TV

The AfterEllen Guide to Fall TV 2014

The fall television season is upon us, which means lots of couch time and live tweeting. Fall is when the networks roll out their biggest and best new shows, along with new seasons of our favorite mainstays. As premium cable did before them, Netflix and Amazon Prime are changing the game when it comes to way we watch shows. With so many excellent programs to choose from, and only so much space in viewers’ schedules and DVRs, content matters. AfterEllen has put together a list of fall shows to check out this year. These shows either feature queer characters, actors or simply material that may appeal to our readers. So grab a pumpkin spice latte and start working on the “you” shaped indentation in the couch.

Dancing With the Stars September 15 on ABC Starring: Janel Parrish

Why We’ll Be Watching: When Mona Vanderwaal was murdered by A on the summer season finale of Pretty Little Liars, we clutched our chests and shook our fists in the air lamenting the fact that Janel Parrish’s character would no longer be gracing our screens. Then we got a piece of great news! Not only would Mona return in flashback form, but Janel would be a contestant on this season’s Dancing with the Stars. She and her partner Val Chmerkovskiy have an excellent chance to win the mirrorball trophy if they keep up with stellar dances like their opening foxtrot.

 

Manhattan Ongoing on WGN (but you can watch past episodes on Hulu) Starring: Rachel Brosnahan

Why We’ll Be Watching: Rachel Brosnahan first caught our attention when she played queer former prostitute and political pawn, Rachel on the Netflix hit, House of Cards. In Manhattan, which tells the story of the men and women involved in developing the nuclear bomb for the Manhattan Project, Brosnahan plays Abby, a young mother and wife to one of the lead physicists. Abby is miserable on the New Mexico Army base and finds herself befriending (and bedding) fellow Army wife, Elodie. The season is nearing a close, but now would be a great time to catch up and get hooked on this period drama chock full of science, intrigue and of course, lady kisses.

Red Band Society September 17 on Fox Starring: Octavia Spencer, a bunch of adorable teenage moppets

Why We’ll Be Watching: Oscar winner Octavia Spencer leads this ensemble about the lives of the teenagers and staff of a pediatric ward in Los Angeles. The show is narrated by Charlie, a tween in a coma, but who is aware of his surroundings and the trials and tribulations of the other kids on the ward. Long story short, this one is bound to be a tearjerker. Be on the lookout for Wilson Cruz, as well as Andrea Parker (the dearly departed Jessica DiLaurentis on PLL) who will play a recurring role as the lesbian mom of the rebellious cheerleader in need of a new heart, Kara.

 

The Good Wife September 21 on CBS Starring: Julianna Margulies, Archie Panjabi, Christine Baranski

Why We’ll Be Watching: Fresh off her Emmy win, Julianna Margulies is back as the dynamic attorney, Alicia Florrick. Last season was arguably The Good Wife‘s finest, in particular how the characters dealt with the death of Will Gardner (Josh Charles). Last season was rather light on our favorite bisexual investigator Kalinda (Archie Panjabi), so here’s hoping she gets more screentime. There’s a blink and you’ll miss it shot of Kalinda and Det. Jenna smooching on the sidewalk. Does than mean Kalinda and Cary are on the outs? What’s really getting us excited about this season though is the possibility that Diane Lockhart (Christine Baranski) and her amazing power suits, may be teaming up with Florrick Agos.

Gotham September 22 on Fox Starring: Ben Mackenzie, Jada Pinkett Smith, Victoria Cartagena

Why We’ll Be Watching: This new gritty drama focuses on life before Bruce Wayne was actually Batman. In Gotham, Bruce is just a little boy who has just lost his parents to a violent robbery. The show follows cop James Gordon (Ben Mackenzie), the man who would one day be Commissioner, as he tries to defeat the villains of Gotham. Since this takes place decades before the rise of Batman, the villains are still quite young and trying to maneuver their ways through the crooked streets of Gotham as well. One to watch is Jada Pinkett Smith as Fish Mooney. Lesbian Detective Renee Montoya (Victoria Cartagena) also appears as a member of the main cast. Crossing our fingers that she gets a potential love interest this season.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. September 23 on ABC Starring: Ming Na Wen, Chloe Bennett, Lucy Lawless

Why We’ll Be Watching: Two words. Lucy Lawless

Awkward September 23 on MTV Starring: Ashley Rickards, Jillian Rose Reed

Why We’ll Be Watching: While this high school set comedy has always been about whether or not Jenna (Ashley Rickards) and Matty will end up together, last season threw us a curveball when Jenna’s bestie Tamara (Jillian Rose Reed) ended up messing around with another girl while visiting colleges. We may just have to tune in to see if this was a one time thing, or if “T” is serious about liking girls too.

 

Chicago Fire September 23 on NBC Starring: Monica Raymond, Lauren German, Taylor Kinney

Why We’ll Be Watching: The last time we saw our beloved Firehouse 51 crew, there was a massive building explosion. We also know that at least one of our favorite characters won’t make it out alive. Signs have been increasingly pointing at Leslie Shay (Lauren German), the lesbian EMT who doesn’t even need a defibrillator to get our hearts pounding. The death is supposed to greatly affect Severide (Taylor Kinney) and since he and Shay are so close, it’s hard to imagine another loss impacting him so hard. If that’s the way it all goes down, it would be a huge blow to the shows fans as well. Shay is a great character and we have a strict “keep lesbian characters alive” policy in our hearts. Also, we’d really hate to miss out on more Shawson interactions.

 

Faking It September 23 on MTV Starring: Rita Volk, Katie Stevens, Michael Willett, Bailey Buntain, Gregg Sulkin

Why We’ll Be Watching: This MTV sitcom about two best friends pretending to be lesbians was a surprise smash hit this spring. It also stirred up quite a bit of controversy when it threw Amy (Rita Volk) and Liam (Greff Sulkin) in bed together after Amy’s declaration of love to Karma (Katie Stevens) was rejected. Season Two will deal with the aftermath of Amy and Liam’s actions, as the two now share a secret that could devastate Karma. Amy will likely get a new lady love interest this season as well. This may comes as discouraging news for Karmy shippers, but they are a hearty bunch who seem to be in it for the long haul. It was also recently revealed that the snarky/awesome Lauren (Bailey Buntain) is intersex, and the show will address that this season. We are crossing our fingers that Faking It really does this storyline justice, as it is quite important and groundbreaking. Actress Laverne Cox will also guest star on the series as the tough as nails director of the Hester High School drama club.

[mtvn_player content_uri=”mgid:uma:video:mtv.com:1079939″ width=”512″ height=”288″] 

Grey’s Anatomy September 25 on ABC Starring: Ellen Pompeo, Sara Ramirez, Jessica Capshaw, Patrick Dempsey

Why We’ll Be Watching: This will be Grey’s Anatomy‘s eleventh season, and first without the wonderful Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh). Grey’s is quite adept at dealing with loss however, so we imagine that it will be business as usual at Grey Sloan Memorial. We do know that Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) and McDreamy (Patrick Dempsey) are not on the same page when it comes to their careers. Meredith has a surprise sister, fathered by her mother and Richard, who is the new head of cardiology. After a very heart wrenching season for Callie (Sara Ramirez) and Arizona (Jessica Capshaw), the couple seem to be in a good place, especially since Leah walked off into the parking lot of no return. Callie was devastated when she learned that she couldn’t have another baby, but now surrogacy has come up as an option. Grey will start earlier this season, and kicks off an entire night of Shonda programming including Scandal and the new Viola Davis led, How to Get Away with Murder. Thursday nights belong to the ladies of ABC.

Scandal September 25 on ABC Starring: Kerry Washington, Bellamy Young, Tony Goldwyn, Portia de Rossi

Why We’ll Be Watching: Admit it, you quote Olivia Pope. With good reason too! Kerry Washington brings it as the morally ambiguous Washington fixer. We are also living for Bellamy Young‘s performance as the ruthlessly ambitious yet somehow sympathetic Mellie Grant. What’s really got us cheering for the return of Scandal is that Portia de Rossi will be playing a very hush-hush, but supposedly significant role this season. Anytime we get to see Portia on our screens, is a good day. It’s handled, ok?

Transparent September 26 on Amazon Prime Starring: Jeffrey Tambor, Amy Landecker, Gabby Hoffman, Judith Light

Why We’ll Be Watching: This new show by creator Jill Soloway will be released in its entirety on September 26, and that’s a good thing because Transparent is incredibly bingeworthy. The outstanding Jeffrey Tambor leads this ensemble as Mort, the father of three adult children, who plans to transition and finally live life as Moira full time. This comes as a major surprise to Moira’s kids, who are busy dealing with their own dramas. Daughter Sarah (Amy Landecker) is a married mother of two, who reconnects with her college girlfriend Tammy (Melora Hardin) when they discover their children attend the same school. Carrie Brownstein also guests as a love interest for Jay Duplass’ character Josh, Moira’s son. The pilot episode is available now on Amazon Prime.

 

Once Upon a Time September 28 on ABC Starring: Lana Parrilla, Jennifer Morrison

Why We’ll Be Watching: The folks of Storybrooke have been dealing with some major big bads recently, but this season they will have to deal with a whole new issue: Snow. No, not Snow White. The ladies of Frozen are joining OUAT, and Elsa is going to bring down some serious winter upon them. While sadly, SwanQueen shippers may never get the Emma/Regina pairing they long for (it’s been made pretty clear now by cast and creators that the pairing in not in the cards) the show is still a fantastical adventure to enjoy.

Reign October 2 on CW Starring: Caitlin Stasey, Adelaide Kane, Megan Follows

Why We’ll Be Watching: Reign is the fictionalized tale of the early years of Mary Queen of Scots. It’s the Middle Ages, but with indie techno music and really good-looking people. While she may not be the lead, out bisexual actress Caitlyn Stasey is a pretty damn compelling reason to tune into the CW shows sophomore season. (Check out her Twitter where she’s wickedly funny and smart.) She plays Kenna, former mistress to King Henry and lady in waiting to Mary. Megan Follows (Anne of Green Gables) also stars as the tough as nails Catherine de Medici. This season, a new king ascends and the plague lies in wait.

 

Survivor’s Remorse October 4 on STARZ Starring: Jesse T. Usher, Erica Ash

Why We’ll Be Watching: When basketball star Cam Calloway (Jesse T. Usher) gets the chance to play in the NBA, he takes his family along for the ride. One of those family members is M-Chuck (also Mary Charles), Cam’s lesbian sister played by the hilarious Erica Ash. Ash was a cast member of The Big Gay Sketch Show a few years back and we are delighted to see her flex her comedy chops once again.

Mulaney October 5 on Fox Starring: John Mulaney, Nasim Pedrad, Martin Short, Fortune Feimster

Why We’ll Be Watching: Funny lady Fortune Feimster is set to appear in a few episodes, and along with supporting lead SNL Nasim Pedrad, this show has popped up on our radar. In fact, the entire cast is pretty top notch. Mulaney follows the life and misadventures of a comedian (John Mulaney) as he tries to make his way in the professional comedy world.

 

American Horror Story: Freak Show October 8 on FX Starring: Sarah Paulson, Jessica Lange, Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates

Why We’ll Be Watching: Ryan Murphy and his repertory cast are back for the fourth installment of American Horror Story. Freakshow takes place in 1952, and features Kathy Bates as a bearded lady, Angela Bassett as a woman with three breasts (yes, three) and of course the incomparable Jessica Lange as the leader of the freakshow. We are probably most geeked out about the fact that out actress Sarah Paulson will be playing conjoined twins. That’s twice as much Sarah Paulson!

 

The Walking Dead October 12 on AMC Starring: Andrew Lincoln, Melissa McBride, Danai Gurira, Lauren Cohan, Norman Reedus

Why We’ll Be Watching: Just when you thought zombies were the worst thing to encounter in The Walking Dead, Rick and his ragged crew find themselves at the mercy of a bunch of lunatic cannibals! Can Carol and Tyreese manage to save them from becoming lunch at Terminus? What about resident lesbian lady, Tara? It’s hard enough to meet other lesbians when it’s not the apocalypse. This season promises to be quite brutal, which means we should be seeing a lot of Michonne and her katana sword. By the way, where’s Carl? Oh, there he is!

 

Two and a Half Men October 30 on CBS Starring: Ashton Kutcher, Jon Cryer, Amber Tamblyn

Why We’ll Be Watching: Well, we’re not quite sure yet. If Amber Tamblyn sticks around, it might be worth it to tune in. However, the news that that Kutcher and Cryer’s characters will be pretending to be a gay couple in order to get married and adopt a child, makes us a little uneasy.

Lesbian Apparel and Accessories Gay All Day sweatshirt -- AE exclusive

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Back to top button