

Best TV Shows of 2026: New Series to Watch Now
Welcome to our guide of the Best TV Shows of 2026, featuring every Certified Fresh series as they come in week by week! (If you were looking for the previous edition to this list featuring the best of 2025, see its new home as every 2025 Certified Fresh series.)
Recommended: Best New Movies of 2026, Ranked by Tomatometer

100%

73%
Critics Consensus: Harnessing Tracy Morgan’s unpredictable comedic charisma to consistently hilarious effect, The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins is a delightful ensemble sitcom that, true to its title, gets better and better as it goes along.
Starring:
Tracy Morgan, Daniel Radcliffe, Erika Alexander, Bobby Moynihan

100%

59%
Critics Consensus: Hacks takes a triumphant bow with a final season that keeps the pace and jokes right on par with its previous installments, bidding farewell to Deborah Vance and Ava Daniels with all the flair and care this world has to offer.
Starring:
Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Rose Abdoo

100%

95%
Critics Consensus: Blessed with an enthralling raconteur as its subject, The 99 Year Old Man! is an affectionate and hilarious retrospective as well as a wistful reminder that even a long life well-lived has its fair share of heartbreak.
Starring:
Mel Brooks, Jerry Seinfeld, Adam Sandler, Nick Kroll

98%

89%
Critics Consensus: An inspired look into the depths of an iconic character, Maul once again proves that through kinetic, vibrant, and engaging animation the Star Wars saga can continue in masterful spades.
Starring:
Sam Witwer, Gideon Adlon, Wagner Moura, Richard Ayoade

98%

85%
Critics Consensus: Clocking in for a second season of a near perfect medical procedural, The Pitt goes all in on narrative excellence, brilliant humanity, and heart-wrenching drama to winning effect.
Starring:
Noah Wyle, Tracy Ifeachor, Fiona Dourif, Taylor Dearden

97%

82%
Critics Consensus: Lisa Kudrow once again leads the illustrious Comeback with renewed vigor and purpose, remaining on the pulse of the media’s current moment, marking a welcome and long-awaited victory lap.
Starring:
Lisa Kudrow, Robert Michael Morris, Damian Young, Laura Silverman

96%

82%
Critics Consensus: Rich in character and dramatic antics, Margo’s Got Money Troubles succeeds because of its attention to emotional detail, authentic performances, and brilliant storytelling.
Starring:
Elle Fanning, Michelle Pfeiffer, Nick Offerman, Nicole Kidman

96%

72%
Critics Consensus: Betting on its own adaptability after resetting the board and analyzing new market forces, Industry yields a handsome payout with this sterling fourth season.
Starring:
Myha’la Herrold, Marisa Abela, Kit Harington, Harry Lawtey

96%

83%
Critics Consensus: As much a buddy adventure as it is an espionage caper, Ponies‘ likable trot of a story gradually achieves full gallop thanks to Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson’s tag-team charisma.
Starring:
Emilia Clarke, Haley Lu Richardson, Nicholas Podany, Andrew Richardson

95%

82%
Critics Consensus: Riz Ahmed creates and stars in this compassionate, humor-filled meta-satire that dazzlingly lures in its audience like delicious BAIT.
Starring:
Riz Ahmed, Guz Khan, Sheeba Chaddha, Aasiya Shah

95%

79%
Critics Consensus: Stretching its tone in different directions without ever snapping, How to Get to Heaven from Belfast is another triumphantly funny and proudly Irish series from creator Lisa McGee.
Starring:
Roisin Gallagher, Sinéad Keenan, Caoilfhionn Dunne, Darragh Hand

94%

78%
Critics Consensus: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is a welcome return to Westeros that works better in the buddy-comedy arena rather than solely slaying its competition.
Starring:
Finn Bennett, Bertie Carvel, Tanzyn Crawford, Daniel Ings

92%

91%
Critics Consensus: Sally Wainwright strikes the right chord in this uproarious delight, including a gusty cast of Riot Women who fiercely showcase their right to rock, no matter their age.
Starring:
Joanna Scanlan, Rosalie Craig, Tamsin Greig, Taj Atwal

91%

87%
Critics Consensus: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is Wonder Man, turning in a sly performance alongside an equally wonderful Ben Kingsley in this low-stakes superhero fare that boasts high-hearted personal drama as its winning factor.
Starring:
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Arian Moayed, X Mayo, Olivia Thirlby

91%

76%
Critics Consensus: Twisty, stylish, and at times gloriously grim, Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole packs enough thrills and unexpected twists to keep you hooked.
Starring:
Tobias Santelmann, Peter Stormare, Ellen Helinder, Ingrid Bolsø Berdal

90%

82%
Critics Consensus: Paradise season 2 invests in its genre fare and delivers another gripping season filled with deeper intrigue, a stellar cast, and captivating drama.
Starring:
Sterling K. Brown, James Marsden, Julianne Nicholson, Krys Marshall

91%

89%
Critics Consensus: Daredevil: Born Again imbues its second season with rich substance thanks to devilishly good performances, punchier narrative momentum, and well-timed themes befitting this daring crusader.
Starring:
Charlie Cox, Vincent D’Onofrio, Elden Henson, Deborah Ann Woll

91%

57%
Critics Consensus: Fleshing out William Goldman’s text with thoughtful observations about boyhood and sharpened by a uniformly terrific troupe of child actors, this retelling of Lord of the Flies seizes the conch shell and commands attention.
Starring:
Winston Sawyers, Lox Pratt, David McKenna, Isaac Talbut

91%

85%
Critics Consensus: Shrinking‘s soothing balm of eager humanity shines through in the series’ laugh inducing, heartstring pulling and tender third season.
Starring:
Jason Segel, Jessica Williams, Harrison Ford, Luke Tennie

89%

93%
Critics Consensus: Scrubs revives and revamps its signature laughs and cast to deliver another fan-favorite run of medical gags, heartfelt dramedy, and instant fun.
Starring:
Zach Braff, Donald Faison, Sarah Chalke

89%

68%
Critics Consensus: Continuing to peek through the satirical façade of socialite life, Your Friends & Neighbors‘ second season digs itself into a deeper and richer character hole, where Hamm, Munn, and Marsden make like bandits and steal the show.
Starring:
Jon Hamm, Amanda Peet, Hoon Lee, Olivia Munn

88%

69%
Critics Consensus: Rooster nestles in with humor and heart thanks to Steve Carell’s soothing performance and Danielle Deadwyler’s exuberant support, leading Bill Lawrence’s kind-spirited, good-time new series to lovely heights.
Starring:
Steve Carell, Lauren Tsai, Scott MacArthur, Danielle Deadwyler

88%

72%
Critics Consensus: The Testaments ably continues The Handmaid’s Tale‘s fight through a coming-of-age lens in a slow-burning world builder that features an excellent cast of fresh talent.
Starring:
Chase Infiniti, Lucy Halliday, Ann Dowd, Rowan Blanchard

88%

61%
Critics Consensus: Marking a belated but welcome return for Tom Hiddleston’s tortured spy, The Night Manager‘s second season is a glamorous and haunted continuation that only gets better as it goes.
Starring:
Tom Hiddleston, Hugh Laurie, Olivia Colman, Alistair Petrie

87%

60%
Critics Consensus: Beef pairs its second season with winning performers and a crackling sense of ingenuity in a saga that Lee Sung Jin perfectly anchors through his mastery of class satire and the unexpected modes of human nature.
Starring:
Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, Charles Melton, Cailee Spaeny

87%

62%
Critics Consensus: Marrying horror and atmospheric storytelling to thrilling effect, Something Very Bad is Going to Happen ably transports newlywed jitters to the surrealist realm of binge-worthy TV.
Starring:
Camila Morrone, Adam DiMarco, Ted Levine, Jennifer Jason Leigh

87%

55%
Critics Consensus: Exposing ANTM’s outreageous stunts, behind-the-scenes chaos, and systematic issues, Reality Check delivers a fascinating and compelling look at the cost of fame in early-2000s reality TV.
Starring:
Tyra Banks, Jay Manuel, J. Alexander, Nigel Barker

87%

70%
Critics Consensus: Steve Conrad zeroes in on the crossroads between the suburbanite mundane and insane with this sly yet telling crime thriller that boasts strong performances by David Harbour and Jason Bateman.
Starring:
Jason Bateman, David Harbour, Linda Cardellini, Richard Jenkins

85%

52%
Critics Consensus: Injecting a heavy dose of hormones and humor into the Star Trek universe, Starfleet Academy marks a refreshing tonal shift that proves this franchise still has plenty of new thematic territory to explore.
Starring:
Holly Hunter, Sandro Rosta, Karim Diane, Kerrice Brooks

84%

83%
Critics Consensus: Young Sherlock doesn’t aim to recreate Conan Doyle’s work, rather, it takes pride in its liberal adaptation, delivering Guy Ritchie’s signature blend of precise entertainment, sly style, and ingratiating characters.
Starring:
Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Dónal Finn, Zine Tseng, Joseph Fiennes

83%

39%
Critics Consensus: A sturdy adaptation from the Harlan Coben canon, Run Away sprints through a series of twists while never losing steam thanks to James Nesbitt’s committed performance.
Starring:
James Nesbitt, Minnie Driver, Ruth Jones, Alfred Enoch

82%

73%
Critics Consensus: No repeat questions here; Malcolm in the Middle aptly returns to its comic antics with assured vigor, and even though Life’s Still Unfair this revival is teeming with success.
Starring:
Bryan Cranston, Frankie Muniz, Jane Kaczmarek, Christopher Masterson

82%

67%
Critics Consensus: Taking a page out of a fairytale, Bridgerton season four excels at selling a fantasy that, no matter how predictable, is as sweet, steamy, and engrossing as ever.
Starring:
Nicola Coughlan, Luke Newton, Claudia Jessie, Luke Thompson

81%

69%
Critics Consensus: Ryan Murphy’s Love Story finds a winning pair in Paul Anthony Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon as they embody the tragic, lovely, and shining aspects of John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette in a mindful yet entertaining new series.
Starring:
Sarah Pidgeon, Paul Anthony Kelly, Naomi Watts, Grace Gummer

79%

81%
Critics Consensus: Against all odds, Monarch continues to pack a striking gut-punch of action-drama by embracing its Legacy of Monsters‘ talent and leading with a cast of rich and complex characters.
Starring:
Kurt Russell, Wyatt Russell, Anna Sawai, Kiersey Clemons

79%

77%
Critics Consensus: Dan Levy and Rachel Sennott concoct a hilarious send-up of the classic family crime drama genre with witty verve, a stellar ensemble cast, and the assurance that Big Mistakes gets it right.
Starring:
Dan Levy, Taylor Ortega, Laurie Metcalf, Abby Quinn

78%

53%
Critics Consensus: Standing on the precipice of overstaying its welcome, this Silicon Valley farce places its callous, fascinating, and unpleasant personalities front and center to rapturous effect, proving this series has The Audacity.
Starring:
Billy Magnussen, Sarah Goldberg, Zach Galifianakis, Lucy Punch

78%

68%
Critics Consensus: A television remake that lightens up the original film’s hellish concept, The ‘Burbs proves to be a good neighbor thanks primarily to Keke Palmer’s crack comedic timing.
Starring:
Keke Palmer, Jack Whitehall, Julia Duffy, Paula Pell

78%

67%
Critics Consensus: Gripping with few narrative gripes, Steal invests in thrilling heist entertainment with stirring performances by Sophie Turner and Archie Madekwe to rousing effect.
Starring:
Sophie Turner, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Archie Madekwe, Andrew Howard

72%

63%
Critics Consensus: Caking on visceral splatter over an engaging takedown of modern beauty standards, Ryan Murphy’s gonzo sci-fi horror is a disgustingly good time, even if its cultural commentary only goes skin deep.
Starring:
Evan Peters, Anthony Ramos, Jeremy Pope, Ashton Kutcher

70%

58%
Critics Consensus: Packing big performances by Banks and Macfadyen, The Miniature Wife’s premise risks running out of steam, but it keeps the laughs coming and manages not to shrink under pressure.
Starring:
Elizabeth Banks, Matthew Macfadyen, O.T. Fagbenle, Zoe Lister Jones















