ABC Fall 2025 Schedule: Ryan Murphy Dominates Thursdays; ‘The Rookie,’ ‘Will Trent,’ and ‘The Conners’ Pushed to Midseason
The 2025 fall season of television is shaping up to be a major shift for ABC, with the network making big moves in its prime-time schedule. The most noteworthy change? Renowned producer Ryan Murphy is taking center stage on Thursdays, with multiple projects landing in the coveted time slot. Meanwhile, fan-favorite shows like The Rookie, Will Trent, and The Conners will have to wait until midseason to make their returns. But what exactly is behind these decisions, and how will this affect the audience? Let’s dive into ABC’s fall lineup for 2025 and what it means for fans of these hit shows.
Ryan Murphy Takes Over Thursdays: A Power Move for ABC
Ryan Murphy, the prolific creator behind hits like American Horror Story and Glee, is dominating ABC’s Thursdays in 2025. The network has announced that several of his upcoming projects will air in the highly competitive time slot, capitalizing on Murphy’s star power and established fanbase.
Murphy’s involvement in the Thursday evening schedule represents a bold strategy for ABC, who seems to be looking to boost its Thursday ratings with a mix of star-studded productions and established, loyal fanbases. Expect high drama, engaging storylines, and his signature blend of controversy and intrigue to keep ABC’s prime-time offerings fresh and exciting.
What This Means for ‘The Rookie,’ ‘Will Trent,’ and ‘The Conners’
While Murphy’s Thursday dominance makes sense from a business standpoint, it does come at the expense of some beloved series. The Rookie, Will Trent, and The Conners are all being pushed to midseason, which means fans of these shows will have to wait a little longer for new episodes.
1. The Rookie: A New Season, But a Midseason Launch
The Rookie, starring Nathan Fillion, has been a hit for ABC, combining the charm of a seasoned detective with action-packed police drama. However, with Murphy’s projects taking precedence in the fall, The Rookie fans will have to wait until midseason to catch up on new developments in John Nolan’s world. The delay raises questions about the storyline’s pacing and whether the network plans to take the show in a new direction as it moves to a different time slot.
2. Will Trent: A Midseason Start for the Popular Detective Drama
Will Trent, the crime procedural based on Karin Slaughter’s book series, was expected to continue its gripping narrative of a gifted yet emotionally complex detective. However, with Ryan Murphy’s dominance on Thursdays, Will Trent won’t return until later in the season. This delay could disrupt the momentum the series has built, but it might also give the show time to focus on deepening Will’s character development and emotional journey before it premieres again.
3. The Conners: No Immediate Return for ABC’s Beloved Family Comedy
The Conners, the long-running sitcom that picked up where Roseanne left off, has been a consistent performer for ABC. However, its slot in the fall lineup is now pushed to midseason, making it one of the more surprising moves for fans of the show. This delay could be due to a variety of reasons—such as production schedules or ABC’s strategic push to make room for newer programming. Whatever the reason, viewers will have to wait a bit longer to catch up with the Conner family’s latest misadventures.
What’s Behind the Midseason Push for These Popular Shows?
You may be wondering why ABC chose to push these beloved shows to midseason rather than keeping them in the fall lineup. There are a few possible reasons for this strategic shift:
1. Ryan Murphy’s Thursday Dominance: A Ratings Play
ABC likely wants to capitalize on Murphy’s star power. With a history of producing hit shows across multiple genres, Murphy has a proven track record when it comes to attracting large audiences. By placing several of his projects on Thursdays, the network hopes to make this night a must-watch for drama lovers. The midseason delay for The Rookie, Will Trent, and The Conners might simply be a result of wanting to clear space for Murphy’s fresh new content.
2. A Strategic Shift in Scheduling
Midseason shifts have become increasingly common in TV networks’ strategies. It allows them to break up the typical seasonal cycle and avoid burnout from overloading their schedules with too much content at once. By moving shows to midseason, ABC can introduce new programming without competing directly with the fall TV rush. This approach can also help generate excitement as the midseason comes into focus.
3. Production Delays and Scheduling Conflicts
Sometimes, scheduling shifts are simply due to production delays. Shows like The Rookie and The Conners may have experienced delays in production or post-production, pushing them to later in the season. Midseason scheduling also provides time to ensure that episodes are ready for air and that any storylines or production hiccups are ironed out.
What’s New on ABC’s Fall 2025 Lineup?
With The Rookie, Will Trent, and The Conners taking a backseat until midseason, ABC’s fall schedule will be packed with fresh content, with Ryan Murphy leading the charge. While we’re not yet sure exactly what Murphy has lined up, we can expect an intriguing mix of drama, suspense, and perhaps some musical elements, as is typical of his work. Other exciting new series will also make their debuts in the fall, offering a mix of genres that will keep ABC’s lineup exciting and varied.
How Does This Midseason Change Impact Viewers?
For loyal fans of The Rookie, Will Trent, and The Conners, the midseason push might feel like a setback. However, the delayed return of these shows offers the opportunity for ABC to build buzz for their eventual premieres. Midseason launches often attract a dedicated audience who are eager to see what’s next for their favorite characters.
Additionally, the absence of these shows in the fall could leave room for new programming to make its mark. If Ryan Murphy’s shows hit the mark, his fall offerings could redefine Thursday nights and set the tone for ABC’s long-term strategy.
What’s Next for the ABC Fall 2025 Strategy?
The decision to push several popular shows to midseason while giving Ryan Murphy prime real estate on Thursdays is a bold move by ABC. It demonstrates the network’s confidence in Murphy’s ability to deliver hits and its willingness to experiment with new programming strategies. With the midseason changes, viewers can expect to see a balance between familiar favorites and exciting new content.
While some fans may be disappointed by the delay of their beloved shows, this shift could ultimately benefit the network by drawing in more viewers and giving The Rookie, Will Trent, and The Conners the space they need to make a bigger impact later in the season.
Conclusion: A New Era for ABC’s Prime-Time Lineup
ABC’s Fall 2025 schedule marks a pivotal moment for the network, with Ryan Murphy’s Thursday domination and the midseason delays of The Rookie, Will Trent, and The Conners. While this shift may take some adjusting, it offers fresh opportunities for new content and exciting developments for the shows we love. Whether you’re tuning in for Murphy’s latest hit or awaiting the return of your favorite characters, ABC’s 2025 season promises to be one to remember.
FAQs
1. Why are The Rookie, Will Trent, and The Conners being pushed to midseason?
The decision was likely made to accommodate Ryan Murphy’s shows in the coveted Thursday time slots, and potentially due to production delays or scheduling conflicts for these shows.
2. Will these shows return with new episodes in 2025?
Yes, although they’re delayed, fans can expect The Rookie, Will Trent, and The Conners to return in midseason with new episodes, though exact dates are yet to be confirmed.
3. What new shows will Ryan Murphy bring to ABC in the fall of 2025?
While details are scarce, Murphy is known for delivering a mix of drama, suspense, and musical projects, so expect something unique and compelling for Thursday nights.
4. Will these scheduling changes affect ABC’s ratings?
It’s too early to say, but ABC is banking on Ryan Murphy’s popularity to drive ratings on Thursdays. The midseason schedule could build anticipation for returning shows and bring fresh excitement to the network.
5. How do midseason delays affect TV show storylines?
Midseason shifts often allow for more refined production and storytelling. These delays can give shows the time they need to perfect episodes,