Network Shows That Will Blow Everyone Away In 2023
Even in an age of headline-making streaming shows, network television remains a source of brilliant storytelling. Sure, mysterious sci-fi series like "Severance" and character-driven fantasy epics a la "House of the Dragon" light up networks like Apple TV+ and HBO Max. But audiences still flock to long-time network classics like "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit." Moreover, new shows like "Abbott Elementary" are bringing fresh insight, laughter, and personality to network programming. It's safe to say that network television is still relevant. But will it remain so?
If the slate of shows coming to network TV in 2023 is any indication, the answer is a resounding yes. This year brings a glittering tide of new shows, which will take audiences to many different locales, introduce them to a wide variety of fascinating characters, and explore all manner of conflicts. No matter what you're interested in, there's a new series with your name on it. From chilling police dramas to hilarious kitchen odysseys, these are the network shows that will blow everyone away in 2023.
True Lies (CBS)
"True Lies" revolves around a young suburban family that appears to be perfect — from the outside, anyway. But unfortunately, husband Harry (Steve Howey) is always away on business trips. His wife Helen (Ginger Gonzaga) is growing dissatisfied, not only with her husband's constant absences, but also with her constrained domestic lifestyle. So one day, after a fight, he decides to bring her along on a business trip to Paris. That's where she discovers that Harry is actually an international spy.
If the plot sounds familiar, we're guessing you enjoy '90s action comedies. Before "True Lies" became a television show, it was a 1994 film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis. Director James Cameron has been working since 2010 to bring this adaptation to the small screen, and it promises to be well worth the wait. "True Lies" is particularly primed to showcase Steve Howey as an action star and spotlight his comedic chops, which many fans were introduced to on "Shameless." If the trailer is any indication, "True Lies" is going to be one heck of a ride. The series is set to premiere on February 23, 2023.
Not Dead Yet (ABC)
Gina Rodriguez, known for her critically-lauded stint as the titular lead on "Jane the Virgin," is set to return to TV as Nell Stevens on "Not Dead Yet." A down-on-her-luck writer who is newly divorced, Nell is attempting to return to the career she abandoned 10 years ago — but the only employment she can find is writing obituaries. She must balance this gig with a new living situation complicated by a strict housemate. "Not Yet Dead" promises to find laughter in the midst of this angst, weirdness, and self-doubt — something fans know Rodriguez excels at doing.
Further details about the show's direction are scarce; a very brief teaser trailer offers fans the most vivid glimpse of the project. But if the book the series is based on, Alexandra Potter's "Confessions of a Forty-Something F*** Up," is any indication, audiences can expect belly laughs, a focus on friendship, and genuine emotional intelligence. The show also features an impressive cast and crew, including Lauren Ash of "Superstore" fame and "New Girl" star Hannah Simone. "Not Dead Yet" will be masterminded by Casey Johnson and David Windsor, whom fans might recognize from their work on the criminally underrated "Don't Trust the B—- in Apartment 23." Under their control, it's bound to be a must-see series. Viewers can find out for themselves on February 8, 2023.
Animal Control (Fox)
"Animal Control," a new Fox sitcom, will star Joel McHale as Frank, an erudite former cop who was fired for attempting to expose corruption in his department. He ends up heading a crew of animal control workers who struggle to understand human interaction, despite their competence with animals.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Frank is a bit of a cynic. "Community" fans already know how well McHale can play that sort of role. Vella Lovell of "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" fame will play Emily (per Variety), the charming boss of the animal control outfit, while Ravi Patel will play Amit Patel, a coworker with an increasingly complex family life. Dan Sterling, Bob Fisher, and Rob Greenberg share creator credit.
Workplace comedies continue to delight the TV-watching public, and recent efforts like "Abbott Elementary" have found success in spotlighting underappreciated occupations. "Animal Control" seems likely to continue this trend with a plethora of talent behind and in front of the camera. It's slated to hit the airwaves on February 16, 2023.
The Company You Keep (ABC)
According to Deadline, ABC spy thriller "The Company You Keep" follows Charlie (Milo Ventimiglia), a con man who wants to scale up his crimes so that he can pay off his family's debt and finally go legit. But Charlie is also developing feelings for undercover CIA agent Emma (Catherine Haena Kim), who happens to be pursuing the vindictive criminal Charlie's family owes so much money to. Things quickly get complicated.
"The Company You Keep" is based on the South Korean series "My Fellow Citizens." If the original material is any indication, audiences can anticipate some truly unexpected twists. In "My Fellow Citizens," for example, the character Charlie is based on actually runs for a political seat. This could be the show fans of offbeat thrillers have been waiting for.
"The Company You Keep" features a notably strong cast and crew. Milo Ventimiglia is well on his way to being considered a television legend, with roles on megawatt series like "This Is Us" and "Gilmore Girls" under his belt. It's great to see him find his way back onto something more action-driven; as fans of "Heroes" know well, he excels in the genre. Julia Cohen, who will serve as a co-showrunner, brings similar experience from "Quantico" and the genre-blending "Riverdale." According to Collider, "The Company You Keep" will premiere on February 19, 2023.
Found (NBC)
As detailed by the official website, "Found" stars "Shameless" alum Shanola Hampton as PR whiz Gabi Mosley. But this isn't a glitzy series about the rich and famous and the spin doctors that keep them so — it's a hard-hitting drama looking to take crime-centric programming to new heights. Gabi, who was once a missing person herself, leads a PR team dedicated to the plight of missing people.
"Found" will be helmed by "All American: Homecoming" creator Nkechi Okoro Carroll, who told Variety, "The situation with missing people in this country is truly an epidemic in and of itself. I was inspired to create 'Found' to not only entertain, but to help be part of the solution." Indeed, "Found" has big ambitions: The series is fundamentally rooted in the fact that 600,000 Americans are reported missing each year, most of whom are people of color. With this staggering statistic in mind and a stellar cast and crew, "Found" is primed to challenge longtime conventions of its genre and take it to entirely new places. "Found" will hit the airwaves on February 19, 2023.
Night Court (NBC)
"Night Court" is a sequel to the beloved 1984 television series of the same name. According to the official website, this "Night Court" will follow Judge Abby Stone (Melissa Rauch), daughter of the original series' Harry Stone, as she takes on the job her father once held: presiding over a Manhattan municipal court's night shift. The show, like the original, will focus on the court's oddball employees as they tackle the wacky cases of the wee hours. This quirky premise should lend itself to plenty of memorable gags and the possibility of becoming a classic comfort show.
The original "Night Court" was a big hit with audiences, and won a number of Emmy Awards. Many fans might find themselves wondering if any of the '84 show's actor's will reprise their celebrated roles on the new program. As of this writing, only John Larroquette, set to reprise the role Dan Fielding, is slated to return. This implies the show will center around its new characters and forge its own identity. Original "Night Court" fans should still keep their eyes peeled for further announcements, however — the NBC website heavily teases Richard Moll's eventual return as Bull Shannon.
The pilot episode of "Night Court" will be helmed by prolific comedy director Pamela Fryman, best known for directing nearly every episode of "How I Met Your Mother." "Night Court" is set to premiere on January 17, 2023.
Will Trent (ABC)
According to Deadline, "Will Trent" centers around the titular special agent, who works for the Georgia Bureau of Investigations. Trent's journey has been a long one: He was abandoned at birth, and spent his formative years navigating the foster care system. This pain lingers, but it's also made him into one of the GBI's greatest assets. With the highest clearance rate in the organization, he's on a one-man mission to keep as many people as possible from falling through the cracks.
The punchy trailer reveals a lighter tone than you might expect. Will is a bit of an eccentric, and seems to end up with an adorable chihuahua by his side. But "Will Trent," which is based on Karin Slaughter's celebrated "Will Trent" books, also kicks off with a story about kidnapping that promises to bring edge-of-your-seat thrills. Fans of the books are likely to enjoy the show: Ramón Rodriguez is a practically perfect casting choice who fills every frame with undeniable charisma. Liz Heldens, who previously worked on "The Dropout," "The Orville," and "Boston Public," is also an excellent pick as one of the show's writers and executive producers. "Will Trent" will debut on January 3, 2023.
The Hug Machine (CBS)
As reported by Deadline, "The Hug Machine" follows Dan, a musician and father whose rock career has estranged him from his two children and ex-wife. Said career, for which he has sacrificed everything, is faltering. But everything changes when he performs at his kid's birthday party. The kids love his tunes, and Dan swiftly realizes he could make a brand new start as a children's musician. This presents him with a chance to right everything about his life that's gone wrong — but can he really make the jump from rock star to kiddie crooner?
Malcolm Barrett stars as Dan, while Sam Laybourne and Jorma Taccone will helm the series. Maintaining an ideal work-life balance remains a major concern for modern-day families, which means "The Hug Machine" is already relevant. The fact that it's a comedy brings its own appeal — everyone could use more laughs regarding the endless juggle of kids, career, and marriage. Dan's flexibility and endurance will be tested as he rises through the children's music ranks, raises his own two kids, and attempts to mend the holes in his personal life. The results are likely to be hilarious and heart-warming.
Grimsburg (FOX)
If Fox has proven anything, it's that they can be counted on to develop an entertaining animated series. According to Deadline, "Grimsburg" is set to join their glittering roster in 2023. "Grimsburg" follows Marvin Flute, a brilliant detective, as he returns to his hometown. This isn't a celebratory homecoming, however: Though he's created a name for himself as a renowned mystery-solver, Flute hasn't been the greatest family man. Even his extraordinary talents might falter when it comes to winning back his ex-wife and connecting with his son — but he's got to try.
Flute will be played by Jon Hamm, whose legendary performance as Don Draper on "Mad Men" made him one of the modern TV landscape's most respected actors. Little else is currently known about the show, though promotional art indicates Grimsburg is a fairly unique place, home to scarf-wearing skeletons and men with cybernetic body parts. Fox is apparently confident that fans will grow to love these spooky environs: According to Variety, the series has already been renewed for Season 2.
Alert (Fox)
Fox police procedural "Alert" revolves around the Philadelphia Police Department's Missing Person's Unit. Though each episode will foreground the search to find a different missing person, an over-arching mystery ties the series together: The disappearance of Nikki Batista and Jason Grant's son. According to Variety, Nikki and Jason lost their son six years prior to the events of the show. Nikki has turned her grief into fuel for her work as the head of the Missing Person's Unit. Her compassion and brilliance help her crack plenty of cases — but the mystery of her own child's disappearance remains unsolved.
"Alert" is just one of many 2023 shows focusing on missing people: "Found" and "Will Trent" also center around the mysteriously vanished. The personal stake Nikki and Jason bring to the crime will doubtlessly make "Alert" stand out, even in this crowded field. "Alert" is also distinguished by its talented cast: Scott Caan of "Hawaii Five-0" and Dania Ramirez of "Sweet Tooth" are slated to star. "Alert" will premiere on January 8, 2023.
Recipe for Disaster (The CW)
The CW is shaking things up in 2023. As reported by TV Guide, the network is following up a slew of cancelations with a slate of brand-new shows that run the gamut from supernatural dramas to high-octane reality programming. One particularly intriguing entry in the latter category is "Recipe for Disaster."
In this food-centric competition show, three professional chefs vie for kitchen supremacy. But they aren't just trying to create tasty dishes — they're trying to create tasty dishes while dealing with absolutely ridiculous situations. Every week, the studio in which they chop, sear, sauté, and roast is completely different, with its own set of challenges, obstacles, and themes. How absurd will things get? Very. According to Deadline, chefs will brave island monsoons and attempt to complete art heists as they put the finishing touches on their culinary creations.
There are dozens of chef-centered reality shows on TV, each with its own distinct appeal. Yet few fully convey the enormous strain that comes with working in this field. Communicating this through over-the-top challenges doesn't just promise to be effective — it's set to be a whole lot of fun. Viewers who delight in the mayhem of cooking will be hooked, and also might learn a few new skills they can employ in their own kitchens.
Accused (Fox)
Every episode of "Accused" begins in a courtroom. The audience is given no prior information about the defendant's case, or the decisions the defendant made that led to such serious circumstances — they're simply thrust into the thick of it, and see the proceedings from the defendant's point of view. This gripping and inventive approach gives this anthology unique verve, which will doubtlessly help it stand out among 2023's many new TV series.
The general public is reliably fascinated by court proceedings, and flock to fast-paced legal dramas. "Accused" capitalizes on this and brings a new sort of emotional investment into the mix, courtesy of its one-of-a-kind structure. Viewers are sure to encounter a wide variety of defendants, from all walks of life — their stories will likely be as diverse as they are fascinating. The cast is already huge, and absolutely packed with talent: "Accused" will feature performances from Abigail Breslin, Michael Chiklis, Margo Martindale, and Rachel Bilson, among others. This searing new legal series is set to debut on January 22, 2023.
The Never Game (CBS)
"The Never Game," which is based on Jeffery Deaver's novel of the same name, follows Colter Shaw, a hard-bitten loner and skilled survivalist who supports himself by solving mysteries and claiming large rewards. His unique set of skills takes him all over the country and into proximity with law enforcement and private citizens alike. But not even Colter can crack the complexities of his own personal life.
According to Deadline, the show will star Justin Hartley, whom many TV watchers know from his lead performance on the hit drama "This Is Us." What with its crime-centric storyline and slew of mysteries, "The Never Game" seems likely to take the actor to some very different thematic places. Further details about the show are still murky, which makes sense: According to director Ken Olin, filming for the pilot began on October 6, 2022. Fans will have longer to wait for "The Never Game" than many other shows on this list, but they're likely to be rewarded with a truly excellent series.