Best TV Shows of 2026: New Series to Watch Now

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.

Starring: Mel Brooks, Jerry Seinfeld, Adam Sandler, Nick Kroll

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.

Starring: Noah Wyle, Tracy Ifeachor, Fiona Dourif, Taylor Dearden

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.

Starring: Myha'la Herrold, Marisa Abela, Kit Harington, Harry Lawtey

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.

Starring: Emilia Clarke, Haley Lu Richardson, Nicholas Podany, Andrew Richardson

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.

Starring: Finn Bennett, Bertie Carvel, Tanzyn Crawford, Daniel Ings

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.

Starring: Roisin Gallagher, Sinéad Keenan, Caoilfhionn Dunne, Darragh Hand

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.

Starring: Joanna Scanlan, Rosalie Craig, Tamsin Greig, Taj Atwal

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.

Starring: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Arian Moayed, X Mayo, Olivia Thirlby

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.

Starring: Sterling K. Brown, James Marsden, Julianne Nicholson, Krys Marshall

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

Starring: Jason Segel, Jessica Williams, Harrison Ford, Luke Tennie

Starring: Zach Braff, Donald Faison, Sarah Chalke

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.

Starring: Tom Hiddleston, Hugh Laurie, Olivia Colman, Diego Calva

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.

Starring: Holly Hunter, Sandro Rosta, Karim Diane, Kerrice Brooks

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.

Starring: James Nesbitt, Minnie Driver, Ruth Jones, Alfred Enoch

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.

Starring: Keke Palmer, Jack Whitehall, Julia Duffy, Paula Pell

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.

Starring: Sarah Pidgeon, Paul Anthony Kelly, Naomi Watts, Grace Gummer

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.

Starring: Sophie Turner, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Archie Madekwe, Andrew Howard

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.

Starring: Nicola Coughlan, Luke Newton, Claudia Jessie, Luke Thompson

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.

Starring: Evan Peters, Anthony Ramos, Jeremy Pope, Ashton Kutcher