Best shows coming in 2026: The 28 new and returning TV series you absolutely won’t want to miss

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Next year looks great for TV! 2026 is already shaping up to be full of new and returning shows. Fans will be especially excited for season two of The Night Manager, premiering on New Year’s Day with stars Tom Hiddleston and Olivia Colman reprising their roles.

There’s plenty more exciting TV on the way! Viewers can look forward to a new drama called Half Man from the creator of Baby Reindeer, Richard Gadd, the return of Derry Girls’ writer Lisa McGee with a fresh thriller-comedy set in Belfast, and a new drama from Russell T Davies, this one taking place in Manchester’s Canal Street.

2026 promises to bring back many popular shows, including Bridgerton on Netflix, the exciting new series Rivals from Disney, and hopefully, another season of The Bear. We think it’s going to be a fantastic year for TV, and we’re here to help you stay informed about all the best upcoming releases.

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A Thousand Blows, season 2

Premiering on 9 January, 2026 on Disney+

Created by Steven Knight, the mind behind Peaky Blinders and the upcoming House of Guinness (scheduled for 2025), A Thousand Blows is a captivating historical drama that vividly portrays the harsh realities of Victorian London.

The first season of this show, featuring Stephen Graham, Malachi Kirby, and Erin Doherty and set in the world of bare-knuckle boxing, was very popular with Disney+ viewers. Because of that, fans are eagerly awaiting the new season – and thankfully, it’s arriving soon!

Lynley

Coming soon to the BBC

A fresh take on the popular Inspector Lynley mysteries – based on Elizabeth George’s bestselling novels – was originally planned to air on BBC this autumn. While it’s already been shown in the US, UK viewers are still waiting for the series, which is currently listed as ‘coming soon’ on BBC iPlayer.

Okay, so they’re rebooting Lynley, which is cool! I was surprised to see Leo Suter (Sanditon) taking over as Tommy Lynley – I liked the original actor, but Suter seems like a good fit. And Sofia Barclay (Ted Lasso) is playing DS Barbara Havers, which I’m also excited about. It’s a new cast, but hopefully they’ll keep the spirit of the show alive!

How to Get to Heaven from Belfast

Coming to Netflix in February 2026

The creator of Derry Girls, Lisa McGee, is back with a new Ireland-set comedy thriller. It follows three funny, but flawed, women on what McGee describes as the most thrilling and terrifying journey of their lives.

The series features a strong cast including Roísín Gallagher (known for The Dry), Sinéad Keenan (Unforgotten), and Caoilfhionn Dunne (A Thousand Blows) in the leading roles. The ensemble also includes Emmett H Scanlan (Kin, MobLand), Ardal O’Hanlon (Death in Paradise), and Michelle Fairley (Gangs of London).

Tip Toe

Coming to Channel 4 in 2026

We’re confident this new drama will be a must-watch event, something people will plan their week around. Russell T Davies is working again with many of the talented people who helped create his previous hits, It’s a Sin (from 2021) and the groundbreaking Queer as Folk.

Starring Alan Cumming and David Morrissey, and filmed in Manchester’s vibrant Canal Street, Tip Toe is a new drama that tackles important issues facing the LGBTQ+ community today. It looks at how prejudice is returning and the damaging effects it has on people’s lives.

Bridgerton, season 4

Part 1 arrives on Netflix on 29 January, 2026, and Part 2 follows on 26 February, 2026

Fans of Bridgerton have been eagerly anticipating this season, which will focus on the romance between Benedict Bridgerton and Sophie Baek. Luke Thompson will return as Benedict, and Yerin Ha will join the cast as Sophie.

Netflix has released a short preview of the iconic masquerade ball, and it looks incredibly romantic!

Under Salt Marsh

Coming to Sky and NOW on 30 January, 2026.

Claire Oakley’s new limited series is set in the made-up Welsh town of Morfa Halen. The discovery of an eight-year-old’s body, seemingly a drowning victim, deeply shocks the close community. The tragedy also reopens an old wound for former detective Jackie Ellis, bringing back the unsolved disappearance of her niece – a case that ended her career.

The film stars Kelly Reilly, known from Yellowstone, along with Rafe Spall (The English), Naomi Yang (Nightsleeper), and Mark Stanley (Happy Valley).

His & Hers

Releasing to Netflix on 8 January, 2026

Tessa Thompson (known for her role in Hedda) and Jon Bernthal (The Bear) star in this suspenseful crime thriller. When journalist Anna (Thompson) returns to her Georgia hometown, a woman is found murdered in the woods. Detective Jack Harper (Bernthal) is on the case, and as both investigate, they begin to suspect each other.

Okay, so I’m really hyped for this new Netflix series! It’s based on the super popular book by Alice Feeney, and everyone’s saying it’s a total page-turner – seriously twisty, addictive, and you won’t be able to stop watching. Netflix is promising a lot of drama and excitement, and the director, William Oldroyd, seems like he’s gonna deliver!

Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials

Releasing to Netflix on 26 January, 2026

This new series, set in a glamorous English country house in 1925, is a fast-paced and clever drama based on the work of Agatha Christie. The streaming service describes it as a fresh and exciting take on her classic stories.

Mia McKenna-Bruce stars in the leading role, alongside Martin Freeman (known for The Responder), Corey Mylchreest (from Queen Charlotte), and Nabhaan Rizwan (who appeared in Juice).

Steal

Streaming on Prime Video from 21 January, 2026

Sophie Turner plays Zara, a regular office worker unexpectedly caught up in a thrilling heist, in what critics are calling a fast-paced and exciting movie. The film also features Archie Madekwe (known from Saltburn) and Jacob Fortune-Lloyd (Bookish).

Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole

Coming to Netflix on 26 March, 2026

In 2026, Netflix will release a nine-episode crime series based on the popular books by a Norwegian author. The show will feature the well-known detective character, Harry Hole.

Tobias Santelmann, known for his role in The Last Kingdom, will star in the leading role, and we’ve gotten a sneak peek. Netflix has also hinted at the mystery at the heart of the show, describing it as a story crafted by a master of crime fiction.

Babies

Coming to BBC One and BBC iPlayer, release date TBC

The new drama, Babies, is a moving and heartfelt love story focusing on a couple in their thirties dealing with the pain of losing a pregnancy. It’s written and directed by award-winning Stefan Golaszewski, and stars Siobhán Cullen (known from The Dry) and Paapa Essiedu (Black Mirror).

Although we don’t have a specific release date yet, after getting a sneak peek, we expect it to be available sometime in 2026.

Maya

Coming to Channel 4 in 2026

Created by and starring Daisy Haggard, Maya is a drama series about Anna (Haggard), a single mother, and her teenage daughter, Maya (Bella Ramsey). They’re forced to start over with new identities in a small town in Scotland as part of a witness protection program, leaving their old lives in London behind.

Okay, so the cast for this game is seriously stacked! I was really excited to see Tobias Menzies – you know, from The Crown – is involved. And Harriet Walter, who’s amazing in Succession, is in it too! Stuart Bowman, who I recognized from Rebus, and Finlay Shack from Dept Q are part of the huge list of actors they’ve got. It’s gonna be awesome!

Rivals, season 2

Expected to arrive to Disney+ in the UK in 2026

This glamorous drama quickly became a hit when it started streaming in 2024, and viewers have been eagerly awaiting new episodes—and the resolution to that surprising cliffhanger—ever since.

We’ve seen the returning cast – including David Tennant, Nafessa Williams, Alex Hassell, and Bella Maclean – and can expect the second season to be dramatic, moving, and full of memorable scenes.

The Blame

Expected to arrive on ITV in 2026

Michelle Keegan will play the lead role of DI Emma Crane in a new crime drama adapted from Charlotte Langley’s popular novel. Amazon called it one of the top crime thrillers of 2023.

Detective Crane and DI Tom Radley, played by Douglas Booth, are investigating a murder in the town of Wakestead. They quickly find a likely suspect, but a surprising new clue changes everything.

Half Man

Coming to the BBC, release date TBC

Richard Gadd, the creator of Baby Reindeer, stars alongside Jamie Bell (All of Us Strangers) in a new BBC One drama. They play estranged brothers, Ruben and Niall, who reconnect after a long period apart.

The story covers nearly 40 years, starting in the 1980s and continuing to today. It will show the complete journey of Ruben and Niall’s relationship, from when they first met as teenagers struggling with their own issues, all the way through to the problems that eventually caused them to drift apart as adults.

Big Mood, season 2

Coming to Channel 4 in 2026

Camilla Whitehill wrote and created Big Mood, which quickly gained attention when it premiered in 2024. Viewers especially appreciated how the show portrayed mental health and bipolar disorder.

Nicola Coughlan and Lydia West play best friends Maggie and Eddie. Hannah Onslow (known from This City Is Ours) and Kyran Thrax, winner of Drag Race UK, are joining the cast.

Imperfect Women

Releasing on Apple TV+ on 18 March, 2026

The thriller Imperfect Women, featuring Elisabeth Moss and Kerry Washington, revolves around the death of Nancy and how her college friends, Eleanor and Mary, uncover unsettling secrets that challenge everything they thought they knew about her – and about themselves.

Based on Araminta Hall’s novel, the series is a complex mystery delving into themes of guilt, revenge, love, and betrayal. It examines how the choices we make can permanently change the course of our lives.

Gone

Expected to arrive to ITV in 2026

This new psychological drama stars Eve Myles and David Morrissey, and is written by George Kay, who was nominated for a BAFTA for his work on The Long Shadow.

The new series is a suspenseful mystery centered around a school headmaster (played by Morrissey) who is suspected when his wife, Sarah, goes missing. A determined detective, played by Myles, will investigate the headmaster, uncovering secrets as he searches for what really happened.

The Split Up

Coming to the BBC, release date TBC

While this new show is a spin-off of The Split with a fresh cast and a different setting, viewers who enjoyed the original are eagerly anticipating its 2026 release.

The new series of The Split Up, from creator Ursula Rani Sarma and executive producer Abi Morgan (creator of The Split), will center around the Kishans, a family of lawyers working with high-profile clients in Manchester. Ritu Arya (known for Humans) will be joining the cast, and Sir Lenny Henry and Jameela Jamil (The Good Place) will appear as guest stars.

Heartstopper

Coming to Netflix in 2026

While it’s being made into a movie, fans of the popular three-season Netflix show are most excited for the conclusion of Nick and Charlie’s story, which will be released in 2026.

The final volume of Heartstopper, titled Heartstopper Forever, will be a touching and heartfelt conclusion to the series, according to its creator, Alice Oseman.

The Rapture

Coming to the BBC, release date TBC

This new thriller is based on a highly praised novel—the BBC’s Director of Drama called it “compelling.” The cast includes Ruth Madeley (known from Doctor Who), India Amarteifio (Queen Charlotte), Iwan Rheon (Game of Thrones), and Sam Hazeldine (Slow Horses).

The BBC calls this drama a “high-stakes thriller full of danger.” It follows Gabs Fox, a forensic psychologist played by Madeley, as she begins a new job at a psychiatric hospital.

Gabby meets Bethany, a 17-year-old who’s been accused of murder, though she insists she’s innocent. Bethany claims she has psychic abilities and can see the future, leaving Gabby to wonder if she’s telling the truth. If Bethany didn’t commit the crime, the big question is: who did?

The Bear, season 5

Expected to arrive in 2026

Following the huge success of its fourth season, the award-winning series has been renewed for a fifth season. FX Chairman John Landgraf confirmed the news, calling it “one of the best shows on television” – and many would agree.

The show features Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and has also included many notable guest stars. New seasons have typically been released consistently, and while a fifth season hasn’t been officially confirmed, it was previously expected in 2026, according to Deadline.

Nobody Wants This, season 3

Netflix announced that new episodes of the show featuring Joanne and Noah’s love story will be released in 2026.

The show’s second season was another success, and it concluded with Joanne (Kristen Bell) deciding she wanted to become Jewish. Fortunately, Noah (Adam Brody) realized he couldn’t live without her and was willing to support her decision, whatever it was. The season ended with a sweet, romantic moment as they reunited just in the nick of time.

House of the Dragon, season 3

Coming to Sky and NOW in 2026

The next season, coming this summer, will continue the story of the Targaryen family’s conflict. And with season five already confirmed, fans can expect even more episodes to come.

Matt Smith is returning as Daemon Targaryen, and he’ll be joined by Emma D’Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen and Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower. James Norton is also joining the cast, making for a very busy year for him.

The Other Bennet Sister

Coming to the BBC, release date TBC

I just started watching this new BBC show based on Janice Hadlow’s book, and it’s all about the five Bennet sisters. Basically, it follows them trying to find their way through high society in Regency England – a time when getting married wasn’t just something you wanted to do, it was pretty much a must if you wanted to be secure.

Ella Bruccoleri, known from Call the Midwife, will play Mary, who embarks on a journey to find herself after traveling to London with her aunt and uncle. The story will focus on Mary coming into her own. Ruth Jones (Gavin and Stacey), Richard E. Grant (Thursday Murder Club), and Indira Varma (Doctor Who, Game of Thrones) also appear in the series.

The Testaments

Coming in 2026

According to the book’s description, The Testaments follows the lives of young women in Gilead as they face an uncertain and difficult future.

The new show is based on Margaret Atwood’s 2019 book and takes place 15 years after the story in The Handmaid’s Tale. Ann Dowd will be back as Aunt Lydia, and she’ll also be narrating the series.

Dear England

Coming to the BBC, release date TBC

Okay, so I just heard about this new show called Dear England. It’s a drama based on the life of Gareth Southgate, the former England football manager. Apparently, it’s based on a really popular stage play by James Graham, which won an Olivier Award! They’ve already dropped a first look, and Joseph Fiennes looks so much like Southgate – the transformation is pretty amazing.

The show also stars Jodie Whittaker, Jason Watkins, John Hodgkinson, and Will Antenbring.

Prisoner

Coming to Sky and NOW in 2026

This new action thriller from Sky, created and written by Matt Charman (known for Hostage), promises a dangerous and suspenseful chase where you can’t be sure who to trust.

Tahar Rahim, known for his role in Madame Web, and Izuka Hoyle, who appeared in Boiling Point and Big Boys, star in the film. The cast also includes Eddie Marsan (Back to Black), Finn Bennett (Black Doves), and Catherine McCormack (Lockerbie: A Search for Truth).

The latest issue of Living Legends is now available, and it’s dedicated to the incredible Dolly Parton! You can purchase ‘Dolly at 80’ from newsagents or online for only £8.99.

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2025-12-29 13:25