15 Most Exciting Shows Releasing In 2026

After a five-year slowdown caused by COVID-19 and the writers’ and actors’ strikes, television is making a strong comeback. We’re already seeing great shows return, and 2026 promises even more, with both highly anticipated revivals and exciting new series set to premiere.

As a huge TV fan, I’m really excited for all the upcoming shows! We’ll definitely be talking about continuations of series we already love, like Game of Thrones and Yellowstone, but there are also a ton of completely new things on the way. I’m especially looking forward to A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and Spider Noir – 2026 is shaping up to be an amazing year for television!

A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms (HBO)

HBO is continuing its popular fantasy series set in Westeros with a new show called A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. The show is based on the stories from George R.R. Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg and takes place about 75 years after House of the Dragon and 100 years before Game of Thrones, during the time when the Targaryen family still ruled as kings.

The series centers on Ser Duncan the Tall, a kind but unpolished knight, brought to life by Peter Claffey. He travels with his clever and mysterious young squire, Prince Aegon Targaryen, nicknamed Egg, who is played by Dexter Sol Ansell.

Compared to Game of Thrones, the new series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is based on a less serious story. The trailers suggest it will be more humorous, and it’s already been confirmed that the show will return for a second season before the first one even airs.

The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins (NBC)

In the comedy series The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, Tracy Morgan plays Reggie, a former football star trying to rebuild his life and career. To help him win back fans and reconnect with his family, Reggie hires a sincere documentary filmmaker named Arthur Tobin, played by Daniel Radcliffe, to record his comeback story.

NBC seems to be aiming for a heartwarming, sports-themed comedy similar to Ted Lasso, and their new show pairs Morgan with the creators of her hit series 30 Rock, Tina Fey and Robert Carlock. This new show, Stumble, is a promising addition to their lineup.

Daniel Radcliffe’s new show, Reggie Dinkins, looks especially good because his TV projects are often unique, creative, and surprisingly touching – like his show Miracle Workers. That blend of qualities makes Reggie Dinkins a promising comedy to watch for in 2026.

Love Story (FX)

Ryan Murphy’s new FX series, originally called American Love Story, now titled Love Story, will focus on different love stories each season. The first season will tell the tragic story of John F. Kennedy Jr. (played by Paul Kelly) and his wife, Carolyn Bessette (played by Sarah Pidgeon), a couple constantly in the public eye.

In addition to starring as Jackie Kennedy alongside Murphy, Naomi Watts appears in Love Story. Murphy excels when he brings his detailed and elaborate style to historical events, as demonstrated in American Crime Story. If he successfully combines personal moments with grand visuals in Love Story, it has the potential to be one of his most powerful and beautiful works yet.

The Testaments (Hulu)

As a huge fan of The Handmaid’s Tale, I was so excited to finally watch The Testaments on Hulu! It’s the sequel we’ve all been waiting for, and it picks up the story about 15 years after the first book ended. It’s fantastic!

The new season brings back Ann Dowd as the powerful Aunt Lydia, but this time she’s at the heart of a story about young women growing up under the oppressive regime. Chase Infiniti, known for their role in One Battle After Another, plays Agnes, who is now the adult version of June and Luke’s daughter Hannah.

Big Mistakes (Netflix)

Not much is known about the plot of Big Mistakes yet, but Netflix describes it as a comedy about two siblings, Nicky and Morgan, who are hilariously bad at everything and get caught up in a criminal scheme. This series is also Dan Levy’s first time creating a show since Schitt’s Creek.

Levy will star alongside Rachel Sennott, who currently appears in HBO’s I Love LA. This pairing is already generating excitement among comedy fans, suggesting the series will be smart, focused on interesting characters, and feature both funny, uncomfortable moments and genuine emotional depth.

Blade Runner 2099 (Prime Video)

Prime Video

The highly anticipated series Blade Runner 2099 picks up the story of the classic sci-fi world many years after the events of Blade Runner 2049. Starring Michelle Yeoh as Olwen, a replicant facing her mortality, the show is set in a future Los Angeles still grappling with artificial intelligence, powerful corporations, and a sense of uncertainty. Olwen teams up with a fugitive human named Cora, played by Hunter Schafer, known for her role in Euphoria.

Taking cues from Philip K. Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, the show maintains the franchise’s beautiful visuals, thoughtful themes, and subtle emotional style. It offers a deliberately paced investigation into questions of identity, death, and what it truly means to be human in a world increasingly based on artificiality.

Crystal Lake (Peacock)

Peacock is creating a new horror series called Crystal Lake that explores the origins of the Friday the 13th story. The show will be a prequel to the original 1980 film and stars Linda Cardellini as Pamela Voorhees and Callum Vinson as a young Jason Voorhees.

Instead of relying heavily on graphic violence, the new Crystal Lake series is aiming for the unsettling atmosphere of 1970s psychological thrillers, focusing on building suspense and dread. Given showrunner Brad Caleb Kane’s work on It: Welcome to Derry, viewers anticipate a show that blends familiar franchise elements with sophisticated horror storytelling.

DTF St. Louis (HBO)

DTF St. Louis is a new dark comedy series coming to HBO, featuring Jason Bateman, David Harbour, and Linda Cardellini. The show follows three adults caught in a complicated love triangle as they deal with the challenges of midlife, and things take a dark turn when one of them unexpectedly dies.

The new series, created by Steve Conrad, is based on the true story detailed in James Lasdun’s New Yorker article, “My Dentist’s Murder Trial: Adultery, False Identities, and a Lethal Sedation.” It remains to be seen if this will be one of Jason Bateman’s most memorable performances, but Bateman, David Harbour, and Judy Cardellini all excel in roles that blend humor with serious, darker themes.

Dutton Ranch (Paramount+)

Following the end of Yellowstone, Dutton Ranch continues the story of the Dutton family. This new series on Paramount+ centers around beloved characters Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) and Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) as they work to protect the family’s ranch, deal with threats, and navigate the difficulties of life in the West.

The show is adding Annette Bening as Beulah Jackson and Ed Harris as Everett McKinney to the cast. While details about Y: Marshals (launching March 1st) are emerging, fans are particularly excited for Dutton Ranch, which is a more straightforward continuation of the original series.

Elle (Prime Video)

Elle will delve into the story of Elle Woods’ teenage years, before she ever joined Delta Nu at UCLA or went to Harvard Law. Much like The Carrie Diaries did for Sex and the City, the show will reveal the experiences that shaped this beloved character. And yes, it’s going to be a fun ride – just like Elle would say, ‘What, like it’s hard?’

Lexi Minetree stars in Elle, a new series exploring Elle’s teenage years, and is supported by Reese Witherspoon. The show, produced by Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine, aims to be both true to the original story and offer a new perspective.

2025-12-22 06:12