ABC just made a big decision on five shows, so which one is still on the bubble? There's only one big one left!
It’s that time of year when the networks are scrambling to prepare for the fall TV season. That means the period when various “on the bubble” shows learn of their fates, which includes ABC.
The network had already renewed a few shows, such as the mystery series High Potential and Abbott Elementary. With a lower pilot slate than normal for 2025, there were hopes that several shows would earn renewals. Now, the network has decided the fate of nearly a half-dozen more shows!
What’s being renewed for ABC?
Per TVLine, the network has renewed Grey’s Anatomy, 911, The Rookie, Will Trent, and the freshman comedy Shifting Gears. That means Grey’s will see season 22, 911 season 9, The Rookie season 8, Will Trent season 4, and Shifting Gears season 2.
It’s no surprise that four of the big shows are getting renewals. Grey’s Anatomy remains one of the network’s biggest cash cows and is still a winner on Thursday night. The Rookie likewise has been successful as well as Will Trent on Tuesday nights. Trent, in fact, is the second highest-rated ABC series this year, following High Potential. 911 also remains popular and likely will be paired with an upcoming spinoff set in Nashville.
Shifting Gears premiered in early 2025, with sitcom veteran Tim Allen returning to ABC. He plays a classic car restoration business owner whose single life is affected when his divorced daughter (Kat Dennings) moves in with her kids. The show is the third highest-watched comedy on TV, following Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage and Ghosts on CBS.
The show’s ratings success pushes it on and makes it, along with Abbott Elementary, the only renewed comedies for ABC (The Conners will be ending its run this summer).
So, five major shows have been renewed, yet one remains a question mark.
What’s still on the bubble for ABC?
Notably not yet renewed is the medical dramedy Doctor Odyssey. The series has been helped by having 911 as a lead-in on Thursday nights, along with a bevy of guest stars and some wild storytelling (including a crazy fan theory).
While it retains around 77% of the 911 viewership, Odyssey still has to overcome issues that include a high production budget. According to TVLine, ABC may wait all the way to the show’s planned May finale to make a decision, which likely means the producers are crafting this as a possible series finale.
So fans of five ABC shows can happily watch knowing their series will be back next year, while Doctor Odyssey fans can only hope that the series manages to continue its voyage.