Fox is in a weird spot. Honestly, since the Disney merger, the network has had to redefine what a "Fox show" even looks like without a massive movie studio attached to its hip. They’ve leaned hard into unscripted chaos and high-concept dramas that feel like they belong in the early 2000s—in a good way. If you’ve been looking for a new series on Fox, you’ve probably noticed they aren't trying to be HBO. They want you leaning forward, shouting at the screen, or at least mildly stressed out by a ticking clock.
It’s about the "Urgency Era."
That's what some industry analysts call it. Michael Thorn, Fox's President of Scripted Programming, has been pretty vocal about finding shows that have a "live" feel even when they're recorded. This year’s slate is heavy on procedural hooks and massive IP revivals. We’re seeing a shift away from the quiet, prestige dramas that dominate streaming and a return to the "watercooler" moment.
The Rescue High: Why Rescue: HI-Surf is the New Anchor
Let’s talk about the big fish first. Rescue: HI-Surf isn’t just another lifeguard show. It’s basically the centerpiece of the new series on Fox strategy. Created by Matt Kester and executive produced by John Wells—the guy who gave us ER and The West Wing—this show is banking on the "Hawaii factor." But it’s not Baywatch. It’s gritty. Or as gritty as a primetime broadcast show about people in swimsuits can be.
The show follows heavy-water lifeguards who patrol the North Shore of Oahu. This is arguably the most dangerous stretch of coastline in the world.
Think about it.
The waves hit 50 feet. People die. The show focuses on the "First Responders of the Ocean," and it’s meant to fill that massive hole left by 9-1-1 when it jumped ship to ABC. Fox needed a procedural hit. They needed it bad. Starring Robbie Magasiva and Arielle Kebbel, the series balances the episodic "save of the week" with longer arcs about the physical toll of being a professional athlete who also has to pull bodies out of a coral reef. It’s loud, fast, and exactly what Fox wants for its Monday night block.
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Murder in a Small Town: The Anti-Procedural?
Then you have Murder in a Small Town. This one feels different. It’s based on the Karl Alberg novels by L.R. Wright. It’s filmed in British Columbia and stars Rossif Sutherland and Kristin Kreuk. Unlike the frantic pace of the Hawaii surf, this show breathes. It’s moody.
Karl Alberg is a big-city cop who moves to a quiet coastal town to escape the "meat grinder" of urban crime. But, because it’s a TV show, he finds out this "quiet" town is actually teeming with secrets. It’s classic noir. Some critics might call it "comfort TV," but there’s a sharp edge to the writing that keeps it from being too sleepy. It’s a co-production with international partners, which is a smart business move Fox is using to keep costs down while keeping production values high.
The Return of the Medical Drama with Doc
Everyone misses House. Fox knows this. They’ve been trying to replicate that lightning-in-a-bottle success for a decade. Enter Doc.
Doc is an adaptation of a massively popular Italian series called Nelle tue mani. It stars Molly Parker as Dr. Amy Elias. The premise is a bit of a wild ride: after a brain injury, she loses the last eight years of her memory. She doesn't remember her patients, her colleagues, or the fact that she’s divorced.
Basically, she has to re-learn how to be a doctor while being a "rookie" in her own life.
It’s a fascinating concept because it flips the "arrogant doctor" trope on its head. Usually, the lead is a genius who knows everything. Amy Elias knows everything about medicine from a decade ago, but she's a stranger to the modern world and her own family. It’s slated as a midseason replacement, which is often where Fox hides its experimental gems.
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The Animation Domination Evolution
You can't talk about a new series on Fox without looking at Sunday nights. Animation Domination is the network's soul. While The Simpsons and Family Guy are the immortal gods of the lineup, Universal Basic Guys is the new kid on the block.
Created by Adam and Craig Malamut, it’s a show about two brothers, Mark and Hank Hoagies, who lose their jobs to automation and start receiving $3,000 a month in basic income. It’s a very "2024-2026" premise. It deals with the ego of the American male when he’s suddenly "useless" to the workforce. It’s crude, yes, but it’s biting social commentary disguised as a cartoon about guys in New Jersey.
- Universal Basic Guys: Already renewed for a second season before the first even premiered.
- Grimsburg: Jon Hamm voicing a detective in a creepy town. It’s weird, niche, and somehow survived the first-season jitters.
- Krapopolis: Dan Harmon’s Greek mythology epic that uses blockchain tech in its backend—though most viewers just like it because it’s funny and cynical.
Reality TV: The Chaos Engine
Fox has leaned into what they call "unscripted event programming." The Floor with Rob Lowe is a perfect example. It’s simple. It’s addictive. It’s basically a giant board game played by real people.
But the real curiosity is Extraction. No, not the Chris Hemsworth movie. This is a high-stakes reality competition where people are "dropped" into hostile environments and have to make it to an extraction point. It’s survivalist TV with a massive budget. Fox is leaning into the idea that we want to see people stressed out in real-time. It’s why Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test continues to do well. There’s no house to live in, no dating, just pure endurance.
The Misconception of "Dead" Network TV
A lot of people think network TV is dead. They think everyone has moved to Netflix or Apple TV+. That’s not entirely true. Broadcast networks like Fox still command the largest "single-moment" audiences. When a new series on Fox launches after an NFL game, it gets more eyeballs in one hour than many streaming shows get in a month.
The strategy has shifted. Fox isn't trying to make Succession. They are trying to make shows that you can watch while folding laundry, but that also make you stop and look at the screen when the "big moment" happens.
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What to Watch and When: A Quick Breakdown
Getting a handle on the schedule is a nightmare because Fox loves "stunting." They move things around based on sports. But generally, the heavy hitters are on Monday and Tuesday.
Monday is the "Adrenaline Block." Rescue: HI-Surf leads the charge.
Tuesday is for the "Smart Procedural." This is where Accused (the anthology series) and Alert: Missing Persons Unit live.
If you want something darker, Accused is actually one of the best things on television right now. Each episode is a standalone trial. You start in the courtroom and work backward to see how the person got there. It’s morally gray. It doesn't always have a happy ending. Honestly, it’s some of the best writing Fox has produced in years because it forces the audience to ask, "What would I do in that situation?"
Actionable Insights for the Savvy Viewer
If you’re looking to dive into the current Fox lineup, don't just channel flip. Here is how to actually get the most out of the "New Fox" experience:
- Utilize the "Post-Game" Bump: Fox often premieres its biggest shows (like Rescue: HI-Surf) immediately following NFL doubleheaders. This is when the production value is highest and the network is "flexing." If a show premieres here, it’s their top priority.
- Watch "Accused" for the Guest Stars: Because it’s an anthology, they pull in massive talent like Michael Chiklis, Billy Porter, and Keith Carradine. You don't need to watch the whole season; you can cherry-pick the episodes based on the actors you like.
- Check the Hulu/Tubi Connection: Fox doesn't have its own massive "Plus" streaming service (like Disney+). Most of their new series land on Hulu the next day, but they are also increasingly putting older episodes of new hits on Tubi for free. If you missed the start of Universal Basic Guys, check Tubi before paying for a subscription elsewhere.
- Pay Attention to Midseason: Fox often saves its "weirdest" shows for January and February. Doc is a midseason play. These shows often have more creative freedom because there’s less pressure from the fall advertisers.
The current slate of new series on Fox proves that the network is leaning into its strengths: high-stakes drama, animated satire, and visceral reality TV. They aren't trying to change the world; they're trying to keep you from changing the channel. Whether it's the 50-foot waves of Hawaii or the moral dilemmas of a courtroom, the 2025-2026 season is built on the idea that broadcast TV should be an event.
Keep an eye on the schedule shifts as we move into the spring. Fox is notorious for "burning off" shows that don't hit immediately, but they are also surprisingly loyal to their animated hits. If you find a show you love, watch it live or on a verified platform within the first three days—that "L+3" rating is the only thing keeping your favorite shows on the air in this landscape.