,

2023 TV Preview: TV Pilots to Keep an Eye On

Here's our roundup of upcoming dramas, comedies and limited series to look out for.

Photo: Getty Images Amy Sussman, Jesse Grant

It may be spring, but it’s also the unofficial start of the fall TV season. Networks and streamers are deciding which series they want to put their considerable resources behind. We know your TV time is valuable, so we’ve gathered a rundown of the TV pilots we’re excited about, interested in and definitely passing on.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
AI Is the New Civil Rights Frontier: Loren Douglass on Wealth, Politics & Power
AI Is the New Civil Rights Frontier: Loren Douglass on Wealth, Politics & Power

We’re Excited

The Residence - Netflix

Photo: Getty Images Amy Sussman

Cast: Uzo Aduba, Andre Braugher, Susan Kelechi Watson, Isiah Whitlock Jr.

Synopsis: Executive produced by Shonda Rhimes, this screwball whodunit is set in the upstairs, downstairs and backstairs of the White House, among the eclectic staff of the world’s most famous mansion. Based on the book The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House by Kate Andersen Brower.

First Impressions: Shonda Rhimes hasn’t let us down yet.

Untitled Damon Wayans, Damon Wayans Jr. Project - CBS

Photo: Getty Images Matt Winkelmeyer

Cast: Damon Wayans, Damon Wayans Jr.

Synopsis: Legendary talk radio host and happily divorced “Poppa” has his point of view challenged at work when a new female co-host is hired and at home where he finds himself still parenting his adult son, a brilliant dreamer trying to pursue his passion while being a responsible father and husband.

First Impressions: Anytime this father and son are on-screen together, it’s hilarious. I’m in.

Murder by the Book - NBC

Photo: Getty Images Amy Sussman

Cast: Retta, Tituss Burgess, Tommy Dewey, Siobhan Williams

Synopsis: A big city Instafamous book reviewer takes a page from the murder mystery books she reviews and becomes an unlikely detective to uncover the shocking truths about an eccentric seaside town.

First Impressions: Retta has that special “it factor” where she makes every show she’s in more interesting.

Non-Evil - NBC

Photo: Getty Images Amy Sussman

Cast: Amber Ruffin

Synopsis: A woman is forced to step into her sister’s role as the leader of a Fortune 500 company despite knowing little about business and even less about the way her sister has been running the corporation.

First Impressions: Amber Ruffin never disappoints. She’s always hilarious.

The Big Cigar - AppleTV+

Photo: Getty Images Jamie McCarthy

Cast: André Holland, Tiffany Boone, Alessandro Nivola, Moses Ingram

Synopsis: Story of how Black Panthers leader Huey P. Newton escaped to Cuba to avoid prosecution for murder with the help of Bert Schneider, the Hollywood producer behind ‘Easy Rider,’ as well as a few other celebrity radicals. Based on the ‘Playboy’ article by Joshuah Bearman.

First Impressions: It’s a good day whenever a fresh part of Black history is highlighted.

Hijack - AppleTV+

Photo: Getty Images Amy Sussman

Cast: Idris Elba

Synopsis: Sam Nelson is an accomplished business negotiator forced to use his guile to save the lives of passengers onboard a hijacked plane making its way to London.

First Impressions: A tense action/thriller starring Idris Elba as a reluctant hero is perfect TV.

We’re Interested

Found - NBC

Photo: Steve Swisher/NBC

Cast: Shanola Hampton, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Kelli Williams, Brett Dalton, Arlen Escarpeta

Synopsis: In any given year, more than 600,000 people are reported missing in the U.S. More than half that number are people of color the country seems to forget about. Public relations specialist Gabi Mosely — who was once herself one of those forgotten ones — and her crisis management team now make sure there is always someone looking out for the forgotten missing people. But unbeknownst to anyone, this everyday hero is hiding a chilling secret of her own

First Impressions: This sounds like a fascinating series with an important message. However, I’m worried about what timeslot NBC will put this one in.

The Irrational - NBC

Photo: Getty Images Dimitrios Kambouris

Cast: Jesse L. Martin, Maahra Hill, Travina Springer, Molly Kunz, Arash DeMaxi

Synopsis: Alec Baker, a world-renowned professor of behavioral science, lends his expertise to an array of high-stakes cases involving governments, law enforcement and corporations with his unique and unexpected approach to understanding human behavior. Inspired by the best-selling book “Predictably Irrational” by Dan Ariely, who serves as a consultant.

First Impressions: You had me at Jesse L. Martin.

Clean Slate - Amazon Freevee

Photo: Getty Images Mike Coppola

Cast: Laverne Cox, George Wallace, D.K. Uzoukwu, Telma Hopkins

Synopsis: Henry, an old-school and outspoken car wash owner, is thrilled that his estranged child finally is returning home to Alabama after 17 years. However, he has a lot of soul searching to do when the child he thought was a son returns as Desiree, a determined, proud, trans woman.

First Impressions: If Laverne Cox and TV legend Norman Lear weren’t involved in developing this, I would be very worried.

Man on Fire - Netflix

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xronNwS16xc

Synopsis: John Creasy is a broken ex-mercenary on a mission to avenge the death of his only friend, while protecting his fallen comrade’s daughter from the forces that destroyed her family. Based on A.J. Quinnell’s novels “Man on Fire” and “The Perfect Kill.”

First Impressions: This one all depends on casting. Is Denzel Washington returning, or will someone new take over?

Untitled Sammy Davis Jr. limited series - Hulu

Photo: Getty Images Rich Fury

Cast: Elijah Kelley

Synopsis: Sammy Davis, Jr. rose from childhood stardom on the vaudeville stage to become one of the most famous African American entertainers of the 1950s and ‘60s (and the only Black member of Frank Sinatra’s Rat Pack). At the same time, he spent most of his career surrounded by controversy and ridicule— over his affairs with white film stars, his 1960 marriage to Swedish actress May Britt, his conversion to Judaism, his closeness to the Kennedys (and later Richard Nixon) and his problems with alcohol and drugs. Based on Wil Haygood’s book “In Black and White: The Life of Sammy Davis, Jr.”

First Impressions: If handled properly, this could be a fascinating look at one of Hollywood’s greatest entertainers.

Butch & Sundance - Prime Video

Photo: Getty Images Jesse Grant

Cast: Regé-Jean Page, Glen Powell

Synopsis: Set in an alternate version of America, where legendary outlaws Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid take on their biggest heist yet — this time with the fate of the world hanging in the balance.

First Impressions: Regé-Jean Page in a western definitely has my attention.

We’re Passing

Jumpstart - CBS

Photo: Getty Images Matt Winkelmeyer

Cast: Terry Crews, Ryan Michelle Bathé

Synopsis: Based on the comic strip that debuted in 1989 and set in Philadelphia, it follows Joe, a cop, his wife Marcy, a nurse, and Joe’s partner Crunchy. Joe and Marcy are young, hip, urban parents with old school values who are willing to sacrifice for their kids and have some laughs while doing it.

First Impressions: Dating back to The Honeymooners, I’ve seen this show a million times already. I doubt Terry Crews is going to suddenly make it better.

The Other Black Girl - Hulu

Photo: Getty Images Jamie McCarthy

Cast: Sinclair Daniel, Ashleigh Murray, Brittany Adebumola, Hunter Parrish

Synopsis: Nella is an editorial assistant tired of being the only Black girl at Wagner Books, so she’s excited when Hazel is hired. But as Hazel’s star begins to rise, Nella spirals out and discovers something sinister is going on at the company. Based on the novel by Zakiya Dalila Harris.

First Impressions: This sounds like something I’ve seen multiple versions of on Freeform.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

15 AI Videos of Black Folks That Look So Real You Were Likely Fooled

15 AI Videos of Black Folks That Look So Real You Were Likely Fooled

From sparking social media discourse to cotton picking vlogs, these AI videos are getting out of hand ...
The Flyest Cowboy Carter Outfits So Far

The Flyest Cowboy Carter Outfits So Far

Beyoncé stans are putting their all into their Cowboy Carter outfits ...

Why Wendy Williams is Clapping Back at a Lawsuit Filed on <i>Her</i> Behalf

Why Wendy Williams is Clapping Back at a Lawsuit Filed on Her Behalf

The former talk show host says she had no idea her ex-husband was filing a lawsuit on her behalf ...
Photo: Getty Images Gary John Norman

The Words Cassie Spewed in Audio Played at Diddy Trial Made Public, And What She Said May Shock You

Diddy's defense used the audio in an attempt to prove Cassie was "an enthusiastic participant" during "freak offs." ...
Atlanta Dad Found Guilty of Fatally Starving His Own 4-Year-Old— And the Details Only Get Worse From There

Atlanta Dad Found Guilty of Fatally Starving His Own 4-Year-Old— And the Details Only Get Worse From There

Prosecutors said Rodney McWeay's home from the outside looked "quiet, playful, and inviting." ...
Fat Joe Sued For $20 Million Over These Unbelievable Sex Abuse Allegations, But There's More to the Story

Fat Joe Sued For $20 Million Over These Unbelievable Sex Abuse Allegations, But There’s More to the Story

Fat Joe is defending himself against allegations made by Terrance "T.A." Dixon, who worked with the rapper from 2006 to 2019 ...
Jasmine Crockett's Comments Shading Trump Supporters Just Sparked a Fiery Clapback From Trump's White House Secretary

Jasmine Crockett’s Comments Shading Trump Supporters Just Sparked a Fiery Clapback From Trump’s White House Secretary

After laughing at Crockett, Karoline Leavitt said if the congresswoman is a rising Democrat, then that's only good news for Republicans ...
AI Is the New Civil Rights Frontier: Loren Douglass on Wealth, Politics & Power

AI Is the New Civil Rights Frontier: Loren Douglass on Wealth, Politics & Power

The Boulé chairman explains why Black ownership and political engagement are the keys to lasting influence in the AI era ...
The Shocking Reason Michelle Obama Says She's 'So Glad' She Didn't Have a Boy

The Shocking Reason Michelle Obama Says She’s ‘So Glad’ She Didn’t Have a Boy

The former First Lady has interesting reasoning for not wanting a son ...
Why Black TikTok is Dragging Kroger for Their Juneteenth Cakes...Sheesh!

Why Black TikTok is Dragging Kroger for Their Juneteenth Cakes…Sheesh!

One TikTok user called the grocery chain's effort to celebrate Juneteenth "a mockery!" ...
Why This Florida Man Swallowed Nearly $800,000 in Jewelry and What Happened Next

Why This Florida Man Swallowed Nearly $800,000 in Jewelry and What Happened Next

Jaythan Lawrence Gilder had 48 warrants for his arrest way before he took this drastic measure ...
Lizzo <i>Finally</i> Admits the Secret Behind Her Dramatic Weight Loss Transformation

Lizzo Finally Admits the Secret Behind Her Dramatic Weight Loss Transformation

Last September, Lizzo slammed an online commenter who accused her of using Ozempic ...
Trump Stayed Quiet About Juneteenth Except For This One Post, Which Has the Internet Furious

Trump Stayed Quiet About Juneteenth Except For This One Post, Which Has the Internet Furious

Trump once celebrated Juneteenth every year of his first term, but now, he has a different plan for the federal holiday ...
Whoopi Goldberg's  Comments On "The View" About Iran Sparked Online Outrage

Whoopi Goldberg’s Comments On “The View” About Iran Sparked Online Outrage

A heated on-air exchange turned into an online debate comparing the Iranian regime to the Black American experience ...
What's 2025's Black Song of The Summer? The Answer Will Surprise You

What’s 2025’s Black Song of The Summer? The Answer Will Surprise You

The time between Memorial Day and Labor Day is all about hot days at the beach, warm nights out with friends, and cookouts, of course. But you can't have all that fun in the sun without a dope playlist, including one song that sums up everything that's great about the ...
 Why Black Folks Who Did Not Know Juneteenth Was A Thing Until Biden Said So ...Need Their Black Card Revoked

 Why Black Folks Who Did Not Know Juneteenth Was A Thing Until Biden Said So …Need Their Black Card Revoked

There is no excuse. Either they were not raised right or they were not paying attention ...
Unassuming "Mama Duke"Shocked The World On The America's Got Talent Stage

Unassuming “Mama Duke”Shocked The World On The America’s Got Talent Stage

America's Got Talent might have just stumbled across its star of the season ...
Remember Christian Keyes? Former Tyler Perry Accuser's Video Resurfaces Following New Sexual Assault Lawsuit

Remember Christian Keyes? Former Tyler Perry Accuser’s Video Resurfaces Following New Sexual Assault Lawsuit

Keyes, who was in Perry's 2005 film 'Diary of a Mad Black Woman,' became a trending topic once again this week ...
Will Smith Makes This Wildly Surprising, Candid Admission About His Parenting

Will Smith Makes This Wildly Surprising, Candid Admission About His Parenting

The "Bad Boy" actor learned the hard way how to move with his three now-grown children ...
Viewers Watched Social Media Influencer's Chilling Last Moments on Live— Then Came the Unthinkable

Viewers Watched Social Media Influencer’s Chilling Last Moments on Live— Then Came the Unthinkable

People suspect Duchess Dior was killed by her husband after they argued during a Facebook live stream ...