'Scandal,' 'S.H.I.E.L.D.' among 15 ABC renewals

 In a break with tradition, ABC handed early renewals to 15 series Thursday, including freshman Quantico, its current top-rated series Grey's Anatomy and sturdy reality series Dancing with the Stars and The Bachelor.

The network typically waits until May, just ahead of its fall presentation to advertisers, to give returning series the nod for another year. But new ABC Entertainment chief Channing Dungey made the news official now, which allows shows to sew up writing staffs and renew deals with actors if necessary.

Other series to get pickups include its entire Wednesday comedy slate of The Middle, The Goldbergs, Modern Family and Black-ish; all three Shonda Rhimes dramas (Grey's, Scandal and How to Get Away with Murder); Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.; Fresh Off the Boat; Once Upon a Time; Shark Tank and America's Funniest Home Videos, which will see a 27th season.

None of the pickups are surprising. But while the network is down 13% overall this season, and ranks fourth among young adults, “We’re very proud of our strong roster of performers, and we’re excited about what they will bring us creatively next season,” said Dungey, in a statement.

Missing from the early pickup list were low-rated critical favorite American Crime, Castle, Nashville, The Muppets, Last Man Standing, Dr. Ken, Marvel's Agent Carter and Galavant, suggesting their futures are far from assured. The network also has new shows premiering this month, including The Real O'Neals, The Family, Of Kings and Prophets and another Rhimes-produced project, The Catch. 

Ahead of the official announcement, at least two producers — Once co-creator Adam Horowitz and Goldbergs creator Adam F. Goldberg — couldn't wait to celebrate, tweeting their news.