It looks like 2026 could give us some of the best TV in years, although with scheduling plans often only being made public weeks before transmission, it's impossible to know whether some shows will actually go on air in the coming year, or in 2027.
uncertain
shows → look → 2027
When we do get to see them, we'll be treated to everything from the return of much-loved favourites like Line of Duty and The Traitors, to exciting new projects from writers and actors that we adore.
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we → get → that
Here are 15 TV shows or events to look out for in 2026 and beyond, both on streaming services and traditional broadcasters.
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shows → look → services
The Night Manager series 2
The first series of The Night Manager, based on John Le Carré's novel, was a huge hit for BBC One.
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series → base → BBC
Nine years later this new story promises to expand on Le Carré's source material, and alongside Tom Hiddleston's British intelligence operative Jonathan Pine, it sees the return of his fellow spy Olivia Colman's Angela Burr.
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it → promise → spy
Release date: 1 January on BBC One/BBC iPlayer
Red Eye series 2
The first series of ITV's claustrophobically intense drama series was mostly set on an international jet flight.
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series → set → flight
This time, Jing Lusi's DS Hana Li is paired with Martin Compston's security chief Clay Brody, as they face a killer in the US Embassy, and threats to blow up a government plane carrying the head of MI5.
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they → pair → MI5
Release date: 1 January on ITV1/ITV Player
Stranger Things finale
After almost 10 years, the Duffer brothers’ epic sci-fi series exploring psychic abilities, alternate universes, and so much more, will finally come to an end.
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series → explore → end
Most of the main cast will be featured in the finale, which will stream at the same time around the world.
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which → feature → world
After the huge ratings enjoyed by The Celebrity Traitors, the non-celebrity edition returns on New Year's Day for its fourth series.
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edition → enjoy → series
Claudia will be welcoming 22 more people to the castle for another series filled with banishments and betrayal as they try to win up to £120,000.
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they → welcome → 120,000
Release date: 1 January on BBC One/BBC iPlayer
Seven Dials
A new three-part adaptation of Agatha Christie's classic The Seven Dials Mystery sees Mia McKenna-Bruce as Lady Eileen "Bundle" Brent, who finds herself having to unravel a deadly plot after a practical joke at a country house party appears to have gone horrifyingly wrong.
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joke → see → party
Release date: 15 January on Netflix
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
The second Game of Thrones spin-off/prequel after House of the Dragon, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is once again set in Westeros, but the action takes place a century before Game of Thrones.
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action → set → Thrones
It follows the adventures of Ser Duncan the Tall, and his squire, Egg.
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It → follow → Duncan
Release date: 19 January on Sky Atlantic/NOW
Scrubs
Fifteen 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.
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reboot → see → members
The medical staff at Sacred Heart will also be joined by newcomers including British actor Jacob Dudman.
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staff → join → Dudman
Release date: 25 February in the US, UK broadcast/streaming tbc
Young Sherlock
Director Guy Ritchie, who has of course tangled with the famous detective before, has this time opted to explore the origin story of Sherlock Holmes.
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who → tangle → Holmes
It begins with his years as a young man in Oxford, before he becomes involved in a globe-trotting conspiracy.
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he → begin → conspiracy
Release date: 4 March on Prime Video
World Cup 2026
Even if Line of Duty does air in 2026, and The Traitors increases its huge ratings, the biggest viewing figures of the year could be provided by the World Cup.
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figures → air → Cup
England and Scotland have already booked their spots, with Wales and Northern Ireland (but not both) still capable of qualifying.
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Wales → book → qualifying
Release date: 11 June - 19 July on BBC One and ITV1
The following TV shows have been confirmed for 2026, but with no specific date yet announced
Dear England
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date → follow → 2026
As many England fans would testify, Gareth Southgate took on an England team that was seen as underachieving, and restored a degree of national pride to the game.
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that → testify → game
Based on the play of the same name, this four-part BBC series is a fictionalised account of Southgate's tenure as England manager.
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series → base → manager
Release date: 2026 on BBC One/BBC iPlayer
Doctor Who
When Doctor Who returns in Christmas 2026, the big question is... Doctor Who?
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question → return → Christmas
Ncuti Gatwa regenerated into Billie Piper at the end of his final episode in May, but is she the new Doctor?
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she → regenerate → May
Might we see David Tennant's 14th Doctor, who is still living in Chiswick, return?
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who → see → Chiswick
Who knows!
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Who → know → ?
Release date: 25 December tbc on BBC One/BBC iPlayer
The Lady
This ITV drama from the production company behind The Crown re-examines the events surrounding the killing by Jane Andrews, former dresser to the then Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, of her partner Thomas Cressman.
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drama → re → partner
She was convicted of his murder.
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She → convict → murder
This four-episode drama charts her rise and fall, from Buckingham Palace to prison.
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drama → chart → prison
Twenty years after the original series ended, Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair finds Malcolm with his own family and a new life.
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Life → end → family
However, things turn rapidly chaotic when Malcolm's parents insist that everyone attends a special anniversary event.
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everyone → turn → event
Release date: 2026 on Disney+
Rivals series 2
The second series of the riotously enjoyable Rivals is again based on the much-loved novel by the late Dame Jilly Cooper.
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series → base → Cooper
All the main characters are returning for more power struggles, business rivalries, and forbidden romances in the Cotswolds-set world of 1980s TV.
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characters → return → TV
Release date: 2026 on Disney+
Strictly Come Dancing
When the glitzy entertainment show returns in 2026, it will see its biggest change since it began in 2004.
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it → return → 2004
With Claudia and Tess saying goodbye to the show on Christmas Day, the BBC will be looking for two new hosts to step in to their shoes.
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BBC → say → shoes
Release date: Autumn 2026 tbc on BBC One/BBC iPlayer
Tip Toe
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 origins.
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It → win → origins
Like Queer As Folk - the show which established Davies - Tip Toe is set in Manchester.
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which → establish → Manchester
It stars Alan Cumming and David Morrissey as two neighbours who have lived next door to each other for 15 years.
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who → star → years
Release date: 2026 on Channel Four/Channel Four On Demand
The shows below have been confirmed for filming.
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shows → confirm → filming
…and 6 more, not listed.
The Aporia
