CBS has announced that it will extend four of this year’s freshman series. The lineup includes three comedies: Carol’s Second Act, Bob Hearts Abishola, and The Unicorn, as well as one drama: All Rise. Each was scheduled to run for an abbreviated first season, but performed well enough to see more episodes tacked onto their initial run. The news comes after Fox Drama Prodigal Son, thriller about a former FBI profiler who calls on his convicted serial killer father to help catch a different murderer, recently saw its own condensed first season extended to a full 22 episodes earlier this month. In tandem with the move to extend these four shows, CBS has also elected to renew its drama Evil for for a second season after a 13 episode first season.
Kelly Kahl, President of Entertainment at CBS, had this to say about the move by his network: “These terrific new series have attracted a passionate base of viewers and consistent ratings while delivering entertaining, inclusive and relevant storytelling every week. They’re off to strong starts and are still being discovered on the many catch-up and playback options available to our viewers today. We’re proud of this freshman class and excited about their potential to tell more great stories and further expand their audiences.”
Carol’s Second Act tells the story of a retired teacher who seeks to revive her lifelong aspirations of becoming a doctor. The 30-minute multi-camera sitcom stars Patricia Heaton as the show’s title character.
Bob Hearts Abishola, another multi-camera situation comedy, is the latest show from frequent CBS collaborator Chuck Lorre. Lorre is known for creating monster hits like Two and a Half Men and The Big Bang Theory for the network. His new show centers on Bob (Billy Gardell), the owner of a sock manufacturing company who suffers a heart attack, and Abishola (Folake Olowofoyeku), the Nigerian nurse he falls hopelessly in love with. In tandem with being being a comedy, the show is touted as an examination of the immigrant experience. The news of Bob Hearts Abishola’s extension marks the second piece of good news for Lorre this month. Earlier in October, CBS announced that it had picked up his new pilot, The United States of Al. THe timeline for that show’s debut is currently unknown.
The Unicorn, a single camera offering, stars Walton Goggins as a man trying to re-enter the dating pool after his wife’s death.
All Rise is a courtroom drama starring Simone Missick, who plays a newly appointed judge in LA. The show is set in an LA courthouse and examines multiple facets of the United States justice system.
Finally, Evil centers on a carpenter, priest, and psychologist tasked who are charged with investigating the unsolved mysteries chronicled by the Catholic Church. The core cast consists of Aasif Mandvi, Katja Herbers, and Mike Colter.
Each show is currently in its fourth week on CBS.