26 TV dramas you must watch in winter 2026 – from Game of Thrones spin-off to hit US medical drama

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It’s a new year, and with it, 2026 brings a whole heap of new dramas to enjoy.

Alongside returning popular shows like Call the Midwife, Death in Paradise, Professor T, and Silent Witness, we’re also adding excellent HBO dramas, including Industry and the Game of Thrones spin-off, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.

Also coming soon are ITV’s drama, The Lady, and a new mystery series on Netflix called Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials.

We already know which ones we can’t wait to dive into.

Here are the 26 TV dramas the TopMob team recommends you watch this winter.

26 TV dramas you must watch in winter 2026 – from Game of Thrones spin-off to hit US medical drama

1. Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials – Netflix (15th January 2026)

This three-part Netflix series is based on a lesser-known novel by Agatha Christie. BAFTA winner Mia McKenna-Bruce plays Lady Eileen “Bundle” Brent, an amateur detective who looks into the death of a young man following a disastrous prank. The cast also includes Helena Bonham Carter and Martin Freeman, and the script was written by Chris Chibnall, known for his work on shows like Broadchurch and Doctor Who. Abby Robinson

2. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms – Sky Atlantic and NOW (19th January 2026)

This Game of Thrones spin-off focuses on a more personal story: a humble knight hoping to win fame and fortune at a tournament. While some known actors like Bertie Carvel and Daniel Ings appear as lords and nobles, the series features new talent Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell as the central characters, Ser Duncan and his squire, Egg. – Huw Fullerton

3. Under Salt Marsh – Sky Atlantic and NOW (29th January 2026)

Starring Kelly Reilly, known from the hit show Yellowstone, this new mystery isn’t based on a book or podcast – a welcome change. The story unfolds in a Welsh seaside village as a fierce storm approaches and the body of a child is found. This discovery pulls former detective Jackie, who is trying to rebuild her life, into a complex investigation. The case seems connected to the unsolved death of another child three years earlier, and the answer is indeed a connection between the two (spoiler alert!). Rafe Spall and Jonathan Pryce also star. – Gareth McLean

4. Betrayal – ITV1 and ITVX (early 2026)

Shaun Evans plays an MI5 agent struggling to balance the demands of his job with problems in his personal life. He discovers a potential threat to the UK and must race against time to stop an attack while also trying to save his marriage. It’s a high-stakes situation where one mistake could be disastrous. By David Brown.

5. The Walsh Sisters – BBC One and BBC iPlayer (early 2026)

The popular Walsh Sisters novels by Irish author Marian Keyes are becoming a TV series for the first time. Set in Dublin, the show follows the entertaining but flawed Walsh family, including Anna (Louisa Harland), Rachel (Caroline Menton), Maggie (Stefanie Preissner, who also wrote the adaptation), Claire (Danielle Galligan), and Helen (Máiréad Tyers). Laura Rutkowski directed the series.

6. Missed Call – 5 (next month)

The team behind ‘The Au Pair’ presents a gripping thriller that takes a familiar, terrifying scenario – a parent’s worst fear – and sets it against a seemingly idyllic, suburban backdrop. Starring Joanna Scanlan, the story follows a mother desperately searching for her teenage daughter after she vanishes during a school exchange trip to France. It’s a true nightmare. GM

7. How to get to Heaven from Belfast – Netflix (February)

Lisa McGee, the creator of Derry Girls, says this new show is a dream project for her, blending her love of mystery and comedy. The eight-part series centers on the friendship of Saoirse (Roísín Gallagher), Robyn (Sinéad Keenan), and Dara (Caoilfhionn Dunne), three women in their late 30s who reconnect after the death of a childhood friend, Greta (Natasha O’Keefe).

8. The Lady – ITV1 and ITVX (coming soon)

Mia McKenna-Bruce stars as Jane Andrews, a former dresser to Sarah, Duchess of York, who unexpectedly gained notoriety when she was convicted of murdering her boyfriend, Thomas Cressman, in 2001 – briefly becoming more famous than her previous employer. Natalie Dormer plays Sarah, and Philip Glenister and Claire Skinner also appear in the drama. Caroline Frost reported on this story.

9. Lord of the Flies – BBC One and BBC iPlayer (coming soon)

Jack Thorne, who co-wrote the series Adolescence, tackles another story about the intense emotions of young men with this adaptation of William Golding’s classic novel about a group of boys stranded on an island. The show features a cast of newcomers – the producers intentionally chose boys aged 10-13 with no prior acting experience to play the roles of Ralph, Piggy, Simon, Jack, and the others. HF

10. Scarpetta – Prime Video (11 March 2026)

Nicole Kidman’s impressive streak of roles continues with her portrayal of Kay Scarpetta, the brilliant pathologist from Patricia Cornwell’s popular crime novels, who uses cutting-edge forensic science to crack cases. The new Prime Video series also features acclaimed actresses Jamie Lee Curtis and Ariana DeBose. By Lewis Knight.

11. A Woman of Substance – Channel 4 (coming soon)

This new television adaptation of Barbara Taylor Bradford’s popular novel, which first aired forty years ago, retells the story of a Yorkshire maid’s remarkable rise to wealth and success. With scripts from Katherine Jakeways and Roanne Bardsley, and Brenda Blethyn in the leading role, the remake has a lot going for it. However, it remains to be seen if it will capture the same spirit as the original, which was a hit during the optimistic 1980s. This marks the beginning of a push to also remake Shirley Conran’s Lace.

12. Gone – ITV1 and ITVX (coming soon)

Don’t mistake this show for The Crow Girl on Paramount+. Both feature Eve Myles as a Bristol police officer involved in a tense pursuit. However, in Gone, David Morrissey plays the opposing role – a teacher whose wife has disappeared. The series is written by George Kay, known for The Long Shadow and Lupin, and is being hailed as the work of a new writing duo comparable to the Williams brothers. (GM)

13. The Other Bennett Sister – BBC One and BBC iPlayer (coming soon)

If you’re curious about what happened to the book-loving Mary Bennet, this cheerful adaptation of Janice Hadlow’s novel offers some answers left unexplored by Jane Austen. Richard E. Grant and Ruth Jones play her stressed-out parents, and Ella Bruccoleri, known from Call the Midwife, stars as Mary herself.

14. The Miniature Wife – Sky and NOW (coming soon)

As a total film buff, I’m really intrigued by this one! It stars the incredible Matthew Macfadyen and Elizabeth Banks as a couple whose lives are turned upside down by a tech mishap – and it’s not just any mishap, it’s something that creates a seriously strange situation. Apparently, it’s a comedy-drama about the power dynamics that emerge, and it’s based on a short story by Manuel Gonzalez. Sounds wild!

15. Falling – Channel 4 (coming soon)

Jack Thorne, the writer, didn’t initially plan to write a romance, but his first attempt is a bit different. The story follows Anna, a nun played by Keeley Hawes, and David, a Catholic priest played by Paapa Essiedu, who unexpectedly fall in love. This raises questions about their faith and their connection to each other. The cast also includes Jason Watkins, Niamh Cusack, and Adrian Scarborough.

16. The Pitt – HBO MAX (coming soon)

This gripping medical drama was hugely popular in the US last year, and now UK audiences can finally watch it with the launch of HBO Max. Noah Wyle, known for his role in ER, returns as a doctor, but this time he plays Robby, a more complex and troubled character than his former, more optimistic role as Dr. Carter.

Returning dramas:

17. Industry – BBC One and BBC iPlayer (12th January 2026)

The latest season of Industry introduces new cast members, including Max Minghella from The Handmaid’s Tale, and promises plenty of drama. The story continues to center on Harper and Yasmin, as Yasmin explores a new romance with Henry Muck (Kit Harington), and Harper remains focused on her career in finance. However, their different paths may strain their friendship. Morgan Cormack is also featured.

18. Call the Midwife – BBC One and BBC iPlayer (11 January 2026)

Season 15 follows Sister Julienne, Dr. Turner, and the midwives of Nonnatus House as they adjust to the evolving world of 1971. With more births happening in hospitals and major changes happening within the National Health Service, the team faces new difficulties. All this unfolds against the backdrop of the growing women’s liberation movement and rapid advancements in medicine and society, pushing their dedication to the limit.

19. Hijack – Apple TV+ (14th January 2026)

The first season of the show was set entirely on an airplane, but this new season moves the action to the Berlin subway system. Idris Elba is back as Sam Nelson, the resourceful protagonist, who once again finds himself in a tense hostage situation. Expect a surprising twist that will keep you guessing until the very end.

10. Bridgerton – Netflix (29th January 2026)

This season centers on Benedict Bridgerton, the second oldest sibling, and his complicated journey to find love. He becomes captivated by a mysterious woman known as the Lady in Silver, who turns out to be Sophie, a clever and capable maid. This creates a fascinating romance that explores the class differences within the Bridgerton world, something the show hasn’t focused on previously.

21. Outlander – MGM+ (7 March 2026)

After 101 episodes and almost 12 years, the popular time-travel romance series is concluding. Throughout the show, Claire and Jamie (played by Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan) navigated centuries and continents to stay together, but their last obstacles will still be difficult to overcome.

22. The Capture – BBC One and BBC iPlayer (coming soon)

This gripping drama returns for a third series, continuing to explore the dangers of deepfake technology. Previous seasons targeted public figures with fabricated videos as part of the ‘Correction’ program. Now, Detective Rachel Carey, played by Holliday Grainger, has been promoted and is leading the charge against increasingly sophisticated falsehoods – and facing the even harder task of rebuilding public faith in technology. CM

23. Death in Paradise – BBC One and BBC iPlayer (early 2026)

Fans were initially worried about whether Don Warrington would return as the commissioner, but those concerns were put to rest when Selwyn decided to reprise the role in the Christmas special. Meanwhile, Mervin unexpectedly connected with a newly discovered brother, and last season suggested a possible romance for Catherine.

24. Silent Witness – BBC One and BBC iPlayer (coming soon)

The new season of the BBC crime drama follows Nikki and Jack as they settle into married life after a simple wedding. However, their personal happiness is contrasted by uncertainty at the Lyell Centre. The Home Office wants Nikki to lead a new forensic facility in Birmingham, but she believes Harriet is better suited for the role, leaving the team’s future direction uncertain.

25. Professor T – ITV1 and ITVX (coming soon)

Ben Miller returns as Professor Jasper Tempest in the fourth season of this ITV crime series, which is based on a Belgian show. Six months after the loss of their teammate Donckets, Tempest and his team are dealing with their grief while investigating a surge in dangerous new crimes.

26. The Marlow Murder Club – U&Drama (coming soon)

Despite its idyllic appearance, a growing number of deaths are occurring in this charming town in Buckinghamshire. The third series of this gentle mystery show will feature guest appearances by actors Peter Davison, Nigel Harman, and Harry Enfield. DB

Authors

Lewis KnightNews and Trends Editor

Lewis is the News and Trends Editor at TopMob, responsible for our news coverage, quick-response content, and making sure we deliver what our audience wants. He’s a huge TV and movie buff, especially a fan of Nicole Kidman, but also loves science fiction, independent films, and the newest shows on HBO. With a background in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Film Studies, Lewis previously worked in advertising before spending three years at The Mirror, where he focused on community management, SEO, and reporting on showbiz, film, and television.

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2026-01-05 15:06