Exciting News: The CW Unveils 2 Hotly Anticipated Series Starring Fan-Favorite Riverdale and Vampire Diaries Stars!

Summary

The CW has added two new scripted crime drama series, Wild Cards and Sight Unseen, to its lineup for Fall 2024.

The network's trend of sourcing content from non-U.S. sources is evident in these shows, both of which are co-produced with Canadian studios. Notably, the shows include CW alums such as Riverdale's Vanessa Morgan and Reign's Giacomo Gianniotti, adding a sense of familiarity to the programming.

The CW has expanded its upcoming lineup with the addition of two fresh scripted shows. The network's scripted programming faced uncertainty after it was put up for sale and acquired by Nexstar, resulting in the cancellation of most of its less successful shows. However, a few well-received shows such as All American, All American: Homecoming, Walker, and Superman & Lois were renewed for another season. Consequently, The CW's programming has shifted towards unscripted shows, imported content, and live sports.

Variety reports that following the mass cancellations, the network has now greenlit two new scripted crime drama series scheduled to premiere in Fall 2024. These shows, Wild Cards and Sight Unseen, are co-produced with Canadian studios, highlighting The CW's inclination towards sourcing content from non-U.S. origins. Notably, both series feature actors who have previously worked on The CW, with Wild Cards starring Vanessa Morgan from Riverdale and Giacomo Gianniotti from Reign. Sight Unseen features Jarod Joseph from The 100 and Daniel Gillies from The Vampire Diaries.

Wild Cards and Sight Unseen Feel Like Classic CW Shows

These two new shows suggest that the new CW is still dedicated to maintaining the programming style for which the network is known. Both series have elements that bring to mind the classic CW programs of the past. These elements include the return of familiar cast members, as The CW has had a group of actors who made appearances on different shows over the years. For example, Jensen Ackles, who had previously been on the CW series Smallville, joined the cast of Supernatural and appeared in all 15 seasons of the long-running show.

The storylines of both series will also feel familiar to longtime viewers of The CW and network television in general. Wild Cards revolves around a detective who is demoted to the maritime unit and forms an unlikely partnership with a con artist. Together, they work to solve crimes and reclaim their reputations. Sight Unseen features another unconventional crime-solving duo: a blind detective and a guide dog trainer with agoraphobia. The trainer assists the detective remotely through a mobile app.

The CW has a history of airing detective shows in various formats. Sight Unseen appears to have similarities to the canceled CW drama In the Dark, where a blind woman stumbles upon a murder victim who mysteriously vanishes, leading her to uncover the truth. While Wild Cards does not have a direct comparison, it shares elements with past detective shows on the network such as Nancy Drew, Beauty & the Beast, and Frequency.