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With the year more than halfway over, there have been a lot of big surprises from the 2026 TV releases. With established shows, these range from Euphoria and The Boys’ final seasons earning mixed-to-negative critical reception, to new shows like A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Spider-Noir, and Widow’s Bay being well received. There will also likely be some shocking wins announced at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, September 14.
Suffice it to say that there’s been no shortage in the variety of small screen programming for the public to watch in 2026, and that’s not ending anytime soon. In today’s TV landscape, new and returning shows are no longer constrained by the traditional network TV model. Thanks to premium cable and streaming services, there are all kinds of shows that can be enjoyed year-round.
Of the big TV shows left to premiere in 2026, 10 in particular stand out as the biggest. Some are premiering soon as part of the 2026 summer TV schedule, while others will arrive just before the year is over. Either way, these shows are sure to draw in a lot of viewers and generate a lot of chatter, whether it’s because they’re new and provide something novel, or because they’ve already been airing for a while and gathered a passionate fanbase.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4 (Paramount+)
Release date: Thursday, July 23
The adventures of Anson Mount’s Christopher Pike and the crew of the USS Enterprise continue in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4. In addition to the core cast of crew members under Pike’s command remaining intact, recurring characters like Carol Kane’s Pelia and Paul Wesley’s James T. Kirk, the latter of whom is inching closer to succeeding Pike as the Enterprise’s captain, are returning.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4 includes a puppet episode among its lineup, done in collaboration with Jim Henson's Creature Shop. Star Trek alum Jonathan Frakes also returned to direct one episode. This will be the last Strange New Worlds season comprised of 10 episodes, as season 5 will conclude the show with six episodes.
Stuart Fails To Save The Universe Season 1 (HBO Max)
Release Date: Thursday, July 23
The Big Bang Theory franchise expands this month with Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, which is the first spinoff to take place after the original series. The series, focused on Kevin Sussman’s Stuart Bloom, takes the franchise in a more fantastical direction with its exploration of the multiverse. This happens as a result of Stuart accidentally damaging a device created by Sheldon Cooper and Leonard Hofstadter.
Sussman is joined in Stuart Fails to Save the Universe season 1's main cast by John Ross Bowie reprising Barry Kripke, Lauren Lapkus reprising Denise, and Brian Posehn reprising Bert Kibbler. Wil Wheaton will also continue playing a fictional version of himself, and The Big Bang Theory alumni Christine Baranski, Riki Lindhome, and Teller of Penn & Teller are set to appear, though it’s unclear if they’re reprising their roles from the original series.
Lanterns Season 1 (HBO)
Release Date: Sunday, August 16
15 years after the Green Lantern movie critically and commercially underwhelmed, this DC Comics property is getting the live-action treatment again. Set within the DC Universe continuity, Lanterns season 1 depicts two storylines. The first, taking place in 2016, shows Kyle Chandler’s Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre’s John Stewart investigating a murder in Rushville, Nebraska, which is believed to involve extraterrestrials. The second, taking place in 2026, remains shrouded in mystery, aside from continuing to follow John.
Nathan Fillion also reprises fellow Green Lantern Guy Gardner following his debut in Superman. The show’s other notable characters include Kerry Macdonald’s Sheriff Kerry, Garret Dillahunt’s William Macon, and Ulrich Thomsen as Sinestro. Lanterns, which is influenced by True Detective and Slow Horses, is the third DCU TV series, following Creature Commandos and Peacemaker season 2.
Ted Lasso Season 4 (Apple TV)
Release Date: Wednesday, August 5
Ted Lasso season 4 arrives three years after season 3 concluded and left fans wondering if that was the end of the show. Jason Sudeikis’ title character returns to the United Kingdom to resume his coaching duties at AFC Richmond. This time around, though, he’s overseeing a second division women’s football team, which was teased in the season 3 finale.
Sudiekis is joined again by Hannah Waddingham, Jeremy Swift, Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt, and Juno Temple, all reprising their respective roles. Ted Lasso season 4’s newcomers include Tanya Reynolds, Jude Mack, Faye Marsay, Rex Hayes, Aisling Sharkey, Abbie Hern and Grant Feely, the latter of whom is taking over as Ted’s son, Henry.
Reacher Season 4 (Prime Video)
Release Date: Wednesday, August 12
Alan Ritchson remained in the public eye over the last 12 months thanks to the movies Motor City, Playdate, and War Machine. Nevertheless, many still know him best for Prime Video’s depiction of the Lee Child-created character Jack Reacher. Ritchson’s run as the action hero continues in Reacher season 4, which once again sees him helping a new group of characters.
The actor’s new co-stars in season 4, which is based off the novel Gone Tomorrow, include Christopher Marquette, Sydelle Noel, Agnez Mo, Anggun, and Kevin Corrgian. Maria Sten also reprises Jack Reacher’s longtime ally Frances Neagley ahead of her spinoff, Neagley, premiering in September, which Ritchson will also guest star in.
MobLand Season 2 (Paramount+)
Release Date: Friday, September 18
MobLand season 1 ended at the beginning of June 2025, and three weeks later, the crime series was renewed for season 2. Season 1 ended with some major plot threads lingering, including Tom Hardy’s Harry being stabbed by his wife (Joanne Froggatt’s Jan), Pierce Brosnan’s Conrad getting out of prison, and Helen Mirren’s Maeve being exposed as the Harrigan family’s mole.
MobLand season 2’s main cast remains intact, except for Daniel Betts and Geoff Bell, whose characters were killed off. Johnny Flynn and Ophelia Lovibond also join MobLand season 2 as series regulars. Though it was initially reported that Hardy would not return after season 2 due to behind-the-scenes conflicts, it’s since been confirmed the actor will be back for MobLand season 3 if Paramount+ orders it.
American Horror Story Season 13 (FX)
Release Date: Thursday, September 24
The witch-focused American Horror Story season 13 already stands out for bringing back many of the show’s regular actions who have been absent for a while. This lineup includes Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Emma Roberts, Billie Lourd, Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett, Gabourey Sidibe, Leslie Grossman, Jessica Lange, John Carroll Lynch, and Mat Fraser. Many of these actors are reprising characters from past American Horror Story seasons.
Avantika Vandanapu, Alex Consani, Paul Anthony Kennedy, Grace Dumdaw, Joey Pollari, and Madelaine Petsch are among the new additions for season 13, which has been filming since April. It's also worth mentioning that after initially being announced as a series regular, Ariana Grande dropped out due to scheduling conflicts with her Eternal Sunshine Tour.
VisionQuest Season 1 (Disney+)
Release Date: Wednesday, October 14
Paul Bettany’s Vision hasn’t been seen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe since WandaVision. The original incarnation of the character, whose body is now all white, was last seen flying away from Westview after having his memories restored. However, in the VisionQuest series, he still hasn’t formed any emotional connection to them. As he struggles with this, he's searching for one of his sons, Tommy, now played by Ruaridh Mollica.
VisionQuest also features human depictions of previously-seen A.I. characters, like James Spader reprising Ultron, Emily Hampshire as E.D.I.T.H., Orla Brady as F.R.I.D.A.Y., and James D'Arcy as J.A.R.V.I.S. Additionally, Taran Fahir reprises Raza from Iron Man, and the show’s newcomers include T'Nia Miller's Jocasta and Todd Stashwick's Paladin.
The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power Season 3 (Prime Video)
Release Date: Wednesday, November 11
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 3 arrives over two years after season 2 concluded. The series continues its exploration of what unfolded thousands of years before Middle-Earth’s Second Age, with season 3 picking up a few years after season 2. Among the biggest twists from the latter was the revelation that Daniel Weyman’s Stranger is actually the wizard Gandalf.
Specific plot details for The Rings of Power season 3 remain under wraps. Its newcomers include Stranger Things’ Jamie Campbell Bower joining the main cast in an undisclosed role, and Ray Donovan’s Eddie Marwan recurring as a yet-to-be-identified character.
Harry Potter Season 1 (HBO)
Release Date: Friday, December 25
15 years after the Harry Potter film series ended, J.K. Rowling’s fantasy books are now getting the TV treatment. Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout, and Arabella Stanton star as the title protagonist, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger, respectively. Other series regulars in the Harry Potter TV show include John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, and Warwick Davis as Filius Flitwick, whom he previously played in the movies.
Each season of Harry Potter will adapt one book from J.K. Rowling’s series. As such, season 1 puts its own spin on Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, or The Sorcerer’s Stone for American readers. HBO ordered Harry Potter season 2 in May.
