13 can’t-miss TV shows in 2026, from Industry to Bridgerton

2026 will be another blockbuster year for TV, with the return of much-loved franchises such as Bridgerton and Industry, as well as a raft of new launches, including – for the young and always online – Ryan Murphy’s The Beauty, the thrilling-sounding “ozempic culture” show, and the return of Dawn French to a BBC prime time slot in her new comedy series.

Here are the 13 biggest TV shows launching in 2026 and when to watch them.

Can You Keep a Secret?

When Debbie Fendon’s grandmother’s husband, William, is mistakenly declared dead, the couple realizes they can exploit the mistake, hiding him in the attic so they can claim life insurance. But the conceit falls apart as their son Harry and his police officer wife Neha live nearby. Can You Keep a Secret? is based on the best-selling novel by Sophie Kinsella and the six-part series starring Dawn French will premiere on the BBC. In a statement, Simon Mayhew-Archer, the show’s creator and producer, described it as a “smart and charming family romp.” Early 2026; BBC One and iPlayer.

Beauty

Longtime collaborators Ryan Murphy and Matthew Hodgson tackle “ozempic culture” in this new body horror series. Based on the comic book by Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley, The Beauty is a sexually transmitted virus that transforms anyone who contracts it into a perfect version of themselves – it slims, sculpts, and shapes – until it burns its host to death from the inside. The series follows the FBI’s investigation into STDs, which mysteriously begin wiping out supermodels. The star-studded cast will feature Evan Peters and Rebecca Hall as lead FBI investigators, and Ashton Kutcher as the tech billionaire villain, who plays the man behind “The Corporation.” Murphy told Variety that the show asks important questions like “what would you do for beauty? What would you do for money? This show has everything I’ve struggled with my entire career, all in one package.” Premieres January 21; Disney Plus

Night Manager

Tom Hiddleston returns as retired spy Jonathan Pine nearly a decade after the season premiere of The Night Manager in 2016. Pine has been living off the radar, but dives back into his old life to infiltrate an arms operation in Colombia when he spots a mercenary he knows through a ruthless billionaire arms dealer, played by Hugh Laurie. Together with Hiddleston, Olivia Colman and Alistair Petrie return to the series. The show is based on John le Carré’s 1993 novel of the same title. Creator David Farr told the Guardian that Le Carré, who died in 2020, had “given his blessing for a second season”. Premieres January 1

More can’t-miss TV shows to watch in 2026

Apprenticeship

Lord Alan Sugar, Baroness Karren Brady and Tim Campbell return to the boardroom for season 20 of The Apprentice this January. The show returns with its regular format where candidates compete to win a £250k investment and a 50/50 business partnership with billionaire Lord Alan Sugar. To celebrate The Apprentice’s anniversary, the BBC will launch their first full version of Celebrity Apprentice and proceeds will go directly to BBC Children in Need. January 2026

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

The Game of Thrones universe returns with prequel A Knights of the Seven Kingdoms. The Game of Thrones series ran for eight seasons and followed the struggle for power for the Iron Throne in the mythical kingdoms of Westeros and Essos. The new series is set a century ahead of GoT in 209 AC (After Aegon’s Conquest) and is adapted from the work of George RR Martin The Story of Dunk and the Egg novella. The story follows Ser Duncan “Dunk” and his young bodyguard Egg through the kingdoms of Westeros, while Egg’s true identity remains hidden. Many fans of the series consider the novel to be Martin’s best work, but others are skeptical about how HBO will find enough material to adapt it into a series. The story will focus on the couple’s relationship as they face the challenges of becoming knights together. The first season will consist of a six-part series of half an hour each and the show has been renewed for a second season. January 19; Sky Atlantic and NOW

Industry

The high-stakes financial drama Industry returns for another season. The show is known for highlighting the dark and dirty side of the banking industry. Returning for their fourth season with several departures and additions, the Industry will face the pressures of operating under a new Labor government and there are bright new Fintech competitors. Show creators Mickey Down and Konrad Kay told ELLE that the new episodes are the most “compulsively watchable.” January; BBC One and iPlayer

Thousand Blows

A Thousand Blows comes from Peaky Blinders creator Stephen Knight and stars Teenage actor Stephen Graham. Set in 1880s Victorian England, the drama follows two friends who immigrate from Jamaica to London’s East End and become involved in the world of bare-knuckle boxing. The story suddenly appeared on Disney+ and continues one year after the final episode of last season. Knight told the Daily Express that “the stakes are higher” this time. January 9; Disney Plus

Bridgerton

The highly anticipated historical fantasy Bridgerton will return for Season 4. Part 1 of the season follows Benedict Bridgerton, who is reluctant to settle down, but falls in love with a Woman he meets at his mother’s masquerade ball. While fans are excited to see the new release, some say the show has lost its magic – with lower quality costumes and a modernized style. Showrunner Jesse Brownell told Entertainment Weekly that the chemistry between Benedict and Sophie was defined by “tension, sparkle, and chemistry.” Adapted from author Julia Quinn’s novel, An Offer from a Manthis new release will likely answer fans’ requests for more focus to be placed on the story’s main pairing each season. The second half will be released on February 26. End of January; Netflix

The Traitors

Claudia Winkleman returns to host 22 new players for another season of con, where contestants work together to collect a £120k prize. Fans are hoping the show will be able to hold up to last season, which will be hard to top. According to the BBC, there will be “more twists and turns, secrets, epic missions, deception, expulsion and, of course, lots and lots of murder.” The episodes will be released consecutively over the first three days of the new year, and for those who still can’t get enough, The Traitors: Uncloaked podcast – which contains unseen content – ​​will release its episodes alongside the main series. 8 p.m., January 1; BBC One and iPlayer

Boy

April 2026 will mark the final season of the much-loved satirical show The Boys. The corrupt and reckless superhero known as Supes is protected by the powerful corporation Vought International, but comes face to face with a vigilante group called The Boys, who seek to eliminate Supes through blackmail and violence. The series has scheduled its big finale for May 20, and fans are wondering who will survive. We expect major changes, more deaths, and less justice. April 2026

Euphoria

It’s been a long time coming for the third season of Euphoria, which fans have been waiting for since season 2 more than 3 years ago. The past two seasons have seen a group of teenagers confront addiction, abuse and control, identity and sexual exploitation. Creator Sam Levinson doesn’t shy away from the tough issues and self-destructive behavior that young people may face, but fans have criticized his sexualization of the show’s female characters, with the theory that the characters will be pushed into sex work by the end of the final season. All will be reviewed this spring. April 2026; Atlantic Sky

Dragon House

House of the Dragon is set almost 200 years before the Game of Thrones series – when the Targaryens still rode dragons, long before the time of Daenerys Targaryen. Dragon House is one of the most anticipated TV shows returning in 2026, although its release date has not been confirmed at this time. The show is thought to air in August, according to actor Matt Smith in a recent interview with ITV. End of 2026; Atlantic Sky

How to Get to Heaven from Belfast

Three childhood friends in their late 30s – Saoirse, Robyn and Dara – come together after the news of their old friend’s death and embark on a “hilarious odyssey through Ireland” in search of the truth, according to creator Lisa McGee in an interview with Tudum. McGee also created the cult comedy Derry Girls, which has a 99 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Premieres in February; Netflix

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