13 New and Returning Shows You Must Watch This Fall

Created by George Pelecanos and David Simon, James Franco and Maggie Gyllenhaal head an impressive cast recreating the birth of pornography in the US from the time it just a few hookers being filmed for minutes long films for use in machines and sold in brown paper bags in the early '70s to the explosive billion dollar business it settled into in the mid-'80s. It's gritty, raw and rich with tight, brutal and emotional performances. Sundays at 10 on HBO.

With the first book of Once Upon a Time essentially closed, the first chapter of the second book will open years later in Henry's young adulthood. Early indications were many of the characters we knew and loved would be gone for good, but as time grows closer to the premiere, news is beginning to round out with a few more familiar faces. Nonetheless, it's not very often this kind of age progression occurs on a primetime series, so it should be exciting for those who have always wondered what Henry's life would look like once upon a time...New night and time. Fridays at 8/7c on ABC

Shemar Moore flew from the nest on Criminal Minds, much to fans' dismay, but where he landed is as the lead on SWAT, and it was a very good move. SWAT was my favorite pilot because it has a bit of everything. Instead of just portraying a SWAT team raiding this and that week by week, the pilot sets up what could be a very timely social narrative for the series going forward. If the show balances the two sides of itself well, even without the cast it could ride easily to CBS's hottest commodity. Such that it is, in addition to Moore, it sports social media experts Kenny Johnson and Jay Harrington, so SWAT will be on everyone's radar. Thursdays at 10/9c on CBS

One of the biggest cliffhangers of last season was whether or not Fred Andrews died as a result of the shooting at Pop's. With the trailers for Riverdale Season 2 showing a blood-soaked Archie who appears out of control, frightened and out for revenge, this is one we cannot miss. The addition of Veronica's father to the cast and Betty's involvement with the overarching mystery has us salivating with anticipation for Wednesdays at 8/7c on The CW.

Kyra Sedgwick stars in this thriller about a woman who writes for a television show a whole lot like the ones we like to watch. She's a single mother struggling to spend time with her daughter while meeting the pressures of steep deadlines on a hit series. When her daughter goes missing, her real life and what she's written suddenly seem too similar to dismiss. Sedgwick isn't a TV Fanatic favorite for nothing, and this one is emotional and gripping right from the start. It saps the energy from your bones. Sundays at 10/9c on ABC

The Good Place stunned the faithful by switching heaven on its ear on the finale of Season 1. Michael had camouflaged the bad place to look good for the less evil souls that made their way down there and they were far more shaken to learn their fate than Eleanor was to discover she had been trying to be good for nothing at all. Michael is shaking it all up again for Season 2, but once Eleanor's eyes are opened, will she ever be fully deceived again? Michael might be in for a surprise of his own. Thursdays at 8:30 on NBC

This isn't the Dynasty none of you remember, so don't worry your pretty little heads about it. The names haven't been changed, and Fallon and Steven remain unchanged, but the rest has been opened to interpretation. That said, as on Dynasty OG, Fallon and Steven are the best things about Dynasty, and I'll bet when their mother appears, she'll be equally as awesome. Unfortunately, there is a weakest link in this one, and it's Krystal. She's no match for Fallon and is hard to champion after the first episode. Everything else is pure soapy goodness, though, and should be kick. We've needed something purely escapist for a while now, and Dynasty is it. The glitz, the glamour!! Wednesdays at 9/8c on The CW

Everything was tossed into the air when mum was forcefully sent her own little world to keep her from harming others with her explosive body. Lucifer found himself in the middle of nowhere with his wings back, and the Season 3 promos portray him as a complete wildcard. These crazy deities are always up in the air since they can be snatched and grabbed at any moment. There is always a thrill in the air. Lucifer airs Mondays at 8/7c on The CW

Ghosted is a comedic take on The X-Files (on the same network!) starring Adam Scott and Craig Robinson as two pals with an affinity for ghost hunting. They get a lot more than they bargained for with their discovery of the real deal, and Scott and Robinson are ideal for their roles of the true believer and skeptic, respectively. The pilot was a good introduction to the premise leaving a lot of fun to come, which is exactly what a pilot should do. Sundays at 8:30 on Fox

There is no SPECIFIC reason to tune into This Is Us. There are ALL the reasons. The cast, the story, the feelings, the sense of wonder knowing not every story on TV has to be dark and dismal. It's so wonderful to be a part of something big that comes with happiness and not victims. This Is Us is our family now, and we are all a part of it. We'll be back together again Tuesdays at 9/8c on NBC just like we were last season!

It's the big military rollout of 2017. While last season brought us History's SIX, this season we're on duty with three military-themed programs, so you're sure to find at least one to your liking. The most likely to find a lasting home is SEAL Team on CBS. Starring David Boreanaz, that alone gives it a leg up. The fan favorite suffers from PTSD while he still leads his elite unit with co-star Max Thieriot at his side. Wednesdays at 9/8c on CBS

Valor takes a look at another PTSD prone soldier, this one a female helicopter pilot who, together with a higher ranking soldier, found herself in a compromising position while transporting someone overseas. The secret they carry is sure to lead to conspiracies and coverups. Mondays at 9/8c on The CW

The Brave stars Anne Heche and Mike Vogel and also follows an elite military unit as they face challenges behind enemy lines around the world. The premiere features the unit saving a civilian and toppling the bad guy all in one fell swoop. Mondays at 10/9c on NBC

Antonio is on his way back into the fold on Intelligence and Lindsay is on her way out. Or, she'll be out by the time Chicago PD premieres. Are we sure? In any event, the changes will be felt on the team, most especially with Voight and Halstead, who had the most steady relationships with Erin. Lindsay's personal life was a foundation of PD, so it will be interesting to see if that drama will fall into the lap of another team member or police work will be their main driving force going forward. Wednesdays at 10/9c on NBC

If you haven't already figured this out, AT&T Audience Network is trying to drive you to DirecTV or AT&T UVerse by way of their incredible programming. Loudermilk is a 30-minute show focusing on Ron Livingston's Dave, a recovering alcoholic and substance abuse counselor with a really bad attitude. It's funny, messy, and surprisingly moving. When deciding upon a streaming service after you cut the cord, don't rule out DirecTV with Audience for shows like Loudermilk. Tuesdays at 8:30 on Audience.