Associated Press

Associated Press

ABC will add a new drama from “Scandal” and “Grey’s Anatomy” powerhouse producer Shonda Rhimes to its fall schedule, giving her ownership of Thursday night on a network that’s lagging behind its competitors among advertiser-favored young adults.

Rhimes’ “How to Get Away with Murder,” a legal thriller starring Viola Davis, is among 12 new series that will occupy an ABC schedule that’s heavy on crime dramas and rich in ethnic diversity.

The new sitcoms include “Black-ish,” starring Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross as a suburban family trying to embrace their African-American identity, and “Fresh Off the Boat,” about an immigrant Chinese family pursuing the American dream in the 1990s and based on chef Eddie Huang’s memoir with the same title. “Cristela,” another comedy, is about an ambitious law student (Cristela Alonzo) at odds with her traditional Mexican-American family.

John Ridley of “12 Years a Slave” created the gritty “American Crime,” a drama about a murder with racial overtones that features former “Desperate Housewives” star Felicity Huffman.

ABC hits “Modern Family” and “Scandal” have benefited from their inclusivity, Lee said.

“America has changed,” he said. “We see that in the election cycle and we see that in everything.”

Other new dramas include “Secrets and Lies,” starring Ryan Phillippe as a murder suspect trying to prove his innocence, and “Forever,” with Ioan Gruffudd, as a New York city medical examiner with a secret: He’s immortal.

On the genre front, “Marvel’s Agent Carter,” starring Hayley Atwell, will air midseason between runs of “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”

ABC canceled “Trophy Wife,” “Mixology,” “The Neighbors,” “Suburgatory,” “Super Fun Night,” “Killer Women,” “Lucky 7,” “Betrayal,” “Back in the Game” and “Once Upon a Time in Wonderland.”

Other ABC series to debut next season:

“The Whispers,” an alien invasion story with Steven Spielberg as an executive producer.

“Galavant,” a musical fairytale.

“Manhattan Love Story,” a comedy that exposes the unfiltered thoughts of men and women.

“Selfie,” a comedy about a woman with 263,000 online followers and no real friends.