So a new season of TV shows is almost upon us. The end of the month sees a host of favourites return to American TV screens (and Irish laptops!). It can’t happen soon enough, I am already missing Pretty Little Liars more than I care to admit and it’s only been gone a week!

Here’s a look at a few I am looking forward to!

Spoiler Alert!

Grey’s Anatomy

Can’t start anywhere else can I? The finale of Grey’s saw a handful of our favourites stranded in a forest having been in a plane crash. Lexy died and Mark looks badly injured, my mother is losing sleep worrying about Derek’s hand but who gives a rats, it’s all about Arizona. One of the few out lesbian main characters in prime-time, Dr Arizona Robbins simply must survive and get home safe to her wife and baby – and that is that!

The Good Wife

Another out character, Kalinda, is at the centre of this one. Last season saw her tracked down by her ex-husband but our girl is not going to run or hide, don’t you just love a woman who stands her ground. The Good Wife has great female leads and some great recurring characters too, my fav being Kristin Chenoweth’s reporter, I just love her. Chenoweth was injured on set this time round but managed to get back later on in the filming. Phew!

Glee

Often called the gayest show on TV (although we all know True Blood is really), Glee is back with a bang on 13th September. This season promises lots of new faces, episode one is called “The New Rachel” so we can all see where things are heading! Not only are there some new kids on the block but this season will also follow the likes of Rachel and Kurt as they try to forge into the next stage of their lives. Personally I can’t wait to see Kate Hudson out dance Lea Michelle, bring it on.

Dexter

Lesbian favourite Debra Morgan (Jennifer Carpenter) returns as the sexy sister to everyone’s favourite serial killer, Dexter. Again this one was a cliff hanger: kick ass lieutenant Morgan walked in on her dear brother as he was about to kill someone. The guy was a murderer but he was tied to a table, so not really your average self-defence story here, Dexter. I love this show, it is brilliantly written and the acting is top notch, I can’t wait to see where it goes. Oh and yes, I am purposly avoiding Debra’s emerging feelings for Dex, so there.

Once Upon a time

Regina Mills, let me count the ways! TV’s sexiest queen is back for another season and I can’t wait. When my sister told me about this show I thought, “Fairy tales, meh.” But then I got hooked and my roommate became such an addict that I thought I’d have to organise an intervention. At the end of season one the incredible Robert Carlyle was at it again as the illusive Mr Gold (Rumpelstiltskin).  Has he managed to bring magic back to the characters and will we find out who is who exactly?  Great stuff.

Criminal Minds

I know the lesbians of the world wept as one when Paget Brewster left Criminal Minds for the second time right after her characters “love interest” JJ got married to that guy, what’s his name. But let’s not be too hasty, she is being replaced by the gorgeous Jeanne Tripplehorn. I know, things are looking up. Tripplehorn will play Alex Blake, a linguistic professor, she has a long-term boyfriend but when has that ever stopped us? Also, let’s not forget that the show includes among its cast the amazing out actress Kirsten Vangsness as fan favourite Penelope Garcia.

Fringe

The last season of the hit show which follows FBI agent Olivia Dunham as she and her team investigate unexplained phenomena, or fringe events, looks like it is going to be as confusing as ever. The end of last season gave us a glimpse of the future and I have a feeling this season will require us keeping track of not only what is happening, but when it is happening, I think I might need a cuppa when watching this. They’re coming!

The New Normal

OK, so this isn’t coming back for a new season, it is just starting out (11th September), so I’m adding it in here in case you missed it. The show is another brain child of Glee creator, Ryan Murphy. This time with a little lesbian help in the shape of Allison Adler. The show centres around a gay family, specifically two gay dads and their surrogate. I never thought I’d see the day when a gay family was at the heart of a mainstream TV show. Some affiliates in the states aren’t showing it, but its their loss: this one is well worth a look.

Partners

From Max Mutchnick and David Kohan, who brought us Will & Grace, Partners is due to premier on 24th September. It follows the ‘bromance’ of two lifelong best friends: Louis, who is gay, and straight Joe. The pair own and run a successful architecture company but when Joe gets engaged to Wyatt their friendship is tested. The actors are faces you will recognise but might not know too well, which for me is a good sign. Time will tell!

So what are you looking forward to? I’ve just scratched the surface with these, so let us know: What show has you counting down the days?