The Best New TV Shows of February 2026

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Comedy is having a major moment! While it never really disappeared, TV has recently focused more on suspenseful dramas, leaving comedies a little behind. But February 2026 is different. We’re seeing a resurgence with two traditional sitcoms—including a reunion between Tracy Morgan and the creators of 30 Rock—plus a very funny Irish mystery and a horror comedy that leans heavily into the laughs. And when you’ve had your fill of comedy, PBS has a new, insightful documentary series from Henry Louis Gates Jr.

Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History (PBS)

Many historical documentaries feel like dry lectures, simply presenting old photos and letters. While there’s a need for that type of content, it’s refreshing when a filmmaker offers a fresh, insightful take on the past that resonates with today’s audience. That’s exactly what Henry Louis Gates Jr. – a Harvard professor and creator of PBS series like The Black Church and Great Migrations – does in Black and Jewish America. This four-part documentary explores the complex and deeply intertwined history of Black and Jewish communities in America.

Henry Louis Gates Jr.’s documentary series presents a historical journey, connecting key events like the Spanish Inquisition, slavery in America, World War II, and the Civil Rights Movement. It showcases moments of powerful collaboration, such as the NAACP’s founding by a Black-Jewish partnership and the creation of Billie Holiday’s iconic anti-lynching song, “Strange Fruit,” by Jewish poet Abel Meeropol. The series also tackles difficult issues, offering a sensitive look at disagreements within and between Black and Jewish communities, particularly regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Throughout the documentary, Gates connects the past to the present by featuring conversations—including interviews with Anna Deavere Smith and Tony Kushner, and a joint Black-Jewish Passover Seder with Jamaica Kincaid and Michael W. Twitty—that reveal how Black and Jewish Americans continue to explore questions of identity and build solidarity.

The ’Burbs (Peacock)

New mom Samira quickly realizes her suburban neighborhood feels eerily similar to the unsettling world of the movie Get Out. Played by Keke Palmer, Samira is a strong-willed lawyer on maternity leave who recently moved with her husband, Rob (Jack Whitehall), to his mostly white hometown. Rob is a British book editor, and their neighbors’ overly enthusiastic – and slightly awkward – reactions to their baby, Miles, raise red flags. Comments like “What a cute little mocha munchkin!” make Samira feel like she’s bracing for the kind of thinly veiled commentary seen in Get Out, half-expecting the neighbors to proclaim their love for Barack Obama.

Peacock’s new series, premiering February 8th, is inspired by the 1989 horror comedy The ‘Burbs, but otherwise takes a different path. The original film, starring Tom Hanks, playfully poked fun at the common movie trope of seemingly perfect suburban life hiding dark secrets – a theme explored in films like All That Heaven Allows, Revolutionary Road, American Beauty, and The Stepford Wives. This new ‘Burbs, created by Celeste Hughey and expanded into eight episodes, initially feels like a predictable blend of the original and recent social thrillers like those directed by Jordan Peele (and featuring Palmer, who also appeared in Peele’s Nope). However, the show quickly develops its own identity, offering a lighter sense of humor and a surprisingly thoughtful exploration of what goes on behind closed doors in the suburbs. [Read the full review.]

Can You Keep a Secret? (Paramount+)

As a huge fan of British comedy, I’ve always thought Dawn French is one of the funniest people around – whether she’s playing the wonderfully down-to-earth vicar in The Vicar of Dibley or teaming up with Jennifer Saunders. I was so excited to see her in Can You Keep a Secret?, and it didn’t disappoint! It’s a really clever sitcom about Debbie Fendon, a grandmother whose husband, William, is accidentally reported dead. Instead of setting things right, Debbie decides to keep William hidden away and collect the insurance money – she even boasts about how much she got! What makes it even better is that she and William don’t tell their poor son, Harry, that Dad’s still alive! It’s a wonderfully mischievous and delightfully absurd black comedy, and I’ve been completely hooked.

The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins (NBC)

Around 2010, the perfect Thursday night meant tuning into NBC’s hilarious comedy block, featuring shows like The Office, 30 Rock, Parks and Recreation, and Community. All four have become beloved classics, but The Office and Parks and Rec particularly changed the sitcom world, inspiring a wave of similar, optimistic, and documentary-style comedies such as Modern Family, Abbott Elementary, and St. Denis Medical. Last year, Peacock attempted to recapture that magic with The Paper, a spinoff of The Office, though it felt a bit out of touch with current times.

I’ve always been a sucker for comedies that are a little bit edgy, fast-paced, and packed with inside jokes – shows like 30 Rock and Community really hit the spot. So, I’ve been a little bummed that there haven’t been many shows like that lately. That’s why I’m so excited about The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins! This new NBC sitcom, starring Tracy Morgan and made with a lot of help from Robert Carlock (who worked with Tina Fey on 30 Rock), feels like the natural successor to that show. If 30 Rock was basically Saturday Night Live as a sitcom, this one feels like it’s taking a hilarious look inside the world of the NFL. And the really clever part? It also borrows a lot of what made The Office so funny. [Read the full review.]

How to Get to Heaven From Belfast (Netflix)

Lisa McGee first gained recognition with her unique comedy, Derry Girls, which drew on her own life experiences to find humor even in difficult circumstances. The show followed teenagers in her hometown of Derry, Northern Ireland, in the years leading up to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, brilliantly blending typical teenage experiences with the realities of living during the Troubles. Now, McGee returns with a crime drama, and it’s likely to be compared to Sharon Horgan’s Bad Sisters. Her new Netflix series, How to Get to Heaven From Belfast, combines the complex female relationships and stylish clothing of Bad Sisters with the fast-paced, distinctly Irish humor of Derry Girls. While the plot becomes a little confusing towards the end and the show’s mix of humor and suspense doesn’t always quite work, McGee’s clever take on the crime genre, combined with her talent for comedy, dialogue, and creating memorable characters, makes for an enjoyable watch. Even if you’re tired of mystery stories, this show offers something fresh. [Read the full review.]

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2026-02-27 17:06