedy: "The Conners"
Network: ABC
Airdate: Oct. 16
Episodes: 10

With the drama of "Roseanne" in the rearview mirror, the spinoff/reboot of the seminal sitcom, "The Conners," comes to ABC next month – without star Roseanne Barr. The fictional Roseanne Conner has apparently died and there's no telling how "The Conners" will be without the controversial comedian. The new comedy will focus on the remaining family members, specifically Darlene (Sara Gilbert) and her kids, as they cope with the loss of the family's matriarch. Most of the "Roseanne" cast, including John Goodman, is set to return for "The Conners." Whether or not it's as popular as "Roseanne" will be determined in just a few weeks.

Returning Drama: "House of Cards"
Network: Netflix
Airdate: Nov. 2
Episodes: 8

"House of Cards" is another series returning this year without its main character. After several men came forward to make sexual misconduct allegations against Kevin Spacey, Netflix booted the actor from returning to the final season of its long-running political drama. Spacey's Francis Underwood, the fictional President of the United States, has died, leaving his wife Claire Underwood (the wonderful Robin Wright) as president. The truncated season (only eight episodes down from its usual 13) also features a stellar cast, including newcomers Diane Lane and Greg Kinnear. Judging from the new trailer, the last chapter in the "House of Cards" saga looks fierce and intense with Wright giving another strong performance. Though "House of Cards" has dimmed in popularity and from the zeitgeist, the sixth and final season of the series ought to be a cultural moment.

New Drama: "Homecoming"
Network: Amazon
Airdate: Nov. 2
Episodes: 11

Based on a podcast on the same name, the psychological thriller "Homecoming" brings a huge name to the small screen. Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman and Meryl Streep aren't the only movie stars to lead prestige TV projects. In her first major TV role, Julia Roberts plays caseworker Heidi Bergman, who works at a secret government facility. She deals with soldiers ready to return to civilian life – specifically Walter Cruz (Stephan James). Created by Sam Esmail, who brought us the outstanding "Mr. Robot," "Homecoming" ought to be an off-kilter drama with Hitchcockian thrills. The show also stars Bobby Cannavale, Sissy Spacek, Alex Karpovsky and more. Expect some major twists and turns here as Esmail showed us in "Mr. Robot" that not everything is as what it seems.

Bonus:
New Drama: "The Little Drummer Girl"
Network: AMC
Airdate: Nov. 19
Episodes: 6

AMC is in the John le Carre business. After their successful "Night Manager" miniseries, the network is set to release "The Little Drummer Girl" in a few months. Though it was a film starring Dianne Keaton in the 80s, the TV adaptation has a pretty astounding pedigree. The espionage drama stars rising actress Florence Pugh ("Lady Macbeth," "The Outlaw King"), Alexander Skarsgard and Michael Shannon and is directed by South Korean auteur Park Chan-wook ("The Handmaiden," "Snowpiercer"). According to Deadline, "The Little Drummer Girl" is set in the late 70s and "follows Charlie (Pugh), a fiery actress and idealist whose resolve is tested after she meets the mysterious Becker (Skarsg�rd,) while on holiday in Greece. It quickly becomes apparent that his intentions are not what they seem, and her encounter with him entangles her in a complex plot devised by the spy mastermind Kurtz (Shannon). Charlie takes on the role of a double agent while remaining uncertain of her own loyalties."