Thursday is The CW‘s day for its Upfront presentation, and we have the schedule and synopses for all of their Our Kind of Shows, which, bless ’em, are numerous. Like all the networks, The CW isn’t releasing premiere dates yet, but they are giving us a head’s up that their fall season won’t start until October. A frustrating wait for us, but probably wise, since that will likely mean we’ve gotten past all the bigger network premieres beforehand.
The Originals will be moving to Mondays at 8/7c, and Supernatural will remain on Tuesdays, but take the earlier 8/7c slot, making way for newcomer The Flash at 9/8c. Arrow and The 100 are keeping their Wednesdays at 8/7c and 9/8c spots, respectively, and The Vampire Diaries will stay with Thursdays at 8/7c.
Newbies iZombie and The Messenger are being held until 2015, along with the returning Beauty and the Beast. Sad face. But we do have new synopses for each of the new shows, as well as for all of the returning shows, just after our updated Our Kind of Shows Fall Schedule below.
With the addition of The CW‘s shows, as well as CBS‘s one entry for us, Person of Interest, we have our first warm-up-our-DVR’s notice: Person of Interest will be up against Fox newbie Forever, and just like this season, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D will be up against Supernatural. I’d like to think that we can keep them all afloat.
Mondays
8/7c The Originals (The CW)
9/8c Sleepy Hollow (Fox)
10/9c Gotham (Fox)
Tuesdays
8/7c The Flash (The CW)
9/8c Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (ABC)
9/8c Supernatural (The CW)
10/9c Forever (ABC)
10/9c Person of Interest (CBS)
Wednesdays
8/7c Arrow (The CW)
9/8c The 100 (The CW)
Thursdays
8/7c The Vampire Diaries (The CW)
Fridays
9/8c Grimm (NBC)
10/9c Constantine (NBC)
Sundays
8/7 c Once Upon a Time (ABC)
9/8c Resurrection
Before we get to the synopses, here’s The CW‘s 2014 “sizzle reel,” featuring all sorts of familiar faces:
Trailer: The CW 2014 First Look
[youtube]http://youtu.be/qQlzxscVvKw[/youtube]
Now that you’re all warmed up, here are the new synopses (which include lovely catch-ups of returning series for those who haven’t watched or haven’t watched lately) in order of when they’ll appear weekly on our screens:
THE ORIGINALS
The first season of THE ORIGINALS brought the most formidable creature on earth, the Original vampire-werewolf hybrid Klaus Mikaelson (Joseph Morgan), back to his former home – the vibrant and supernaturally charged city of New Orleans. When he arrived, his siblings Elijah (Daniel Gillies) and Rebekah (Claire Holt) not far behind, he was stunned to learn that werewolf Hayley Marshall (Phoebe Tonkin) was pregnant with his child. Though Elijah hoped that the news of a baby might help rebuild their fractured family, other forces threatened to destroy it further: namely, Marcel Gerard (Charles Michael Davis), Klaus’ beloved vampire protégé, whom the Originals thought to be long dead, and a dark secret that Marcel and Rebekah held for a century. The Originals and Hayley soon found themselves caught in a bloody war between vampires and witches, the stakes raised by a vengeful young witch, Davina (Danielle Campbell), and by Klaus’ surprising connection to Cami (Leah Pipes), a student with a painful past. Meanwhile, Hayley helped her exiled werewolf family return to the French Quarter, unaware that a ruthless pack of wolves was already lurking in the city, waiting to stage a violent coup on the vampires. As the first season came to a close, the werewolves decimated the vampire community while the witches made a horrific assassination attempt against Klaus and Hayley’s newborn daughter. Season two finds our heroes adjusting to a new status quo, with the newly empowered werewolves controlling the city, Klaus struggling to adjust to new weaknesses, and Elijah desperate to save Hayley, now a hybrid, from a vicious spiral of self-destruction. THE ORIGINALS is from Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with My So-Called Company, Alloy Entertainment, Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios. Julie Plec (“The Vampire Diaries,” “Kyle XY,” “Wasteland”) and Leslie Morgenstein (“The Vampire Diaries,” “Gossip Girl”) are executive producers.
THE FLASH
Barry Allen was just 11 years old when his mother was killed in a bizarre and terrifying incident and his father was falsely convicted of the murder. With his life changed forever by the tragedy, Barry was taken in and raised by Detective Joe West, the father of Barry’s best friend, Iris. Now, Barry has become a brilliant, driven and endearingly geeky CSI investigator, whose determination to uncover the truth about his mother’s strange death leads him to follow up on every unexplained urban legend and scientific advancement that comes along. Barry’s latest obsession is a cutting edge particle accelerator, created by visionary physicist Harrison Wells and his S.T.A.R. Labs team, who claim that this invention will bring about unimaginable advancements in power and medicine. However, something goes horribly wrong during the public unveiling, and when the devastating explosion causes a freak storm, many lives are lost and Barry is struck by lightning. After nine months in a coma, Barry awakens to find his life has changed once again – the accident has given him the power of super speed, granting him the ability to move through Central City like an unseen guardian angel. Though initially excited by his newfound powers, Barry is shocked to discover he is not the only “meta-human” who was created in the wake of the accelerator explosion – and not everyone is using their new powers for good. In the months since the accident, the city has seen a sharp increase in missing people, unexplained deaths and other strange phenomena. Barry now has a renewed purpose – using his gift of speed to protect the innocent, while never giving up on his quest to solve his mother’s murder and clear his father’s name. For now, only a few close friends and associates know that Barry is literally the fastest man alive, but it won’t be long before the world learns what Barry Allen has become…The Flash.
The series stars Grant Gustin (“Glee,” “Arrow”) as Barry Allen/The Flash, Candice Patton (“The Game”) as Iris West, Rick Cosnett (“The Vampire Diaries”) as Eddie Thawne, Danielle Panabaker (“Necessary Roughness,” “Justified”) as Caitlin Snow, Carlos Valdes (“Once” on Broadway ) as Cisco Ramon, with Tom Cavanagh (“Ed,” “Eli Stone”) as Harrison Wells and Jesse L. Martin (“Law & Order”) as Detective West. THE FLASH is produced by Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. Television, with executive producers Greg Berlanti (“Arrow,” “The Tomorrow People,” “Green Lantern”), Andrew Kreisberg (“Arrow,” “Eli Stone”), David Nutter (“Arrow,” “Game of Thrones”) and Sarah Schechter. The pilot was directed by David Nutter. This series is based upon characters published by DC Entertainment.
SUPERNATURAL
The thrilling and terrifying journey of the Winchester brothers continues as SUPERNATURAL enters its tenth season. Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) have spent their lives on the road, battling every kind of supernatural threat. Over the years, after dozens of bloody adventures, they have faced everything from the yellow-eyed demon that killed their mother to vampires, ghosts, shapeshifters, angels and fallen gods. They even came face to face with Lucifer and the Four Horsemen in averting the Apocalypse. With the help of allies — both human and supernatural — they’ve discovered that every threat they vanquish opens a new door for evil to enter in. In the show’s ninth season, after failing to close the gates of Hell, Sam and Dean were faced with the consequences of the decisions they made in the interest of saving each other. Castiel continued to face off against Metatron in a battle to restore order while Crowley, engaged in his own power struggle, made an uneasy alliance with Dean to finally end Abbadon. When the dust settles, if the dust settles, who will be left standing? And what side will they stand for? SUPERNATURAL is from Warner Bros. Television in association with Wonderland Sound and Vision, with executive producers Robert Singer (“Midnight Caller”), Jeremy Carver (“Being Human”), Phil Sgriccia and Adam Glass.
ARROW
After a violent shipwreck, billionaire playboy Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) was missing and presumed dead for five years before being discovered alive on a remote island in the Pacific. He returned home to Starling City, bent on righting the wrongs of his family and fighting injustice. To do this, he creates the persona of the Arrow and allies himself with former military man John Diggle (David Ramsey), computer-science expert Felicity Smoak (Emily Bett Rickards), street brawler Roy Harper (Colton Haynes) and international assassin Sara Lance (Caity Lotz), while keeping his secret from those closest to him including his sister Thea (Willa Holland), who has allied herself with his most deadly enemy. Rivalries and allegiances will shift as Oliver faces his most difficult challenge yet.
Based on characters appearing in comic books and graphic novels published by DC Entertainment, ARROW is from Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. Television, with executive producers Greg Berlanti (“Green Lantern,” “Brothers & Sisters”), Marc Guggenheim (“Eli Stone,” “Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters”), Andrew Kreisberg (“Warehouse 13,” “The Vampire Diaries”) and Sarah Schechter.
THE 100
Season one of THE 100 saw the human race return, after a 97-year exile in space, to a wildly transformed Earth…only to discover that the human race had never truly left. Clarke (Eliza Taylor) found herself forced to lead a band of disposable juvenile delinquents as they faced death at every turn – from a world transformed by radiation, from the fierce Grounders who somehow managed to survive in it, and, perhaps worst of all, from themselves. Alternately challenged and supported by rival leader Bellamy (Bob Morley), the two found common purpose: Survival. Through it all, Finn (Thomas McDonell) was helplessly drawn to Clarke, destroying his long-standing relationship with the brilliant young mechanic, Raven (Lindsey Morgan). Octavia (Marie Avgeropoulos) got close to a possible enemy Grounder, Lincoln (Ricky Whittle) — some say too close. Meanwhile, as The 100 fought for their lives on the ground, The Ark’s situation was no better. Though Abby (Paige Turco) believed that The 100 were still alive, she didn’t have proof and couldn’t stop Kane’s (Henry Ian Cusick) population reduction. The killing of 320 volunteers and the subsequent realization that it was in error broke Kane and enflamed a revolution on the Ark that Chancellor Jaha (Isaiah Washington), despite his best efforts, was powerless to stop. Both on the ground and in space, the final episodes will reveal the true desperation of their plight, as our heroes risked everything just to stay alive. Noble sacrifices and heartbreaking choices changed everyone forever and left them scattered to the wind. The epic second chapter picks up with the newly returned human race desperate to be reunited. Season two’s quest will challenge them beyond anything they have faced before. Hearts will be broken. Lives will be lost. Heroes will be born. Based on the book series by Kass Morgan, THE 100 is from Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Alloy Entertainment, Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios with executive producers Jason Rothenberg (upcoming “Twilight Zone” feature), Leslie Morgenstein (“The Vampire Diaries”) and Gina Girolamo (“The Lying Game”).
THE VAMPIRE DIARIES
Season five of THE VAMPIRE DIARIES began with a sense of hope for Elena (Nina Dobrev). After a passionate summer with Damon (Ian Somerhalder), Elena headed to Whitmore College with Caroline (Candice Accola), not knowing that Bonnie (Kat Graham) sacrificed her life to save Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen). As Bonnie’s friends fought to bring her back to life as the Anchor to the Other Side, Stefan (Paul Wesley) had to face-off with his doppelganger Silas, and a newly human Katherine (Nina Dobrev) struggled with mortality and motherhood. Damon’s relationship with Elena was put to the test when Enzo (guest star Michael Malarkey), an old vampire friend from Damon’s past, revealed he was still alive and looking for revenge. Stefan and Caroline’s friendship deepened as they stood up to the Travelers, a nomadic witch tribe driven to strip Mystic Falls of magic and cast out its supernatural residents. Finally, having lost his town and fearing losing his loved ones on the crumbling Other Side, Damon made a huge sacrifice to bring them all back – to catastrophic results. While the cliffhanger will send our characters reeling, season six will be the story of their journey back to each other as they explore the duality of good versus evil inside themselves on their quest to reclaim their home. Based on the series of books by L. J. Smith, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES is from Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Outerbanks Entertainment, Alloy Entertainment, Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios. The series was developed by Kevin Williamson (“The Following,” “Scream”) & Julie Plec (“The Originals,” “Kyle XY,” “Wasteland”), who serve as executive producers along with Leslie Morgenstein (“Gossip Girl,” “Pretty Little Liars”) and Caroline Dries (“Melrose Place,” “Smallville”).
iZOMBIE
Olivia “Liv” Moore was a rosy-cheeked, disciplined, over-achieving medical resident who had her life path completely mapped out…until the night she attended a party that unexpectedly turned into a zombie feeding frenzy. As one of the newly undead, Liv is doing her best to blend in and look as human as possible. Her appearance now passes for “Goth,” with shockingly pale skin and nearly white hair, and her demeanor has gone from exuberant to exhausted. The change in Liv is baffling to her mother, her former fiancé, Major, and her best friend and roommate, Peyton, who still has the high-energy, Type-A personality that Liv has completely abandoned. Despite her post-traumatic ennui, Liv has devised a way to resist her baser urges to devour fresh human brains – she’s taken a job in the Seattle coroner’s office. In this appropriately dead-end job, Liv can secretly snack on the brains of the many Jane and John Doe corpses that make a final stop in the morgue. Despite carefully covering her tracks, Liv’s boss, Dr. Ravi Chakrabarti, discovers her secret and is surprisingly excited about the scientific possibilities. Even with her boss’ enthusiasm, Liv remains resigned to an eternity without hope or purpose, until she realizes that with every brain she consumes, she retains a portion of that person’s memories. Liv begins to experience visions from the point of view of the murder victims. Much to the surprise of Dr. Ravi and homicide detective Clive Babineaux, Liv often has detailed knowledge of crime scenes and motives that she can’t easily explain. Posing as a psychic, she works with Detective Babineaux to investigate these crimes and discover who is responsible. It’s not the same as being alive again, but at least Liv can find purpose in her undead existence by helping Clive solve the murders of those who are indeed fully dead. The series stars Rose McIver (“Masters of Sex,” “Once Upon a Time”) as Liv, Malcolm Goodwin (“Breakout Kings”) as Clive Babineaux, newcomer Rahul Kohli as Dr. Ravi Chakrabarti, Robert Buckley (“One Tree Hill”) as Major Lilywhite, Alexandra Krosney (“Last Man Standing”) as Peyton Charles, David Anders (“Once Upon a Time,” “The Vampire Diaries”) as Blaine DeBeers and Nora Dunn (“Entourage,” “Saturday Night Live”) as Eva Moore. Based upon characters created by Chris Roberson and Michael Allred, and published by DC Entertainment’s Vertigo imprint, iZOMBIE is from Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Spondoolie Productions and Warner Bros. Television, with executive producers Rob Thomas (“Veronica Mars,” “Party Down,” “Cupid”), Diane Ruggiero-Wright (“Veronica Mars,” “The Ex List,” “That’s Life”), Danielle Stokdyk (“Veronica Mars,” “Party Down,” “Cupid”) and Dan Etheridge (“The Carrie Diaries,” “Veronica Mars,” “Party Down”). The pilot was directed by Rob Thomas.
THE MESSENGERS
“And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.”
(Revelation 9)
In the white-hot sun of the New Mexico desert, scientist Vera Ivanov watches in fascination as a mysterious object plummets to Earth and explodes in a blinding flash, sending out a shock wave that briefly stops her heart. But Vera is not the only one affected by the blast: she is instantly and mysteriously connected to four other strangers, who also collapse only to miraculously come back to life hours later. Erin, a young mother desperate to protect her 7-year-old daughter from an abusive ex-husband; Peter, a troubled high school student who finally lashes out to end the constant bullying he can no longer endure; Raul, a federal agent looking to escape his undercover assignment in a violent Mexican drug cartel; and Joshua, Jr., a charismatic second-generation televangelist following in his father’s footsteps – all awaken after the pulse with powers they can barely believe, from inexplicable strength to the ability to heal others. Most mysterious of all is the figure known only as The Man, who offers Vera the one thing she wants most in life – to be reunited with her kidnapped son – if she will help him with one morally complicated task. That task puts Vera on a collision course with nurse Rose Arvale who, after a seemingly random act of violence left her in a coma for seven years, suddenly begins to stir. As Joshua, Jr. prophesizes, the wheels of Revelation have begun to turn, and this group of strangers might be the only hope for preventing the impending Rapture…or causing it. The series stars Shantel VanSanten (“Gang Related,” “One Tree Hill”) as Vera, Jon Fletcher (“City of Dreams”) as Joshua Jr., Sofia Black-D’Elia (“Betrayal,” “Gossip Girl”) as Erin, JD Pardo (“Revolution”) as Raul, Joel Courtney (“Super 8”) as Peter, Anna Diop (“Everybody Hates Chris”) as Rose and Diogo Morgado (“Son of God,” “Sol de Inverno”) as The Man. THE MESSENGERS is produced by CBS Television Studios and Warner Bros. Entertainment, in association with Thunder Road Pictures with executive producers Trey Callaway (“Revolution,” “CSI: NY”), Basil Iwanyk (“The Town,” “The Expendables” film franchise, “Clash of the Titans” film franchise) and co-executive producers Eoghan O’Donnell (“Teen Wolf”), Kent Kubena (the upcoming “Gods of Egypt,” “Turistas”) and Ava Jamshidi. The pilot was directed by Stephen Williams (“Lost”).
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Finally breaking free of Muirfield, manhunts and beasts, Detective Catherine Chandler (Kristin Kreuk) and Vincent Keller (Jay Ryan) are able to focus on their love. However, that love will be tested as new and more dangerous threats await. When they learn that innocent victims are being used to test the boundaries of the impossible, Cat and Vincent will uncover a deeper conspiracy, one which Vincent can fight only by turning to the beast he carries within. But unleashing the beast will risk Vincent’s life – along with his and Cat’s love – as they struggle to build a normal life together. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is produced by CBS Television Studios in association with Take 5 Productions/Whizbang Films with executive producers Brad Kern (“Charmed”), Bill Haber (“Rizzoli & Isles,” “Thurgood”), Paul J. Witt (“A Better Life”) & Tony Thomas (“A Better Life”), Ron Koslow (“Moonlight”), Frank Siracusa (“The Yard”) and John Weber (“The Borgias”), with Sherri Cooper (“Brothers and Sisters”) & Jennifer Levin (“Without A Trace,” “Felicity”) as consultants.
We’ll let you know as soon as premiere dates are released.
