These Are The Shows To Look Forward To On TV Next Season

From Fox's upcoming Empire-esque musical drama to Kiefer Sutherland's new drama.

This week, the major broadcast networks announced their new series for the 2016-2017 TV season and rolled out trailers that showcased what they have to offer.

We watched the trailers for the new shows — more than 40! — so you don't have to. Here's our short list of what's worth checking out, including the return of Prison Break and the drama that will dry some Agent Carter fans' tears.

(Note: CBS, The CW, and NBC didn't release all of their midseason trailers, so some we loved — like Riverdale — won't appear on this list. But they're in our hearts.)

1. Conviction

When and where is it on? Mondays at 10 p.m. on ABC this fall

Who's in it? Hayley Atwell, Eddie Cahill, Shawn Ashmore, Merrin Dungey, Emily Kinney, Manny Montana, Daniel DiTomasso

First impression? Hayley Atwell playing a former first daughter with a rebellious streak and a knack for breaking laws sounds so good on paper, and thankfully, it's equally enjoyable in action. Although this is yet another ABC drama where an impossibly diverse group of well-dressed people hold up 8×10 headshots of clients they hope to free, there is a palpable sense of fun permeating the trailer that sets it apart from its heavier small-screen siblings. —Jarett Wieselman

For more on Conviction, click here.

2. Designated Survivor

When and where is it on? Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on ABC this fall

Who's in it? Kiefer Sutherland, Natascha McElhone, Maggie Q, Kal Penn, Adan Canto, Italia Ricci, LaMonica Garrett, Tanner Buchanan

First impression? Upon reading this pilot script, Sutherland said he realized he was "potentially holding the next decade of [his] life in [his] hands," and based on the very compelling trailer, he could be right. An interesting premise, a solid supporting cast (particularly Maggie Q), and a cinematic visual flair make this one of the most promising-looking new fall dramas. Granted, this is also the kind of premise — a lower cabinet member who becomes president after an unexpected attack on Washington — that could go wildly off the rails after the pilot. And not in that "24 is so batshit-insane, it's good" kind of way. —Jarett Wieselman

For more on Designated Survivor, click here.

3. Downward Dog

When and where is it on? On ABC in early 2017

Who's in it? Allison Tolman, Lucas Neff, Mo Collins

First impression? I am the biggest animal fan in the world (and I have the receipts to prove it, Guinness), but I was incredibly nervous about this comedy about a dog who narrates his owner's life. But after getting emotional at the surprisingly touching trailer, I promise to never question my four-legged friends ever again. Nor shall I ever again doubt Allison Tolman, who has yet to make a misstep since breaking out in the first season of Fargo. —Jarett Wieselman

For more on Downward Dog, click here.

4. Prison Break

When and where is it on? Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on Fox in early 2017

Who's in it? Wentworth Miller, Dominic Purcell, Sarah Wayne Callies, Robert Knepper, Rockmond Dunbar, Amaury Nolasco, Mark Feuerstein

First impression? Prison Break was a pioneer in having truly dead characters turn out not to be dead, which is all the rage these days. So it's good to see from the trailer that they're facing head-on that Michael was 100% DEAD AS HELL by the end of this show. No matter, though, because he is not. In a reversal of the original show's premise, Lincoln will be doing everything he can to free Michael this time. And Michael will have something to come home to, because he and Sara (Callies) have a cute son who has never met his father. Fox has wisely made Prison Break a limited series, knowing that having to stretch out its closed-end premise is what killed this show. Let's see what happens! Fingers crossed! —Kate Aurthur

For more on Prison Break, click here.

5. Pure Genius

When and where is it on? Thursdays at 10 p.m. on CBS post-football season

Who's in it? Augustus Prew, Dermot Mulroney, Brenda Song, Reshma Shetty, Ward Horton, Aaron Jennings, Odette Annable

What's it about? A Silicon Valley millionaire taps a veterinarian to lead a hospital that intends to attempt risky — but potentially groundbreaking — procedures.

First impression? This show comes from Jason Katims, the brain (and heart) behind Friday Night Lights and Parenthood, two shows I aggressively adore. So he's got a lot of goodwill from critics and audiences coming into this tech-driven medical drama. And while the trailer makes the show look like a straightforward procedural, Katims fans know better. There could be a lot more to this show than meets the eye, which will probably be watering very soon. —Jarett Wieselman

For more on Pure Genius, click here.

6. Speechless

When and where is it on? Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. on ABC this fall

Who's in it? Minnie Driver, John Ross Bowie, Mason Cook, Micah Fowler, Kyla Kennedy, Cedric Yarbrough

First impression? There is obviously depth here, with Driver's Maya playing a difficult person whose journey with her nonverbal son J.J. (Fowler) has changed her — and even in this cutdown, Speechless doesn't appear to be shying away from how that affects the other children in the family. Fowler, who has cerebral palsy in real life, is the rare special needs actor playing a special needs character. Obviously, this show is a comedy. But I cried a little. —Kate Aurthur

For more on Speechless, click here.

7. Star

When and where is it on? Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on Fox in early 2017

Who's in it? Queen Latifah, Benjamin Bratt, Jude Demorest, Ryan Destiny, Brittany O'Grady

First impression? Lee Daniels combines his two greatest successes yet — Precious and Empire — to make Star, a show about two sisters who grew up in foster care (separately) and reunite years later with dreams of forming a girl group. With the help of their godmother (Queen Latifah) and the daughter of what seems like a successful musician (Kravitz, wearing all the jewelry I could dream of), who rounds out their Destiny's Child/TLC-like trifecta, they're on their way to doing just that. The songs are catchy and these ladies feel easy to root for. Sign me up. —Jaimie Etkin

For more on Star, click here.

8. This Is Us

When and where is it on? Thursdays at 9 p.m. on NBC this fall

Who's in it? Milo Ventimiglia, Mandy Moore, Justin Hartley, Chrissy Metz, Sterling K. Brown, Susan Kelechi Watson, Chris Sullivan, Ron Cephas Jones

First impression? I am hesitant to get invested in this drama, given that it stars Moore, who has been the kiss of death for TV pilots for the past few years (RIP Red Band Society). But after watching the below trailer, this is easily the show I'm most excited about among all the ones the networks are offering in the 2016-2017 season. Interconnected storylines? Check. Sterling K. Brown, who blew me away on People v. O.J.? Yes, please. Jason Mraz's "I Won't Give Up" playing in the background? I am officially crying. Metz's storyline looks cringeworthy at best, like her character is a fat woman and nothing more, but I'll hope she's more dimensional than that. I'm hoping This Is Us will be able to partially fill the Parenthood-sized hole in my heart that's still gaping. I am truly excited to bawl on Tuesdays. —Jaimie Etkin

For more on This Is Us, click here.

Here's a complete list of what was renewed, canceled, and picked up at each network — and here are all the trailers for new shows on ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, and The CW, as well as their strategies and schedules for 2016-2017.