Best TV Shows of 2026: New Series to Watch Now

Critics Consensus: Harnessing Tracy Morgan’s unpredictable comedic charisma to consistently hilarious effect, The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins is a delightful ensemble sitcom that, true to its title, gets better and better as it goes along.

Critics Consensus: Hacks takes a triumphant bow with a final season that keeps the pace and jokes right on par with its previous installments, bidding farewell to Deborah Vance and Ava Daniels with all the flair and care this world has to offer.

Synopsis: In the aftermath of mistaken and unflattering news reports that she passed away, Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and Ava (Hannah Einbinder) return to Las Vegas… View Full Synopsis

Critics Consensus: Blessed with an enthralling raconteur as its subject, The 99 Year Old Man! is an affectionate and hilarious retrospective as well as a wistful reminder that even a long life well-lived has its fair share of heartbreak.

Critics Consensus: Clocking in for a second season of a near perfect medical procedural, The Pitt goes all in on narrative excellence, brilliant humanity, and heart-wrenching drama to winning effect.

Critics Consensus: An inspired look into the depths of an iconic character, Maul once again proves that through kinetic, vibrant, and engaging animation the Star Wars saga can continue in masterful spades.

Critics Consensus: Rich in character and dramatic antics, Margo’s Got Money Troubles succeeds because of its attention to emotional detail, authentic performances, and brilliant storytelling.

Critics Consensus: Lisa Kudrow once again leads the illustrious Comeback with renewed vigor and purpose, remaining on the pulse of the media’s current moment, marking a welcome and long-awaited victory lap.

Critics Consensus: Betting on its own adaptability after resetting the board and analyzing new market forces, Industry yields a handsome payout with this sterling fourth season.

Critics Consensus: As much a buddy adventure as it is an espionage caper, Ponies‘ likable trot of a story gradually achieves full gallop thanks to Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson’s tag-team charisma.

Critics Consensus: Off Campus thrives on titillation and the deliberate excavation of relationship dynamics in a whirlwind romance novel adaptation that genuinely cares for the genre and all its pleasurable trappings.

Critics Consensus: Stretching its tone in different directions without ever snapping, How to Get to Heaven from Belfast is another triumphantly funny and proudly Irish series from creator Lisa McGee.

Critics Consensus: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is a welcome return to Westeros that works better in the buddy-comedy arena rather than solely slaying its competition.

Critics Consensus: Riz Ahmed creates and stars in this compassionate, humor-filled meta-satire that dazzlingly lures in its audience like delicious BAIT.

Critics Consensus: Sally Wainwright strikes the right chord in this uproarious delight, including a gusty cast of Riot Women who fiercely showcase their right to rock, no matter their age.

Critics Consensus: Fleshing out William Golding’s text with thoughtful observations about boyhood and sharpened by a uniformly terrific troupe of child actors, this retelling of Lord of the Flies seizes the conch shell and commands attention.

Critics Consensus: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is Wonder Man, turning in a sly performance alongside an equally wonderful Ben Kingsley in this low-stakes superhero fare that boasts high-hearted personal drama as its winning factor.

Critics Consensus: Shrinking‘s soothing balm of eager humanity shines through in the series’ laugh inducing, heartstring pulling and tender third season.

Critics Consensus: Twisty, stylish, and at times gloriously grim, Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole packs enough thrills and unexpected twists to keep you hooked.

Critics Consensus: Paradise season 2 invests in its genre fare and delivers another gripping season filled with deeper intrigue, a stellar cast, and captivating drama.

Critics Consensus: With smart storytelling, high ambition, and enough tension to keep viewers glued to their screen, For All Mankind remains one of television’s most compelling sci-fi sagas.

Critics Consensus: Beef pairs its second season with winning performers and a crackling sense of ingenuity in a saga that Lee Sung Jin perfectly anchors through his mastery of class satire and the unexpected modes of human nature.

Synopsis: A young couple witnesses an alarming fight between their boss and his wife, triggering chess moves of favors and coercion in the elitist world of… View Full Synopsis

Critics Consensus: Scrubs revives and revamps its signature laughs and cast to deliver another fan-favorite run of medical gags, heartfelt dramedy, and instant fun.

Critics Consensus: Catching lightning in a bottle twice thanks to Anthony Norman’s charm and the ensemble’s delightfully chaotic energy, Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat remains just as funny as it is wholesome.

Critics Consensus: Continuing to peek through the satirical façade of socialite life, Your Friends & Neighbors‘ second season digs itself into a deeper and richer character hole, where Hamm, Munn, and Marsden make like bandits and steal the show.

Critics Consensus: Rooster nestles in with humor and heart thanks to Steve Carell’s soothing performance and Danielle Deadwyler’s exuberant support, leading Bill Lawrence’s kind-spirited, good-time new series to lovely heights.

Critics Consensus: Marking a belated but welcome return for Tom Hiddleston’s tortured spy, The Night Manager‘s second season is a glamorous and haunted continuation that only gets better as it goes.

Critics Consensus: The Testaments ably continues The Handmaid’s Tale‘s fight through a coming-of-age lens in a slow-burning world builder that features an excellent cast of fresh talent.

Critics Consensus: Daredevil: Born Again imbues its second season with rich substance thanks to devilishly good performances, punchier narrative momentum, and well-timed themes befitting this daring crusader.

Critics Consensus: Marrying horror and atmospheric storytelling to thrilling effect, Something Very Bad is Going to Happen ably transports newlywed jitters to the surrealist realm of binge-worthy TV.

Critics Consensus: Steve Conrad zeroes in on the crossroads between the suburbanite mundane and insane with this sly yet telling crime thriller that boasts strong performances by David Harbour and Jason Bateman.

Critics Consensus: Injecting a heavy dose of hormones and humor into the Star Trek universe, Starfleet Academy marks a refreshing tonal shift that proves this franchise still has plenty of new thematic territory to explore.

Critics Consensus: Young Sherlock doesn’t aim to recreate Conan Doyle’s work, rather, it takes pride in its liberal adaptation, delivering Guy Ritchie’s signature blend of precise entertainment, sly style, and ingratiating characters.

Critics Consensus: A sturdy adaptation from the Harlan Coben canon, Run Away sprints through a series of twists while never losing steam thanks to James Nesbitt’s committed performance.

Critics Consensus: Exposing ANTM’s outreageous stunts, behind-the-scenes chaos, and systematic issues, Reality Check delivers a fascinating and compelling look at the cost of fame in early-2000s reality TV.

Critics Consensus: Taking a page out of a fairytale, Bridgerton season four excels at selling a fantasy that, no matter how predictable, is as sweet, steamy, and engrossing as ever.

Critics Consensus: Ryan Murphy’s Love Story finds a winning pair in Paul Anthony Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon as they embody the tragic, lovely, and shining aspects of John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette in a mindful yet entertaining new series.

Critics Consensus: Dan Levy and Rachel Sennott concoct a hilarious send-up of the classic family crime drama genre with witty verve, a stellar ensemble cast, and the assurance that Big Mistakes gets it right.

Critics Consensus: No repeat questions here; Malcolm in the Middle aptly returns to its comic antics with assured vigor, and even though Life’s Still Unfair this revival is teeming with success.

Critics Consensus: Standing on the precipice of overstaying its welcome, this Silicon Valley farce places its callous, fascinating, and unpleasant personalities front and center to rapturous effect, proving this series has The Audacity.

Critics Consensus: A television remake that lightens up the original film’s hellish concept, The ‘Burbs proves to be a good neighbor thanks primarily to Keke Palmer’s crack comedic timing.

Critics Consensus: Gripping with few narrative gripes, Steal invests in thrilling heist entertainment with stirring performances by Sophie Turner and Archie Madekwe to rousing effect.

Critics Consensus: Richard Gadd delivers a broodingly bleak sophomore effort that dares to plumb the depths of toxic masculinity and repression in a complex and unsettling tale that makes for unsettlingly good TV.

Critics Consensus: Against all odds, Monarch continues to pack a striking gut-punch of action-drama by embracing its Legacy of Monsters‘ talent and leading with a cast of rich and complex characters.

Critics Consensus: Caking on visceral splatter over an engaging takedown of modern beauty standards, Ryan Murphy’s gonzo sci-fi horror is a disgustingly good time, even if its cultural commentary only goes skin deep.

Critics Consensus: Packing big performances by Banks and Macfadyen, The Miniature Wife’s premise risks running out of steam, but it keeps the laughs coming and manages not to shrink under pressure.