Feel-good lawyer dramas are the flavor of the Fall on CBS.
Joining 22 returning shows for the 2023/24 primetime programming schedule are 3 new dramas whose breezy trailers debuted this week.
Matlock, starring Kathy Bates as the brilliant and wily septuagenarian, and Elsbeth, starring The Good Wife’s Carrie Preston as an astute but unconventional attorney, seem cut from the same fun and quirky cloth, and as both are from CBS Studios, will have to fail spectacularly in the ratings not to make a return for second seasons this time next year.
Tracker, starring This is Us alum Justin Hartley, also makes its debut this Fall, and although Hartley’s Shaw is neither a lawyer, nor an adorable quirky lawyer with a twinkle in his eye, he does make his living solving mysteries while at the same time working on his his own dysfunctional family. So it counts towards the feel-good vibe. Sorta.
Speaking of dysfunctional families, mid-season see new comedy Poppa’s House joining the slate. Starring Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr., the half hour comedy follows legendary radio host “Poppa” who finds himself still parenting his adult son, a brilliant dreamer who is trying to pursue his passion while being a responsible father and husband.
See below for scheduling, photos, and trailers for all 4 new CBS shows.
Catch CBS’ full Primetime Lineup, including returning favories Here.
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TRACKER
Premieres after the Super Bowl 2024 (Sun. Feb 11)
Tracker stars Justin Hartley as Colter Shaw, a lone-wolf survivalist who roams the country as a “reward seeker,” using his expert tracking skills to help private citizens and law enforcement solve all manner of mysteries while contending with his own fractured family. The series is based on the bestselling novel The Never Game by Jeffery Deaver.
Tracker also stars Fiona Rene as Reenie, Robin Weigert as Teddi, Abby McEnany as Velma and Eric Graise as Bobby.
Hartley, Ken Olin, Ben Winters, Hilary Weisman Graham and Jeffrey Deaver are executive producers.
Olin directed the pilot from a script written by Winters.
The series is produced by Twentieth Television.
ELSBETH
Thursdays, 10:00-11:00 PM
Elsbeth stars Carrie Preston (The Good Wife) as Elsbeth Tascioni, an astute but unconventional attorney who, after her successful career in Chicago, utilizes her singular point of view to make unique observations and corner brilliant criminals alongside the NYPD. Based on the character featured in The Good Wife and The Good Fight.
ELSBETH also stars Wendell Pierce as Captain C.W. Wagner and Carra Patterson as Officer Kaya Blanke.
Robert King, Michelle King, Liz Glotzer and Jonathan Tolins are executive producers. Tolins will serve as showrunner.
Robert King directed the pilot from a script he wrote with Michelle King.
The series is produced by CBS Studios.
MATLOCK
Sundays, 8:00-9:00 PM
Matlock stars Kathy Bates as the brilliant septuagenarian Madeline “Matty” Matlock, who achieved success in her younger years, and decides to rejoin the workforce at a prestigious law firm where she uses her unassuming demeanor and wily tactics to win cases and expose corruption from within.
Inspired by the classic television series of the same name.
Matlock also stars Skye P. Marshall as Olympia, Jason Ritter as Julian, David Del Rio as Billy and Leah Lewis as Sarah.
Bates, Jennie Snyder Urman, Joanna Klein, Eric Christian Olsen and John Will are executive producers.
Kat Coiro directed the pilot from a script written by Urman.
The series is produced by CBS Studios.
POPPA’S HOUSE
Mid-Season
Poppa’s House, starring Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr., features Wayans as legendary talk radio host and happily divorced “Poppa” who has his point of view challenged at work when a new female co-host (Essence Atkins) is hired, and at home where he finds himself still parenting his adult son (Damon Wayans Jr.), a brilliant dreamer who is trying to pursue his passion while being a responsible father and husband.
Poppa’s House also stars Essence Atkins as Ivy and Tetona Jackson as Nina.
Wayans and Kevin Hench are executive producers.
Andy Ackerman directed the pilot from a script written by Hench and Wayans.
The series is produced by CBS Studios.
