Mid-Season Replacement Drama TV Series
by urbanemovies | created - 19 Mar 2016 | updated - 06 Feb 2023 | PublicA mid-season replacement TV series is a show that takes the place of another cancelled show due to poor ratings or some other reason between December and May. These shows are often second stringers that didn't make the fall line-up. Networks are hopeful they will catch on, but often their role is to hold on until the roll-out of the new fall line-up. Every once in a while, networks catch lightning in a bottle and these fill-ins become wildly successful, anchoring the network's lineup for years and spawning multiple spin-offs.
Which of these select mid-season replacement drama TV series* best filled its role as a fill-in and more? * minimum four plus seasons with December through May premiere
Vote in the companion poll: Mid-Season Replacement Comedy TV Series
Discuss the topic here.
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1. Grey's Anatomy (2005– )
TV-14 | 41 min | Drama, Romance
A drama centered on the personal and professional lives of five surgical interns and their supervisors.
Stars: Ellen Pompeo, Chandra Wilson, James Pickens Jr., Justin Chambers
Votes: 342,045
Aired 27 March 2005, 19+ seasons and 406+ episodes, 2 related spin-off and 2 international remakes
2. Castle (2009–2016)
TV-14 | 43 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama
When a psychopath commits murders based on novelist Castle's books, Detective Beckett seeks his help to solve the case. He decides to work with her and uses his experiences as research for his novels.
Stars: Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic, Susan Sullivan, Jon Huertas
Votes: 174,455
Aired 9 March 2009, 8 seasons and 173 episodes
3. Scandal (2012–2018)
TV-14 | 43 min | Drama, Thriller
A former White House Communications Director starts her own crisis management firm only to realize her clients are not the only ones with secrets.
Stars: Kerry Washington, Darby Stanchfield, Katie Lowes, Guillermo Diaz
Votes: 79,738
Aired 5 April 2012, 7 seasons and 124 episodes
4. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)
TV-14 | 44 min | Action, Drama, Fantasy
A young woman, destined to slay vampires, demons and other infernal creatures, deals with her life fighting evil, with the help of her friends.
Stars: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Anthony Head
Votes: 159,834
Aired 10 March 1997, 7 seasons and 145 episodes and 1 related spin-off
5. JAG (1995–2005)
TV-14 | 60 min | Action, Crime, Drama
The cases of Harmon Rabb, former Navy fighter pilot, and his fellow lawyers of the U.S. Navy's Judge Advocate General's office.
Stars: David James Elliott, Catherine Bell, Patrick Labyorteaux, John M. Jackson
Votes: 20,018
Aired 17 January 1997 (*originally aired on NBC),10 seasons and 227 episodes and 3 related spin-offs
6. Dallas (1978–1991)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama, Romance
J.R. Ewing, a Texas oil baron, uses manipulation and blackmail to achieve his ambitions, both business and personal. He often comes into conflict with his brother Bobby, his arch-enemy Cliff Barnes and his long-suffering wife Sue Ellen.
Stars: Larry Hagman, Ken Kercheval, Patrick Duffy, Linda Gray
Votes: 16,595
Aired 2 April 1978, 5 part mini-series that became a show, 14 seasons and 356 episodes and 1 related spin-offs and 4 continuation series
7. Falcon Crest (1981–1990)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama, Romance
Set in the vineyards of California, this prime-time soap opera presented the conflict in the powerful Gioberti family, owners of the vast Falcon Crest Winery.
Stars: Jane Wyman, Lorenzo Lamas, Chao Li Chi, David Selby
Votes: 4,277
Aired 4 December 1981, 9 seasons and 227 episodes
8. Walker, Texas Ranger (1993–2001)
TV-PG | 43 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
Cordell Walker and his partner, James Trivette, are Texas Rangers. They make it their business to battle crime in Dallas and all around the state of Texas.
Stars: Chuck Norris, Clarence Gilyard Jr., Sheree J. Wilson, Noble Willingham
Votes: 18,863
Aired 21 April 1993, 8 seasons and 203 episodes
9. Barnaby Jones (1973–1980)
60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Private eye Barnaby Jones works with his widowed daughter-in-law to solve cases.
Stars: Buddy Ebsen, Lee Meriwether, Mark Shera, John Carter
Votes: 3,146
Aired 28 January 1973, 8 seasons and 178 episodes
10. The Practice (1997–2004)
TV-14 | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
We follow the exploits and cases of defense attorneys of a Boston law firm. Bobby Donnell is the senior defense attorney and founder of the firm.
Stars: Dylan McDermott, Kelli Williams, Lara Flynn Boyle, Steve Harris
Votes: 10,429
Aired 4 March 1997, 8 seasons and 168 episodes and 1 related spin-off
11. Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (1993–1998)
TV-G | 60 min | Drama, Family, Western
The trials and adventures of a female doctor in a small Wild West town.
Stars: Jane Seymour, Joe Lando, Shawn Toovey, Chad Allen
Votes: 13,734
Aired 01 January 1993, 6 seasons and 149 episodes
12. Hill Street Blues (1981–1987)
TV-14 | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
The lives and work of the staff of an inner city police precinct.
Stars: Daniel J. Travanti, Michael Warren, Bruce Weitz, James Sikking
Votes: 10,576
Aired 17 January 1981, 7 seasons and 144 episodes and 1 related spin-off
13. Medium (2005–2011)
TV-14 | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Fantasy
Suburban mom Allison DuBois attempts to balance family life with solving mysteries using her special gift. The dead send her visions of their deaths or other crimes while she sleeps.
Stars: Patricia Arquette, Miguel Sandoval, Jake Weber, Sofia Vassilieva
Votes: 31,134
Aired 3 January 2005, 7 seasons and 130 episodes
14. Emergency! (1972–1979)
TV-G | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
The crew of Los Angeles County Fire Department Station 51, particularly the paramedic team, and Rampart Hospital respond to emergencies in their operating area.
Stars: Randolph Mantooth, Kevin Tighe, Julie London, Bobby Troup
Votes: 6,066
Aired 15 January 1972, 7 seasons and 129 episodes and 1 related spin-off
15. Dawson's Creek (1998–2003)
TV-14 | 60 min | Drama, Romance
Two childhood best friends, Dawson and Joey, go through different stages of adolescence together. Their friendship is later tested when they both start a relationship with different people.
Stars: James Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams, Joshua Jackson
Votes: 44,677
Aired 20 January 1998, 6 seasons and 128 episodes and 1 related spin-off
16. Numb3rs (2005–2010)
TV-PG | 43 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Working for the F.B.I., a mathematician uses equations to help solve various crimes.
Stars: Rob Morrow, David Krumholtz, Judd Hirsch, Alimi Ballard
Votes: 45,762
Aired 23 January 2005, 6 seasons and 118 episodes
17. Nash Bridges (1996–2001)
TV-14 | 60 min | Action, Crime, Drama
A smart alecky San Francisco, California cop and his get rich quick scheme of a partner keep tabs on crime and take down the bad guys in the Bay Area.
Stars: Don Johnson, Cheech Marin, Jodi Lyn O'Keefe, Jeff Perry
Votes: 8,106
Aired 29 March 1996, 6 seasons and 122 episodes
18. The Six Million Dollar Man (1974–1978)
TV-14 | 60 min | Action, Crime, Drama
After a severely injured test pilot is rebuilt with nuclear-powered bionic limbs and implants, he serves as an intelligence agent.
Stars: Lee Majors, Richard Anderson, Martin E. Brooks, Lindsay Wagner
Votes: 12,968
Aired 18 January 1974, 5 seasons and 112 episodes and 1 related spin-off
19. Parenthood (2010–2015)
TV-PG | 60 min | Comedy, Drama
The lives and tragedies of the Braverman family tree.
Stars: Peter Krause, Lauren Graham, Dax Shepard, Monica Potter
Votes: 37,574
Aired 2 March 2010, 6 seasons and 103 episodes
20. Quantum Leap (1989–1993)
TV-PG | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
During an experiment into time travel, a scientist finds himself trapped in the past, "leaping" into the lives of different people, sorting out their problems and changing history in hopes of getting back to his own life in the present.
Stars: Scott Bakula, Dean Stockwell, Deborah Pratt, Dennis Wolfberg
Votes: 36,494
Aired 26 March 1989, 5 seasons and 97 episodes and 1 reboot
21. Dynasty (1981–1989)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama, Romance
The trials and tribulations of two feuding families, the Carringtons and the Colbys, both oil rich families in Denver, Colorado.
Stars: John Forsythe, Linda Evans, Joan Collins, Gordon Thomson
Votes: 8,473
Aired 12 January 1981, 9 seasons and 217 episodes and 3 reunion movies and 1 related spin-off
22. The Unit (2006–2009)
TV-PG | 60 min | Action, Drama, Thriller
A secret US military group conducts covert operations across the world, facing several life-threatening situations during their missions.
Stars: Dennis Haysbert, Regina Taylor, Audrey Marie Anderson, Robert Patrick
Votes: 23,139
Aired 7 March 2006, 4 seasons and 70 episodes
23. The 100 (2014–2020)
TV-14 | 43 min | Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Set 97 years after a nuclear war destroyed civilization, when a spaceship housing humanity's lone survivors sends 100 juvenile delinquents back to Earth, hoping to repopulate the planet.
Stars: Eliza Taylor, Bob Morley, Marie Avgeropoulos, Isaiah Washington
Votes: 276,305
Aired 19 March 2014, 7 seasons and 100 episodes
added 10 April 2021
24. Empire (2015–2020)
TV-14 | 42 min | Drama, Music
A hip-hop mogul must choose a successor among his three sons who are battling for control over his multi-million dollar company, while his ex-wife schemes to reclaim what is hers.
Stars: Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson, Jussie Smollett, Bryshere Y. Gray
Votes: 41,066
Aired 07 January 2015, 6 seasons and 102 episodes
added 10 April 2021
25. Chicago P.D. (2014– )
TV-14 | 43 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Follows District 21 of the Chicago Police Department, made up of two different groups: the uniformed cops and the Intelligence Unit.
Stars: Jason Beghe, Patrick John Flueger, Marina Squerciati, LaRoyce Hawkins
Votes: 44,930
Aired 18 January 2014, 8+ seasons and 159+ episodes and 1 related spin-off
added 10 April 2021 (still on-air)
26. Twin Peaks (1990–1991)
TV-MA | 50 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
An idiosyncratic FBI agent investigates the murder of a young woman in the even more idiosyncratic town of Twin Peaks.
Stars: Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean, Mädchen Amick, Dana Ashbrook
Votes: 215,562
Aired 08 April 1990, 3 seasons and 48 episodes and 1 related TV movie
added 10 April 2021 (due to its influence on TV and pop culture, critical acclaim, and its stature on one the greatest TV ever)
27. Eight Is Enough (1977–1981)
TV-PG | 60 min | Comedy, Drama, Family
This comedy drama focused on a family with eight very independent children.
Stars: Dick Van Patten, Lani O'Grady, Connie Needham, Susan Richardson
Votes: 3,813
Aired 15 March 1977, 5 seasons and 112 episodes
added 05 February 2023
28. Knots Landing (1979–1993)
TV-14 | 60 min | Drama, Romance
The residents of Knots Landing, a coastal suburb of Los Angeles, deal with various issues such as infidelity, health scares, rape, murder, kidnapping, assassinations, drug smuggling, corporate intrigue and criminal investigations.
Stars: Michele Lee, Ted Shackelford, Joan Van Ark, Kevin Dobson
Votes: 3,221
Aired 27 December 1979, 14 seasons and 344 episodes
added 05 February 2023
29. In the Heat of the Night (1988–1995)
TV-14 | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
The cases and adventures of the police forces in and around Sparta, Mississippi.
Stars: Carroll O'Connor, Alan Autry, David Hart, Hugh O'Connor
Votes: 6,217
Aired 06 March 1988 1990, 7 seasons and 142 episodes and 4 related TV movied
added 05 February 2023
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