Abbott Elementary and 6 other shows not coming to ABC in January 2024

As many of you avid TV fans know, the writers strike and actors strike caused delays for many movies and shows. It hit the fall 2023 broadcast cycle the hardest. Thankfully, both strikes have now been resolved and many series have gotten back to work ASAP to bring us new episodes of our favorites. Some shows are already coming back in January 2024 like La Brea season 3, the One Chicago shows, and the Law and Order franchise. But, that’s not the case with many ABC series. 

During a time where networks had to rely mostly on competition and reality shows, I’m so ready to jump back into the fictional world of the scripted stories. Popular ones like Abbott Elementary, The Good Doctor, and Grey’s Anatomy are still going to take a while to debut and are not coming in January 2024. But don’t worry, it won’t be too long now. Before we get into the release dates and details about the new seasons, we shared the list of shows not coming to ABC in January 2024 below:

• Abbott Elementary season 3
• American Idol season 22
• Will Trent season 2
• The Rookie season 6
• The Good Doctor season 7
•  911 season 7
• Grey’s Anatomy season 20

ABC shows not coming in January 2024

Abbott Elementary season 3

Release date: Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 9 p.m. ET

Kicking off the midseason schedule on ABC and in a way celebrating the return of “fall” TV (on this list at least) is Abbott Elementary season 3! The series was supposed to be back around September 2023, but was delayed due to the strikes. ABC actually doesn't have any scripted shows coming back until February 2024. And so, Abbott Elementary is the very first series back on the network and we absolutely can’t wait! This is one of the best sitcoms on television right now, and the mockumentary-style production deserves all the praise it gets. 

Expect a one-hour premiere on Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 9 p.m. ET. The synopsis of the new season and cast list has not been shared yet. Though we do expect Quinta Brunson as Janine Teagues, Tyler James Williams as Gregory Eddie, Janelle James as Ava Coleman, Lisa Ann Walter as Melissa Schemmenti, Chris Perfetti as Jacob Hill, Sheryl Lee Ralph as Barbara Howard, William Stanford Davis as Mr. Johnson to return. This season is also getting 14 episodes.

American Idol season 22

Release date: Sunday, Feb. 18 at 8 p.m. ET

Last season of American Idol was a wonderful one with so much talent. And now, we get to see a whole new group of singing sensations trying their hand at becoming the next American Idol! Judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie will guide the contestants along, as well as host Ryan Seacrest. Get ready to clear your evening plans because you’ll be seated for two fun-filled hours of the very first American Idol season 22 auditions for the 2024 season on Sunday, Feb. 18 at 8 p.m. ET!

There’s a lot of great singing competition shows out there, but my personal favorite is definitely Idol. I love following along the contestants' journeys, especially when the list becomes narrowed down. We start to get invested in our favorites and cheer them on.

Will Trent season 2

Release date: Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 8 p.m. ET

Feb. 20, 2024 is a big night for ABC shows, as we have not one. Not two. But three broadcast series ready to make their return! Starting the night off is the premiere of Will Trent season 2 (don’t worry we get into what the other two are below!). We expect to see Ramon Rodriguez, Erika Christensen, Iantha Richardson, Sonja Sohn and Jake McLaughlin return on premiere day - Tuesday, Feb. 20, at 8 p.m. ET. Will Trent became one of the best new shows to come out in 2023, so I know that the second season is going to bring it!

In the season 1 finale, the special agent and his team were able to find a kidnapped Angie, who was taken by lawyer James Ulster. He turned out to be a serial killer and ends up in the hospital after poisoning himself to avoid jail time. We’ll see if he lives or dies. Plus a pretty big twist is that Will’s boss Amanda is actually the one who found him when he was a baby following his mother’s death. She couldn’t adopt him and hoped he’d find a good home. But as we all know, he unfortunately grows up in the foster care system.

The Rookie season 6

Release date: Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 9 p.m. ET

Unfortunately its spin-off The Rookie: Feds was canceled after one season, but the good news is that we’re getting another installment of flagship series, The Rookie! Season 6 is almost upon us, and will premiere right after Will Trent! Be sure to be ready to tune in at 9 p.m. ET.

We’re still waiting on an official cast list, but we expect fan-favorites Nathan Fillion as John Nolan, Alyssa Diaz as Angela Lopez, Richard T. Jones as Wade Grey, Jenna Dewan as Bailey Nune, and more to reprise their roles in The Rookie season 6. Also with the way the season 5 finale left off, there’s burning questions we’re asking and hoping the sixth season will answer. Is Thorsen going to survive? Who organized the masked attackers? Will John and Bailey get married this season? There’s so much to look forward to!

The Good Doctor season 7

Release date: Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 10 p.m. ET

Closing out this particular Tuesday night is The Good Doctor season 7 premiere! And what better way to end a night of so many returns? Be sure to set your alarm for 10 p.m. ET. Shaun and Dr. Aaron Glassman’s relationship has been a great one throughout the seasons. But at the end of season 6, there’s a fracture after Shaun reveals Glassman had a number of strokes that affected his memory in the OR in front of everyone. And the doctor did not take too kindly to that. This is one of our favorite relationships, and we definitely hope they’ll be able to figure things out!

911 season 7 

Release date: Thursday, March 14 at 8 p.m. ET

Longtime ABC-watchers, 911 might not be familiar to you. That's because the first six seasons of the police procedural aired on its original network Fox. But after it was canceled, ABC decided to save it and picked it up for a seventh season. And 911 season 7 premieres Thursday, March 14 at 8 p.m. ET.

Though past seasons have been around 18 episodes, this time around we can expect about 10-13 episodes due to the delays following the writers strike and actors strike. But that’s ok! There’s less screen time, but at least there’s new episodes coming. We’ve been waiting for so long to get our favorite shows back. Something is better than nothing!

The season 6 finale saw a bridge collapse during an emergency, and it was up to Buck, Ravi, and Athena to save the day. And they do! Elsewhere, the characters’ personal lives get interesting with Buck and Natalia starting a relationship, Maddie and Chimney talk about marriage plans, and Hen and Karen adopt a baby. A cast list hasn't been released yet, but we do expect the major players to be back.

Grey's Anatomy season 20

Release date: Thursday, March 14 at 9 p.m. ET

It’s an oldie, but certainly a goodie! Grey’s Anatomy is marking 20 years when the new season premieres on March 14. It’s crazy to think that it’s been that long already. But the medical drama remains a popular one, and a series definitely worth watching even after all these years and the numerous cast exits.

Speaking of, Ellen Pompeo who plays Meredith Grey isn’t returning as a series regular in the new season. But according to TVLine, she’ll be in at least two episodes, including the pilot. Due to the Hollywood strikes, we’re getting a much shorter Grey’s season than we’re used to. Grey's Anatomy season 20 will only be 10 episodes. Yup, you read that right! But again, I'm not going to complain.

Also not coming in January are The Conners season 6 and Not Dead Yet season 2. Both will premiere on Feb. 7, 2024, the same night as Abbott Elementary at 8 p.m. ET and 8:30 p.m. ET, respectively. Station 19 comes back with its new season on March 14, 2024, following Grey’s Anatomy, at 10 p.m. ET. The new year is definitely an exciting time to be a television fan, with so many of our favorite shows returning. We can’t wait!