From NBC’s press releases:
CHICAGO PD
District 21 of the Chicago Police Department is made up of two distinctly different groups. There are the uniformed cops who patrol the beat and go head to head with the city's street crimes. And there's the Intelligence Unit, the team that combats the city's major offenses - organized crime, drug traffi cking, high profile murders and beyond. Leading the Intelligence team is Sergeant Hank Voight (Jason Beghe), a man not against skirting the law in the pursuit of justice. Demanding and tough, only those who can take the heat survive under Voight's command. Take Detective Antonio Dawson (Jon Seda) - despite his troubled history with his boss, Dawson has ambitions of running the unit... so if that means facing off against Voight every day, he'll persevere. From the street cops with dreams of moving up to the elite crew who are already in, "life on the job" is a daily challenge. The enormous responsibilities that come with the territory take an emotional toll, as we'll f nd when we follow the personal lives of our characters outside the walls of District 21.
From Emmy(R)-winning producer Dick Wolf and the team behind "Chicago Fire" comes Chicago PD, a gripping, character-driven new police drama about those who put it all on the line to serve and protect.
IRONSIDE
In the gritty world of the NYPD, no one's tougher than Det. Robert Ironside (Blair Underwood, "The Event," "The New Adventures of Old Christine"). He's a fearless cop who won't stop until the guilty are brought to justice. He and his trusted, handpicked team of specialists - Virgil (Pablo Schreiber, "The Wire" "Lights Out"), Holly (Spencer Grammer, "Greek," "As the World Turns") and Teddy (Neal Bledsoe, "Smash," "Ugly Betty"), as well as his former partner Gary (Brent Sexton, "The Killing") and boss Det. Ed Rollins (Kenneth Choi, "Sons of Anarchy") - will do whatever it takes to solve New York's most difficult and notorious crimes. As a detective, Ironside's instincts are second to none, and those around him have to stay on their toes if they want to keep up... because when his spine was shattered by a bullet two years ago, Ironside swore he'd never let a wheelchair slow him down. Nothing gets in his way.
From executive producer-writer Michael Caleo ("Rescue Me," "The Sopranos") and executive producers Teri Weinberg ("Ugly Betty"), John Davis, John Fox, Ron West and David Semel ("Heroes"), "Ironside" is produced by Universal Television, Davis Entertainment, Yellow Brick Road Productions.
UNDATEABLE
When confident slacker Danny Beeman (Chris D'Elia, "Whitney," "Glory Daze") takes Justin (comedian Brent Morin) on as a roommate, Danny unwittingly inherits Justin's group of romantically challenged friends. Seeing himself as the ultimate player, Danny decides to teach the crew (who he dubs "The Undateables") everything he knows about "the game of love." For their first lesson, Danny takes the guys to an event hosted by his sister, Leslie (Bianca Kajlich, "Rules of Engagement"), who is a single mom with dating difficulties of her own. At first, Danny's advice seems to pay off big-time: The shy guy talks to a girl, the no-filter dude learns it's never OK to ask a woman when she's due, and his nebbish roommate, Justin, goes home with a mystery woman. It's not until the next day that they figure out it was Leslie! Talk about a bunch who just can't get lucky! From the executive producers of "Cougar Town" comes a hilarious new comedy about the "do's," "don'ts" and "duhs" of dating.
THE BLACKLIST
For decades, ex-government agent Raymond “Red” Reddington (James Spader, “The Office,” “Boston Legal”) has been one of the FBI’s Most Wanted fugitives. Brokering shadowy deals for criminals across the globe, Red was known by many as “The Concierge of Crime.” Now, he’s mysteriously surrendered to the FBI with an explosive offer: He will help catch a long-thought-dead terrorist, Ranko Zamani, under the condition that he speaks only to Elizabeth “Liz” Keen (Megan Boone, “Law & Order: Los Angeles”), an FBI profiler fresh out of Quantico. For Liz, it’s going to be one hell of a first day on the job. What follows is a twisting series of events as the race to stop a terrorist begins. What are Red’s true intentions? Why has he chosen Liz, a woman with whom he seemingly has no connection? Does Liz have secrets of her own? Zamani, we come to find out, is only the first of many on a list that Red has compiled over the years: a “blacklist” of politicians, mobsters, spies and international terrorists. He will help catch them all… with the caveat that Liz continues to work as his partner. Red will teach Liz to think like a criminal and “see the bigger picture”… whether she wants to or not. Also starring are Diego Klattenhoff (“Homeland”), Harry Lennix (“Man of Steel”), Ryan Eggold (“90210”) and Ilfenesh Hadera (“Da Brick”).
THE NIGHT SHIFT
Welcome to the night shift, where every day is a fight between the heroic efforts of saving lives and the hard truths of running a hospital. At San Antonio Memorial, the men and women who work the wee hours are a special breed, particularly adrenaline junkie T.C. Callahan (Eoin Macken, “Merlin”). After a grueling tour of duty in the Middle East, T.C. is about to learn that his toughest battles will be fought right at home. He and his irreverent team of late-night docs, including Topher (Ken Leung, “Lost”) and Drew (Brendan Fehr, “Roswell”), know how to let off steam with the casual prank or two, but when lives are at stake they are all business. Unfortunately, the night shift is now under new management and boss Michael Ragosa (Freddy Rodriguez, “Six Feet Under”) is more interested in cutting costs than helping people. But T.C. has never met a rule he couldn’t break, or a person he won’t stand up to. And it’s clear that not even Dr. Jordan Santos (Jill Flint, “The Good Wife”), T.C.’s ex-girlfriend and now Ragosa’s second in charge, has a chance at keeping him in line. If Ragosa wants a war, he’ll get one.Gabe Sachs and Jeff Judah (“Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” “Freaks and Geeks”) and Pierre Morel (“Taken”) serve as executive producers. “Night Shift” is a production of Sony Pictures Television.
WELCOME TO THE FAMILY
Think culture clash… actually, this is more like culture crash; for parents Dan Yoder (Mike O’Malley, “Glee,” “My Name Is Earl”) and wife Karina (Mary McCormack, “In Plain Sight,” “The West Wing”) who have struggled all their lives, on the day their daughter Molly (Ella Rae Peck, (“Deception,” “Gossip Girl”) graduates from high school with an acceptance to college locked up, they also find out she is knocked up! But that’s only half the story. Across town in East L.A., Junior Hernandez (Joseph Haro, “Glee,” “Awkward”), in the middle of his high school valedictorian speech, gets a text from girlfriend Molly that he’s going to be a daddy. Expectedly, Junior’s parents Miguel (Ricardo Chavira, “Desperate Housewives”) and Lisette (Justina Machado, “Six Feet Under,” “ER”) are also upset, as they now have Caucasians in the family! What follows is a crash course in culture blending as Molly and Junior decide they want to get married and, in doing so, bring together two very different families, which includes Junior’s younger brother, Demetrio (Aramis Knight, “General Hospital,” “Parenthood”). The dads have the most difficult time reconciling while the moms take a softer approach to get to know one another. When the parents fully realize that their kids are serious about making a life together, the adults exhale and begin to come to terms with this new blended family that is being formed and start to understand that it will take, humor, love and tolerance to make it all work.From writer and executive producer Mike Sikowitz (“Rules of Engagement,” “Friends”) comes a comedy that proves, life is full of unexpected little bumps — and some big ones too. Jamie Tarses also serves as executive producer (“Happy Endings, “Franklin & Bash”). The pilot was directed by Michael Engler (“Privileged,” “Psych”). “Welcome to the Family” is a production of Sony Pictures Television and FanFare Productions.
NBC announced five other series yesterday:
ABOUT A BOYBased on the best-selling Nick Hornby (“High Fidelity,” “An Education”) novel, written/produced by Jason Katims (“Friday Night Lights,” “Parenthood”) and directed by Jon Favreau (“Iron Man,” “Revolution”) comes a different kind of coming-of-age story. Will Freeman (David Walton, “Bent,” “Perfect Couples”) lives a charmed existence as the ultimate man-child. After writing a hit song, he was granted a life of free time, free love and freedom from financial woes. He’s single, unemployed and loving it. So imagine his surprise when Fiona (Minnie Driver, “Good Will Hunting,” “Barney’s Version”), a needy, single mom and her oddly charming 11-year-old son Marcus (Benjamin Stockham, “1600 Penn”) move in next door and disrupt his perfect world. When Marcus begins dropping by his home unannounced, Will’s not so sure about being a kid’s new best friend, until, of course, Will discovers that women find single dads irresistible. That changes everything and a deal is struck: Marcus will pretend to be Will’s son and, in return, Marcus is allowed to chill at Will’s house, play ping-pong and gorge on steaks, something his very vegan mom would never allow. Before he realizes it, Will starts to enjoy the visits and even finds himself looking out for the kid.In fact, this newfound friendship may very well teach him a thing or two that he never imagined possible — about himself and caring for others. Also starring are Al Madrigal (“Gary Unmarried”) and Anjelah N. Johnson-Reyes (“Our Family Wedding”). Katims, Favreau, Tim Bevan (“Les Misérables,” “About a Boy”), Eric Fellner (“Les Misérables,” “About a Boy”), Liza Chasin (“Les Misérables,” “About a Boy”), Robert De Niro (“About a Boy,” “Meet the Parents”) and Jane Rosenthal (“About a Boy,” “Meet the Parents”) serve as executive producers. “About a Boy” is a production of Universal Television, Working Title Films, True Jack Productions and Tribeca Productions.
THE FAMILY GUIDE
It’s not every family that’s brought closer together by divorce, but then again, the Fishers aren’t exactly typical. Take Mel Fisher (J.K. Simmons, “The Closer,” “Law & Order”), for example. Whether it’s chopping down trees, showing his daughter how to drive or playing football with his son, he’s never let the fact that he’s blind slow him down. Then there’s Joyce Fisher (Parker Posey, “Louie,” “For Your Consideration”), possibly the only mom in Pasadena to smoke a pipe. For her, divorce is like a second coming of age, a chance to be the teen she never was. Just ask’80s-obsessed teenage daughter Katie (Ava Deluca-Verley, “Southland”), whose clothes Joyce is always borrowing (that is, when she’s not tagging along with Katie to the mall). At the center of all this is Henry (Eli Baker), the Fisher’s 11-year old son. Having always been his dad’s eyes, ears and wingman, Henry’s less than thrilled when Mel shows up with Elvis, a guide dog… which is also how Henry learns about the pending divorce. Awkward. While reluctant to the changes this “big ball of fur” would bring, it’s through the adult Henry’s voice-over (Jason Bateman, “Arrested Development”) that we find out his parent’s split would “allow all of us to finally discover…who we needed to be.” The half-hour comedy is executive produced by DJ Nash (“Up All Night,” “Guys with Kids”), Bateman and Jim Garavente. The pilot episode is directed by David Schwimmer (“Little Britain,” “Run Fat Boy Run”). “Family Guide” is a production of Universal Television and Aggregate Films.
SEAN SAVES THE WORLD
Sean (Sean Hayes, “Will & Grace”) is a divorced gay dad who juggles a lot — his successful but demanding career, offbeat employees, pushy mom Lorna (Linda Lavin, “Alice”), and weekends with his teenage daughter, Ellie (Sami Isler). So when his 14-year-old bundle of joy moves in full-time, it’s a whole new world. Never one to do anything halfway, Sean’s intent on being the best dad ever, so he loads up on parenting how-to books and plans Pinterest-worthy family dinners. But it seems his company’s new owner has decided Sean and his team should work longer hours, putting a damper on his homemaking plans and throwing a kink in Sean’s perfectly constructed work/life balance. Ellie, a normal girl who wants to hang with her friends and eat on the run, sees this development as a plus. She loves her dad, but he’s clearly going overboard. From keeping his boss happy, his employees motivated and enduring his mother’s tactless “advice” to raising a smart, grounded and healthy kid, it’s going to be a growing experience, to say the least. But if anyone can handle it all, it’s Sean. Thomas Lennon (“Reno 911”), Lindsay Sloane (“Weeds”) and Echo Kellum (“Ben and Kate”) also star. From executive producers Hayes (“Hot in Cleveland,” “Grimm”) and Todd Milliner (“Hot in Cleveland,” “Grimm”), executive producer/director James Burrows (“Friends,” “The Big Bang Theory”) and writer/producer Victor Fresco (“Go On,” “Mad About You”), “Sean Saves the World” is a production of Universal Television and Hazy Mills Productions.
CRISIS
From writer/producer Rand Ravich (“Life,” “The Astronaut’s Wife”) and starring Dermot Mulroney (“The Grey,” “My Best Friend’s Wedding”), Gillian Anderson (“The X-Files,” “Hannibal”), Lance Gross (“Tyler Perry’s House of Pain,” “The Last Fall”) and Rachael Taylor (“Transformers,” “Red Dog”) comes an emotionally charged, action thriller. It’s field trip day for the students of Ballard High School, a place that educates the children of Washington, D.C.’s elite, top-of-their-industry CEOs, international diplomats, political power players and even the president’s son. But when their bus is ambushed on a secluded rural road, the teenagers and their chaperones are taken, igniting a national crisis. Now with some of the country’s most powerful parents at the mercy of one vengeful mastermind, the question arises: How far would you go and what would you become to ensure your child’s safe return? With so many parents and dignitaries put into play with nowhere to turn and no one to trust, this unthinkable scenario grows from the select families at risk to an entire nation at stake. Also starring are Stevie Lynn Jones (“Battle Force,” “Rogue”), Halston Sage (“The First Time,” “How to Rock”), Joshua Erenberg (“The Incredible Burt Wonderstone,” “The Green Hornet”), Max Schneider (“How to Rock,” “Rags”), James Lafferty (“One Tree Hill,” “S. Darko”), Max Martini (“Saving Private Ryan,” “The Unit”) and Michael Beach (“The Game,” “Third Watch”). Ravich, Far Shariat (“Life,” “I Love You Phillip Morris”) and Phillip Noyce (“Salt,” “Patriot Games”), who directed the pilot, serve as executive producers. “Crisis” is from 20th Century Fox Television
BELIEVE
Levitation, telekinesis, the ability to control nature, even predict the future… Since she was two years old, Bo has had gifts she could neither fully understand, nor control. Raised by a small group known as the “True Believers,” the orphaned girl has been safeguarded from harmful outsiders who would use her forces for personal gain. But now that she is 10, her powers have become stronger, and the threat has grown more dangerous. With her life and future now in jeopardy, the “Believers” turn to the only person they see fi t to be her full-time protector. That is, once they break him out of jail. Tate, a wrongfully imprisoned death row inmate who’s lost his will, is initially reluctant – until he witnesses one of her extraordinary abilities. Bo sees people for who they truly are… and who they may become. Tate and Bo begin their journey, one in which trust must be earned. Traveling from city to city, every place they stop and everyone they meet will be changed forever. But they’ll have to keep going to stay one step ahead of the sinister forces after Bo’s power… because it will take a miracle to keep them safe forever. The powers of a young girl may hold the fate of our world in Believe, from executive producer J.J. Abrams (Revolution, Star Trek: Into Darkness) and executive producer/writer/director Alfonso Cuarón (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Children of Men). From Warner Bros. Television & Bad Robot Productions. Executive Producer/Writer: Mark Friedman. Executive Producer: Bryan Burk.
NBC announces its 2013-14 schedule Monday.
