Game of Thrones, Bridgerton, One Piece: 2026’s Most Anticipated Shows — Number 3 Will Shock You!

Following a memorable 2025 — marked by the bloody finale of Squid Game, Pedro Pascal’s wrenching send-off in The Last of Us season 2, and Andor’s spectacular wrap that neatly bridged to Rogue One — 2026 is shaping up to be another banner year for TV. Streaming services show no sign of slowing down, continuing to pour enormous budgets into ever-bolder projects.

Game of Thrones-related titles will dominate much of the year: House of the Dragon season 3 ramps up the Dance of the Dragons while A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms takes us roughly a century before the events of the original series. Euphoria will finally close its story with a long-awaited final season. Ryan Murphy is prepping a new chapter in his anthology of Monsters. And Bridgerton promises more ballroom drama.

New entries will also attract attention: Blade Runner 2099 expands the sci-fi franchise on the small screen, and One Piece season 2 underscores Netflix’s ambitious plan to adapt the entire manga. With epic conclusions, much-anticipated comebacks, and bold bets, 2026 looks like a turning point for television. Here’s a look at the series that will define the next twelve months.

The Night Manager season 2 (January 11, Prime Video)

A decade after season 1’s acclaim, The Night Manager returns. Tom Hiddleston is back as Jonathan Pine, now working as a low-level MI6 operative living in London under the alias Alex Goodwin. His quiet life is upended when an encounter with a former mercenary pulls him into the orbit of Teddy Dos Santos (Diego Calva, known from Babylon), a suspicious Colombian businessman.

Teaming up with Roxana Bolaños (Camila Morrone of Daisy Jones & The Six), Pine infiltrates an arms-trafficking network in Colombia. Expect guerrilla training, betrayals, and a race against time to thwart a plot aimed at destabilizing a country. Olivia Colman returns as Angela Burr, joined by Indira Varma, Paul Chahidi, and Hayley Squires.

Why we’re excited: After ten years, seeing Hiddleston and Colman reunite in this stylish spy drama is a reward in itself.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (January 18, HBO Max)

A third Game of Thrones–adjacent series arrives January 18 on HBO Max. As the title implies, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms follows the wanderings of a humble knight, Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey), known as Dunk, and his young squire nicknamed Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell) for his round, hairless head.

Set roughly a century before Game of Thrones, this story avoids the royal power plays for the Iron Throne. Instead, it gives us Westeros from the perspective of ordinary people rather than the great houses. The show will adapt three of the novellas from The Tales of Dunk and Egg, with three seasons planned—and HBO has already renewed it for a second season.

George R.R. Martin actively supported the production, visiting the set and praising the episodes he previewed, which should reassure fans. All signs point to this being a fresh and warmly received expansion of the franchise.

Why we’re excited: A new viewpoint on the fantasy world, and Martin himself endorses it—count us in.

The Beauty (January 22, Disney+)

Imagine an STI that turns you into an idealized version of yourself. That’s the wild premise of The Beauty, Ryan Murphy’s new sci-fi series arriving on Disney+. The prolific creator calls the project ambitious—comparing its scope to Game of Thrones—no small claim.

The plot kicks off when international models start dying under mysterious circumstances. FBI agents Cooper Madsen (Evan Peters) and Jordan Bennett (Rebecca Hall) travel to Paris to investigate and uncover a virus that grants physical perfection at a terrifying cost. Behind it all is “The Corporation,” led by a tech billionaire (Ashton Kutcher) who developed a miracle drug called “The Beauty” and will stop at nothing to protect his interests— including deploying an assassin (Anthony Ramos).

Shot across Paris, Venice, Rome, and New York, the series adapts the comic by Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley. Murphy has described it as his take on our current “Ozempic culture.” Expect stylized visuals and provocative social commentary.

Why we’re excited: Ryan Murphy plus Evan Peters and a wildly original hook—this one’s bound to be appointment TV.

Wonder Man (January 27, Disney+)

Simon Williams (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) is a struggling actor whose life shifts when a quirky director resurrects Wonder Man, a cult superhero film Simon adored as a kid. Determined to win the role, Simon embarks on an oddball audition journey guided by Trevor Slattery (Ben Kingsley), the disillusioned former Mandarin impostor turned jaded actor.

Set behind Hollywood’s scenes—where egos clash, shoots spiral, and the press breathlessly watches—Simon may find that pursuing heroics on camera awakens unexpected abilities and real-world complications.

Why we’re excited: Disney markets this as a superhero show that’s not exactly a superhero show. With Marvel trying new tones on TV while films struggle to regain footing, this fresh approach—and the return of an Iron Man–linked character—could win over longtime fans.

Bridgerton season 4 (part 1 Jan. 29, part 2 Feb. 26, Netflix)

Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson), the family’s artistic free spirit, has resisted settling down—until a masked ball introduces him to a mysterious woman who challenges his outlook.

As the title suggests, the upcoming season of Bridgerton shifts focus to the most enigmatic brother. Netflix is splitting this season into two installments to stretch out the drama. The cast welcomes new faces, including Sophie (Yerin Ha), a maid whose presence won’t leave Benedict unmoved (and will likely captivate viewers as well).

Why we’re excited: This season leans into a Cinderella-like romance—a servant turned belle for a ball who leaves behind a clue. Expect heightened romance, lavish costumes, and, of course, a few steamy moments.

One Piece season 2 (March 10, Netflix)

Netflix’s live-action One Piece returns for season 2 with new antagonists and perilous quests. Luffy and the Straw Hat crew set sail for the legendary Grand Line, where unpredictable seas hide islands full of wonders and dangers. Their hunt for the world’s greatest treasure brings them face-to-face with many new foes and allies.

Why we’re excited: Season 1 restored faith in live-action manga adaptations. Season 2 tackles the beloved Alabasta arc and will introduce crucial characters—starting with Tony Tony Chopper, the adorable reindeer doctor joining the Straw Hats. Fans and newcomers alike will scrutinize the storytelling and effects; here’s hoping both meet expectations.

The Boys season 5 (April 8, Prime Video)

All good things must come to an end, and The Boys is heading into its final season. The irreverent, shock-packed superhero satire will close its main storyline this year, and you can bet it’ll go out swinging—though it may be tough to top the outré moments of earlier seasons.

This last season also brings in actors associated with Supernatural—another Erik Kripke creation. After appearances by Jensen Ackles and Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Jared Padalecki and Misha Collins are now joining the cast for season 5.

Success means the universe will live on beyond this finale: Gen V already exists as a spin-off, and more projects are in development, such as the period prequel Vought Rising featuring Soldier Boy (Jensen Ackles) and a planned The Boys: Mexico, rumored to star Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna.

Why we’re excited: The curtain falls on one of the wildest, most outrageous series of the decade—this finale is a can’t-miss event.

Euphoria season 3 (April, HBO Max)

After a three-year wait, Euphoria’s third and final season from Sam Levinson arrives on HBO Max in 2026—no small feat given the creator’s recent controversies and the flop of his mini-series The Idol. Those issues had clouded Levinson’s standing in Hollywood, so getting this season made was far from guaranteed.

Reassembling the cast couldn’t have been easy either: many leads—Zendaya, Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeney, Hunter Schafer—have become big stars since the series began. Yet they are back for this concluding chapter.

Set five years after season 2, the story now examines adulthood, disenchantment, and the struggle to shoulder new responsibilities. Will the finale justify the long wait? We’ll find out in April 2026.

Why we’re excited: A superstar cast, lavish production values, and ambitious visuals (we’re talking VistaVision shoots) make this one of the year’s most high-profile television events.

House of the Dragon season 3 (summer, HBO Max)

After a two-year wait, House of the Dragon returns. The Targaryen civil war—between Rhaenyra and her half-brother Aegon II—has reshaped the realm and cost many royal lives. Season 3 will explore the aftermath of that conflict and its ripple effects across the noble houses.

The Targaryens’ power rests on their dragons and the fear those beasts inspire. The new season raises the stakes: what if dragons vanish or are otherwise neutralized? The show also faces lingering controversy after George R.R. Martin publicly criticized season 2 for diverging from his book Fire & Blood—though HBO stood by showrunner Ryan J. Condal.

Whether this season reconciles book fans with the adaptation remains to be seen. Ratings suggest the franchise still has momentum: five seasons are planned in total, and season 4 has already been greenlit.

Why we’re excited: Love it or hate it, the series delivers some of the most jaw-dropping action in the whole saga. What will this chapter bring?

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale (2026, Disney+)

A note of caution: this project is currently a pilot, not a full series order. Hulu (the Disney+ brand in some territories) hasn’t yet committed to a full season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale. Still, the pilot—shot in Los Angeles last summer—has generated buzz.

The story centers on Nova (Ryan Kiera Armstrong, seen in Firestarter), a 16-year-old high schooler who discovers she’s a Slayer in a rebuilt Sunnydale, 25 years after the original events. Sarah Michelle Gellar is set to return as Buffy Summers in a recurring mentor role—convinced to come back in part by director Chloé Zhao.

Yes, Oscar-winning Chloé Zhao (Nomadland, Eternals) directed the pilot—an unexpected but intriguing choice. Zhao told Vanity Fair she’s a longtime Buffy fan and spent hours persuading Gellar to be involved. “Nobody knows Buffy like Sarah Michelle Gellar,” Zhao said, and she didn’t want to move forward unless Gellar felt it was right.

Why we’re excited: Chloé Zhao directing Sarah Michelle Gellar on a pilot already in the can? That’s a thrilling prospect for anyone hoping Sunnydale’s magic can be recaptured.

The Dutton Ranch (2026, Paramount+)

2025 was a transition year for the Yellowstone universe: the original series wrapped in December 2024, and only the second season of 1923 aired last year. But 2026 will expand the world with three new spinoffs, starting with The Dutton Ranch.

This official Yellowstone follow-up focuses on fan-favorites Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) and Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly). Now owners of their own ranch after Yellowstone was passed on, they run the operation together. The series is filming now, though no release date has been set.

Another spin-off, Marshals, follows Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) as a U.S. Marshal leading an elite team enforcing law across Montana. That action-driven show is slated for March on Paramount+. The third spinoff, The Madison, centers on a new ensemble: a wealthy New York matriarch played by Michelle Pfeiffer relocates to Montana following a tragedy. No premiere date yet, though season 2 has already been ordered.

Why we’re excited: Three Yellowstone series in one year—Taylor Sheridan’s western empire keeps growing, and fans of the saga have a lot to look forward to.

Stranger Things: Chronicles of 1985 (2026, Netflix)

Officially, Stranger Things’ main storyline concluded on January 1. But the Netflix franchise is far from finished. Among several spinoffs in development, an animated series titled Stranger Things: Chronicles of 1985 is set to arrive this year, adding a new layer to the original story.

Chronicles of 1985 takes place between seasons 2 and 3 and brings back the show’s central characters—though notably, the original actors will not voice their roles in the English version. For many of the stars, their Stranger Things era may be over.

No exact premiere date has been announced; insiders suggest a late-summer launch, but fans will need to be patient before returning to Hawkins and the Upside Down.

Why we’re excited: We thought Stranger Things was finished—what fresh secrets will this animated offshoot reveal?

Lanterns (2026, HBO Max)

Damon Lindelof—the visionary behind Lost, The Leftovers, and the Watchmen limited series—returns with a superhero crime drama. Lanterns reimagines the Green Lantern mythos as a procedural mystery, starring Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre.

Why the excitement? Lindelof has a track record of striking reinventions: his Watchmen adaptation stunned audiences with its originality and intensity and is already regarded as a modern classic. With Lanterns, he’s poised to upend expectations again, offering a fresh, investigative take on galactic guardians.

Why we’re excited: Damon Lindelof’s name alone is enough to make this a must-watch.

Blade Runner 2099 (2026, Prime Video)

Ridley Scott’s frustration at not directing Blade Runner 2049 helped spur Blade Runner 2099, an ambitious series produced with the original filmmaker’s involvement. The ten-episode show follows Cora (Hunter Schafer), a fugitive determined to secure a better life for her brother who joins forces with Olwen, an aging replicant.

Details remain scarce, but the production’s scale is clear: filming in the Czech Republic required major overhauls at Prague’s Barrandov Studios—sites that have hosted big titles like Casino Royale and the first Narnia film. The extensive work there hints at the high production values and scope planned for the series.

Why we’re excited: A bold, cinematic sci-fi series that builds on a landmark film franchise isn’t an everyday event—this one has major potential.

Monster season 4 (2026, Netflix)

After the Ed Gein chapter, Monster’s fourth season turns to the infamous Lizzie Borden case. Creators Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan are dedicating an installment of their anthology to this deeply ingrained American true-crime story, which resonates culturally in a way similar to France’s Grégory or the Dupont de Ligonnès case.

Charlie Hunnam returns—this time cast as Lizzie Borden’s murdered father after his chilling portrayal of Ed Gein in 2025. Vicky Krieps and Sarah Paulson are also back, with Ella Beatty joining as the title figure wielding the axe.

Why we’re excited: After three seasons focused largely on male figures, this season spotlights a notorious woman at the center of the narrative—an intriguing shift in perspective that promises a fresh angle on a familiar case.

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