Another San Diego Comic-Con is upon us, and we’re back to show you what panels we think you should check out on Thursday! The schedule for Thursday was released earlier today and features some shows, films, and actors we love to cover here at Nerds & Beyond!
Let’s dive in!
Thursday, July 21
Disability Representation On and Off Screen
10:00AM – 11:00AM – Room 6A
This panel will explore disability representation both on-screen and behind the camera and will serve to raise the profile of disability as an essential pillar of diversity, as well as celebrate the diversity that exists within the disability community. Featuring Ryan O’Connell, Lauren Ridloff, Alaqua Cox, Gail Simone, Timothy Omundson, and Josh Feldman.
Nathan Fillion and Niecy Nash-Betts: ABC’s The Rookie and The Rookie: Feds
10:45AM – 11:45AM – Ballroom 20
Nathan Fillion ( Castle, Firefly) and Niecy Nash-Betts ( Claws, Reno 911) join executive producers Alexi Hawley and Terence Paul Winter to discuss how worlds will collide when The Rookie franchise expands with The Rookie: Feds, coming to ABC this fall. Moderated by Damian Holbrook (senior writer, TV Guide magazine).

3rd Annual Hollywood Game Changers: A Conversation with the Women Behind Popular Film and TV Projects
10:00AM – 12:00PM – Ballroom 7AB
“Hollywood Game Changers” is back at Comic-Con with another panel featuring women behind such popular film and television projects as Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Flight Attendant, P-Valley, and more. Get insight into how they navigate their careers and how they use their craft to champion women’s empowerment, diversity, and inclusion in the industry. Featuring Jennifer Phang (director, The Flight Attendant episodes 203 and 204), Hannah Friedman (writer/ producer, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Willow, Muppets Mayhem), Arlene Martin (hair department head, P-Valley), Melanie Jones (production designer, Bill and Ted Save the Music), Kameron Lennox (costume designer, Pam & Tommy), Kaylie Whitcher (VFX producer at FOLKS Toronto, Titans), and Brigitte Bourque (VFX supervisor at FuseFX, 9-1-1: Lone Star). Moderated by voiceover artist and actor Noveen Crumbie.
Mattel & WWE Elite Squad Fan Panel
11:15AM – 12:15PM – Ballroom 6A
The Mattel WWE Elite Squad defends their title as the action figure champions of San Diego Comic-Con with crowd-popping WWE action figure reveals and WWE Superstar surprise guests. Hosts Sam Roberts and Ciampa host a star-studded panel featuring Bill Miekina and Steve Ozer from the Mattel design team along with WWE Superstars Cody Rhodes and Queen Zelina.
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
12:00PM – 1:00PM – Hall H
Paramount Pictures brings a panel discussion and footage presentation with the cast and filmmakers.
Moriarty: The Devil’s Game: An Audible Original
12:15PM – 1:15PM – Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
The game is afoot in Moriarty: The Devil’s Game, Audible’s bold new addition to the Sherlock Holmes universe. It introduces the electrifying origin story of Holmes’s greatest nemesis, professor James Moriarty, and dares to ask: What if the iconic villain was actually an innocent man? Cast members Dominic Monaghan and Billy Boyd reunite alongside Phil LaMarr and Lindsay Whisler for a dynamic conversation about the thrilling task of bringing these known characters to life for audiences while examining their motivations and priorities anew. Listen closely, and assume nothing.
Ghosts
1:00PM – 2:00PM – Ballroom 20
TV’s #1 new series and fan-favorite phenomenon Ghosts follows Samantha and Jay, a couple who learn that their new dream house is inhabited by ghosts that only Samantha can see and hear. Series stars Rose McIver, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Brandon Scott Jones, Richie Moriarty, Danielle Pinnock, Asher Grodman, Román Zaragoza, Sheila Carrasco, Rebecca Wisocky, and Devan Chandler Long join executive producers Joe Port and Joe Wiseman for a “spirited” panel conversation and a look at never-before-seen footage.

Abbott Elementary Class in Session
1:30PM – 2:30PM – Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
Star and executive producer Quinta Brunson and stars Tyler James Williams, Janelle James, Chris Perfetti, Lisa Ann Walter, William Stanford Davis, and Sheryl Lee Ralph join executive producers Justin Halpern and Patrick Schumacker for a LIVE virtual panel to discuss the freshman series breakout hit ahead of its season 2 return on ABC this fall. Moderated by Marcus Jones (awards editor, TV & Film at IndieWire).
Teen Wolf the Movie
1:30PM – 2:30PM – Hall H
Series creator and showrunner Jeff Davis and Teen Wolf the Movie cast members preview the upcoming Paramount+ film while taking a look back at the iconic series that started it all.
National Treasure: Edge of History
2:15PM – 3:15PM – Ballroom 20
The cast and executive producers share an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming Disney+ Original series National Treasure: Edge of History, which is an expansion of the hit film franchise. Series regulars Lisette Olivera, Jake Austin Walker, Antonio Cipriano, Jordan Rodrigues, Zuri Reed, and Lyndon Smith and executive producers Cormac and Marianne Wibberley gather to discuss this upcoming action-adventure series.
Diversity and Inclusion in Comics, TV, Film, Games: What You Can Do
4:00PM – 5:00PM – Grand 12 & 13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Experts in comics, TV, film, and games share how they got into the industry and how they’ve helped increase representation in their work. Then, panelists and the audience will brainstorm ways in which fans and creators can help increase diversity and inclusion in their fandom and their work. Speakers: Nhut Le (actor, JudoMaster on Peacemaker), Silvia Olivas (co-executive producer & head writer for Disney’s Elena of Avalor and Netflix’s Maya and the Three), Amy Chu (writer, Wonder Woman, DOTA), Lamont Magee (writer/producer, DC/CW Black Lightning, Green Lantern), Joelle Sellner (writer, DC Super Hero Girls, Lego Friends), Cherry Davis (host, Afterbuzz), Patrick Dougall (digital creator, Marvel cosplayer), with moderator Kevin Winston (Digital LA).
The Wheel of Time Origins
4:15PM – 5:15PM – Room 6A
The Wheel of Time: Origins is the animated digital short companion series to hit, fantasy epic The Wheel of Time on Prime Video. The Wheel of Time: Origins brings fans deeper into the lore of The Wheel of Time and its vast history and subjects. The creative team and a surprise guest behind The Wheel of Time: Origins treat fans to a deep dive conversation into the making of this beloved companion series, along with an exclusive special video presentation that promises to deliver some Comic-Con magic to attendees.
The Her Universe Fashion Show
6:00PM – 8:00PM – Harbor Ballroom, Manchester Grand Hyatt
The 8th Annual Her Universe Fashion Show returns to the Manchester Grand Hyatt. This fashion competition features 25 competing designers who are vying for the winning opportunity to design a fashion collection with Her Universe for Hot Topic. Two winners, an audience and a judges’ winner, will be chosen by the end of the night. The show is presented by Her Universe and Hot Topic and will be hosted by Her Universe founder Ashley Eckstein.
Psychology of Cult TV Shows: How to Cope with Loneliness Through Pop Culture
8:00PM – 9:00PM – Room 25ABC
The rates of depression and PTSD have significantly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Loneliness has been referred to as a global epidemic, contributing to a vast increase in suicide rates. This panel will focus on how we can find a sense of belonging and refuge in TV shows, such as WandaVision, Supernatural, Hawkeye, and others. Psychologists Dr. Janina Scarlet ( Superhero Therapy; Supernatural Therapy), Dr. Kiere Eichelberger (The Black Girl Doctor), Dr. Harpreet Malla (Los Angeles County Psychological Association, Counseling South Asian Americans: Psychological and Clinical Implications), social worker Travis Adams ( Supernatural Psychology; Daredevil Psychology), join actress and mental health activist Chase Masterson ( Star Trek; The Flash) and Ruth Connell ( Supernatural). Dustin McGinnis (Harry Potter Therapy Podcast) moderates.
You can view the entire schedule for Thursday, here.