Law & Order: SVU and Grey's Anatomy Return to a Changed World

In what's fast become a trend, Grey's Anatomy and Law & Order: SVU both return tonight with ripped from the headlines season premieres that address the pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement.

Also tonight: Superstore ventures on without America Ferrera, The Paley Center gives SVU the before they were stars treatment, and Walton Goggins returns in The Unicorn.Season 2. Here's what's new and noteworthy on TV this Thursday:

SEASON PREMIERE: In its 21st season kick-off, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit follows the team as they investigate an assault, even as the community voices its concerns about law enforcement practices. Watch trailer. 9:00 PM ET on NBC

SEASON PREMIERE: The seventeenth season of Grey's Anatomy picks up with Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) and the Grey Sloan staff one month into the pandemic with a two-hour episode. Watch the trailer. 9:00 PM ET on ABC

SEASON PREMIERE: COVID-19 has come to Seattle, and the team at Station 19 are struggling to balance work and personal responsibilities in a world completely altered by the coronavirus. 8:00 PM ET on ABC

NEW EPISODE: Jonah (Ben Feldman) and the rest of the Superstore staff are adjusting to life without Amy in the drastically changed world of retail. 8:00 PM ET on NBC

SEASON PREMIERE: Wade Felton (Walton Goggins) continues his search for love as The Unicorn returns for its second season. After sparks fly in a brief parking lot encounter with a stranger, Wade pulls out the stops to ensure they cross paths again. 9:30 PM ET on CBS

SPECIAL PRESENTATION: NBC brings one of our favorite parlor games to the small screen with The Paley Center Presents: Law & Order: Before They Were Stars, which explores the limitless gallery of stars who have appeared on the series over the past 21 years. Watch the trailer. 10:00 PM ET on NBC

SEASON PREMIERE: Nikki and Brie Bella return for the sixth season of Total Bellas, with their goal of having twin pregnancies hitting a few unexpected bumps along the way. 9:00 PM ET on E!

Mike Attebery is Senior Editor at Primetimer and the author of seven mystery thrillers. Follow him on Twitter at @mikeattebery.