I can’t help it. Whenever New Year’s Eve approaches, my mind often races to a very important question: what TV shows are coming up next year?
In a world rife with stress, worry and uncertainty, we often all turn to TV as a form of escape and distraction. I, for one, will certainly be doing just that when 2026 arrives, thanks to the stellar series that are on the way.
From more of The Traitors on the BBC, to the return of The Night Manager after 10 years, two dramas set in the world of Game of Thrones, a new comedy-thriller from the creator of Derry Girls and a tale from Marvel about an actor who ends up with superpowers, there is so much to choose from.
As TV Editor at Metro, I’ve collated my top picks of TV shows to watch in 2026, bringing that number to a nice and concise 29.
So take a browse and see if there are any here that you’re going to pop on your watchlist. Happy bingeing!
Get personalised updates on all things Netflix
Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you.
1. The Other Bennet Sister
Thought we’d seen enough versions of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice? You thought wrong. As well as Dolly Alderton’s upcoming Netflix adaptation, the BBC is also releasing a series about the least-known Bennet sister, the unassuming Mary (Ella Bruccoleri). Based on the novel of the same name by Janice Hadlow, the story follows Mary’s point of view following the events of Pride and Prejudice, when she goes on an adventure of her own.
The Other Bennet Sister is due to premiere in 2026 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
2. How to Get to Heaven from Belfast
It’s been three years since Derry Girls ended, and there’s been a huge void in our lives ever since. Enter: How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, the new series written by Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee. In the new comedy-thriller,three friends in their 30s, who’ve been close since school, join forces to investigate the death of a fourth former member of their group.
How to Get to Heaven from Belfast is due to premiere in February on Netflix.
3. Outlander season 8
It’s been a long journey to get to this point, but the final season of Outlander is finally coming in a few months. After a decade playing characters from different moments in time who meet and fall in love, Caitríona Balfe opened up about saying goodbye. ‘The anxiety of the impending ending was quite intense for me anyway. And then, there was a lot of ugly crying on my behalf,’ she told Collider.
Outlander season 8 is due to premiere on Saturday March 7 on MGM Plus in the UK.
4. Young Sherlock
There always seems to be an appetite for a gripping Sherlock Holmes story, and the upcoming Amazon Prime series from director Guy Ritchie has a new spin, exploring the detective during his earlier years. Hero Fiennes Tiffin, the Harry Potter star who’s the nephew of Ralph and Joseph Fiennes, stars as the 19-year-old investigator.
Young Sherlock is due to premiere on Wednesday March 4 on Amazon Prime Video.
5. The Night Manager season 2
We could not be more ready for The Night Manager to finally return for its highly anticipated second season after a decade. In 2016, this BBC thriller was the reason why many people thought that Tom Hiddleston would be a brilliant contender for James Bond. While that never came to fruition, his performance as Jonathan Pine meant that all these years later, we can’t wait for the former night manager, now MI6 agent, to make his comeback.
The Night Manager season 2 is due to premiere on Thursday January 1 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
6. Bridgerton season 4
Yearning, lust, romance… Bridgerton is bringing it all back once again in the new year with season four. This time, the Netflix period drama focuses on the love story of the second Bridgerton brother, Benedict (Luke Thompson), who becomes infatuated with the woman in silver whom he meets at a masquerade ball. Little does he know that this woman is Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha), who is not a member of the high society, but is a maid working in an aristocratic household. Cue the Cinderella comparisons.
Bridgerton season 4 part 1 premieres on Netflix on Thursday January 29, followed by part 2 on Thursday February 26.
7. A Thousand Blows season 2
The first season of A Thousand Blows, created by Peaky Blinders mastermind Steven Knight, blew TV fans away… and now it’s back for even more darkness and grittiness from the smoky Victorian-era London. Stephen Graham returns as boxer Sugar Goodson, while Malachi Kirby also returns as boxing phenomenon Hezekiah Moscow, who’s hellbent on revenge. Adolescence star Erin Doherty reprises her role as Mary Carr, Queen of the all-female gang the Forty Elephants.
A Thousand Blows season 2 premieres on Friday January 9 on Disney Plus.
8. Half Man
Following the incredible success of Baby Reindeer, many people wondered what would be next on the agenda for Richard Gadd. The answer to that question? Half Man, a drama coming to the BBC, in which he stars opposite Billy Elliot actor Jamie Bell. The pair play ‘brothers’, and the drama, which is set in Glasgow, will delve into their relationship throughout the decades.
Half Man is due to premiere in 2026 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
9. Lord of the Flies
I remember studying Lord of the Flies at school, and watching the black and white film adaptation of William Golding’s novel in class. It’s been a long time coming for a new adaptation of the story to be created, a challenge that Adolescence and His Dark Materials writer Jack Thorne has decided to take under his wing. ‘I think it’s an extraordinary book, and I hope we’ve done it justice,’ he recently told Metro.
Lord of the Flies is due to premiere in 2026 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
10. Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials
Very soon, an Agatha Christie story is coming to Netflix – an adaptation of her book The Seven Dials Mystery. Mia McKenna-Bruce stars as Lady Eileen ‘Bundle’ Brent, and she’s joined in the cast by the likes of Helena Bonham Carter, Martin Freeman, Nabhaan Rizwan and many more.
Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials is due to premiere on Thursday January 15 on Netflix.
11. Rivals season 2
Rivals took the world by storm when it premiered with season one in 2024, bringing the lavish and hedonistic world created by the late Dame Jilly Cooper to the small screen. We expect season two to be even more daring,especially following the finale’s cliffhanger, when David Tennant’s characterTony Baddingham was suspected to have been killed. (Spoiler alert – he’s very much still alive).
Rivals season 2 is due to premiere in 2026 on Disney Plus.
12. Steal
Ahead of her debut as Lara Croft on Amazon Prime, Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner is starring in another thrilling series on the streaming platform, called Steal. Sophie plays Zara, an employee at a pension fund investment company who’s forced to become complicit in a heist. Will she be caught? We’ll have to watch to find out.
Steal is due to premiere on Wednesday January 21, on Amazon Prime Video.
13. Hijack season 2
Finally, the Apple TV Plus thriller Hijack is finally back for season two, after many fans said they couldn’t resist bingeing the first batch of episodes in one go. Idris Elba returns as negotiator Sam Nelson, and this time around, he’s travelling on an underground train in Berlin when more passengers are taken hostage.
Hijack season 2 is due to premiere on Wednesday January 14 on Apple TV Plus.
14. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
Game of Thrones fans are being well and truly fed in 2026. First, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is coming in January. Based on the novellas by George RR Martin, the story follows the two lead characters Dunk and Egg, aka Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey) and Prince Aegon Targaryen (Dexter Sol Ansell). Dunk is a hedge knight, while Egg is his child squire. Just from the trailer alone, we’re loving the dynamic of this duo.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is due to premiere on Monday January 19 on Sky and NOW.
15. House of the Dragon season 3
Then, not long afterwards, House of the Dragon returns for season three. The civil war between the different Targaryen factions is heating up even more, following several tragic fatalities in the family. Emma D’Arcy, Matt Smith and Olivia Cooke are among the stellar cast reprising their roles. Fans were left disappointed by how season two panned out, so hopefully season three can bring the show back to its former glory.
House of the Dragon season 3 is due to premiere in 2026 on Sky and NOW.
16. The Traitors season 4
In just a few days’ time, The Traitors is coming back for a brand new civilian series… and are you as excited as us?! Just a few weeks after the celebrity version of the BBC competition ended, the civilian series returns, but this time, there’s a twist. On Christmas, an image of a red cloak was released, sending fans into a frenzy. What could the red cloak possibly mean when the people who are selected to be Traitors wear black? We’re on the edges of our seats!
The Traitors season 4 is due to premiere on Thursday January 1 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
17. Celebrity Traitors season 2
Celebrity Traitors might have only recently ended, but we are already brimming with excitement for the second series to debut later in the year. Who will be in the cast this time? It seems that since the success of the first season, every famous face wants to throw their hat in the ring. And we don’t blame them.
Celebrity Traitors season 2 is due to premiere in 2026 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
18. Wonder Man
Marvel has a busy film calendar in 2026, with blockbusters including Avengers: Doomsday and Spider-Man: Brand New Day… but don’t forget the studio’s TV releases too. In January, Wonder Man is making his debut on Disney Plus, with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II starring as the lead character Simon Williams. In the show, Simon is an actor whose goal is to play a superhero in a film, but then he ends up actually acquiring superpowers himself. Isn’t that the dream?
Wonder Man is due to premiere on Wednesday January 28 on Disney Plus in the UK.
19. Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair
My fellow millennials who grew up watching Malcolm in the Middle in the 2000s, where’re you at? Talk of a reboot has been on everyone’s lips for years, but now it’s finally being made into a reality. Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair is coming next year with four 30-minute episodes, set around 20 years after the original series. I personally have faith that the cast wouldn’t bring these beloved characters back if they didn’t think they could do a revival justice. At last, I hope so.
Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair is due to premiere in 2026 on Disney Plus.
20. Silo season 3
The dystopian sci-fi series Silo has been a massive hit ever since it debuted on Apple TV Plus in 2023. Starring Mission Impossible actress Rebecca Ferguson as engineer Juliette Nichols, it’s been confirmed that it will end with a final fourth season – but first, the third season is coming to the streaming platform next year. In an era of numerous dystopian TV shows, Silo is widely considered to be one of the best around.
Silo season 3 is due to premiere in 2026 on Apple TV Plus.
21. Scrubs revival
![From ABC Studios Scrubs on ITVX Pictured: Bob Kelso [Ken Jenkins], Carla Espinosa [Judy Reyes], Elliot Reid [Sarah Chalke], John Michael "J.D." Dorian [Zach Braff], Christopher Turk [Donald Faison], Perry Cox [John C. McGinley] and Janitor [Neil Flynn]. This photograph is (C) ABC Studios and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SEI_230542981-b4bf.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Speaking of revivals off the back of the Malcolm in the Middle news, Scrubs is also back for a new lease of life, returning with original cast members. Zach Braff, Donald Faison, Sarah Chalke, John C. McGinley, and Judy Reyes. Speaking about their comeback, Zach said, as reported by TVLine: ‘What is [JD’s] life like now? Obviously, you can still have the bromance, and the love, and the friendship. But coming at it from the opposite angle, what is it like for a guy who has been through this system and dealing with all that stuff for so long?’
Read More:
The Scrubs revival is due to premiere in 2026.
22. Spider-Man Noir
After watching the animated masterpiece Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, we never thought we’d be getting a live-action Spider-Man Noir TV show off the back of it. But you never know what life’s going to throw at you. Having voiced the mysterious character in the movie, Nicolas Cage is reprising his role in live-action, and we have a feeling it could end up being one of his most iconic performances yet.
Spider-Man Noir is due to premiere in 2026 on Amazon Prime Video.
23. The Boys season 5
In April next year, The Boys is coming to an end with its fifth and final season. It’s been a gruesome, horrifying, bloody and downright shocking journey up to this point on the no-holds-barred superhero show, so we have a feeling the last outing is going to take things up to an even higher notch.
The Boys season 5 is due to premiere on Wednesday April 8 on Amazon Prime Video.
24. The Testaments
Following the conclusion of the dystopian TV drama The Handmaid’s Tale, the world of Margaret Atwood’s book is being expanded in the spin-off series The Testaments. One Battle After Another actress Chase Infiniti leads the cast as Agnes, as the show explores the lives of young women being brought up in Gilead, who have no memories of what the world was like before.
The Testaments is due to premiere in April 2026 on Disney Plus.
25. The Studio season 2
One would imagine it could take convincing for actors who work in Hollywood to star in a series that completely takes the mick out of Hollywood. But luckily, the stars of The Studio didn’t hold back, and the comedy has been hailed as a comedic spectacle. In season two, Seth Rogen, who co-created the show, returns as Matt Remick, the head of a film studio, and he’s joined by a star-studded cast.
The Studio season 2 is expected to premiere in 2026 on Apple TV Plus.
26. VisionQuest
One more Marvel show to add to the list alongside Wonder Man is VisionQuest. Following the critically acclaimed release of WandaVision in 2021, the upcoming new series will focus on Paul Bettany’s Vision, whose fate was left unanswered at the end of the previous series. ‘It’s about intergenerational trauma… fathers and sons and denial of pain and denial of your own truth and coming to terms with who and what you are,’ Paul said about the series, according to ComicBookMovie.com.
VisionQuest is due to premiere in 2026 on Disney Plus.
27. The Boroughs
On New Year’s Day, Stranger Things is finally coming to an end after 10 years… but that doesn’t mark the end of the Duffer Brothers’ partnership with Netflix. Next up is their new series The Boroughs, a supernatural drama about a group of people who must team up to fight a threat in their rural town. We can’t lie, it does sound very familiar, but we’re intrigued to see how this new story unfolds.
The Boroughs is due to premiere in 2026 on Netflix.
28. Lanterns
Aaron Pierre has undoubtedly been a man of the moment over the past couple of years, following the release of films including Mufasa and Rebel Ridge. Now he’s taking on an iconic comic book character, playing John Stewart, aka Green Lantern, in the upcoming DC Comics TV series Lanterns.
Lanterns is due to premiere in 2026.
29. The Bear season 5
Last but not least, The Bear is back for a fifth season in 2026, which many people believe could be the last, although this is yet to be confirmed. Jeremy Allen White will be back as Carmy, who’s always in a constant state of stress while trying to keep his dream of running a Michelin-star restaurant alive.
The Bear season 5 is due to premiere in 2026 on Disney Plus.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
