TV lookahead for 2026 and beyond

It looks like 2026 will bring us some of the best television programming in recent years, but it’s impossible to know whether some shows will air next year or in 2027, as show plans are often made public weeks before they air.

When we see them, we’ll be treated to everything from the return of beloved favorites like Line of Duty and The Traitors to exciting new projects from writers and actors we admire.

Here are 15 TV shows or events to look out for in 2026 and beyond, on both streaming services and traditional broadcasters.

The first series of The Night Manager, based on John Le Carré’s novel, was a huge success for BBC One. Nine years later, this new story promises to expand on Le Carré’s source material and sees the return of Tom Hiddleston’s British intelligence agent Jonathan Pine, as well as his fellow spy Olivia Colman’s Angela Burr.

Publication date: January 1 on BBC One/BBC iPlayer

The first series of ITV’s claustrophobic intense drama series was mostly set on an international jet flight. This time, Jing Lusi’s DS Hana Li is paired with Martin Compston’s head of security, Clay Brody, as they face a killer at the US Embassy and an MI5 threat to blow up a government plane carrying his head.

Publication date: January 1 on ITV1/ITV Player

The Duffer brothers’ epic sci-fi series, which explores psychic abilities, alternate universes and much more, will finally come to an end after almost 10 years. Most of the main cast will appear in the finale, which will be broadcast simultaneously worldwide.

Publication date: On Netflix January 1

Following the huge ratings success of The Celebrity Traitors, the non-celebrity drama returns for its fourth series on New Year’s Day. Claudia will invite 22 more people to the castle as they try to win up to £120,000 for another series of exiles and betrayals.

Publication date: January 1 on BBC One/BBC iPlayer

In this three-part reimagining of Agatha Christie’s classic The Seven Dials Mystery, Mia McKenna-Bruce stars as Lady Eileen “Bundle” Brent, who finds herself forced to uncover a deadly conspiracy after a prank at a country house party goes horribly wrong.

Publication date: January 15 on Netflix

The second spin-off/prequel after House of the Dragon, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is also set in Westeros, but the action takes place a century before Game of Thrones. It is about the adventures of Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire Egg.

Publication date: 19 January on Sky Atlantic/NOW

15 years after the last series of the popular medical drama, this reboot sees the return of original cast members Zach Braff, Donald Faison and Sarah Chalke. New names will join Sacred Heart’s medical team, including British actor Jacob Dudman.

Publication date: 25 February broadcast/broadcast in the USA and UK tbc

Director Guy Ritchie, who has had trouble with the famous detective before, this time chose to explore the origin story of Sherlock Holmes. It all begins with his years as a young man at Oxford, before becoming embroiled in a globe-trotting conspiracy.

Publication date: On Prime Video on March 4

Even if Line of Duty is released in 2026 and The Traitors is a big ratings hit, the World Cup could deliver the biggest viewing figures of the year. England and Scotland have already booked their places; Wales and Northern Ireland (but not both) are still capable of qualifying. A two-nation final could be spectacular.

Publication date: 11 June – 19 July on BBC One and ITV1

The following TV shows have been confirmed for 2026 but no exact dates have been announced yet

As many England fans will testify, Gareth Southgate took on an England team seen as underachievers and brought some national pride into the game. Based on the play of the same name, this four-part BBC series is a fictionalized account of Southgate’s tenure as England manager.

Publication date: 2026 on BBC One/BBC iPlayer

When Doctor Who returns for Christmas 2026, the big question is: Doctor Who WHO? Ncuti Gatwa transformed into Billie Piper at the end of her final episode in May, but is she the new Doctor? Could we see the return of David Tennant’s 14th Doctor, who currently lives in Chiswick? Or is it someone completely new? Who knows!

Publication date: Airs on BBC One/BBC iPlayer 25 December

This ITV drama from the production company behind The Crown re-examines the events surrounding the murder of Jane Andrews, the former dresser of Thomas Cressman, partner of Sarah Ferguson, the then Duchess of York. He was found guilty of her murder. This four-part drama chronicles his rise and fall from Buckingham Palace to prison.

Publication date: 2026 on ITV1/ITV Player

Twenty years after the original series ended, Malcolm in the Middle: Life Is Still Unfair finds Malcolm with a family of his own and a new life. But things quickly become chaotic when Malcolm’s parents insist that everyone attend a special anniversary event.

Publication date: 2026 on Disney+

The second series of the highly entertaining Rivals is again based on the much-loved novel by the late Dame Jilly Cooper. All the main characters return for more power struggles, business rivalries and forbidden romances in the Cotswolds-set world of 1980s TV.

Publication date: 2026 on Disney+

When the glitzy entertainment show returns in 2026, it will see its biggest change since its inception in 2004. With Claudia and Tess bidding farewell to the show on Christmas Day, the BBC will be looking for two new presenters to replace them.

Publication date: Airing Autumn 2026 on BBC One/BBC iPlayer

Russell T Davies’s first drama for Channel Four since the award-winning, much-loved It’s A Sin is in some ways a return to his roots. Like Queer As Folk, the show that established Davies, Tip Toe is set in Manchester. Alan Cumming and David Morrissey play two neighbors who have lived next to each other for 15 years.

Publication date: 2026 Channel Four On Demand/Channel Four

The following shows have been confirmed to film. However, since no release plans have been announced yet, it’s not clear whether these will be released in 2026 or 2027.

The return of Jed Mercurio’s record-breaking police corruption drama is one of the most eagerly anticipated TV events of recent years. Filming for the seventh series will begin in Belfast in spring 2026, with familiar faces Steve Arnott (Martin Compston), Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure) and Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar) investigating a senior civil servant. It is not yet known whether the series will be broadcast in 2026 or 2027.

Award-winning writer and producer Steven Moffat’s first project for Channel Four is a comedy drama set at the country’s most famous address. Rafe Spall will play the prime minister, Katherine Parkinson will play his chief of staff, and Jenna Coleman will play the deputy chief of staff.

Publication date: 2026 or 2027 on Channel Four/On Demand on Channel Four