NBC sets November return for 'This Is Us,' 'Chicago' dramas

LOS ANGELES (AP) - An optimistic NBC said Thursday it will bring 'œThis Is Us'ť and other scripted series back in November despite the TV industry's coronavirus-caused production shutdown that's only beginning to ease.

Broadcast TV's usual robust September start to the new season has already bowed to the pandemic, with NBC and other networks relying heavily on reality and acquired series that month.

'œThis Is Us,'ť the family drama starring Mandy Moore and Milo Ventimiglia, will kick off its fifth season on Nov. 10, the network said.

That will be followed by the Nov. 11 return of the 'œChicago'ť drama franchise: 'œChicago Fire,'ť 'œChicago P.D.'ť and 'œChicago Med.'ť

The Mariska Hargitay-led 'œLaw & Order: SVU'ť will start its record-building 22nd season on Nov. 12, followed by 'ťThe Blacklist," starring James Spader and Megan Boone, on Nov. 13.

'œConnecting,'ť a new comedy about friends using video chats to remain bonded despite pandemic isolation, will debut Oct. 1. It's the only one of NBC's planned scripted shows in production.

Singing contest 'œThe Voice'ť and coaches Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani will be back at work on Oct. 19, with comedy series "Superstore'ť set for Oct. 22.

Early fall will be home to "Transplant,'ť a drama imported from Canada that debuts Sept. 1, and the competition series 'œAmerican Ninja Warrior,'ť back on Sept. 7.

'œWeakest Link,'ť with Jane Lynch as host of a new version of the original British series debuting Sept. 28, and the Oct. 6 return of Ellen DeGeneres' 'œEllen's Game of Games.'ť

The returning NBC series set to air after Jan. 1 include 'œBrooklyn Nine-Nine,'ť 'œGood Girls,'ť 'œMaking It,'ť 'œManifest,'ť 'œNew Amsterdam'ť and 'œZoey's Extraordinary Playlist.'ť

With the exception of 'œThe Voice'ť and 'œNBC Sunday Night Football,'ť which plans a Sept. 10 return, all series will be available on new streaming service Peacock after airing on NBC.