There have been reasons to fear for the futures of ABC dramas "The Whispers" and "Secrets and Lies," but those fears have only come true for one. "The Whispers" has indeed been canceled, due to low ratings. The news is better for "Secrets and Lies," though.

If you noticed that star Ryan Phillippe has been busily promoting a new show, the USA Network action-drama "Shooter," you might assume his old one had been canceled -- that's usually the first (and sometimes only) sign fans get. But "Secrets and Lies" is a tricky sort of show.

It's actually been renewed for a second season, but with only one of last year's two stars. Phillippe's grieving dad is out, but Juliette Lewis's detective is still in.

The structure is a new one for TV: a yearly show with a different story every year. It's been a success on cable with shows such as "American Horror Story" and "True Detective," and "Secrets and Lies" is trying it out on broadcast TV.

Unlike those two cable examples, "Secrets and Lies" has some continuity, in the form of Lewis's detective, who investigates a new, totally separate case this season.

You might also have worried about "Secrets and Lies" because it's been missing for more than a year now, but that's actually good news. Its first season aired in the spring of 2015, but it was successful enough to warrant a promotion to the fall (a higher-profile slot) -- unfortunately, that meant the fall of 2016, so you still have a few more months to wait for its return.

Have a question? Email us at questions@tvtabloid.com. Please include your name and town. Personal replies will not be provided.