12 Most Anticipated TV Shows of 2026

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Last year was an exceptional one for television. 2025 brought the highly anticipated conclusion to Stranger Things, wrapping up the story in Hawkins with a moving and impressive finale that met years of expectations. Vince Gilligan continued to excel with Pluribus, a new science fiction series that quickly gained popularity without needing a pre-existing fanbase. Marvel also found success by officially integrating its Netflix shows, starting with Daredevil: Born Again, and James Gunn kept his momentum going with a surprisingly emotional second season of Peacemaker.

2026 is looking like a truly exceptional year for TV. We’re expecting a wave of big-budget revivals of classic shows, continuations of popular stories, and exciting new takes on familiar genres – the kind of thing that doesn’t happen very often. Whether you enjoy intense crime dramas set in the DC world or heartwarming comedies about doctors, 2026 has something for every television viewer.

12) The Beauty

Ryan Murphy and Matt Hodgson’s new FX series, The Beauty, premieres January 21st and promises a disturbing take on body horror. Inspired by the Image Comics series by Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley, the 11-episode show centers around a deadly sexually transmitted disease that makes people appear physically flawless before ultimately killing them. Evan Peters plays Cooper Madsen, an FBI agent investigating a series of deaths connected to this outbreak, alongside Rebecca Hall as his partner, Jordan Bennett. Ashton Kutcher appears as a powerful tech billionaire with ties to the virus and the shadowy company behind it. The Beauty is a dark and satirical look at our culture’s obsession with appearance and the extreme measures people take to achieve perfection. Featuring Anthony Ramos and Jeremy Pope in supporting roles, the series is poised to be a visually striking and unsettling addition to Ryan Murphy’s collection of television shows.

11) Scrubs Season 10

Okay, folks, get ready to feel all the feels again! After fifteen years of fans begging, Scrubs is officially coming back! Season 10 is hitting ABC on February 25th, and honestly, I couldn’t be more thrilled. Creator Bill Lawrence is back at the helm, which is huge – he gets what made this show special: that perfect mix of laugh-out-loud comedy and genuinely touching moments. The best part? Zach Braff and Donald Faison are returning as J.D. and Turk, and Sarah Chalke is reprising her role as Elliot. We’ll even get to see Dr. Cox, played by John C. McGinley, and Judy Reyes as Carla again, though in more guest-starring roles. The new season isn’t just a nostalgia trip, though. It’s going to be interesting to see how the show tackles the changes in the medical world with a fresh group of interns alongside our beloved original cast. Consider me officially hyped!

10) Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair

Get ready for a major dose of nostalgia! The Wilkerson family is back in a new four-part series called Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair, premiering April 10th on Hulu and Disney+. It’s been almost 20 years since the original show ended, and Frankie Muniz is reprising his role as Malcolm, who has finally found some stability after a wild childhood. But his calm is disrupted when his parents, Hal (Bryan Cranston) and Lois (Jane Kaczmarek), ask him to come home for their 40th wedding anniversary. Many of the original cast members are returning, including Justin Berfield as Reese and Christopher Masterson as Francis. Though Erik Per Sullivan isn’t back as Dewey, Caleb Ellsworth-Clark will be taking on the role to maintain the family’s sibling rivalry. Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair promises to bring back the fast-paced humor and relatable, often awkward, family moments that fans loved about the original series.

9) The Vampire Lestat

AMC is continuing its expansion of the Immortal Universe with a third season of Interview with the Vampire, now known as The Vampire Lestat. The new season, scheduled for summer 2026, will move away from the interview style of the previous seasons and instead tell the complete life story of Lestat de Lioncourt (played by Sam Reid). Following the events of last season, Lestat wakes up in the present day and decides to share his experiences by becoming a famous rock star. The story will explore his past in 18th-century France, introducing important characters from the novels, such as Gabrielle and Marius. Jacob Anderson will return as Louis de Pointe du Lac, maintaining the strong connection between the two central characters.

8) Carrie

As a huge horror fan, I’m really excited about Mike Flanagan’s new take on Carrie! He’s usually steered clear of remakes, so this is a big deal. It’s going to be an eight-episode series on Prime Video, and he’s hinted at a fresh, relevant angle to the story. What I’m really looking forward to is how he’ll use the longer format to really dig into the town of Chamberlain and the characters’ inner lives – something the movies just didn’t have time for. Summer H. Howell is playing Carrie White, the poor girl with the incredible, terrifying powers, and Siena Agudong is Sue Snell, trying to make things right. Samantha Sloyan is taking on the role of Carrie’s awful mother, Margaret. They finished filming in 2025, so we can expect to see it sometime in 2026, and honestly, I can’t wait!

7) Blade Runner 2099

The world of Blade Runner, originally created by Ridley Scott and further developed by Denis Villeneuve, is coming back as a new, big-budget series on Prime Video. Titled Blade Runner 2099, the show is executive produced by Scott and takes place fifty years after the last movie. Michelle Yeoh stars as Olwen, a replicant nearing the end of her lifespan, and Hunter Schafer also has a prominent role. While the story is being kept under wraps, Blade Runner 2099 promises to continue the franchise’s themes of humanity, artificial intelligence, and corporate power. The production team built large, physical sets in Prague to keep the series’ distinctive, immersive look and feel. As the first live-action Blade Runner television show, Blade Runner 2099 aims to deliver a truly memorable experience.

6) Euphoria Season 3

The popular HBO series Euphoria is coming back in April 2026 after a four-year break. Season three will jump forward in time, showing the characters navigating life after high school and dealing with the challenges of young adulthood. Zendaya will reprise her role as Rue Bennett, along with returning cast members Sydney Sweeney and Jacob Elordi. Creator Sam Levinson has hinted at a darker, more mysterious style for this season, focusing on the long-term effects of the characters’ past decisions. Production was delayed because of the actors’ busy schedules, but fans are eagerly awaiting the return to see how the show’s complex and often provocative storylines will unfold as the characters enter a new phase of their lives.

5) Lanterns

HBO is developing a new series called Lanterns for the DC Universe, bringing the iconic heroes to life in a unique way. Set to premiere in 2026, the show is a gritty, detective-style mystery – think True Detective in space – rather than a traditional superhero adventure. Veteran actor Kyle Chandler will play Hal Jordan, a seasoned Green Lantern, who takes on the task of training the more hopeful John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) while investigating a complex murder. This case isn’t just a standalone story; it’s expected to be a key mystery that ties into the broader DC Universe across all its films and shows. Lanterns will focus on the relationship between Hal and John, and the challenges of enforcing intergalactic law, aiming to present a fresh and grounded take on the superhero genre for today’s audiences.

4) Spider-Noir

Nicolas Cage is starring as Spider-Noir in a new eight-episode series coming to MGM+ and Prime Video. The show is set in 1930s New York and follows Ben Reilly (Cage), a troubled private investigator who used to be a superhero. It’s filmed entirely in black and white to create a classic film noir mood. The cast also includes Lamorne Morris and Brendan Gleeson, who plays the villain. The series is created by the team behind the popular Spider-Verse movies, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, so it aims to stay true to the animated version fans already love. Spider-Noir is a unique take on the superhero genre, offering something different from typical shows.

3) A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

HBO is bringing us back to Westeros with a new series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, starting January 18th. The show is based on George R.R. Martin’s Dunk and Egg stories and takes place about a hundred years before Game of Thrones. Peter Claffey plays Ser Duncan the Tall, a skilled but humble knight, and Dexter Sol Ansell is his young squire, Egg. Unlike Game of Thrones, this series offers a more personal and adventurous story, focusing on the lives of everyday people and traveling knights. The first season will have just six episodes, promising a fast-moving and engaging story that captures the spirit of Martin’s books.

2) Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale

Fans have been waiting for years, and now Buffy the Vampire Slayer is back with New Sunnydale on Hulu! Sarah Michelle Gellar returns as Buffy Summers, but this time she’s guiding a new group of slayers. The story centers on Nova, a shy high schooler played by Ryan Kiera Armstrong, who discovers she has a powerful destiny in a world full of increasingly dangerous supernatural threats. The pilot episode was directed by Chloé Zhao, giving the series a cinematic look that blends horror and the challenges of growing up. New Sunnydale aims to update the original show’s themes while still respecting the characters and stories fans have cherished for over two decades. With both familiar faces and a new perspective, the series is poised to be a major television event, bringing back the excitement and heart of the original Buffy.

1) Daredevil: Born Again Season 2

After a hugely successful first season, Daredevil: Born Again is one of the most anticipated shows of 2026. Set to premiere on March 4th, the series continues the intense story of Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) as he deals with the complex and dangerous world of New York City politics. This season, Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) is firmly in power as the Mayor of New York and is using his position to fight against masked heroes. This conflict will push Matt to team up with allies like Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter) to protect the city from a special task force created to oppose vigilantes. The first season didn’t shy away from mature themes and action, mirroring the tone of the original Netflix series, but suffered from some unevenness due to creative changes. Season 2 of Daredevil: Born Again will be a crucial moment for the show, with hopes that it will solidify its place as a leading example of gritty, street-level storytelling within the Marvel universe.

What 2026 TV show are you looking forward to the most? Tell us in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-01-08 23:45