The past year and a half has been tumultuous for the television industry and world at large: The global COVID-19 pandemic caused production shutdowns that shifted series orders and release dates. Additionally, social unrest around the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others last summer, as well as the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol, altered the way many consumers view entertainment programming. But through it all, the television business found ways to go on, adapting as much as it could to the demands of the new world.
The Fall 2021 TV season reflects many of these things, from a delayed debut for the third installment of “American Crime Story” to series that center much more diverse and inclusive stories in decades old IP. Here, Variety highlights the Top 20 most anticipated new shows that are premiering this fall.