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The Most Anticipated TV Shows for 2026: The List That Will Own Your Remote

Three scenes: a serious woman with curly hair in colorful lights, a masked couple in romantic embrace, and a silhouette in a cyber city with "LEVEL UP" sign.

If your watchlist already feels like a full-time job, 2026 is about to push it into overtime. The most anticipated TV shows for 2026 are stacking up to deliver a year packed with high-profile returns, ambitious new series, and franchise expansions designed to dominate streaming conversations. After years of delays and drawn-out production cycles, the TV industry is finally ready to unleash its biggest bets.


From prestige dramas and fantasy epics to superheroes, sci-fi, and glossy romances, 2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for television. Below is a list of the shows already generating the loudest buzz and highest expectations, and why they’re poised to take over your screen.



1. Euphoria (Season 3) – HBO

Woman with curly hair looks serious in a dimly lit room. Background shows a wooden wall and a glowing lamp, creating a tense mood.

Yes, it’s actually happening. After an extended hiatus that felt longer than some streaming platforms’ lifespans, Euphoria is expected to return in 2026. The series remains one of HBO’s most polarizing and talked-about hits, combining stylized visuals with raw emotional storytelling. Whether viewers tune in out of devotion or curiosity, its return will be impossible to ignore.



2. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms – HBO

A man in ornate armor stands tense in a throne room, with a blurred figure in the background holding a sword. Dramatic, medieval setting.

The Game of Thrones universe continues to expand, but this prequel takes a noticeably different approach. Based on George R.R. Martin’s Dunk and Egg novellas, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms focuses on character-driven storytelling rather than sprawling wars. It’s a smaller-scale story with big expectations and a chance for the franchise to course-correct.



3. Blade Runner 2099 – Prime Video

Silhouette of a person facing a futuristic cityscape with glowing neon signs reading "LEVEL UP." A blue holographic figure is visible.

Among the most anticipated new TV shows of 2026, Blade Runner 2099 stands out for its sheer ambition. Expanding the iconic sci-fi world into a serialized format is a bold move, but early buzz suggests a visually rich series that leans into the franchise’s philosophical core rather than just its aesthetic.



4. Bridgerton (Season 4) – Netflix

A couple in elegant attire dances in a lush, floral garden setting, the woman in a white gown, the man in a black mask, creating a romantic mood.

Netflix’s period drama juggernaut shows no signs of slowing down. Bridgerton Season 4 is expected to spotlight a new romantic lead while maintaining the lavish production design and gossip-fueled storytelling that made it a global hit. It remains one of the few shows capable of taking over social media overnight.



5. Daredevil: Born Again (Season 2) – Disney+

Hero in red suit, arms outstretched, dramatically shouting in dim, brick-walled room. Orange lights illuminate background, intense mood.

Marvel’s street-level hero continues his resurgence with Season 2 landing in 2026. With Charlie Cox firmly re-established as Matt Murdock, Daredevil: Born Again aims to deliver a darker, more grounded tone that separates it from the wider MCU’s multiverse mayhem.



6. For All Mankind (Season 5) – Apple TV

Astronauts in white suits sit in a spacecraft cockpit, with screens and controls around. One suit reads CCCP; mood is focused and serious.

Often cited as one of the strongest dramas on Apple TV, For All Mankind continues to build its alternate-history space saga. Season 5 is expected to push the narrative even further, blending character drama with high-concept storytelling that rewards long-term viewers.



7. Scarpetta – Prime Video

Two women in a kitchen, one gesturing with her hand. Shelves with spices, a coffee maker, toaster, and cookware are visible. Cozy atmosphere.

Prime Video enters prestige crime territory with Scarpetta, starring Nicole Kidman. Adapted from Patricia Cornwell’s bestselling novels, the series arrives with serious awards potential and the promise of a darker, more methodical take on the genre.



8. One Piece (Season 2) – Netflix

Five characters pose against a bright sky, with one in a straw hat raising a fist. They hold weapons, exuding confidence and teamwork.

After defying expectations in its debut season, One Piece returns with Season 2 under far greater scrutiny. Netflix’s live-action adaptation now has to prove it can sustain momentum while expanding its world, making it one of the most closely watched returning series of 2026.



9. Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (Season 2) – Apple TV

Giant gorilla roaring with mouth open wide against a hazy sky. Fur is dark and textured, conveying a fierce and dynamic atmosphere.

Apple TV continues its cinematic approach to television with Season 2 of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. Expanding the MonsterVerse while maintaining character-driven storytelling, the series remains a key player in the platform’s growing genre slate.



10. Young Sherlock – Prime Video

Young man in a flat cap and blue coat gazes thoughtfully. Background shows a stone building with a window, creating a historical ambiance.

A fresh take on one of fiction’s most iconic detectives, Young Sherlock explores the early years of Sherlock Holmes with a focus on psychology and mystery rather than nostalgia. That approach alone makes it one of the more intriguing new series arriving in 2026.



As streaming platforms become more selective and audiences more discerning, the most anticipated TV shows for 2026 reflect a shift toward event television and high-impact storytelling. These series aren’t just filling release schedules; they’re positioning themselves as cultural moments.


With a lineup this stacked, 2026 is shaping up to be a banner year for television. Stay tuned to The TV Cave for ongoing coverage, reviews, and deep dives as these shows finally make their long-awaited debuts.

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