As the New Year approaches, the burning question for many viewers is what television delights await in 2026. In times of stress, TV remains a prime source of escapism, and the coming year promises a stellar line-up to provide just that. From long-awaited returns to exciting new franchises, here are 29 of the most anticipated shows set to hit UK screens.
Major Returns and Franchise Extensions
The year will see several beloved series make a comeback. The Night Manager finally returns for its second season on Thursday January 1 on BBC One and iPlayer, a decade after Tom Hiddleston's performance sparked James Bond rumours. Reality TV fans can dive straight into The Traitors season 4, also launching on New Year's Day on the BBC, promising a new twist involving a mysterious red cloak.
Fantasy enthusiasts are in for a treat with two trips to Westeros. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, based on George R.R. Martin's novellas, arrives on Monday January 19 on Sky and NOW, followed later in the year by House of the Dragon season 3. Meanwhile, the final chapter of Outlander begins with season 8 on Saturday March 7 on MGM Plus.
Streaming services are also bringing back heavy hitters. The intense thriller Hijack season 2 with Idris Elba lands on Wednesday January 14 on Apple TV+, while the acclaimed restaurant drama The Bear returns for season 5 on Disney+. The superhero satire The Boys will begin its fifth and final season on Wednesday April 8 on Amazon Prime Video.
Exciting New Dramas and Adaptations
2026 is packed with promising new series. How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, a comedy-thriller from Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee, premieres on Netflix in February. The BBC offers a fresh take on Jane Austen with The Other Bennet Sister, focusing on Mary Bennet, due on BBC One and iPlayer.
Guy Ritchie directs a new origin story in Young Sherlock, starring Hero Fiennes Tiffin, coming to Amazon Prime Video on Wednesday March 4. Following the success of Baby Reindeer, Richard Gadd stars in the BBC drama Half Man alongside Jamie Bell. A new adaptation of William Golding's Lord of the Flies, penned by Jack Thorne, is also slated for the BBC.
Agatha Christie comes to Netflix with The Seven Dials Mystery, featuring a cast including Mia McKenna-Bruce and Helena Bonham Carter, on Thursday January 15. Sophie Turner leads the heist thriller Steal on Amazon Prime Video from Wednesday January 21.
Superhero Stories and Sci-Fi Sagas
Marvel expands its television universe with two new Disney+ series. Wonder Man, starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as an actor who gains real superpowers, premieres on Wednesday January 28. Later in the year, VisionQuest will follow Paul Bettany's character on a journey of self-discovery.
In the DC world, Aaron Pierre will play John Stewart in the new series Lanterns. Meanwhile, Nicolas Cage reprises his role for the live-action Spider-Man Noir series on Amazon Prime Video.
The dystopian hit Silo, starring Rebecca Ferguson, continues with its third season on Apple TV+, while the world of The Handmaid's Tale expands with the spin-off The Testaments on Disney+ in April.
Comedy Revivals and Period Pieces
Nostalgia will be strong with the return of two classic sitcoms. Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair arrives on Disney+ with four new episodes set two decades later. The medical comedy Scrubs also revives with original cast members Zach Braff and Donald Faison.
Period drama fans can look forward to Bridgerton season 4 on Netflix, which will focus on Benedict Bridgerton's romance. Part 1 streams from Thursday January 29, with Part 2 following on Thursday February 26. The lavish world of Rivals, based on Jilly Cooper's novels, returns for a second season on Disney+.
Steven Knight's gritty Victorian boxing drama A Thousand Blows is back for a second season on Disney+ from Friday January 9, starring Stephen Graham. The Duffer Brothers, creators of Stranger Things, launch their new supernatural Netflix series The Boroughs. The satirical Hollywood comedy The Studio, co-created by Seth Rogen, returns for season two on Apple TV+.
With such a diverse and high-quality slate, 2026 is shaping up to be an exceptional year for television, offering something for every taste and ensuring our screens will be filled with compelling stories for months to come.
