ABC has officially renewed five popular series, including four dramas and one comedy. The renewed shows are 9-1-1, Grey’s Anatomy, The Rookie, Will Trent, and Shifting Gears. These renewals ensure 9-1-1 will reach its 9th season, Grey’s Anatomy its 22nd, The Rookie its 8th, and Will Trent its 4th season. Meanwhile, Shifting Gears will continue into its 2nd season.
These renewals follow earlier announcements for the return of High Potential and the hit comedy Abbott Elementary. The only current ABC series still awaiting confirmation is Doctor Odyssey, which has faced difficulties in the ratings and has not garnered the expected attention despite high cross-platform viewership. ABC has also opted not to order any pilots this season but has green lit the 9-1-1 spinoff, 9-1-1: Nashville, set to star Chris O’Donnell.
Among the renewals, Shifting Gears was considered a close call. Despite a strong initial viewership, the Tim Allen-Kat Dennings multi-camera series saw a significant drop in ratings from its premiere to its finale, with a nearly 33% decrease in viewers. While ABC touted the show’s strong start on streaming, it has not yet released additional performance details.
ABC’s comedy lineup next season will primarily consist of Abbott Elementary, as The Conners wraps up its run. The network has shown a preference for dramas, and despite Doctor Odyssey’s substantial production costs, the show has struggled to make a major impact in ratings, drawing only modest live viewers.
The cast of 9-1-1 includes Angela Bassett, Peter Krause, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and others. The series is created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Tim Minear, with all three serving as executive producers. The series has been well-received for its intense emergency response storylines and character-driven drama.
Grey’s Anatomy, still one of TV’s longest-running shows, is executive produced by Shonda Rhimes through her Shondaland banner. It features a large ensemble cast, including Ellen Pompeo, Chandra Wilson, and Kevin McKidd, with new showrunner Meg Marinis taking over for Krista Vernoff in Season 20.
The Rookie, starring Nathan Fillion, continues to deliver compelling police procedural drama. Produced by Lionsgate Television and 20th Television, the series is created by Alexi Hawley and focuses on an older man joining the police force, offering fresh perspectives on both crime and personal development.Will Trent, based on the book series by Karin Slaughter, stars Ramón Rodríguez and Erika Christensen. It focuses on a special agent with a troubled past, diving deep into criminal investigations and personal stories, with Liz Heldens and Daniel Thomsen as show runners.
Lastly, Shifting Gears, a sitcom starring Tim Allen and Kat Dennings, explores the dynamic of a racing car legend adjusting to life outside the fast lane. Despite mixed reviews, the show’s unique premise, backed by a strong supporting cast, will return for another season.
These renewals reflect ABC’s strategy to keep its strong slate of successful series while also experimenting with new content.
