ABC Confirms Its 2025 Fall Premiere Dates For Its Biggest Shows - From 9-1-1 to Grey's Anatomy

ABC has unveiled its complete fall schedule, pulling back the curtain on when some of its biggest shows will return. Although it may not have as many shows on its roster as CBS, and not as many established franchises as NBC with its Law & Order and One Chicago dramas, ABC has nonetheless cultivated a popular roster of scripted originals.

It's a mix of well-known faves and newer titles, as long-running dramas such as 9-1-1 and Grey's Anatomy sit alongside breakout hits like High Potential and Shifting Gears. All four shows will make their long-awaited returns in just a few months, along with a couple of others.

Deadline has confirmed when several ABC originals will return. The schedule is missing some heavy-hitters such as Will Trent and The Rookie, which will debut next year. It also confirms that 9-1-1 will miss out on its somewhat traditional September premiere date. But in better news, as seen in the table below, which focuses on scripted programming, most of ABC's lineup comes back in September or early October:

What This Means For ABC

It's Relying On A Consistent Rotation Of Shows

ABC currently only has nine scripted shows on its primetime line-up, with Doctor Odyssey benched for the time being. It is taking steps to correct that, with a spinoff of 9-1-1, a planned spinoff of The Rookie, and a new crime drama led by Grey's Anatomy alum Scott Speedman. It is also eying a revival of Scrubs, featuring key members of the original cast and the involvement of series creator Bill Lawrence.

The network leans heavily on non-scripted programming, whether it's reality or news magazines. Its output includes Dancing with the Stars, The Golden Bachelor, Shark Tank, Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, 20/20, and America’s Funniest Home Videos, in addition to college football match-ups, which will be back in the coming months as well.

Our Take On ABC's Scripted Future

It's The Right Call

ABC's relatively small scripted footprint compares to CBS, which has 18 scripted originals and counting, while NBC rests in the mid-teens. The eye network is making an effort to shorten the distance. But by betting on an established darling like Abbott Elementary season 5, executives know that they have a handful of popular choices that viewers will reliably return to.