Television moves fast. One minute you're getting comfortable with a new cast, and the next, the network has already pulled the plug because the "overnight numbers" weren't high enough. Honestly, keeping up with the new NBC shows 2025 slate has felt a bit like a full-time job lately. We've seen massive spin-offs like Suits L.A. come and go in the blink of an eye, while quirky mockumentaries are suddenly the network's new obsession.
If you’re confused about what’s actually worth your time, you aren't alone.
The Midseason Shakeup: What Actually Happened?
January 2025 started with a bang. NBC bet big on procedural dramas and high-concept reality. They brought us The Hunting Party, starring Melissa Roxburgh. You might remember her from Manifest. The show follows a small team of investigators chasing down elite killers who escaped from a secret prison. It’s basically Prison Break meets The Fugitive. It actually did well enough to nab a second season renewal, which is a rarity these days.
Then things got weird.
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February 23, 2025, was supposed to be the "Golden Sunday" for the network. They launched two of their most anticipated scripted series: Suits L.A. and Grosse Pointe Garden Society.
The Suits L.A. Experiment
Everyone wanted Suits L.A. to be the next big thing. Aaron Korsh was back at the helm, and Stephen Amell was lead. It had the snappy dialogue. It had the sleek suits. But by May 2025, it was cancelled. It turns out that recreating the lightning-in-a-bottle chemistry of the original New York crew is harder than it looks. Fans felt it lacked the "soul" of the Meghan Markle/Patrick J. Adams era. It’s a tough lesson in brand loyalty.
Murder in the Garden
Grosse Pointe Garden Society followed a similar fate, unfortunately. Created by the minds behind Good Girls, it was a soapy, dark comedy about suburban gardeners covering up a murder. Melissa Fumero and Aja Naomi King were fantastic, but the "desperate housewives with shovels" vibe didn't stick. Cancelled by June. It’s a shame, because the twists were actually pretty sharp.
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The 2025 Fall Lineup: Comedy is King
As we moved into the latter half of the year, the vibe shifted. NBC leaned heavily into comedies.
St. Denis Medical became the new anchor. It’s a mockumentary set in an underfunded Oregon hospital. Think The Office but with more stethoscopes and less paper. Wendi McLendon-Covey plays the chaotic executive director, Joyce, and she is a delight to watch. Season 2 kicked off on November 3, 2025, and it’s clearly the show NBC wants to build its comedy block around.
Then there’s The Paper.
This is an interesting one. It’s a spin-off of The Office universe, following the documentary crew that filmed Dunder Mifflin as they try to save a dying Midwestern newspaper. Domhnall Gleeson leads the cast. It made its broadcast debut on November 10, 2025. It feels familiar, yet totally different.
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- Stumble: A mockumentary about junior college cheerleading. Taran Killam stars as a football coach married to the cheer coach (Jenn Lyon). It’s ridiculous and high-energy.
- Happy’s Place: Reba McEntire is back! She plays Bobbie, a woman who inherits a tavern and finds out she has a half-sister she never knew about. It’s classic multicam sitcom comfort food.
Reality Gets a Dark Makeover
If you’re tired of people dating on islands, Destination X might be your new favorite thing. Jeffrey Dean Morgan hosts this geo-guessing contest. Contestants travel across Europe in a blacked-out bus. They have no idea where they are. They have to use clues and observation to guess their location. The person furthest from the "X" gets the boot.
It premiered May 27, 2025, and featured some reality TV royalty like Josh Martinez and Peter Weber. It’s tense. It’s smart. It actually makes you feel like you’re learning something about geography while watching people have meltdowns.
Why the Schedule Keeps Changing
You’ve probably noticed that your favorite show isn't always on when it’s supposed to be. NBC has been aggressively moving things around to compete with Amazon and Netflix. For example, The Hunting Party was originally a mid-week show but got moved to Sundays to capitalize on the NFL playoff audience.
The "One Chicago" block (Med, Fire, P.D.) remains the most stable thing on television. Those shows aren't going anywhere. They are the bedrock. But for the new NBC shows 2025, the leash is much shorter. If a show doesn't perform in its first six weeks, the network is likely to pull it or move it to Peacock.
Actionable Insights for TV Fans
- Check Peacock first: Many of these "new" shows actually debut their episodes or extended cuts on Peacock a day early. If you miss a Monday night premiere, don't panic.
- Don't get attached to midseason dramas: As we saw with Suits L.A., high-budget dramas are on thin ice. If you love a show, watch it live or within 24 hours to help the ratings.
- Follow the showrunners: If you liked Grosse Pointe Garden Society, keep an eye on Jenna Bans. These creators usually have "overall deals," meaning their next project will likely land on the same network.
Television in 2025 is about finding the "vibe" that sticks. Whether it's the heart of Reba's new tavern or the absurdity of a cheerleading mockumentary, the 2025 slate proves that NBC is willing to take risks, even if they don't always pay off.