ABC Announces Its 2018 Midseason Primetime Lineup Premiere Dates

ABC Midseason Premiere Dates - Grey's Anatomy Spinoff
Jaina Lee Ortiz and Ellen Pompeo in a scene from the ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ spinoff. (ABC/Mitch Haaseth)

ABC has unveiled details on its midseason primetime lineup which will kick off on Sunday, March 11, 2018 with the return of the singing competition series, American Idol. The network will debut new dramatic shows The Crossing, Deception, For The People, and the Grey’s Anatomy spinoff this midseason. ABC will also premiere the new comedy series Alex, Inc and Splitting Up Together, and has finally set a premiere date for the return of Quantico.

Scandal‘s series finale will air on April 19th, with the season finales of Fresh Off the Boat and Speechless airing on March 20th and March 21st. Plus, ABC confirmed Roseanne will return with a special one-hour premire on Tuesday, March 27th at 8pm ET/PT.

ABC’s Midseason Premiere Dates:

    SUNDAY, MARCH 11
    8:00-10:00 p.m. “American Idol”
    10:00-11:00 p.m. “Deception”

    MONDAY, MARCH 12
    8:00-10:00 p.m. “American Idol”

    TUESDAY, MARCH 13
    10:00-11:00 p.m. “For The People”

    THURSDAY, MARCH 22
    9:00-11:00 p.m. “Grey’s Anatomy” spinoff (two-hour premiere)

    TUESDAY, MARCH 27
    8:00-9:00 p.m. “Roseanne” (one-hour premiere)
    9:30-10:00 p.m. “Splitting Up Together”

    WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28
    8:30-9:00 p.m. “Alex, Inc.”

    THURSDAY, MARCH 29
    9:00-10:00 p.m. “Grey’s Anatomy” spinoff (time-period premiere)
    10:00-11:00 p.m. “Scandal” (new time)

    MONDAY, APRIL 2
    10:00-11:00 p.m. “The Crossing”

    TUESDAY, APRIL 3
    8:00-8:30 p.m. “Roseanne” (time-period premiere)
    8:30-9:00 p.m. “The Middle” (new time)

    THURSDAY, APRIL 26
    10:00-11:00 p.m. “Quantico” (Season 3 premiere)

    MONDAY, APRIL 30
    8:00-10:00 p.m. “Dancing with the Stars” All-Athletes Edition

Alex, Inc.

Based on Alex Blumberg’s successful podcast “StartUp,” comedy series Alex, Inc. is all about the things that happen – the good, the bad and the ugly – when a journalist and family man quits his job to start his own company. He quickly discovers it’s going to be a lot harder than he thought. The series stars Zach Braff as Alex Schuman, Michael Imperioli as Eddie, Tiya Sircar as Rooni Schuman, Hillary Anne Matthews as Deirdre, Elisha Henig as Ben Schuman and Audyssie James as Soraya Schuman.

American Idol

The iconic series that revolutionized the television landscape by pioneering the music competition genre returns to airwaves at its new home on ABC. Helping to determine who America will ultimately vote for to become the next singing sensation are music industry forces and superstar judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie. Emmy(R) Award-winning host and producer Ryan Seacrest will return as host of the beloved series.

The Crossing

Jude Ellis (Steve Zahn) is the sheriff of Port Canaan, a small fishing town, whose plans for a quiet life change instantly when refugees from a war-torn country wash up on his beach seeking asylum, only the country these people are from is America – and the war they are fleeing hasn’t happened yet. As the Feds set out to uncover the truth behind the mysterious migration, Jude will launch an investigation of his own with the help of his loyal sheriff’s deputy, Nestor Rosario (Rick Gomez). Reece (Natalie Martinez) is a refugee but she’s different. She’s an “Apex,” a member of a genetically engineered human population. Her only goal once she arrives in town is to find her daughter, Leah (Bailey Skodje), from whom she is separated during the Crossing.

Leading the investigation for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is Emma Ren (Sandrine Holt), whose pursuit of the truth is complicated by the fact that her boss, DHS Undersecretary Craig Lindauer (Jay Karnes), seems to know a lot more about the migration than he’s telling her. Emma’s second-in-command is Bryce Foster (Luc Roderique), an empathetic agent who comes to find himself in over his head. Another vital member of the government team is Dr. Sophie Forbin (Georgina Haig), who has her own personal reasons for researching the Apex phenomenon and what it could mean to the future of science. Caleb (Marcuis W. Harris) and his wife, Rebecca (Simone Kessell), Hannah (Kelley Missal) and Paul (Rob Campbell) are all survivors from the crossing who come bearing dark secrets and a desperate pursuit for a better life.

Dancing with the Stars All-Athletes Edition

ABC’s Dancing with the Stars sets its sights on the sports world when it returns with a special all-athletes edition. Ten athletes from all corners of the sports world will be teamed up with the show’s professional dancers and compete on the ballroom floor for a chance to win the coveted Mirrorball trophy. Hosted by two-time Emmy-winning host Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews, the special all-athletes edition of Dancing with the Stars will air live. The athletes will perform choreographed dance routines that are judged by a panel of renowned ballroom experts, as well as viewer votes.

Deception Cast Photo
Laila Robins, Vinnie Jones, Lenora Crichlow, Jack Cutmore-Scott, Ilfenesh Hadera, Amaury Nolasco, and Justin Chon in ‘Deception’ (ABC/Bob D’Amico)

Deception

When his career is ruined by scandal, superstar magician Cameron Black has only one place to turn to practice his art of deception, influence and illusion – the FBI. Using every trick in the book and inventing new ones, he will help the government catch the world’s most elusive criminals while staging the biggest illusions of his career. The series is from writer/executive producer Chris Fedak (Chuck) and executive producers Greg Berlanti, Martin Gero and Sarah Schechter. Illusionist David Kwong (Now You See Me) will co-produce. Deception stars Jack Cutmore-Scott as Cameron Black, Ilfenesh Hadera as Kay Daniels, Lenora Crichlow as Dina Clark, Amaury Nolasco as FBI Agent Mike Alvarez, Justin Chon as Jordan Kwon, Laila Robins as FBI Agent Deakins and Vinnie Jones as Gunter Gustafsen.

For The People

Set in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (a.k.a. “The Mother Court”), the new Shondaland series show follows six talented young lawyers working on opposite sides of the law and handling the most high-profile and high-stakes federal cases in the country. Best friends Sandra Bell (Britt Robertson) and Allison Adams (Jasmin Savoy Brown) serve as public defenders alongside Jay Simmons (Wesam Keesh) and their boss, Federal Public Defender Jill Carlan (Hope Davis). They face off against prosecutors Seth Oliver (Ben Rappaport), Leonard Knox (Regé-Jean Page), Kate Littlejohn (Susannah Flood) and their supervisor, chief of the Criminal Division in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Roger Gunn (Ben Shenkman).

Our lawyers are joined by Judge Nicholas Byrne (Vondie Curtis-Hall), who rules on some of the court’s most controversial cases, and Tina Krissman (Anna Deavere Smith), the formidable clerk of Court who keeps everyone in line. These young lawyers will be put to the test both personally and professionally as their lives intersect in and out of America’s most prestigious trial court.

Grey’s Anatomy

The latest series from the executive producers of Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal and How to Get Away with Murder follows a group of heroic firefighters at Seattle Fire Station 19 – from captain to newest recruit – as they risk their lives and hearts both in the line of duty and off the clock. These brave men and women are like family, literally and figuratively, and together they put their own lives in jeopardy as first responders to save the lives of others.

The series stars Jaina Lee Ortiz as Andy Herrera, Jason George as Ben Warren, Grey Damon as Jack Gibson, Barrett Doss as Victoria Hughes, Alberto Frezza as Ryan Tanner, Jay Hayden as Travis Montgomery, Okieriete Onaodowan as Dean Miller, Danielle Savre as Maya Bishop and Miguel Sandoval as Captain Pruitt Herrera.

Quantico

It’s been three years since American hero Alex Parrish has had to navigate the dangerous waters of the Central Intelligence Agency and put her life on the line for her country. She has been living a peaceful, anonymous life somewhere in Italy. However, Alex is forced to abandon this idyllic existence when Ryan persuades her to help him rescue Shelby from a notorious international arms dealer known only as The Widow, who is holding her hostage – and in exchange for her release she demands something that only Alex can provide.


Ryan and Alex recruit Owen and Harry to help rescue their friend and defeat the villain. To help the cause, Owen brings in former agent Jocelyn Turner (Marlee Matlin), who has her own dark past with The Widow. A whole new future lies ahead for this team when they agree to work together as an elite black-ops task force. The thrilling, heart-stopping adventures continue. Quantico stars Priyanka Chopra as Alex Parrish, Jake McLaughlin as Ryan Booth, Johanna Braddy as Shelby Wyatt, Russell Tovey as Harry Doyle, Alan Powell as Mike McQuigg, with Marlee Matlin as Jocelyn Turner and Blair Underwood as Owen Hall.

Roseanne

The timeless sitcom that broke new ground and dominated ratings in its original run returns to ABC with all-new episodes. Featuring the complete original cast, new series regulars and notable returning guest stars, the revival will explore life, death and everything in between through the relatable, hilarious and brutally honest lens of the Conner household. With the inimitable Roseanne at its epicenter, fresh stories that tackle today’s issues and even more laughs from a brilliant cast and crew that haven’t missed a beat, audiences old and new will celebrate the homecoming of America’s favorite working-class family.

The series stars Roseanne Barr as Roseanne Conner, John Goodman as Dan Conner, Laurie Metcalf as Jackie Harris, Lecy Goranson as Becky Conner-Healy, Sara Gilbert as Darlene Conner, Michael Fishman as D.J. Conner, Emma Kenney as Harris Conner-Healy, Ames McNamara as Mark Conner-Healy and Jayden Rey as Mary Conner. Sarah Chalke, who played the character Becky in later seasons, will also appear in another role.

Splitting Up Together Cast
Oliver Hudson, Van Crosby, Olivia Keville, Sander Thomas and Jenna Fischer in ‘Splitting Up Together’ (ABC/Bob D’Amico)

Splitting Up Together

From executive producers Ellen DeGeneres, Emily Kapnek, Jeff Kleeman and Dean Holland comes Splitting Up Together, the story of Lena (Jenna Fischer) and Martin (Oliver Hudson), whose marriage is reignited by their divorce. Splitting Up Together stars Jenna Fischer as Lena, Oliver Hudson as Martin, Bobby Lee as Arthur, Lindsay Price as Camille, Olivia Keville as Mae, Van Crosby as Mason and Sander Thomas as Milo. Mette Heeno, Mie Andreasen and Hella Joof are also executive producers, along with DeGeneres, Kapnek, Kleeman and Holland, of Splitting Up Together, which is based on the original Danish series of the same name created by Heeno.