What To Watch This Week (October 4th): Every New Network TV Release
Laura Hurley has been writing about the entertainment industry for more than twelve years, after a decade as a content producer and editor at CinemaBlend after writing for WhatCulture and Examiner. Attending events like SCAD TVfest and San Diego Comic-Con over the course of her career, she has been immersed in the world of network, streaming, and cable TV.
After a long summer hiatus for network television's biggest primetime shows, the fall premiere season has arrived in the first week of October. The next seven days will deliver everything from sophomore seasons of last year's breakout hits to the latest installments in franchises that have already aired hundreds of episodes. Cliffhangers will be paid off, new plots will be picked up, and the wait is finally nearly over for the likes of Marshals, One Chicago, and NCIS (among many others) to return.
While streaming services like Hulu, Peacock, and Paramount+ guarantee new episodes will be available to stream after they air, watching live on broadcast is still the fastest way to get entertainment. Both Fox and ABC have already brought back a handful of shows, but NBC and CBS will take over the airwaves this week with new season premieres. Not many brand-new shows made the cut for the fall 2026-2027 TV season, and it remains to be seen if they'll survive their first season.
Now that September has rolled into October, it's time to plan what to watch this week.
Marshals Season 2
Marshals, the first Yellowstone spinoff that was designed for network TV, will debut season 2 on Sunday, October 4 at 8:30 p.m. ET in CBS's complete fall TV premiere schedule. It will be CBS's first big fall premiere. After becoming a huge hit with audiences during its 13-episode first season, Marshals will also anchor what is likely to be an extremely successful block of primetime on Sunday nights.
Season 2's premiere is titled "All Hat No Cattle," and will pick up where the first season left off. After Kayce realizes that his son was taken hostage, he goes rogue to try to save Tate. Everything that Kayce holds dear will be at risk, less than a year after the reveal that his wife had tragically died. In addition to Kayce's personal strife in "All Hat No Cattle," the Marshals will unearth a powerful criminal operation.
Tracker Season 4
The third season of Tracker ended on a note that completely changed the genre of Justin Hartley's drama. The season 4 premiere of Tracker is titled "Safe Harbor," and will air on Sunday, October 4 at 9:30 p.m. ET on CBS.
A search for a teenage boy's missing dad in Los Angeles will lead Colter towards a criminal operation. Instead of continuing to float from place to place, Colter may be much more settled in season 4. Of course, that doesn't mean he'll be taking a break from cases across the country, but viewers could soon see a new side of the lead character. Jensen Ackles' Russell Shaw isn't expected to return until later in the season.
FBI Season 9
FBI returns to CBS for season 9 on Monday, October 5 at 8 p.m. ET for the drama's second year on Monday nights. Season 8 ended with a shocker for OA, when it seemed like he'd finally lost control, blown up at his boss, and gotten fired because of it. A last-minute twist revealed that OA was really going undercover to try to get dirt on Anna Vorpe.
The season 9 premiere is titled "Rendition" and will feature Maggie trying to get used to working with her new partner, played by Chicago Med alum Roland Buck III. OA will still be adjusting to his new role, and it should be interesting to see how FBI's next time jump has affected him. CIA's Necar Zadegan will appear as a guest star.
CIA Season 2
CIA returns for season 2 on Monday, October 5 at 9 p.m. ET on CBS. The drama officially expanded FBI's world for the first time since FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International were canceled, and the network wasted no time in setting up crossovers. Starring Chicago Med's Nick Gehlfuss as an FBI agent and Lucifer's Tom Ellis as a CIA agent, the show made the most of their odd couple dynamic to earn a quick renewal.
The season 2 premiere is titled "The Deep." The team will stumble upon the body of a DEA agent while hunting for a cartel fixer. The timing will be tricky for Bill, who is returning to work after his dad's death. FBI's John Boyd will cross over as Agent Scola to assist with the case.
NCIS Universe
CBS is bringing back its NCIS Super Tuesday lineup with multiple premieres on October 6: NCIS season 24 at 8 p.m. ET, NCIS: New York at 9 p.m. ET, and NCIS: Origins season 3 at 10 p.m. ET. NCIS: Sydney's fourth season was pushed back to mid-season, while NCIS: New York is bringing LL Cool J back to the franchise as a series regular for the first time since NCIS: Los Angeles ended in 2023.
"Wayward Son," the season 24 premiere of NCIS, brings Michael Weatherly back as Tony DiNozzo, who will help the team after a mysterious threat to the Secretary of the Navy. The pilot for NCIS: New York follows Sam Hanna as he returns to his hometown after the death of an old friend, and he'll ultimately be partnered with Agent Nick Schaeffer (Scott Caan). The season 3 premiere of NCIS: Origins, "Don't You Forget About Me," will feature Mark Harmon's return when present-day Gibbs is called out of retirement.
One Chicago
One Chicago Wednesdays will resume in NBC's 2026 fall TV schedule on October 7, with Chicago Med season 12 at 8 p.m. ET, Chicago Fire season 15 at 9 p.m. ET, and Chicago P.D. season 14 at 10 p.m. ET. Of the three, Fire is the only one that ended last season on a life-or-death cliffhanger, so the drama likely won't start on a big time jump. That's probably not the case for Chicago P.D. and Med.
In Chicago Med's premiere, called "Shots Fired," Goodwin is still fighting for her job after the attempt to oust her from the hospital. Meanwhile, Hannah will decide on maternity leave. Chicago Fire's season premiere, "New Blood," will deal with the fallout from the season 14 finale's deadly cliffhanger. Plus, in addition to introducing new probies, Fire is losing Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney). Chicago P.D.'s premiere, "Demolition," follows the Intelligence Unit's investigations into the death of a parole officer, which require Voight to bring in an outsider. Imani will make a difficult choice about her sister.
Abbott Elementary Season 6
Abbott Elementary's sixth season will arrive in ABC's 2026 fall schedule on Wednesday, October 7 at 8:30 p.m. ET, immediately following a new episode of Scrubs. Quinta Brunson's show is resetting itself before hitting the 100-episode milestone later this year. Season 5 ended with Abbott avoiding a shutdown, but the staff will surely feel the effects of the other 20 schools that were closed in Philadelphia.
The season 6 premiere, "Jungle Classroom," features Gregory and Ava adjusting to a new dynamic, Janine giving her classroom a makeover, and Barb teaming up with Jacob. Meanwhile, Melissa needs to win back her classroom.
Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage Season 3
CBS is bringing Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage back for season 3 on Thursday, October 8 at 8 p.m. ET. The network shuffled the Thursday night lineup, so the Big Bang Theory spinoff will be followed by a new comedy, Eternally Yours, rather than a new season of Ghosts.
Titled "Feminine Wiles and Some Tire Thing in Lubbock," the season 3 premiere kicks off with tensions rising when Mandy and her family side with Mary Cooper rather than Georgie in a fight. Connor will turn to Georgie when he needs help.
Law & Order: SVU Season 28
Law & Order: SVU is already building hype for the 600th episode, but season 28 will start a few episodes shy of the milestone. Season 28 premieres Thursday, October 8 at 9 p.m. ET on NBC. The network changed the Thursday night lineup to start with The Traitors: New Blood at 8 p.m. ET and end with Law & Order season 26 at 10 p.m. ET. Only SVU remains unchanged.
In the season 28 premiere, "Volition," Captain Benson will use a controversial strategy to fight for a victim. Her partnership with ADA Carisi will be in jeopardy after a meeting with a jury consultant.
Sheriff Country Season 2
CBS began building a brand-new franchise when Sheriff Country joined Fire Country in primetime, and Morena Baccarin's procedural will return for season 2 on Friday, October 9 at 8 p.m. ET. There's a lot for Mickey to unpack after how the first season ended.
Titled "Cyclone," the season 2 premiere will see Mickey trying to process her recent revelation, while also racing to save a young woman from a growing threat in Edgewater. Ben McKenzie, Baccarin's real-life husband and former Gotham co-star, will guest-star as Sheriff Wade from a neighboring county.
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