The 16 TV shows we’re excited for in 2026

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A new year means new TV shows are coming! In 2026, we can expect not only fresh series, but also the return of familiar favorites – with revivals, new seasons, spin-offs, and even series finales. While this isn’t a complete list and some dates are still to be announced, there’s already a lot to look forward to and add to your viewing schedule.

‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’ (Jan. 15, Paramount+)

It’s comforting to see “Star Trek” continue its optimistic vision of the future, especially now. The newest series, like “Star Trek: Discovery,” is set over 300 years in the future, allowing the writers to imagine anything. This installment follows cadets at a newly rebuilt Starfleet Academy in San Francisco and their adventures aboard the training ship USS Athena. Familiar faces return, including Tig Notaro as Jett Reno from “Discovery” and Robert Picardo’s holographic doctor from “Voyager.” The show also introduces a new, younger cast alongside Holly Hunter, playing the academy chancellor and starship captain, appealing to fans of her work in “Broadcast News.” Stephen Colbert lends his voice as the Digital Dean of Students, and Paul Giamatti transforms himself with prosthetics to play the villain. — Robert Lloyd

Television

Alex Kurtzman, the creative force behind the latest ‘Star Trek’ shows, is talking about the end of ‘Discovery’ and giving a preview of what’s coming in the new series ‘Starfleet Academy’ and the ‘Section 31’ show.

‘Memory of a Killer’ (Jan. 25, Fox)

Patrick Dempsey, best known as ‘McDreamy’ from ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ takes a seriously dramatic turn in Fox’s new thriller. He plays Angelo Ledda, a hitman in New York City facing a terrifying diagnosis: early Alzheimer’s. Imagine the complications that brings to his dangerous job and his attempts to maintain a normal family life! Based on a Belgian film, this series looks incredibly compelling, especially with a supporting cast including Michael Imperioli and Gina Torres. The trailer is particularly striking – Dempsey is intense, set to a haunting rendition of The Who’s ‘Behind Blue Eyes.’ Fox is clearly pushing this one, giving it a two-night premiere. You can catch the first episode right after the NFC Championship game, and the second on January 26th, before it settles into its regular Monday night slot at 9 p.m. I’m definitely adding this to my watchlist.

‘Scrubs’ revival (Feb. 25, ABC)

Get ready to revisit Sacred Heart Hospital with J.D., Elliot, Turk, Dr. Cox, and Carla! The beloved sitcom “Scrubs” was a comforting favorite in the early 2000s, and even after it ended in 2010, reruns kept fans engaged. Now, ABC is bringing the show back for a tenth season almost 16 years later, with original stars Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke, and Donald Faison returning. John C. McGinley and Judy Reyes will also make appearances. The cast will be expanded with new faces like Vanessa Bayer and Joel Kim Booster. As long as the show keeps J.D.’s imaginative daydreams and his funny friendship with Turk, I’m excited! — Maira Garcia

‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ Season 2 (Feb. 27, Apple TV)

It’s been two years since the first season of “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters” ended on a cliffhanger, jumping ahead in time, and I’ve been eager to see what happens next with the Randa family. The series centers on Cate Randa, a woman who survived an encounter with Godzilla, as she investigates the disappearance of her father, Hiroshi, with the help of her newly found half-brother, Kentaro, and a resourceful hacker named May. The Randa family’s history is deeply connected to both Godzilla and Monarch, a secret organization that studies giant monsters called Titans. While the potential for epic monster battles initially grabbed my attention, it’s the human stories that have really kept me watching. The first season concluded with Cate reuniting with her brother and father after escaping a strange world hidden beneath the Earth’s surface, along with her grandmother. That’s a recipe for some compelling family drama – and there might even be a love triangle thrown in! Plus, fans will be happy to hear that Kong could appear in the second season. – Tracy Brown

Television

The creators and stars of ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ – including Chris Black, Matt Fraction, Anna Sawai, Kiersey Clemons, and Ren Watabe – talk about how the series honors Godzilla’s origins in Japanese culture and their commitment to portraying it accurately.

’American Love Story’ (February, FX)

Ryan Murphy’s next installment of the “American Story” series will tell the story of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, and the intense media attention surrounding their lives and tragic deaths in a 1999 plane crash. While the crash was attributed to pilot error, the lack of survivors means the exact cause remains uncertain. Even though it’s been over twenty years, the event is still vividly remembered by many Americans and deeply felt by the Kennedy family, who have experienced considerable hardship over the years. Despite criticism from Kennedy family members, Murphy is moving forward with the series, known for its dramatic portrayals of famous people and events. The show will star Sarah Pidgeon as Bessette, Paul Kelly as Kennedy, and Naomi Watts as Jackie Kennedy.

‘Y: Marshals’ (March 1, CBS), ‘Dutton Ranch’ (2026, Paramount+)

It’s been over a year since the popular series “Yellowstone” concluded. The show was a huge hit for five seasons, making Kevin Costner a well-known star as the Dutton family patriarch and establishing Taylor Sheridan as a leading writer and producer in television. Sheridan is now working on several spinoffs to continue the story. Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser will return as Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler in the Paramount+ series “Dutton Ranch.” Luke Grimes, who played Kayce Dutton, will lead “Y: Marshals,” where his character joins an elite U.S. Marshals team. Gil Birmingham and Mo Brings Plenty, both from “Yellowstone,” will also appear in the CBS drama. Another series, “The Madison,” is in the works, starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell and focusing on a New York family who move to Montana. — G.B.

‘Imperfect Women’ (March 18, Apple TV)

Fans hoping for more of “Big Little Lies” might enjoy Apple TV+’s upcoming drama, “Imperfect Women.” Starring Kerry Washington, Elisabeth Moss, and Kate Mara, the series centers around three longtime friends whose lives are turned upside down by a murder. While plot details are still under wraps, the story, based on Araminta Hall’s novel, promises a complex tale of betrayal, guilt, and a hidden affair, all unfolding during a murder investigation. Elisabeth Moss, who also executive produces, describes the show as a refreshing change of pace from her previous work, calling it “fun” and “sexy.” It seems like a dark story, but she assures viewers it will be a welcome escape.

‘The Forsytes’ (March 22, PBS)

This new series, written by Debbie Horsfield (known for “Poldark”), reimagines John Galsworthy’s “Forsyte Saga” with a focus on the women of the family. The original saga was a popular television drama in 1967, and has been adapted again in 2002 and 2003. Set in the late Victorian era among a family of stockbrokers – a world that will likely remind viewers of “Succession” – the show promises a dramatic, over-the-top, and visually lavish story. The cast includes established stars like Francesca Annis, Stephen Moyer, and Susan Hampshire (from the 1967 series), alongside newer faces such as Tuppence Middleton, Eleanor Tomlinson, Jack Davenport, and Millie Gibson. — R.L.

‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’ (April 15, Apple TV)

You know that feeling when you finally see someone on TV who gets your life? This new series might seem a little different at first, but honestly, the struggle to make every penny count? That’s something I think a lot of us can relate to right now. It’s a funny and surprisingly touching show based on a book, and it doesn’t judge anyone – it just shows life. Elle Fanning is fantastic as the main character, a college dropout and single mom who turns to OnlyFans to get by. The cast is seriously amazing too – Michelle Pfeiffer plays her mom, a former Hooters waitress, and Nick Offerman is her dad, an ex-wrestler. And because every show needs a little Nicole Kidman, she’s in it too! Honestly, it’s just good to see stories like this being told, you know?

‘The Testaments’ (April 2026, Hulu)

The popular and critically acclaimed adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale,” led by Bruce Miller, led Atwood to write a sequel, “The Testaments,” which Miller is also bringing to the screen. Premiering in April, the new series revisits the world of Gilead, the oppressive regime from “The Handmaid’s Tale,” but years later. This time, the story centers on June (Elisabeth Moss)’s daughters – Hannah, now known as Agnes (Chase Infiniti), and Daisy, formerly Nicole (Lucy Halliday) – and their struggles against Gilead’s harsh rule. Ann Dowd returns as Aunt Lydia, one of the few characters continuing from the original series. While Miller describes the show as a coming-of-age story, those familiar with the book know that Gilead is changing, with both external and internal forces working to bring it down, and June’s daughters will be caught up in the conflict.

Television

Ann Dowd’s compelling performance as the original villain in ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ has evolved the character into a symbol of change and a connection to a new series.

‘Beef’ Season 2 (2026, Netflix)

Lee Sung Jin’s anthology series is back for a second season, continuing to deliver a darkly funny and twisty look at life’s challenges. Three years after its debut, which featured Steven Yeun and Ali Wong alongside a nostalgic soundtrack, this season explores the pursuit of the American Dream through the lens of a wealthy Southern California country club and two couples from very different worlds. The story begins when a young couple working at the club witness a dramatic fight between their boss, Oscar Isaac, and his wife, Carey Mulligan, coinciding with the arrival of a new Korean billionaire owner, Youn Yuh-jung. This event sets off a chain reaction of secrets, demands, and desperate actions as characters try to get ahead. Featuring Song Kang-ho (from Parasite) and K-Pop artist BM, the eight 30-minute episodes promise plenty of unexpected moments – and a great soundtrack, too. – Y.V.

Television

The Netflix series, from creator Lee Sung Jin and production company A24, centers around a simple road rage incident that quickly escalates into something much bigger and dramatically alters lives.

‘Little House on the Prairie’ (2026, Netflix)

Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books, which are based on her own life, are ripe for a new television adaptation. While the 1974 NBC series is beloved, it didn’t fully explore the wide range of historical events depicted in the books. The Ingalls family’s journey across the country, including hardships like the devastating locust plague of 1874 detailed in “On the Banks of Plum Creek,” offers a fascinating glimpse into life on the American frontier. Hopefully, showrunner Rebecca Sonnenshine and her team will bring that rich history to life. — M.M.

‘Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen’ (2026, Netflix)

With the conclusion of the popular Netflix series “Stranger Things,” fans might experience a bit of a gap in their viewing habits. However, creators Matt and Ross Duffer (the Duffer Brothers) have one more project in the works for Netflix before moving exclusively to Paramount. Titled “Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen,” the new horror drama follows an engaged couple, though the title suggests their wedding day won’t go as planned. The Duffer Brothers and Hilary Leavitt are executive producers, with Haley Z. Boston serving as showrunner. Boston’s previous work on horror series like “Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities” and “Brand New Cherry Flavor” promises a thrilling experience. The series stars Camila Morrone and Adam DiMarco. While details are scarce, the impressive team involved is enough to generate excitement, even if it means watching with eyes half-closed during the scarier parts. — K.H.

‘Yellowjackets’ Season 4 (2026, Showtime)

High school was tough, but the experiences of the teenagers in the show “Yellowjackets” are on another level. This thrilling series follows a high school girls’ soccer team whose plane crashes in the remote Canadian wilderness. They’re stranded for almost two years and forced to do whatever it takes to survive – even resorting to cannibalism and disturbing rituals. The story jumps between the girls’ desperate struggle in the wilderness and their lives in the present day, where the secrets of the past refuse to stay buried. Both timelines are filled with intense emotions, trauma, hidden truths, and murder, along with mysteries that might have a supernatural explanation. With the show ending after its fourth season, fans are hoping to finally learn how the girls were rescued, how many of them made it out alive, and why the haunting experiences from the wilderness have followed them into the present.

Television

Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson, the team behind Showtime’s thrilling drama series, talked about the season finale and revealed what’s next for the stranded soccer team.

‘VisionQuest’ (2026, Disney+)

It seems like a long time ago that “WandaVision” launched Marvel’s TV series with a lot of excitement. The show cleverly referenced classic sitcoms and followed Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) as she used magic to build a new life and family with Vision (Paul Bettany) after the events of “Avengers: Endgame” (2019). The upcoming Disney+ series, “VisionQuest,” will conclude the story started with “WandaVision” and continued in my personal favorite, “Agatha All Along.” We last saw Vision, the rebuilt android, regaining his memories and awareness before flying off to an unknown destination. The new series will focus on Vision figuring out his identity after that, and it sounds like he’ll get help from other Marvel characters who are AI or robots. Both “WandaVision” and “Agatha” dealt with difficult topics like grief, trauma, and motherhood, and I’m interested to see if those themes will continue in “VisionQuest.” While I enjoy magic and witches more than robots, I’m excited to finally meet Tommy Shepherd (Ruaridh Mollica) – who is the grown-up version of one of Wanda and Vision’s magically created twin sons in the comics – and see if there will be any family reunions.

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2026-01-02 14:02