Alan Cumming gives ‘Instinct’ panache

Broadcasters roll out new models of the star vehicle and the ensemble drama this week.

“Instinct,” the star series, is sturdier and more promising than “Station 19,” the ensemble piece that is a “Grey’s Anatomy” spinoff and knockoff.

“Instinct,” which debuts Sunday on CBS, has a dynamic star in Alan Cumming (“The Good Wife”). He brings panache to playing Dylan Reinhart, a former CIA operative turned college professor and bestselling author. Struggling to deliver a book, he tells his editor (Whoopi Goldberg), “My mojo retired to Boca.”

He gets it back when NYPD detective Lizzie Needham (Bojana Novakovic) seeks his help. Nicknamed “Professor Psycho,” Dylan demonstrates his Sherlockstyle flair at sleuthing and becomes her partner.

With mischievous charm, Cumming freshens a premise familiar from “The Mentalist,” “Castle” and “Elementary.” He is a showman whether entertaining classes or confronting crooks. He displays surprising empathy, too. Dylan says wrongdoers are marked by their histories. “Instinct” slowly and cleverly reveals that’s true of him and Lizzie.

Dylan and determined Lizzie are more intriguing than the cases, which still have unusual wrinkles for a CBS procedural. A serial killer leaves playing cards behind. A vengeful murderer puts victims on display. A subway attack signals more crimes.

“Instinct,” based on a James Patterson novel, has other assets: New York locales, Naveen Andrews as a surveillance expert and Daniel Ings as Andy, Dylan’s husband. Dylan and Andy show affection matter-offactly, something new for a CBS star vehicle.

“Station 19,” arriving Thursday on ABC, focuses on a Seattle firehouse. The action scenes are more gripping than the characters, who deal with office politics, romantic complications and petty arguments. A health crisis shakes the team and threatens the most interesting character.

“Grey’s Anatomy” gives the run-of-the-mill premiere a boost. Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) comforts new heroine Andy Herrera (Jaina Lee Ortiz). Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) advises new fireman Ben Warren (Jason George): “The only way to prove you’re any good is to just be good.” “Station 19” has a lot of proving to do. Tonight, 9 Monday, 8 p.m. Wednesday, 9 p.m.