As The CW Network often does, it announced early renewals of 12 current series for the next season, as well as additional episodes of its blockbuster walker It is the next Superman and Lois.
“Although we are only a few weeks into the new season, we wanted to have a strategic advantage in the next season with these early renovations, which allows our production teams to begin plotting history and hiring staff, while at the same time, continuing to provide us a strong and stable schedule to build for next season, ”said Mark Pedowitz, president and CEO of The CW Network in a statement provided to Decider. “As the CW’s 2020-2021 season begins to run at high speed, we are creatively enthusiastic about directing our first new shows from the beginning, walker and Superman and Lois, that we wanted to ask for additional episodes to complete its first seasons, and we are particularly pleased with the huge success of the release of walker, which debuted as the premiere of our most watched series in 5 years. “
The renovations cover the full range of CW series, including several that have yet to open new seasons in 2021. The series ordered for the 2021-2022 season include: walker (Season 2); All Americans (Season 4); Bat Woman (Session 3); Charmed (Season 4); DC’s Legends of Tomorrow (Season 7); Dynasty (Season 5); The Flash (Season 8); In the dark (Season 4); Legacies (Season 4); Nancy Drew (Session 3); Riverdale (Season 6); and Roswell, New Mexico (Season 4).
In addition, the network is ordering five additional episodes of walker, bringing its total episode count for the 2020-2021 season to 18; and two additional episodes of the February 23 premiere Superman and Lois, bringing its total from 2020-2021 to 15.
Not included in the list are Supergirl and Black Lightning, who are entering their final seasons on the CW. SupergirlThe premiere of the 6th season of Black Lightning debuts on February 8 and is broadcasting a backdoor pilot next season as a potential spinoff. Stargirl, which has already been chosen for a second season, is also not on the list, as they are The Outpost, Pandora and Horror stories in two sentences, and the new series to be broadcast Kung Fu and The republic of sara. However, additional renewals may be announced at a later date.
A number of projects are also in various stages of development at The CW, including the aforementioned Black Lightning spin off Analgesic, a All Americans spinoff, the long gestation The lost boys restart, superhero series Naomi and Wonder Girl, and an adult assumes The Powerpuff Girls, among others.
Unlike other networks, The CW suspended the new programming after the closing of COVID last March, opting to broadcast mainly the programming of reality shows, acquisitions and the final episodes of Supernatural. The new season began in earnest in January this year, with Pedowitz observing in May that he wanted to give creators enough time to figure out how to properly structure and film their seasons, given the new reality.
Likewise, although the announcement indicates that these series are for the “2021-2022” season, there are currently no scheduled release dates. As it stands, many of the programs currently on show have shortened season orders (19 episodes, for example, against 22 regulars) and will likely continue to air until June or July. Given a quick turnaround, it is possible that the series could resume filming almost immediately in time to start broadcasting for a normal October start date – the traditional network start date – something they are clearly trying to allow by giving the pickup warnings now versus the industry standard in April / May.
After all, most fans of the CW series can rest easy knowing that their favorites will be back for at least one more lap.