NBC queues ‘Us,’ ‘must see’ for fall

NBC has big plans for this season’s breakout drama hit

This Is Us. Not only has the series been renewed for two more seasons, but the network is shifting it to a key 9 p.m. ET/PT slot Thursday night and will air it following the Super Bowl on Feb. 4.

The moves are part of a new schedule that will add five dramas and three new comedies, but as with last year, only three fall newcomers: A 12-episode revival of hit comedy Will & Grace, also on Thursdays; The Brave, a drama about undercover military heroes starring Mike Vogel and Anne Heche, which gets the post- Voice slot on Mondays; and Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez

Murders, tracking the true story of Los Angeles brothers who killed their parents. Set to follow Will & Grace, Great News and Us on Thursdays, it’s part of what NBC Entertainment chief Robert Greenblatt called an attempted “return of must-see TV” as a promotional hook.

NBC also renewed Taken, moving to Fridays, and firstyear comedies The Good Place and Great News. Also back: Timeless, a time-travel fantasy (and the top pick in USA TODAY’s Save Our Shows survey), that could return as early as next spring. Cancellations included Powerless, Grimm, Emerald City and The Blacklist: Redemption. But NBC says there’s a chance that Trial & Error and Chicago Justice, the newest in Dick Wolf ’s Windy City franchise, could return later. Among other schedule changes, The Blacklist will shift to Wednesdays and Blindspot also will move to Fridays.