The 15 most hotly-anticipated shows hitting screens in 2026 - from blockbuster period dramas to gripping murder mysteries and reality TV gold
Viewers are set for a wide array of highly-anticipated TV shows hitting screens in 2026 -and there are plenty to choose from.From streaming services to the BBC, there's no shortage of ways to watch compelling TV.Whether throwback period dramas, juicy reality TV or compelling mysteries are your particular favourite.2026 will see some popular shows return for another edition, stronger than ever.Meanwhile, other beloved and long-running series are wrapping up their run for good. Here are 15 top shows to look out for in 2026. Outlander Outlander premiered in 2014, with the historical drama starring Caitrona Balfe and Sam Heughan in leading rolesBased on Diana Gabaldon's book series of the same name, Outlander follows Claire Randall (Catríona Balfe), a Second World War-era nurse.Having been transported back in time to 1743, Claire falls in love with Highland warrior Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan) as the Jacobite rising ensues.Outlander's success has spawned seven seasons to date - with an eighth and final instalment due this year.Earlier this year, prequel series Outlander: Blood Of My Blood debuted, following Claire and Jamie's respective parents. Season 8 is due to premiere in the UK on Saturday, March 7 on MGM+The Traitors (Series 4) Claudia Winkleman will be back to welcome a new crop of Traitors and Faithful to the iconic Scottish castleThe Traitors first hit our screens back in 2022, with viewers having become addicted to the thrilling game of deception ever since.With Claudia Winkleman at the helm once again, she will soon be joined by brand new contestants hoping to win life-changing cash - and Traitors looking to steal it all.Viewers have brand new twists in store - while Claudia herself has warned fans to expect the unexpected. The Traitors series four begins on BBC One and iPlayer on New Year's Day.The Celebrity Traitors (Series Two) Following the huge success of the celebrity spin-off, the format will be returning for a second outingEarlier this year, a star-studded celebrity edition of The Traitors saw 19 famous faces enter Ardross Castle to play the game.Chat show legend Jonathan Ross, 65, singer Cat Burns, 25, and comedian Alan Carr, 49, were all selected by Claudia to become Traitors.The record-breaking series saw more than 14 million viewers tune in to see Alan trick Faithfuls David Olusoga and Nick Mohammed to take the win.While rumours had been circulating that celebrity names were already being thrown into the hat for a second series, the broadcaster soon confirmed it'll be back on screens in 2026.Bridgerton Fans of Netflix romantic alternate history series Bridgerton have a double bill coming up for them this yearSet in an alternate historical timeline, regency romance Bridgerton debuted on Netflix in December 2020.The premise follows the titular, influential Bridgerton family in 19th century London, where they navigate the social season and leading a life of nobility.Meanwhile, the show's framework also includes the alternative history of King George III having established racial equality.Season four will be released in two parts - on January 29 and February 26, 2026 respectively.Bridgerton has also been renewed for a fifth and sixth season. Join the debateWhat is the one 2026 show YOU will not miss?Rivals Based on the late Dame Jilly Cooper's novel of the same name, David Tennant and co are back for another seriesBased on the late Dame Jilly Cooper's novel, raunchy period comedy-drama Rivals was a big hit on Disney+ last year.It takes place in the 1980s, with main characters including retired Olympian and womaniser Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) and ruthless Lord Tony Baddingham (David Tennant).The cast also includes Danny Dyer, Emily Atack, Katherine Parkinson and Aidan Turner. A second series was announced in December 2024, two months after Rivals dropped on the streamer. The Night Manager Tom Hiddleston leads the cast of this acclaimed thriller series, based upon a book by John Le CarréSpy thriller The Night Manager is based upon John Le Carré's 1993 novel of the same name.The serial, which stars Tom Hiddleston and Olivia Colman, first aired on BBC One for six episodes back in 2016.A decade later, the story picks up with Jonathan Pine (Hiddleston) and Angela Burr (Colman), among others, returning. The second series is set to premiere on BBC One and Prime Video on New Year's Day - with a third also waiting in the wings.House Of The Dragon A prequel to Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon will be returning for a third outing in the near futureHaving first hit screens in 2022, fantasy drama House of the Dragon is a prequel to smash-hit Game of Thrones.In particular, it follows members of House Targaryen - including Daemon (Matt Smith), Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) and Viserys (Paddy Considine), to name a few.Two seasons have aired on Sky and NOW to date - with an eight-episode third outing set for 2026.Meanwhile, House of The Dragon has also been renewed for a fourth season. The Bear Having premiered in 2022, The Bear has proved to be a huge success - with fans no doubt thrilled to know that season five is on the wayComedy-drama The Bear follows Carmy (Jeremy Allen White), a prolific chef who returns to Chicago to run his late brother's sandwich shop.The show premiered in 2022 and has received significant acclaim, including a whopping 21 Primetime Emmy Awards.Other main cast members include Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ayo Edebiri, Abby Elliott, Lionel Boyce and Liza Colon-Zayas.The fifth series is set to premiere this year on Disney Plus. Malcolm In The Middle: Life's Still Unfair It's been 19 years since fans said goodbye to Malcolm (Frankie Muniz) and his dysfunctional family - and now they're back for moreIconic 00s comedy series Malcolm In The Middle is coming back - two decades after its 2006 finale.Limited series Life's Still Unfair picks up the story of Malcolm (Frankie Muniz) two decades later - as he's reunited with his chaotic family.Frankie, 40, is not the only star returning to their beloved role after all this time. Formidable mom Lois (Jane Kaczmarek), hapless dad Hal (Bryan Cranston) as well as older brothers Francis (Christopher Masterson) and Reese (Justin Berfield) are all back too.Malcolm In The Middle: Life's Still Unfair is set to drop on Disney Plus in April 2026. Scrubs (Revival) Another beloved comedy series making a return, Scrubs fans will be able to catch up with JD (Zach Braff, centre) and the gangJoining Malcolm in returning to screens is medical comedy-drama Scrubs, which initially ended in 2010.The show followed JD (Zach Braff), a doctor at the fictional Sacred Heart Hospital, as well as his co-workers including best pal Turk (Donald Faison) and love interest Elliot (Sarah Chalke).Scrubs ran for nine seasons - the first seven on NBC and the latter two on rival network ABC.More than a decade on, ABC picked up the show for a tenth season - with several cast members returning.It is set to premiere in 2026. The Boys Hardcore superhero drama The Boys is coming back for one last time - with lead villain Homelander (pictured) still in playBased upon the graphic novel of the same name, satirical superhero drama The Boys launched on Prime Video in 2019.The storyline follows the titular vigilante group and their battles against superpowered individuals - referred to in the series as "supes".Leading cast members include Karl Urban as Billy Butcher, Jack Quaid as Hughie Campbell and Antony Starr as Homelander.The fifth and final season will premiere on Prime Video on April 8, 2026, with episodes released weekly up to May 20. Young Sherlock Starring Hero Fiennes-Tiffin and produced by Guy Ritchie, Young Sherlock imagines the famous detective as a 19-year-old at Oxford UniversityFrom executive producer Guy Ritchie, Young Sherlock reimagines the famous detective as a 19-year-old student at Oxford University.Hero Fiennes-Tiffin takes on the role of Sherlock Holmes, as he solves the first of many murder mysteries.The cast also includes Colin Firth as Sir Bucephalus Hodge, Joseph Fiennes (Hero's uncle) as Sherlock's father Silas, Max Irons as Mycroft Holmes and Donál Finn as James Moriaty. Young Sherlock will premiere on Prime Video on March 4, 2026. Silo Starring Rebecca Ferguson in the lead role, dystopian sci-fi drama Silo is coming back for season three - ahead of its fourth (and final) outingDystopian sci-fi drama Silo follows a community within a giant underground silo comprising 144 levels.It is based upon Graham Yost's Silo trilogy of novels, which were released between 2011 and 2013. Rebecca Ferguson portrays the lead character, engineer Juliette Nichols, who works on the generators.Season three will premiere on Apple TV+ in 2026, with a fourth and final season to follow at a later date. Lord Of The Flies Lox Pratt (recently cast as Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter TV series) plays Jack in this adaptation of William Golding's novel This BBC drama is the latest adaptation of William Golding's legendary 1954 novel of the same name.
Lord of The Flies follows a group of young boys stranded on an island - with the situation devolving into savagery and tragedy.Among the cast is young actor Lox Pratt, recently cast as Draco Malfoy in HBO's Harry Potter TV series, as antagonist Jack Merridew.The series will premiere in 2026 on BBC One and iPlayer. Hijack Idris Elba returns for a second outing as Sam, a corporate business negotiator, in this Apple TV+ thriller seriesApple TV+ thriller Hijack premiered in 2023, starring Idris Elba as Sam, a corporate business negotiator.When his flight from Dubai to London was hijacked, Sam had to use his skills in order to secure a peaceful outcome.Other cast members include Christine Adams as Sam's estranged wife Marsha and Max Beesley as her new boyfriend, Daniel.Series two will premiere on Apple TV+ on January 14, 2026.
