10 Most Exciting Shows Still Expected To Return In 2026

There have been some exciting recent TV announcements, and while fans are still waiting for news on the return to nostalgic shows like Supernatural, especially in the wake of the Buffy reboot’s disappointing cancellation, the news of Firefly‘s return has been welcomed. Not all shows that have been announced will eventually hit screens, but 2026 is set to be a great year for TV.

We have already seen some of the top returning shows of 2026 arrive on a strong note. Bridgerton season 4 continued its excellent historical romance, The Night Agent season 3 surpassed its previous two seasons, and Dark Winds season 4 maintained its perfect Rotten Tomatoes score. More of these critically-acclaimed TV shows will be arriving in 2026, with some announcements yet to be made.

While spring’s upcoming TV shows have their release dates scheduled, others are keeping viewers guessing. 2026 will see shows in many genres and on most of the main streaming platforms continue for another season, but not all of the most exciting TV shows releasing in 2026 have a confirmed date. That said, we expect them to return to screens despite keeping us waiting in suspense.

Reacher (Season 4)

Coming To Prime Video, Date TBC

Prime Video

After Reacher season 3 ended in March 2025, it was quickly announced that the show would be getting a fourth season. The spy thriller will adapt the book “Gone Tomorrow,” which centers on a conspiracy and a possible suicide bomber. While Reacher‘s official 2026 return is a risk Prime Video doesn’t need to take, as the show is getting another spinoff, it is still highly anticipated.

Reacher is one of the best action thrillers currently streaming, with fantastic fight choreography and a compelling main character. Its popularity has inspired a wave of many TV shows with a similar tone, all described as “the next Reacher.” However, the original cannot be beaten and while no release date has been confirmed, it is likely to keep its spot as a Prime Video must-watch.

Silo (Season 3)

Coming To Apple TV, Date TBC

Apple TV is gaining a reputation for ambitious sci-fi masterpieces, and Silo is one of the best on the platform. Part of the show’s success it due to its great cast, which stars Rebecca Ferguson as an engineer who discovers dangerous secrets about her home. The show is set in a post-apocalyptic world in which the surving people live together in a giant underground silo.

After a two year wait, Silo season 3 will air in summer or fall of 2026. Apple TV has received praise for not cancelling shows too quickly, and viewers will be relieved to thow that Silo has been renewed for two final seasons, which will allow a proper ending. After season 2 ended on a cliffhanger, Silo looks to get even better next season.

Emily In Paris (Season 6)

Coming To Netflix, Date TBC

Emily in Paris got off to an uneven start and received mixed reviews for its negative portrayals of French culture and its polarizing main character. However, the show addressed many of these issues and has become an unexpected and whimsical success story. Emily in Paris season 5’s Rotten Tomatoes rating surprised audiences with a 70% critics’ score.

Still, while Emily in Paris does not always receive high audience ratings and is unlikely to be considered a dramatic masterpiece, the show provides a sense of fun and escapism that season 6 is sure to maintain. The series is expected to build on the season 5 finale, which saw Emily breaking up with Marcello and choosing to return to Paris.

House Of The Dragon (Season 3)

Coming To HBO Max, June 2026

HBO

While there are some must-watch upcoming fantasy TV shows that are new adaptations and original stories, some of the best fantasy shows in recent years are also set to air new seasons. House of the Dragon is returning to HBO Max with season 3 this year, and the show appears to be making some interesting changes from George R. R. Martin’s source material.

The trailer for House of the Dragon season 3 hints at changes to “Fire and Blood,” the novel that it is based on, by prominently featuring characters who have a lesser role in the book. That said, the show’s creative liberties have given us some of the best scenes in the franchise, with House of the Dragon clearly aiming to outperform Game of Thrones.

The Diplomat (Season 4)

Coming To Netflix, Date TBC

House of Cards was groundbreaking, and changed the way we watch TV, but now The Diplomat has become Netflix’s best political thriller TV series. While House of Cards declined over time, The Diplomat keeps getting better and after the show ended its third season with one of the most shocking twists yet, it has been officially renewed for season 4.

The Diplomat follows Kate Wyler (Keri Russell,) who has just been appointed as the US Ambassador to the UK, and the series shows her dealing with complex and dangerous political situations while managing her rocky relationship with her husband. Compared to matters of national security, Kate’s marriage might seem like a lower-stakes problem, but the show has a major twist that proves otherwise.

3 Body Problem (Season 2)

Coming to Netflix, Date TBC

©Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection

Netflix’s mind-bending sci-fi thriller, 3 Body Problem looks set to become an instant classic as long as the show can maintain its momentum. With season 2 confirmed and season 1 leaving every main character’s storyline unfinished, 3 Body Problem‘s next season has a lot of storytelling to cover, and with an even wider scope for the three remaining members of The Oxford Five.

The news that 3 Body Problem‘s season 2 may have a reduced episode count is a surprising move for such a complex story. It has been suggested that the next season with have only six episodes, which throws the possibility of a season 3 into question. Still, the news that the show has another season makes its return exciting, as it is a must-watch for sci-fi fans.

Avatar: The Last Airbender (Season 2)

Coming To Netflix, June 25th 2026

The upcoming second season of Avatar: The Last Airbender‘s live action TV show will arrive on Netflix on June 25th, with the chapter set to be part of a larger story with a third and likely final season confirmed. The three seasons of the original animated show had a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score, so the newest installment has a lot to live up to.

The next season looks set to follow Aang’s journey to the Earth Kingdom, and while the trailer for Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 exposes the show’s biggest problem, this could be addressed. Like many shows with a younger cast, the actors are visibly growing up between seasons, so the series may deal with this by extending the timeline.

Ted Lasso (Season 4)

Coming To Apple TV, August 2026

The highly anticipated fourth season of Ted Lasso is an upcoming Apple TV show you cannot miss, and it is expected to arrive this summer. Ted Lasso season 4 is expected to pick up where season 3 left off, but the sports comedy is expected to add some new faces to the cast, as sets Ted a new challenge, coaching a women’s soccer team.

The Rings Of Power (Season 3)

Coming to Prime Video, Date TBC

The next step in Prime Video’s flagship fantasy series The Rings of Power could include some Tolkien characters who have appeared in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of The Rings, and others who have not had major onscreen roles yet. This makes season 3 of the series a truly exciting prospect for fans of Tolkien’s source material and Middle Earth lore.

The Rings of Power has had a shaky start, being more popular with critics than audiences, though its Rotten Tomatoes audience rating rose from 38% to 58% in season 2. The show has some of the best battle sequences to appear on TV and the costume design is visually stunning, so if season 3 can impress its audience, Prime Video will have a growing hit.

Doctor Who (Christmas Special)

Coming to BBC and Disney +, December 2026

The Doctor Who Christmas Special is a British tradition that has spread internationally, and for many sci-fi fans, Christmas isn’t the same without the special episode of the longest-running sci-fi series on TV. While Doctor Who skipped this tradition in 2025, it has been confirmed that 2026 will see the Doctor return for another adventure in December, though the plot is not yet known.