20 New TV Shows To Look Forward To In 2018

8. Rise (NBC) – March 13 

While the NBC show has come under some heat with fans accusing the network of ignoring the LGBTQ roots of the novel, it’s important not to judge the series before it hits the air. Jason Katims has an excellent track record for the network (Parenthood and Friday Night Lights) and there should be a little faith that he knows how to bring an emotionally compelling drama to life. Working alongside GLAAD and Lou Volpe, the real life professor that the lead is based on, Rise is bound to tell a story that any outsider can relate to.

Rise focuses on the infamous Harry S. Truman High School theater program and now-retired teacher, Lou Volpe. He’s now been transformed into Lou Mazzucchelli, played by How I Met Your Mother veteran Josh Radnor, as the teacher who is trying to change the lives of a handful of students. The kids are mainly comprised of a cast of new but talented actors as well as the infamous Stranger Things star, Shannon Purser.

Rise has all the ingredients to be one of the best new shows of 2018 but will need to fight to gain the same ratings as other NBC shows. Parenthood and Friday Night Lights were both critical darlings who never pulled in as large of an audience as other series. Rise will need to be able to get more than just the young audience if it hopes to extend its run on the peacock network. Even if it only gets one season, it should still be one of the most heartwarming shows in 2018.