The fall TV lineup is here.

Hit shows like Empire and How to Get Away with Murder are off to an explosive start, the laughs are rolling in with Modern Family and shows like Blind Spot and Quantico are leaving audiences craving answers.

The best part about these shows is that they’re all offered on Hulu.com for free, and it’s not too late to catch up.

1. Empire

According to TV Nielsen ratings, Empire is ranked number one overall in musical dramas for adults.

Terrence Howard plays Lucious Lion, a gangster turned music icon and CEO of Empire Entertainment.

However, even with all of his wealth and power, Lion can’t change the fact that money can’t buy everything, especially a cure for his amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

There are a lot of reasons why audiences are drawn to Empire. An all-star cast for one.

Terrence Howard, has already proven he has what it takes to play a gangster and musician in his award-winning role as DJay in the movie Hustle and Flow.  

Howard’s co-stars, while lesser known, have no trouble matching his caliber of acting and musical talent.

Jussie Smollett and Bryshere Yazshawn play the roles of Lion’s sons, Jamal and Hakeem. Both actors play their roles well, making the characters relatable.

Another reason viewer keep tuning in is the music.

The songs used in the show are not covers, but original songs, a majority of which are radio worthy.

In addition, some big name appearances are on the way, including Chris Rock and Ludacris.

Add in murder, betrayal, drama and blackmail in the first two episodes alone, Empire is a show that draws in viewers and keeps them watching.

2. How to Get Away with Murder

If that’s not enough drama, How to Get Away with Murder started up on Sept. 24.

Coming in fifth on the TV Nielsen ratings, How to Get Away with Murder stars Viola Davis, who plays Annalise Keating, a professor of defense law.

Every year she selects a group four of students with the most potential to work actual cases with her.

This season follows the latest group of student she selects, as they apply the knowledge they’re gaining in law school to cover up a murder they themselves committed.

The show often leaves audiences questioning their ability to recognize the innocent from the guilty.  

Although it’s Keating who brings the show to life, actor Viola Davis is also a powerhouse. She adds a human aspect and makes the story relatable.  

Recently, Davis was the first African-American woman to win an Emmy for best actress in a drama.

3. Modern Family

Coming in at third on the TV Nielsen ratings is not a drama, but a comedy.

Modern Family premiered its seventh season on Sept. 23.

The sitcom revolves around the Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker clan.

The Dunphy’s have a traditional household, being married with three kids.

The Tuckers are a gay couple with an adopted child from China.

The families are connected by Jay Pritchett, the grandfather of both families, who has a young wife, stepson and infant son.

The three families together make up a “modern family.”

Over its seven seasons, the show has won 22 Emmys out of 73 nominations.

Modern Family is a well-rounded show when it comes to comedy, ranging from simplistic to sophisticated.

All of the characters have rich, interesting and hilarious backstories worth catching up on.

Alternatively, what makes this show great is the fact it can be watched at any point in the series. Each episode has isn’t own self contained story that means first time viewers are never lost or out-of-place.

4. Blindspot

For audiences looking for something a little different, NBC’s new show Blindspot, coming in at sixth on the Nielsen rankings, could be for them.

Blindspot premiered on Sept. 21 starring Jaimie Alexander.

Alexander plays a woman with no knowledge of her past and whose identity is shrouded in strange secrecy.

Alexander’s character wakes up in a bag in the middle of Time Square, naked with no memories and her entire body covered in tattoos.

The only clue she has is the name Kurt Weller FBI, who is played by Sullivan Stapleton.

Everything about this show is a mystery, including if it is worth continuing to watch, but there have been high hopes so far.

The season premier wasted no time catching the audience’s attention with Alexander taking down bad guys with ease and looking great doing it.

The show has a fast-paced, action-packed plot, and it seems Blindspot will continue in the right direction.

5. Quantico     

ABC’s new series, Quantico, is ranked seventh on the Nielsen ranking, right behind Blindspot, after premiering on Sept. 27.

The show focuses on the youngest and most capable recruits for the FBI, and the first episode didn’t disappoint.

Starring Priyanka Chopra as Alex Parrish, an already established Bollywood actress who left her career to join the FBI.

After the biggest terrorist attack since 9/11 hits New York City, Parrish finds herself being considered suspect number one.

It’s up to Alex to prove her innocence by finding the recruit who is trying to frame her.

Quantico is based on the relevant issue of national security, making it exciting and entertaining, but also causing the viewers think.

Adding this aspect of reality makes the audience more engaged which is what makes this show one of the best this season.

With this lineup, finding some free time to watch a few episodes or even an entire season this October may be worth it.