The 16 Most Anticipated TV Shows of 2026

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Each new year brings fresh dates on our letters, a chance to make resolutions (which we might keep!), and plenty of new things to watch. We’ve already compiled a list of must-see movies for 2026, including a separate list for Netflix releases. Now, we’re focusing on television, previewing all the new and returning shows coming in 2026.

As a TV critic, I’m telling you, this year is shaping up to be HUGE. We’re getting fresh seasons of shows everyone loves – I’m talking The Pitt, Ted Lasso, even Game of Thrones and For All Mankind. Plus, there’s a wave of new superhero content, some really promising adaptations of beloved books, and a ton of original stories to keep us glued to our screens. Honestly, that’s just scratching the surface of what’s coming!

There’s a lot happening, which is why we’re building in some free time to make sure we can enjoy it all! While some shows have confirmed release dates, most are still to come, so stay tuned for announcements about the titles you’re looking forward to. 2026 promises to be an amazing year for TV, so let’s take a look at what’s coming up.

The 16 TV Shows We’re Looking Forward to in 2026

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (HBO)

Even though Game of Thrones finished a few years ago, its spin-off shows are just starting to gain momentum. Besides the upcoming third season of House of the Dragon (expected this year), we’re also getting A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, a new prequel based on George R.R. Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg stories. Peter Claffey will play Ser Duncan the Tall (Dunk), a knight of humble origins, and Dexter Sol Ansell will play his young companion, Prince Aegon Targaryen (Egg). The series takes place roughly a century before Game of Thrones and right after the events of the current House of the Dragon storyline, so fans of the A Song of Ice and Fire universe should take note!

Cape Fear (Apple TV)

Fans of suspenseful thrillers will be excited about the new Apple TV+ series, a reimagining of Cape Fear. The show follows a man recently released from prison who is determined to get revenge on the lawyer who helped convict him. While not a remake of the original novel or films, the series draws inspiration from all three, updating the story for a modern audience. It stars Javier Bardem, Amy Adams, and Patrick Wilson, and is created by Nick Antosca, known for his work on shows like Channel Zero, Hannibal, and the Netflix miniseries Brand New Cherry Flavor.

Carrie (Prime Video)

It seems like every generation gets its own version of Carrie. Stephen King’s classic novel has been adapted for film and stage multiple times, but this is the first time it’s coming to television. The new miniseries on Prime Video stars Summer H. Howell as Carrie White, a high school student with telekinetic powers who gets revenge on those who torment her – and you can expect the infamous bucket of blood. The adaptation is, unsurprisingly, led by horror expert Mike Flanagan, who also brought Doctor Sleep, Gerald’s Game, and The Life of Chuck to life.

Crystal Lake (Peacock)

The highly anticipated series Crystal Lake, a prequel to the Friday the 13th movies, is coming to Peacock, distributed by A24. Originally developed by Bryan Fuller (known for Hannibal), Fuller was let go after the 2023 Writers Guild strike as A24 decided to change the show’s creative direction. Now, with Bradley Caleb Kane—who worked on last year’s IT: Welcome to Derry—as the new showrunner, we’ll soon see where the series goes.

East of Eden (Netflix)

Following the success of shows like Bridgerton, Netflix is planning several miniseries based on classic novels this year. While an adaptation of Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence is expected later, fans are especially excited about the upcoming series based on John Steinbeck’s East of Eden. Written and produced by Zoe Kazan, the show boasts a stellar cast including Florence Pugh, Christopher Abbott, Mike Faist, Tracy Letts, and Ciaran Hinds – and likely many other talented actors – so it’s definitely one to watch.

Euphoria Season 3 (HBO)

Many fans wondered if it would ever return, but Sam Levinson’s hit show Euphoria is coming back for a third – and probably final – season this spring. The main cast, including Zendaya, Hunter Schafer, Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeney, and Eric Dane, will all be back. The new season jumps ahead five years, showing us what happened after high school. We’ll find Rue dealing with debt and trouble in a foreign country, Cassie and Nate are married, and Jules is pursuing her art in school.

Industry Season 4 (HBO)

HBO’s intense drama Industry returns this year! The ambitious young professionals are back after causing chaos at their firm – and in their personal lives – at the end of last season. They’re more cutthroat than ever as they navigate the high-stakes world of finance. Harper (Myha’la) now leads a specialized firm and is focused on taking down a new payment company trying to become a bank. Meanwhile, Harper’s rival Yasmin (Marisa Abela) is adjusting to the realities of life among the super-rich after marrying the wealthy Henry Muck (Kit Harington), and their former boss Eric (Ken Leung) is enjoying retirement… for now.

Lanterns (HBO)

This year, the new DC Universe is growing with the release of Lanterns, a major Green Lantern series—the first since the 2011 movie. Kyle Chandler will play the experienced Lantern Hal Jordan, and Aaron Pierre will star as John Stewart, a new recruit. Together, they’ll investigate a puzzling murder in Nebraska. The cast also includes Kelly Macdonald as the local sheriff and Nathan Fillion returning as Green Lantern Guy Gardner. The series was created by Chris Mundy, comic writer Tom King, and Damon Lindelof, known for his work on Lost and Watchmen.

Neuromancer (Apple TV)

Apple TV is adding another potentially excellent sci-fi series to its lineup with an adaptation of William Gibson’s groundbreaking 1984 novel, Neuromancer, which helped popularize the cyberpunk genre. The show stars Callum Turner as Case, a small-time criminal who’s lost his connection to virtual reality. He gets a dangerous offer: restore his access to the virtual world by completing a hacking job for a mysterious ex-military figure. This deal quickly throws him into a desperate, high-stakes situation where survival depends on navigating a complex and perilous game.

The Pitt Season 2 (HBO Max)

The popular medical drama is returning for a second season, continuing its fast-paced, real-time format and intense storylines. Noah Wyle reprises his role as Dr. Robby in The Pitt, now set during a chaotic Fourth of July. Expect plenty of graphic injuries, just like last season! Each hour-long episode takes place in the emergency room of a Pittsburgh hospital, following doctors – both new and experienced – as they treat a wide range of emergencies and deal with their own personal lives.

Pride and Prejudice (Netflix)

Fans of classic novels and miniseries on Netflix have a lot to look forward to this year! The streaming service is creating a new adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved story, Pride and Prejudice. Considering how well Netflix’s historical dramas have been performing, this adaptation is highly anticipated. Emma Corrin will play Elizabeth Bennet, with Jack Lowden as the complex Mr. Darcy, and the cast also includes Olivia Colman, Rufus Sewell, Fiona Shaw, and Louis Partridge.

Spider-Noir (Prime Video)

Okay, so I was totally blown away by Nicolas Cage’s Spider-Man Noir in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and now he’s getting his own show! It’s called Spider-Noir, and it’s set in this really cool, gritty 1930s New York. The story follows Ben Reilly, an older private investigator who also happens to be a superhero, as he cracks cases and wrestles with some dark secrets from his past. What’s especially exciting is that, unlike the animated Spider-Verse, this one’s live-action, and they actually filmed it in black and white to give it that classic, shadowy film noir feel. Honestly, of all the superhero stuff coming out this year, this is the one that’s really grabbing my attention – it feels like something totally different.

Star City (Apple TV)

Fans of Apple TV+’s excellent sci-fi series, For All Mankind, which imagines an alternate history of the Space Race, have another reason to be excited: a new spinoff called Star City. Also created by Ronald D. Moore, Star City will take place in the Soviet Union’s cosmonaut training center and will explore the Soviet Union’s role in space exploration in more detail. While details are still limited, the show will star Rhys Ifans, Anna Maxwell Martin, and Ruby Ashbourne Serkis.

Ted Lasso Season 4 (Apple TV)

I was so excited to hear that Ted Lasso is coming back for another season on Apple TV! I really thought they wrapped things up with all the football storylines in Season 3, so this is a great surprise. It sounds like most of the original cast – Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, Brett Goldstein, Juno Temple, and Jeremy Swift – will be back, which is fantastic. We don’t know what the new season will be about yet, but I’m expecting plenty of football action, funny situations, and all the heartwarming moments that made the show so special.

The Terror: Devil in Silver (AMC)

Fans of scary TV will be excited to hear that a new season of The Terror is coming to AMC this year. This installment, titled Devil in Silver, is based on Victor LaValle’s novel of the same name. The story follows a man mistakenly sent to a mental institution who suspects a terrifying presence – the Devil himself – is lurking within its walls. The show will feature a talented cast including Dan Stevens, Judith Light, CCH Pounder, Stephen Root, and Aasif Mandvi.

The Testaments (Hulu)

Just when we thought the terrifying world of Gilead was behind us, Hulu is continuing the story with The Testaments, a new series based on Margaret Atwood’s 2019 sequel novel. Set five years after the end of The Handmaid’s Tale, the show will focus on a new generation of women who have no memory of the life before Gilead and are now facing its harsh realities. Ann Dowd will return as the formidable Aunt Lydia, and Chase Infiniti will star as Agnes Mackenzie, the daughter of June, the main character from the original series.

TV Shows Coming to an End in 2026

1. Good Omens

Following accusations against creator Neil Gaiman, the series Good Omens will conclude with a special 90-minute episode instead of a traditional third season. Filming wrapped up in 2025, and the episode is expected to be released sometime in 2026. Michael Sheen, who stars in the show about an angel and a demon teaming up to stop the end of the world, shared that while it ideally should have been six episodes, fans will likely have strong opinions about the finale. He praised the direction, performances, and overall quality of the episode, adding a mysterious note about the inclusion of nightingales. Good Omens originally premiered on Amazon Prime in 2019.

2. Outer Banks

The popular Netflix series Outer Banks, a teen adventure-drama filmed in North Carolina and centered around a treasure hunt, will conclude with its fifth and final season in 2026. Filming finished in late 2025. Actor Chase Stokes recently told People magazine he’s grateful for the show’s success and that the cast is eager to finish strong and give the story a satisfying ending. Outer Banks first debuted on Netflix in April 2020.

3. The Comeback

Lisa Kudrow’s HBO comedy, The Comeback, will return for a third and final season in 2026. The show, which originally aired in 2005 and 2014, playfully satirizes the world of television through Kudrow’s character, Valerie Cherish, a sitcom actress. Kudrow recently told W magazine that while the new season won’t feature any surprise celebrity cameos, it will include appearances by some excellent actors. HBO renewed The Comeback for its final season last summer.

4. Yellowjackets

As a huge fan, I was thrilled when Yellowjackets premiered in 2021, but also sad to hear it’s ending! This gripping survival thriller, which jumps between the late ’90s and the present day, follows a high school soccer team whose plane crashes, leaving them stranded and, eventually, resorting to unthinkable measures. It’s a wild ride! Originally, the creators, Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson, had planned five seasons, but they’ve decided to wrap things up with a fourth and final season, promising a suitably twisted ending to this incredible story.

5. Hacks

The comedy-drama Hacks will conclude with its fifth and final season on HBO Max in 2026. The show, which debuted in 2021, centers on the relationship between a veteran comedian and her driven young writer. Creator Hannah Einbinder shared last year that while it’s emotional to end the series, she believes it’s the right decision and prefers to finish strong. The renewal for the fifth and final season was announced in May 2025.

6. Outlander

The popular time-travel romance series Outlander will end its run this year with its eighth and final season. Premiering on Starz on March 6th, the 10-episode season will conclude the story of Claire and Jamie, airing through May 2026. In an interview with People, star Sam Heughan expressed hope that viewers will feel the series did justice to the characters, the story, and the fans. While the show doesn’t cover all the material from the books, Heughan said the team wanted to provide a satisfying conclusion to their adaptation.

7. Queer Eye

The popular Netflix series Queer Eye, a reboot of the original 2003 show Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, will conclude with its tenth season, premiering January 21st. The heartwarming reality show first debuted on Netflix in 2018. When the final season was announced last year, beauty expert Jonathan Van Ness shared on Instagram that they were thrilled to bring it to viewers and excited about what’s to come.

8. All American

The CW’s drama series All American, which is based on the life of football player Spencer Paysinger, will conclude with its eighth season in 2026. The show, a surprise success since its 2018 debut, is set to end on an emotional note. According to star Daniel Ezra, who spoke with People in November 2025, those who have read the final script have been moved to tears, describing it as both beautiful and deeply affecting.

9. The Boys

The dark superhero series The Boys, based on the comic books of the same name, debuted on Amazon Prime in 2019. The show follows a group of vigilantes as they battle corrupt superheroes controlled by a powerful corporation. The fifth and final season will premiere on April 8, 2026, bringing the story of Hughie, Billy Butcher, Starlight, Homelander, and the others to a close. Showrunner Eric Kripke described the final season in a tweet last year as a “gory, epic, moist climax.”

10. Ridiculousness

After 14 years and 46 seasons, MTV will stop making new episodes of its comedy clip show, Ridiculousness, hosted by Rob Dyrdek, in 2025. The show, which first aired in 2011, will continue to air previously filmed episodes through 2026, and reruns will likely remain on the channel. Dyrdek explained the cancellation in a social media video, saying it was good timing as he focuses on better managing his time and priorities.

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2026-01-09 18:31