The 20 Best New Shows of 2026 (and 29 More We Can't Wait For)
We've got murder mysteries, stories of love and lust, and lots and lots of Yellowstone. And that's just the beginning.
THE IDEA OF "new" television shows is a little bit of a tricky one these days. Sure, we do still get a fair share of truly new, exciting, unique ideas each year—just look at shows like Severance a couple years ago and Pluribus last year. Shows like last year's The Lowdown—rich, well-written, character-focused stories—still draw major stars like Ethan Hawke and still hit in a big way for audiences that watch it. If someone was being dramatic and wanted to say original TV was dead, dying, or on life support, there's plenty of evidence out there to throw in their face.
But at the same time, they aren't entirely wrong. For one reason or another, so much of the TV landscape—even shows we're really excited for—are based around something that in one way or another already exists. Among the shows we're eager to see are a number of movies being made into shows (Man on Fire and Cape Fear among them), TV series based around characters we love from comics or other mediums (Lanterns and Spider-Noir), TV continuations of beloved franchises (Blade Runner 2099 and Crystal Lake) and even straight-up reboots of shows everyone loves (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Malcolm in the Middle, and Scrubs).
Look, we can't beat too much around the bush: People love nostalgia, people love things they recognize and remember, and it can be pretty hard to get anyone to even attempt to give their attention to something new, let alone get really into it in the way we all like to with the very best of TV. Which is why we kind of have two different options here—people need to be really trusting of word of mouth and really aware when something is a really good new, original show (because no one likes to waste their time with a piece of junk), and we just need to really hope that all the remakes, reboots, reimaginings, and re-whatevers are good.
And they should be! HBO's Lanterns is modeled after True Detective, stars Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre as the titular Green Lanterns, and counts Watchmen genius Damon Lindelof as a producer. Why wouldn't that be good? Apple TV's Cape Fear counts Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg among its producers and Javier Bardem, Amy Adams, and Patrick Wilson among it's cast. Again: Why wouldn't that be good? Yahya Abdul Mateen II kicked off 2026 with one of the year's early best shows (in Marvel's Wonder Man), and we can only hope that he keeps his hot streak going when he steps into Denzel Washington's shoes for Netflix's new take on Man on Fire. Will it be good? Who's to say. But we are choosing to be hopeful.
Below, we're going to keep track all year. We're charting the shows we already know are good. We're charting the shows we think might be good. And we're charting the shows that may not even come out this year, but if they do... they still might not be good. But, again, say it with us: We're choosing to be hopeful.
His & Hers (Netflix)
Netflix has been really good of late at the pulpy, potboiler, limited series, and His & Hers is the latest in that winning streak. The show follows a detective (Jon Bernthal) and his estranged journalist wife (Tessa Thompson) as they both hunt for answers when a local woman—whom they both have a close connection to—winds up dead. Based on Alice Feeney's book of the same name, His & Hers is exactly how this kind of show should be: Juicy, fun, easy to watch, and filled with really good actors.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (HBO)
In shrinking its story down to a more intimate one that takes place between the margins of major universe events, Game of Thrones takes a page out of the Andor handbook with A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (based on George R.R. Martin's Dunk and Egg novellas). This short series, which follows a big, humble, anxious hedge knight (former professional rugby playerPeter Claffey)and his little friend/squire (Dexter Sol Ansell) is a true breath of fresh air for Thrones fans on both a story and character level. It's a delight.
Ponies (Peacock)
Doesn't the premise of Ponies just sound fun? This spy series set in '70s Moscow follows a pair of women working with the CIA who find themselves at the midst of a vast conspiracy when their husbands both die under mysterious circumstances. And those women are played by The White Lotus's Haley Lu Richardson and Game of Thrones queen Emilia Clarke. Sometimes something that sounds like a winner just turns out to be one.
The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins (NBC/Peacock)
This show about a disgraced former football player (Tracy Morgan) and a documentary filmmaker following him (Daniel Radcliffe) comes from the team behind 30 Rock, so you know you're going to get several jokes per minute. Plus, Morgan and Radcliffe are no slouches themselves. The show had a special debut in January and will continue on a regular schedule later in February.
Wonder Man (Disney+)
At the very least, Wonder Man is among the best shows Marvel ever made—and you could make a case that it's at the top of the list. Yahya Abdul Mateen II plays the titular hero (aka actor Simon Williams) as the kind of guy we love to love in this sort of story: humble, well-meaning, charismatic, and ambitious. But when he meets fellow actor (and former fake terrorist) Trevor Slattery (Ben Kingsley) and learns that his favorite movie from childhood is being remade by an acclaimed director, everything changes. Wonder Man isn't just a good Marvel show, but a good show about people, movies, and friendship period. Let's hope the MCU takes notes from what worked so well here and keeps the streak going in the future.
The Muppet Show (ABC/Disney+)
One of America's great cultural institutions made its grand return in 2026: The Muppet Show! This version—coming from executive producers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg—is directly modeled on the original Muppet Show, which means special guests, musical performances, comedy sketches, and lots of fun. The first episode, which featured special guest star Sabrina Carpenter, was an absolute delight for anyone who likes Kermit, Miss Piggy, and friends (or who just likes laughing and having a good time). For now, it's just this one episode, but if the reaction is strong enough (and it seems like it might be), the show will come back in full.
Love Story (FX)
The latest entry in producer Ryan Murphy's American Story universe is called Love Story, and follows the romance and life between Carolyn Bessette Kennedy and John F. Kennedy Jr. The show is, however, much better than that tabloid-y description sounds; Sarah Pidgeon, who plays Carolyn, is a star, coming off her Tony-nominated role in the Fleetwood Mac-inspired play Stereophonic. But Paul Anthony Kelly, who plays JFK Jr., is a real discovery—it's his first role (he was previously a model), and he truly feels like a reincarnation of the late attorney/magazine publisher/dashing public figure. Of course, this is a story that ends in an extreme tragedy—so if you get invested, be sure to have your tissues ready.
Neighbors (HBO)
This wild documentary series looks at different disputes between neighbors, telling compelling and often escalating true stories that will truly floor you in the depiction of their very-real truth. Think about this less as a story about the legalities of these disputes, and more a look into some larger-than-life characters through an often trippy, absurd lens. The series is produced by Josh Safdie and Ronald Bronstein, coming off of their recent success on the Oscar-nominated Marty Supreme.
Scrubs (ABC)
The new season of Scrubs brings back almost all of the original cast, including Zach Braff, Donald Faison, and Sarah Chalke. And audiences who love and/or remember that trio and most of the show's original dramedy premise should be pleased with this new version of the beloved aughts sitcom. The last season aired in 2010, so we're OK with calling this 16-years-later revival a 'new' show.
DTF St. Louis (HBO)
DTF St. Louis follows trio of languishing adults—played by the electric trio of Jason Bateman, Linda Cardellini, and David Harbour—who get involved in a love triangle and general madness that results in one of them winding up dead. You may think you have an idea of what you're getting into with this show based on the cast and that premise, but believe us—all of your expectations will be upended. DTF St. Louis is a tonal balancing act, a show that bounces between hilarious dark comedy, compelling mystery, and gutting, relatable drama. It's one of the best shows of the year.
Marshals (CBS)
The second age of Yellowstone begins in earnest with Marshals, a 13-episode drama that airs on CBS (and streams on Parmaount+ either simultaneously or a day later, depending on which tier of subscription you have). The series focuses on Luke Grimes's character Kayce, and how an old SEAL Team leader (Logan Marshall-Green) recruits him into his Marshal squad. There's at least one more Yellowstone spinoff coming in 2026—Dutton Ranch—and so this is the one leading the charge.
Young Sherlock (Prime Video)
One of the busiest men in show business these days—on both the big and small screen—is Guy Ritchie, and his newest endeavor takes him back to a world he's inhabited a couple times before. Young Sherlock follows, well, a Young Sherlock Holmes. And as you can imagine, it follows Arthur Conan Doyle's famous detective as he solves a mystery. Hero Fiennes Tiffin plays the titular character, and Colin Firth is also part of the show's cast. If you're into that, you'll have a fun time! It's an enjoyable show.
Vladimir (Netlfix)
The erotic thriller is back! Or, well, juicy erotic character study dramedy? Whatever we want to call it, Netflix's Vladimir is one of the year's most exciting new shows. Based on the novel of the same name, this show follows a longtime literature professor at a college (Rachel Weisz, constantly breaking the fourth wall) who finds herself in the midst of controversy when her fellow professor husband (John Slattery) gets caught sleeping with students. She takes this as an opportunity to switch things up a bit, and so she becomes smitten with her very sexy new colleague (Leo Woodall). It's a fun, zippy, juicy time—and kind of like if Deadpool was actually about a smart woman in academia who's spinning her wheels and maybe just a little bit horny.
Rooster (HBO)
From the mold of Ted Lasso and Shrinking comes Rooster, which stars Steve Carell and counts Lasso and Shrinking co-creator Bill Lawrence (who also made Scrubs and Cougar Town) as its showrunner. Carell plays an author who heads to help his professor daughter on a college campus... and becomes enamored with life there. Imagine Back to School but with some middle-age soul-searching and academia at play? Sure! HBO's got another winner on their hands with this one—and maybe Carell can get the Emmy that he somehow never got for The Office.
Scarpetta (Prime Video)
There are 29 books in the Scarpetta series, and, now, one TV show on Prime Video starring Nicole Kidman and Jamie Lee Curtis. The series follows forensic pathologist Dr. Kay Scarpetta (Kidman) as she solves a crime—but the show is so much more than just that. In a way, Scarpetta is destined to fit into Prime Video's roster of rock-solid procedural murder mysteries, which also includes Reacher, Cross, Bosch, and plenty more. But it's got a little bit of an extra chaotic oomph—helped out by the star-studded cast that also includes Bobby Cannavale and Simon Baker—that make it worth your while and a unique, fun show.
Sunny Nights (Hulu)
Sunny Nights, which aired in Australia last year, now makes its U.S. debut on Hulu. The premise is simple: A pair of siblings (played by the very funny Will Forte and D'Arcy Carden) want to start a spray tan business, but wind up entrenched in the criminal underworld. Whoops! Forte and Carden have been two of our finest comedic actors for a while—with ability to play depth in addition to that humor—and the show thrives when they're at their strongest. A solid watch for anyone looking for something light but compelling.
The Madison (Paramount+)
This series—from Yellowstone super writer/producer Taylor Sheridan—follows Stacy Clyburn (Michelle Pfeiffer) and her family, as they move from the busy, stressful world of New York City to a more rustic setting out in beautiful Montana after a totally unforseen tragedy. Kurt Russell plays her husband, Preston, with his usual endless charisma, while the supporting cast includes the likes of Matthew Fox and Suits star Patrick J. Adams. Sheridan does his usual zigging and zagging in The Madison—the tone can sometimes shift from very sad to zany and comedic, and, as usual, there's a bit of social commentary speechifying buried in almost every scene. But if you're on board with the writing style he uses in shows like Yellowstone and Landman, you'll probably be OK with it here, especially if you're ready for a heavier and more contemplative tone. This show was originally planned to be part of the Yellowstone connected universe, but those plans have since been changed; It's now a new story, but with that Montana setting, you still get to look at all sorts of beautiful landscapes.
Bait (Prime Video)
Riz Ahmed is the creator and star of Bait, a show about an actor who thinks he's about to get offered the role of a lifetime—James Bond!—and the madness that spirals out of such a revelation. If you're a fan of Ahmed's (and why wouldn't you be?) this will be a fun ride.
Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen (Netflix)
Camila Morrone (Daisy Jones and the Six) and Adam DiMarco (The White Lotus) are set to get married in this horror series from showrunnerHaley Z. Boston (who worked on the very underrated Brand New Cherry Flavor) and producers The Duffer Brothers. And not to oversell, but Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen is the best horror show I've seen in quite some time. While the show plays with familiar settings and tropes—you may think of Ready or Not or Midsommar during the show's eight episodes—it's so filled with Ari Aster-esque dread and stunning, striking camera work that it doesn't even matter. Horror fans are in for an absolute treat with this one.
Malcolm In The Middle: Life's Still Unfair (Hulu/Disney+)
The beloved '90s and 2000s sitcom Malcolm in the Middle makes its grand return with Life's Still Unfair, a four-part limited series that picks up with our favorite parents and brothers 20 years after the show aired its last episode in 2006.Frankie Muniz, now also a NASCAR racer, and Bryan Cranston, now a seven-time Emmy winner, are among those returning. If you loved the original series, you’ll probably love this too.
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