Fall TV preview: on cable, from 'Homeland' to 'Boardwalk Empire'

Cable cares more about fall than it used to. But going up against the broadcast networks' promotional onslaught means these channels prefer to focus on returning series that need no introduction (while new shows launch in winter and summer).

Both HBO and Showtime now bring back their dramatic big guns, and FX counterprograms with the kind of rough stuff the networks can't touch.

RETURNING PICKS

Season 3 starts with 1923, as the Prohibition decade really begins to roar. Hooch money, politics and booming business get more deeply intertwined, as do Nucky Thompson's Atlantic City and the big boys of New York. Bobby Cannavale arrives as a loose-cannon rival to Steve Buscemi's Nucky.

Cable's most-awaited return? Season 2 of this explosive portrait of terror's ticking time bombs again focuses on Claire Danes' bipolar federal agent and Damian Lewis' returned prisoner of war-turned-undercover enemy agent. After last season's crazed intersections, she's been fired from the CIA, and he's been elected to Congress. Joining the cast: Rupert Friend (2005 "Pride & Prejudice") as a CIA analyst.

If you're still catching up to last season, we'll just say that Michael C. Hall's serial killer Dexter was seen doing something shocking by Jennifer Carpenter as his (adoptive) cop sister, Debra. And just as she was going to confess her love for him. Gee, you think things might change in season 7? Some key players will, with the signings of Jason Gedrick, Yvonne Strahovski and Ray Stevenson.

Will they go out with a bang or a bong or what? Season 6 is the final go-round for reality TV's favorite gym/tan/party crew.

NEW SERIES

MORE RETURNING SERIES

BACK IN JANUARY/EARLY 2013:

MOVIES/MINISERIES

Remake of the movie with Queen Latifah, Phylicia Rashad and Jill Scott.

Chris Noth and Neve Campbell in a 12-parter promising the "untold story" of the doomed liner.