The CW Announces 2020-2021 Primetime Schedule: More Superheroes, More Dramas, ‘Supernatural’ Finale

With most of the world shut down thanks to coronavirus, different broadcast networks are dealing in different ways. Some, like FOX, are packing their fall schedules with imports from other networks, animation and reality shows. Others, like NBC, are just not announcing anything at the current time. And then there’s The CW, which just announced its 2020-2021 primetime schedule, and it’s essentially splitting the difference: the Fall schedule will be packed with reality shows, acquired series and the finale of Supernatural; while favorites like Riverdale and The Flash, as well as new series like Superman & Lois and Walker, won’t debut until January, 2021.

Like most other networks, The CW has had to abruptly stop most of their ongoing series in progress. Though some, like Katy Keene, were able to finish their 13 episode order in time, others ended abruptly, or didn’t continue at all. Riverdale aired 19 out of its planned 22 episodes, shifting the final three to the beginning of Season 5Legacies also ended its second season at episode 16, planning on resuming with the ongoing plot at some point in the future.

Arguably hardest hit was the effects-heavy Supernatural, which stopped broadcasting towards the end of its highly anticipated final season on March 23. Unlike most of the rest of The CW’s slate, which had already been picked up for an additional season much earlier in the year, Supernatural was in the final laps of a much anticipated victory tour, wrapping up 15 years of monster hunting before the cast moved on to new projects. That includes co-star Jared Padalecki, whose Walker, Texas Ranger reboot — simply titled Walker — was already picked up by The CW, further complicating matters.

However, as mentioned, despite the coronavirus shutdown most of The CW’s lineup is steady. Back on January 7, the network renewed 13 of its series: Riverdale (Season 5), Nancy Drew (Season 2), The Flash (Season 7), Batwoman (Season 2), Supergirl (Season 6), Black Lightning (Season 4), DC’s Legends of Tomorrow (Season 6), All American (Season 3), Charmed (Season 3), Roswell, New Mexico (Season 3), Legacies (Season 3), In The Dark (Season 3), and Dynasty (Season 4).

The returning slate will be joined by new series: a Kung Fu reboot, starring Legacies alum Olivia Liang; new drama The Republic of Sarah, about a town that declares itself an independent country; the aforementioned Walker; and Superman & Lois, an Arrow-verse spinoff starring Tyler Hoechlin and Bitsie Tulloch as the iconic duo, now dealing with two teens.

Other series on the potential docket include: a The 100 prequel series (the prior show is ending its run this summer); Arrow spinoff Green Arrow and the Canaries; and a second season of Katy Keene. No decision has been made about those three at the current time. Two other series, The Lost Boys and Maverick, will be evaluated at a later date.

With all that in mind, The CW is essentially banking its “new” season until January, 2021; while Fall will rely on returning series, acquired series and unscripted originals — including the long awaited finale of Supernatural, with seven new episodes including its series finale. Five have been filmed, and two will be completed, with the Walker production coordinating with Supernatural to allow Padalecki to return.

“This year, The CW has made the proactive strategic decision to launch its new season in January 2021, rolling out a line-up of our signature returning series which will be joined next year by our four new series, including the return of the DC’s most iconic superhero in Superman & Lois, the return of the Texas Rangers in Walker, the reimagined Kung Fu and the rebellious drama The Republic of Sarah. And by moving our new season to January, we are stocking our fall with a balance of original and acquired scripted series and alternative programming that fits The CW brand and provides fresh programming through the fourth quarter,” said Mark Pedowitz, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The CW via press release. “In 2021, The CW will have more original scripted programming throughout the year, week in and week out, than we have ever had, fueling our multiplatform ecosystem, which combines linear TV, our best in class AVOD services and unparalleled reach on social media. Additionally, next year, The CW will have full stacking rights to eight series to stream on our free, ad-supported digital platforms.

“As we manage the current crisis, we’ve developed a methodical programming strategy for this year and well in to next that we believe works for The CW, our advertisers, affiliates and audience, while keeping the health and safety of our productions and creative partners front of mind.”

Pedowitz noted on a phone call with press and advertisers that though this is the current plan, there is no specific date for a return to filming for any series, meaning they felt January would be safest — but things may still change.

Here’s the full January, 2021 CW TV show primetime schedule — with exact premiere dates to be announced at a later date:

Sunday
8/7c: Batwoman
9/8c: Charmed (New Night)

Monday
8/7c: All American
9/8c: Black Lightning

Tuesday
8/7c: The Flash
9/8c: Superman & Lois

Wednesday
8/7c: Riverdale
9/8c: Nancy Drew

Thursday
8/7c: Walker
9/8c: Legacies

Friday
8/7c: Penn & Teller: Fool Us
9/8c: Whose Line Is It Anyway (Back to back episodes)

No dates have been announced yet for new seasons of Supergirl, Roswell, New MexicoDC’s Legends of TomorrowDynasty, or In The Dark, though expect them to debut later in 2021. Also of note? These will be regular seasons of these shows, meaning 22 episode orders for some, 13 episode orders for others.

Meanwhile, here’s what to expect from the Fall:

Sunday
8/7c: Masters of Illusion (Back to back episodes)
9/8c: Pandora

Monday
8/7c: Whose Line Is It Anyway? (Back to back episodes)
9/8c: Penn & Teller: Fool Us

Tuesday
8/7c: Swamp Thing
9/8c: Tell Me A Story

Wednesday
8/7c: Two Sentence Horror Stories
8:30/7:30c: Dead Pixels
9/8c: Coroner

Thursday
8/7c: Supernatural
9/8c: The Outpost

Friday
8/7c: World’s Funniest Animals (Back to Back episodes)
9/8c: Penn & Teller: Fool Us (Encore)

And here’s descriptions of the new shows, via The CW:

Superman & Lois: In Superman & Lois, after years of facing megalomaniacal supervillains, monsters wreaking havoc on Metropolis, and alien invaders intent on wiping out the human race, the world’s most famous superhero, The Man of Steel aka Clark Kent (Tyler Hoechlin, Teen Wolf) and comic books’ most famous journalist, Lois Lane (Elizabeth Tulloch, Grimm), come face to face with one of their greatest challenges ever – dealing with all the stress, pressures and complexities that come with being working parents in today’s society. Complicating the already daunting job of raising two boys, Clark and Lois must also concern themselves with whether or not their sons Jonathan (Jordan Elsass, Little Fires Everywhere) and Jordan (Alexander Garfin, The Peanuts Movie) could inherit their father’s Kryptonian superpowers as they grow older. Returning to Smallville to handle some Kent family business, Clark and Lois are reacquainted with Lana Lang (Emmanuelle Chriqui, Entourage), a local loan officer who also happens to be Clark’s first love, and her Fire Chief husband Kyle Cushing (Erik Valdez, “Graceland”). The adults aren’t the only ones rediscovering old friendships in Smallville as the Kent sons are reacquainted with Lana and Kyle’s rebellious daughter, Sarah (Inde Navarrette, Wander Darkly). Of course, there’s never a dull moment in the life of a superhero, especially with Lois’ father, General Samuel Lane (Dylan Walsh, Nip/Tuck) looking for Superman to vanquish a villain or save the day at a moment’s notice. Meanwhile, Superman and Lois’ return to idyllic Smallville is set to be upended when a mysterious stranger (Wolé Parks, All American) enters their lives. Based on the characters from DC created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, Superman & Lois is written and executive produced by Todd Helbing (The Flash) and executive produced by Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Geoff Johns. The series is from Berlanti Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television.

Walker: Walker, a reimagining of the long-running series Walker, Texas Ranger, stars Jared Padalecki (Supernatural) as Cordell Walker, a widower and father of two with his own moral code, who returns home to Austin after being undercover for two years, only to discover there’s harder work to be done at home. He’ll attempt to reconnect with his creative and thoughtful son (Kale Culley, Me, Myself and I) and his headstrong, somewhat rebellious teenaged daughter (Violet Brinson, Sharp Objects) and navigate clashes with his family – an ADA brother (Keegan Allen, Pretty Little Liars) who stepped in during Walker’s absence, his perceptive mother (Molly Hagen, “Herman’s Head”) and his traditional rancher father (Mitch Pileggi, The X-Files). Walker’s former colleague is now his Ranger Captain, (Coby Bell, “The Game”). Walker finds unexpected common ground with his new partner (one of the first women in Texas Rangers’ history) played by Lindsey Morgan (The 100), while growing increasingly suspicious about the circumstances surrounding his wife’s death. The show also stars Jeff Pierre as Trey Barnett. WALKER is written and executive produced by Anna Fricke (Being Human, Valor), and executive produced by Dan Lin and Lindsay Liberatore and Jared Padalecki. Walker is from CBS Television Studios in association with Rideback.

The Republic of Sarah: The bucolic tranquility of Greylock, New Hampshire is upended when a massive vein of coltan – an incredibly valuable mineral used in tech – is discovered under the town. State-backed mining company Lydon Industries swoops in with plans to extract the mineral … plans that include wiping Greylock off the map. With her friends and family in danger of losing their homes, rebellious high school teacher Sarah Cooper (Stella Baker) vows to stop Lydon’s bulldozers. It won’t be easy. Leading Lydon’s efforts is Sarah’s estranged brother, Danny Cooper (Luke Mitchell). After enduring a difficult childhood at the hands of his mother, former state senator Ellen Cooper (Megan Follows), Danny is eager to exact his revenge on a community he feels abandoned him. Sarah enlists her friends – fellow teacher Corinne Dearborn (Hope Lauren), police officer Amy “AJ” Johnson (Nia Holloway), and diner manager Grover Simms (Ian Duff) – in the fight against Danny, but there seems to be no way to stop the town’s impending demise … Until Sarah proposes an oddly intriguing solution: Greylock could declare independence. Citing various historical maps, she explains that the land on which Greylock sits was never properly claimed by the United States. If Sarah and her friends can convince the town to vote for independence, Greylock would gain international sovereignty and could protect its land for good. With the help of a group of supporters that includes three of her teenage students – LA transplant Maya Jimenez (Izabella Alvarez), introspective outsider Tyler Easterbrook (Forrest Goodluck), and preppy “popular girl” Bella Whitmore (Landry Bender) – Sarah and her friends win the vote. And after a federal judge agrees that Greylock isn’t – and never was – part of the United States, the town becomes a new nation. Now, Sarah and her allies must confront an even more daunting task: building a country from scratch. Executive Produced by Jeffrey Paul King (Elementary), Marc Webb (Why Women Kill), Mark Martin (Rendition), Jeff Grosvenor and Leo Pearlman, The Republic of Sarah is a production of CBS Television Studios in association with Fulwell 73 and Black Lamb.

Kung Fu: A quarter-life crisis causes a young Chinese-American woman, Nicky Shen (Olivia Liang), to drop out of college and go on a life-changing journey to an isolated monastery in China. But when she returns to San Francisco, she finds her hometown is overrun with crime and corruption and her own parents (Tzi Ma and Kheng Hua Tan) are at the mercy of a powerful Triad. Nicky will rely on her tech-savvy sister (Shannon Dang), pre-med brother (Jon Prasida), Assistant District Attorney and ex-boyfriend (Gavin Stenhouse), and new love interest (Eddie Liu) as well as her martial arts skills and Shaolin values to protect her community and bring criminals to justice … all while searching for the ruthless assassin (Gwendoline Yeo) who killed her Shaolin mentor and is now targeting her. Inspired by the original series created by Ed Spielman, Kung Fu is from Warner Bros. Television in association with Quinn’s House and Berlanti Productions, with writer/executive producer Christina M. Kim (Blindspot, Lost) and executive producers Martin Gero (Blindspot, LA Complex), Greg Berlanti (Arrow, The Flash, Riverdale) and Sarah Schechter (Arrow, The Flash, Riverdale).