Lee Daniels, Laverne Cox and Sean Hayes Have New Network Shows in 2016

The only thing that makes the winter bearable are the refreshing crop of new and returning TV shows, but after winter ends what is there to look forward to except more time spent outdoors? Snooze. Luckily, the rest of 2016 has some queer-inclusive shows in store.

In Doubt, Hollywood's least favorite actress Katherine Heigl stars as Sadie, "a smart, chic, successful defense lawyer at a boutique firm who shockingly gets romantically involved with one of her clients, who may or may not be guilty of a brutal crime." Emmy-nominated actress of Orange Is the New Black fame Laverne Cox will join the cast which includes Steven Pasquale, Dule Hill, Kobi Libbi, Elliott Gould and Dreama Walker.

Related | Laverne Cox Cast in CBS Drama Pilot

Lee Daniels returns to familiar territory with an untitled project formerly known as Star--a drama set in Atlanta about three girls banding together to form a group and their subsequent rise to the top. Whereas Empire tells the story from the side of the music executives, this new show gives you the artist's perspective. Queen Latifah stars, along with Jude Demorest, Ryan Destiny and Brittany O'Grady as the girl group in question.

Related | Wait, Lee Daniels Wrote a Musical Version of 'Paris Is Burning' for TV?

Sean Hayes returns to television, this time behind the camera as executive producer of Imaginary Friend, the winner of NBC's Playground comedy initiative. Megan Neuringer plays Wendy, "an intelligent yet unmotivated woman who discovers a special and unexpected way of dealing with her mediocre life." Glee alum Alex Newell was previously announced as the titular friend.