With the new fall season just over a month away, The CW has released updated previews of two of their new shows.  Both are in the vein of the network’s young adult-skewing science fiction/fantasy style.

‘The Originals’:

First is ‘The Originals’, a spin-off of venerable hit ‘The Vampire Diaries.’  The first episode airs on Thursday, October 3rd, after its parent program’s season five debut, but will then move to its regular time slot on Tuesday October 8th, after ‘Supernatural.’  Set in New Orleans, the series marks a departure from ‘Vampire Diaries” rural environment but retains the family struggles of the first series.

Here is the official synopsis:

Family is power. The Original Vampire family swore it to each other a thousand years ago. They pledged to remain together, always and forever. Now, centuries have passed, and the bonds of family are broken. Time, tragedy and hunger for power have torn the Original Family apart. When Klaus Mikaelson, the original vampire-werewolf hybrid, receives a mysterious tip that a plot is brewing against him in the supernatural melting pot that is the French Quarter of New Orleans, he returns to the city his family helped build. Klaus’ questions lead him to a reunion with his diabolical former protégé, Marcel, a charismatic vampire who has total control over the human and supernatural inhabitants of New Orleans. Determined to help his brother find redemption, Elijah follows Klaus and soon learns that the werewolf Hayley has also come to the French Quarter searching for clues to her family history and has fallen into the hands of a powerful witch named Sophie.

Tensions between the town’s supernatural factions are nearing a breaking point as Marcel commands his devoted followers and rules with absolute power. For Klaus, the thought of answering to his powerful protégé is unthinkable, and he vows to reclaim what was once his – the power, the city and his family. While they wait to see if their sister, Rebekah, will leave Mystic Falls and join them, Klaus and Elijah form an uneasy alliance with the witches to ensure that New Orleans will be ruled by THE ORIGINALS once again.

The series stars Joseph Morgan (“The Vampire Diaries,” Immortals) as Klaus, Daniel Gillies (“The Vampire Diaries,” “Saving Hope”) as Elijah, Claire Holt (“The Vampire Diaries,” “Pretty Little Liars”) as Rebekah, Phoebe Tonkin (“The Vampire Diaries,” “The Secret Circle”) as Hayley, Charles Michael Davis (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Switched at Birth”) as Marcel, Daniella Pineda (The Fitzgerald Family Christmas, “Homeland”) as Sophie, Leah Pipes (“The Deep End,” Sorority Row) as Cami and Danielle Campbell (StarStruck, Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Witness Protection) as Davina.

Check out the extended trailer below:

‘The Tomorrow People’:

From horror to science fiction, ‘The Tomorrow People’ is an X-Men-esque series focusing on a group of young people who are humanity’s next step in evolution, displaying powers like telepathy and telepathy. The concept is more than a little X-Men, right down to the base in the abandoned subway tunnel.  (In the comics, a group of mutants called Morelocks live in a subterranean community.)

Here is the official synopsis:

They are the next evolutionary leap of mankind, a generation of humans born with paranormal abilities — the Tomorrow People. Stephen Jameson stands at the crossroads between the world we know and the shifting world of the future. Up until a year ago, Stephen was a “normal” teenager — until he began hearing voices and teleporting in his sleep, never knowing where he might wake up. Now, Stephen’s issues have gone far beyond the usual teenage angst, and he is beginning to question his sanity. In desperation, Stephen decides to listen to one of the voices in his head, and it leads him to his first encounter with the Tomorrow People — John, Cara, and Russell — a genetically advanced race with the abilities of telekinesis, teleportation, and telepathic communication.

The Tomorrow People are being hunted down by a paramilitary group of scientists known as Ultra. Led by Dr. Jedikiah Price, Ultra sees the Tomorrow People as a very real existential threat from a rival species, and the outcast group has been forced to hide out in an abandoned subway station just beneath the surface of the human world. Trading in secrets, Jedikiah offers Stephen the chance for a normal life with his family and best friend, Astrid, if he will help in the struggle to isolate and eradicate the Tomorrow People. On the other hand, Cara, John and Russell offer Stephen a different type of family and a home where he truly belongs. Unwilling to turn his back on humanity or the world of the Tomorrow People, Stephen sets out on his own path — a journey that could take him into the shadowy past to uncover the truth about his father’s mysterious disappearance or into an unknown future with THE TOMORROW PEOPLE.

The series stars Robbie Amell (“Revenge”) as Stephen, Luke Mitchell (“H20: Just Add Water”) as John, Peyton List (“Mad Men”) as Cara, Aaron Yoo (Disturbia, Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist) as Russell, Mark Pellegrino (“Lost,” “Supernatural”) as Dr. Jedikiah Price, and Madeleine Mantock (Edge of Tomorrow) as Astrid.

Coincidentally, Robbie Amell plays “Stephen.”  Robbie’s cousin is ‘Arrow’ star Stephen Amell and the series will air on Wednesdays at 9pm beginning October 9th. Wednesday nights will become Amell night on the CW!

Check out the extended trailer below:

What do you think?  Are you going to check out either of these new shows?  Which do you think looks better?  Comment below!