The Gay Guide To The Fall Television Season

From "Arrow" to "Quantico"—plus a new season of "American Horror Story" checks in.
From: NewNowNext

 The fall television season is almost upon us with plenty for LGBT viewers to enjoy. Here’s a quick rundown of our must-see TV schedule.

 September

Scream Queens

Iconic horror queen Jamie Lee Curtis leads a cast that includes Lea Michele, Billie Lourde and Emma Roberts in this campier, funnier cousin to American Horror Story, along with highly-anticipated guest roles from Nick Jonas, Ariana Grande and Charisma Carpenter. (September 22 on Fox)

 Empire

There’s no stopping Cookie Lyon (Taraji P. Henson) or her flying shoes, but Lee Daniels is upping the ante in Season Two with a slew of guest stars—including Andre Leon Talley, Chris Rock, Kelly Rowland, Mariah Carey and Marisa Tomei as a venture capitalist who loves hip-hop, fashion and beautiful women. Making a return: Rafael de la Fuente as Jamal’s ex, Michael. (September 23 on Fox)

 Modern Family

The extended Pritchett family return as Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) and Cameron (Eric Stonestreet) become landlords, renting out the upstairs unit and bringing new sources of stress in their lives. Meanwhile Alex starts college and baby Joe becomes a “rough and tumble” child. (September 23 on ABC)

 Nashville

The fourth season of Nashville will see Will (Chris Carmack) dealing with the ramifications of coming out, discovering that his fans aren’t as loyal as he hoped. Aerosmoth frontman Steven Tyler appears in the season premiere.

 How to Get Away With Murder

The Viola Davis-led ensemble is back for a second season and it’s going to be just as killer as the first: A fresh murder and strained relationships has the team, including gay legal eagle Connor Walsh (Jack Falahee) on edge. (September 24 on ABC)

 Grey’s Anatomy

Do you believe in love after McDreamy? While Meredeth navigates widowhood, Grey’s promises new romances for Callie (Sara Ramirez) and Arizona (Jessica Capshaw) after their breakup. (September 24 on ABC)

 Scandal

Thursday nights wouldn’t be complete without watching Olivia Pope’s (Kerry Washington) gladiators navigating Beltway conspiracies and investigating their way to the bottom of a scandalous situation. Machiavellian gay Cyrus (Jeff Perry) is on the outs at the White House, with Elizabeth (Portia DeRossi) taking his job. He probably won’t let that go lightly. (September 24 on ABC)

 Quantico

Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra makes her American debut in this steamy thriller about FBI trainees implicated in a terrorist attack. The supporting cast includes Simon (Tate Ellington) who has fabricated a past—including a boyfriend—and Elias (Rick Cosnett), a gay former defense attorney. (September 27 on ABC)

 October

American Horror Story: Hotel

Ryan Murphy has done the impossible: Made cable’s campiest show even gayer. Cheyenne Jackson, Matt Bomer, Max Greenfield and Lady Gaga all check in to this horror hotel. (October 7 on FX)

 Arrow

The show gets its first gay male hero when Echo Kellum joins the show as Curtis Holt, Felicity’s new pal and Star City’s newest defender, Mr. Terrific. (October 7 on The CW)

 Billy on the Street

Billy Eichner’s ambush quiz show joins Tru TV’s lineup, with Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Anna Kendrick and Julianne Moore joining the out comic as he interrupts people on the streets of New York City to pester them with pop culture questions.

(October 8 on TruTV)

 Kingdom

While Nick Jonas downplays his gay icon status, there’s no denying he adds a punch of heat to the fighting drama. The new season will see Nick’s character continue to battle his demons as secrets come back to haunt him. (October 14 on DirecTV)

 November

Angel From Hell

After getting some of the best lines on Glee, Jane Lynch takes the lead as a crude woman who suddenly inserts herself into the life of Allison (Maggie Lawson) claiming to be her guardian angel. This “guardian angel” may make Allison cringe constantly but her advice often turns out to be right. (November 5 on CBS)

December

Transparent

Making us wait the longest is the return of the Emmy-nominated series now at the center of the transgender zeitgeist. Creator Jill Soloway says the show will move past explaining the trans community to audiences as it dives deeper into each character’s experiences. (December 4 on Amazon)