ABC’s New Series Debut New Trailers: 2016-2017 Hopefuls

Imaginary Mary
ABC’s “Imaginary Mary” stars Jenna Elfman as Alice. (ABC/Ed Herrera)

ABC’s showing off the first trailers from their new primetime shows that will be joining the network’s lineup of programming for the 2016-2017 season. Nine new series have been added to the schedule: four comedies and five dramas. ABC hopes audiences will be laughing at American Housewife, Downward Dog, Imaginary Mary, and Speechless, and will become absorbed with the stories told in Conviction, Designated Survivor, Notorious, Still Star-Crossed, and Time After Time. Details on all the news shows were revealed during the 2016-2017 Upfront Event at Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall in New York City.

“Our new shows reflect the inclusive and empowering storytelling that defines the ABC brand. We will continue to raise the bar for our audience, investing in great storytellers and reflecting the authentic faces and voices of the world around us,” said Channing Dungey, president, ABC Entertainment.

American Housewife Plot: Katie Otto (Katy Mixon), a confident, unapologetic, plump wife and mother of three, raises her flawed family in the wealthy town of Westport, Connecticut, filled with “perfect” mommies and their “perfect” offspring.  She lets us in on her deepest, most unfiltered thoughts through voiceover as the she lives her life as the second fattest housewife in Westport.

Downward Dog Plot: Based on the web series, Downward Dog is about a struggling millennial, Nan (Emmy nominated Allison Tolman), from the point of view of her lonely and philosophical dog, Martin.  One session at obedience school already makes them realize that even at their worst, they may be the best thing for each other.

Imaginary Mary Plot: Alice (Jenna Elfman) has her life turned upside-down when she ‘stupidly’ falls for the love of her life Ben (Stephen Schneider) — an adorable, quick-witted divorced father with three kids. But when she ignores her fears of commitment and her ability to mother, Imaginary Mary, her childhood invention (voiced by Rachel Dratch), comes back to life to express Alice’s deepest fears and add more chaos to the situation.

Speechless Plot: Maya DiMeo (Minnie Driver) is a mom on a mission who will do anything for her husband Jimmy, her kids Ray, Dylan, and JJ, her eldest son with special needs.  As Maya fights injustices both real and imagined, the family works to make a new home for themselves, and searches for just the right person to give JJ his “voice.”

Conviction Plot: Lawyer and former First Daughter Hayes Morrison (Hayley Atwell) is about to accept a job offered from her sexy nemesis, NY District Attorney Wayne Wallis, to avoid jail time for cocaine possession and avoid hurting her mother’s Senate campaign. Working with his team at the new Conviction Integrity Unit will let her use her brilliant mind to turn over cases where there is credible suspicion of wrongful conviction, and give her a chance to turn things around with her high-powered political family.

Designated Survivor Plot: Emmy and Golden Globe winning actor Kiefer Sutherland returns to primetime in a conspiracy thriller as Tom Kirkman, a lower cabinet member who unexpectedly becomes president after a devastating attack on Washington. He will struggle to prevent the country and his own family from falling into chaos, as he is thrust into one of the most difficult presidencies in history.

Notorious Plot: Notorious is inspired by the true-life stories of famed criminal defense attorney Mark Geragos and cable news producer Wendy Walker, who serve as executive producers. The series is a provocative look at the unique, sexy and dangerous interplay of criminal law and the media.

Still Star-Crossed Plot: Still Star-Crossed, a period drama from Shondaland, picks up where the famous story of Romeo and Juliet ends, charting the treachery, palace intrigue and ill-fated romances of the Montagues and Capulets in the wake of the young lovers’ tragic fate.

Time After Time Plot: Based on the novel and movie Time After Time, executive producer/writer Kevin Williamson delivers a fantastical cat and mouse adventure through time when famed science fiction writer H.G. Wells is transported to modern day Manhattan in pursuit of Jack the Ripper.  Once H.G. arrives in New York City, he finds a world he never thought possible and a young woman who captivates him.