Fox takes Big Leap into fall slate

US network Fox has unveiled its 2021 fall slate, which includes two new comedies and four new dramas, including The Big Leap created by Liz Heldens (Friday Night Lights).

Gordon Ramsay

Produced by 20th Television and Fox Entertainment and executive produced by its creator Heldens, The Big Leap revolves around a group of diverse, down-on-their-luck characters attempting to change their lives by participating in a potentially life-ruining reality dance show that builds to a live production of Swan Lake.

Our Kind of People is inspired by Lawrence Otis Graham’s book of the same name and follows a single mother as she sets out to reclaim her family’s name and make an impact with her revolutionary haircare line that highlights the natural beauty of black women. But she soon discovers a dark secret about her own mother’s past that will turn her world upside down.

Fox’s new midseason dramas are Fox Entertainment-produced musical series Monarch, a multi-generational show about America’s first family of country music, the Romans, and The Cleaning Lady, from Warner Bros Television and Fox Entertainment.

Based on Argentinian drama La Chica Que Limpia, The Cleaning Lady follows a doctor who comes to the US for medical treatment to save her son and gets involved with the mob. Melissa Carter (Queen Sugar) will serve as executive producer and showrunner.

Joining them on the midseason schedule are new comedies Welcome to Flatch, inspired by BBC Studios’ format This Country and produced by Paul Feig (The Office, Bridesmaids), and Pivoting, a single-camera comedy that follows three women as they cope with the death of the fourth member of their friendship group.

For the unscripted slate, Fox has commissioned Alter Ego, from Fox Alternative Entertainment and executive produced by Matilda Zoltowski (Dancing with the Stars, World of Dance), which sees singers create an avatar to compete in live shows.

Midseason unscripted series include Gordon Ramsay’s cooking competition show Next Level Chef, gameshow Don’t Forget the Lyrics! and domino competition series Dominio Masters hosted by actor Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family).

Fox Entertainment CEO Charlie Collier said: “We are presenting a fall line-up that builds upon Fox’s legacy of bold stories and truth-telling-characters; stories that meet and reflect the cultural moment. Fox believes it’s a time for series that offer hope and to speak to American audiences with themes of reinvention and second chances.”

Fox fall 2021 schedule (new shows in caps)

MONDAY
20.00-21.00 9-1-1
21.00-22.00 THE BIG LEAP

TUESDAY
20.00-21.00 The Resident
21.00-22.00 OUR KIND OF PEOPLE

WEDNESDAY
20.00-21.00 The Masked Singer
21.00-22.00 ALTER EGO

THURSDAY, beginning October 7
17.00 PT/20.00 ET-conclusion Thursday Night Football on Fox

FRIDAY
20.00-22.00 WWE’s Friday Night Smackdown

SATURDAY
19.00-22.30 Fox Sports Saturday

SUNDAY
19.00-19.30 NFL on Fox
19.30-20.00 The OT/Fox Encores
20.00-20.30 The Simpsons
20.30-21.00 The Great North
21.00-21.30 Bob’s Burgers
21.30-22.00 Family Guy