8 network shows to watch this pilot season

Just as December is the slowest time of year for America’s Television industry, January is the busiest. Agents go berserk placing last minute small roles on the new TV shows during the “Pilot Season,” as development executives see their years of hard work come to fruition, often in an unrecognizable form. Here are some of the new shows and revivals to watch this spring.

The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

Network: FX Premiere date: Jan 17 Starring: Ricky Martin, Penélope Cruz, Edgar Ramirez Story: The second instalment of Ryan Murphy’s “American Crime Story” explores the 1997 murder of designer Gianni Versace by serial killer Andrew Cunanan. The anthology series kicked off in 2016 with “The People vs. O.J. Simpson.” Based on Maureen Orth's book “Vulgar Favors: Andrew Cunanan, Gianni Versace, and the Largest Failed Manhunt in U. S. History,” this season explores how discriminatory attitudes toward the gay community hindered the murder investigation.

The Alienist

Network: TNT Premiere date: Jan 22 Starring: Daniel Brühl, Dakota Fanning, Luke Evans Story: Based on Caleb Carr’s best-selling novel, set in turn-of-the-last-century New York City, this 10-part mini-series combines two of the most enduring genres on television – the period piece and the serial killer drama. Made with $5 million an episode, “The Alienist” is a stark contrast to TNT’s lightweight procedurals. Daniel Brühl plays a pioneering alienist/psychiatrist, Dakota Fanning portrays a feisty police secretary and Luke Evans depicts a newspaper illustrator on the trail of a murderer preying on young male prostitutes.   Waco Network: Paramount Network Premiere date: Jan 24 Starring: Michael Shannon, Mellissa Benoist, John Leguizamo Michael Shannon stars as FBI agent Gary Noesner in “Waco.” The 6-part mini-series is based on the true story of the 1993 siege between federal law enforcement agents and Branch Davidian cult leader David Koresh in Waco, Texas, that ended with a fatal shoot-out, killing more than 70 people, including 17 children under age 10. The plot is based on two biographies, “A Place Called Waco,” by David Thibodeau, one of the sect’s members who survived the fire, and “Stalling for Time: My Life as an FBI Hostage Negotiator,” written by Noesner.

Good Girls

Network: NBC Premiere date: Feb. 26 Starring: Sutton Johnston, Mila Middleswarth Story: With the tagline “They’re done playing nice,” this is a dramedy about three desperate suburban moms who rob a grocery store to take their power back. But the women didn’t realize they poked the wrong bear.

Instinct

Network: CBS Premiere date: March 11 Starring: John Mainieri, Michael B. Silver, Alan Cumming Story: The witty and charismatic Alan Cumming plays a former CIA operative, Reinhart, in the CBS drama “Instinct.” Now living a safer life as an author and a university professor, he’s lured back by the NYPD to help track a serial killer who is using Reinhart’s first book to leave clues. Based on the novel “Murder Games” by mystery author James Patterson, “Instinct” will be the first hour-long drama on a broadcast network to feature a gay character as the lead.

Barry

Network: HBO Premiere date: March 25 Starring: Bill Hader, Henry Winkler, Stephen Root Story: The titular character Barry, played by “Saturday Night Live” alumni Bill Hader, is a stark contrast to the usual stone-faced assassins. Created by Hader himself, with “Silicon Valley” executive producer Alec Berg, the wry comedy tells the story of a disenchanted hitman, who falls under the spell of a San Fernando Valley acting class.

The Terror

Network: AMC Premiere date: March 26 Starring: Jared Harris, Ciarán Hinds, Tobias Menzies Story: With the success of “The Walking Dead” and spin-off “Fear the Walking Dead,” terror has become a staple for AMC. This spring, the 10-part, 19th century-set series, “The Terror,” promises a more realistic monstrous predator as it follows the Royal Navy’s Arctic journey to discover a faster route between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Roseanne

Network: ABC Premiere date: March 27 Starring: Roseanne Barr, Macaulay Callard, Sarah Chalke Story: In this age of revivals ("Fuller House,” "Twin Peaks" etc.), "Roseanne" returns to ABC after 21 years for a 10^th season. The series will bring back John Goodman’s character, who dies in the previous series ending, and create a new and different conclusion this time around.