The television landscape has already delivered a strong first half of the year, with standout series like Widow’s Bay, Rooster, The Pitt, and Kylie setting a high bar. But as we look ahead, the remaining months of 2026 promise an even more exciting array of new and returning shows. Here’s a comprehensive guide to 25 fresh titles and 10 popular series making a comeback that you won’t want to miss.
New Series to Watch in 2026
2.6 Seconds
This compelling documentary series delves into the tragic events of November 9, 2019, in the remote Northern Territory community of Yuendumu. It examines the intersecting lives of 19-year-old Warlpiri Luritja man Kumanjayi Walker, who was fatally shot in his grandmother’s home by 27-year-old police officer Zachary Rolfe, and the profound personal and public aftermath. Directed by Darren Dale (Total Control), the series explores the ripple effects of this incident across Australia.
SBS/NITV, TBC.
The Airport Chaplain
Set against the vibrant backdrop of a busy Australian international airport, this contemporary drama follows the unconventional work of Tobias Wallace (Hugo Weaving, Slow Horses), the airport’s chaplain. Wallace is a seasoned “fixer” whose duties range from discreet financial transactions to offering solace. His established routine is challenged when he clashes with his new, by-the-book boss, Mira (Shabana Azeez, The Pitt). Their ensuing power struggle creates ripples throughout the airport and affects its diverse staff.
SBS, TBC.
American Hostage
Adding to his impressive recent work in Fargo, Landman, and Your Friends and Neighbours, Jon Hamm stars in this period thriller. Based on true events from the 1970s, Hamm portrays Fred Heckman, an Indianapolis radio host unexpectedly drawn into a high-stakes police crisis. He’s compelled to interview armed hostage-taker Tony Kiritsis (Giovanni Ribisi, Sneaky Pete) live on air to discuss his grievances. Mireille Enos (The Killing) also features in a key role.
Stan, TBC.
Dustfall
Anna Torv has had a remarkable decade, with acclaimed performances in Mindhunter, The Newsreader, and The Last of Us. Her latest leading role is in this crime drama where she plays police detective Tig Pollard. Tig returns to her hometown to investigate a series of alarming drink-spiking incidents and sexual assaults. The case takes a dark turn when the primary suspect is found dead, forcing Tig to delve deeper into the complex web of those involved.
ABC, TBC.
East of Eden
This new series offers Hollywood’s first adaptation of John Steinbeck’s seminal novel since Elia Kazan’s iconic 1955 film, which launched James Dean to stardom. Adapted by Kazan’s granddaughter, actor Zoe (known for The Plot Against America), this remake centres on Cathy (Florence Pugh, Dune: Part Two), the enigmatic woman caught between two conflicted brothers. Cathy is married to one brother (Christopher Abbott, Girls) but finds herself drawn to the other, played by Australian actor Joseph Zada (Invisible Boys), stepping into the role made famous by Dean.
Netflix, TBC.
Elle
Just as superheroes get origin stories, it’s fitting that Elle Woods, the tenacious Californian who famously conquered Harvard Law in the 2001 hit Legally Blonde, gets hers. Lexi Minetree (The Murdaugh Murders) stars as Elle in her 1990s high school years. Her life in Los Angeles is turned upside down when her family relocates to grunge-era Seattle, marking a significant shift in her world.
Amazon Prime Video, July 1.
The F Ward
From Kelsey Munro, the co-creator of Bump, comes this Sydney-set medical drama. It follows a group of dedicated but imperfect student doctors who are given their final chance to prove themselves at an underfunded public hospital, where the stakes are literally life and death. The cast includes Anna Friel (Marcella), Dan Wyllie (Love My Way), Ioane Sa’ula (Bump), and Lola Bond (Upright). This series promises a fresh perspective on a timeless genre.
Stan, July 17.
First Day on Earth
Michaela Coel set a new standard for television with her brilliant 2020 comedy-drama, I May Destroy You. Coel now writes, directs, and stars in this new project about Henri, a British novelist seeking a life reset by working on a film in Ghana, the homeland of her estranged father. The highly anticipated series features Thandiwe Newton (Westworld) and Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who) in supporting roles.
HBO Max, TBC.
The Five Star Weekend
Jennifer Garner (The Last Thing He Told Her) leads this emotionally charged drama as a widow attempting to process her grief. She organises a weekend retreat, inviting a close friend from each significant phase of her life. The gathering promises to be both messy and therapeutic, with a stellar supporting cast including D’Arcy Carden (The Good Place), Chloë Sevigny (American Horror Story), and Timothy Olyphant (Justified).
Binge, July 9.
Furious
Creator Elizabeth Meriwether, the force behind the must-see Dying for Sex, returns with this crime thriller loosely inspired by the 1987 Hollywood film Black Widow. The narrative centres on an obsessive pursuit by an FBI agent (Emmy Rossum, Shameless) as she attempts to track down a female killer targeting wealthy men (Lola Petticrew, Say Nothing). If executed well, this promises to be a disturbing and gripping procedural.
Disney+, July 27.
Harry Potter
Few television projects arrive with the weight of expectation that surrounds this reboot of J.K. Rowling’s beloved fantasy saga. The series plans to adapt each of the seven books into a dedicated season, a project anticipated to span nearly a decade. It will feature three unknown child actors in the lead roles, supported by a cast including John Lithgow (Dexter) and Janet McTeer (Ozark). The challenge will be to match the cinematic production values of the films while offering a fresh take on the source material.
HBO Max, December 25 or 26.
The Hawk
Will Ferrell has a knack for playing aggressively idiotic professional athletes, from figure skaters in Blades of Glory to NASCAR drivers in Talladega Nights and basketball players in Semi-Pro. Now, golf is in his sights. Ferrell plays Lonnie “The Hawk” Hawkins, a washed-up former champion golfer attempting a comeback on the PGA circuit for one last shot at glory. The trailer suggests a strong dose of John Daly-esque character.
Netflix, July 16.
Human Vapour
This is the first collaboration between Netflix and Japan’s esteemed Toho Studios, the home of Godzilla. The science-fiction crime thriller follows a police detective and a reporter independently pursuing a killer with the astonishing ability to transform into gas. This power is used to eliminate prominent targets who have publicly announced their intentions. Yeon Sang-ho, the writer of South Korea’s Train to Busan, brings his genre expertise to the project, aiming to surprise audiences in a similar vein to Squid Game.
Netflix, July 2.
The Killings at Parrish Station
Prepare for an atmosphere of the eerie and inexplicable in this Australian murder mystery. The series commences with the discovery of four slain scientists at a remote research station in the 1980s. The investigation unfolds across two timelines: initially by a young police detective, Georgia Cooke (Mia Wasikowska, Only Lovers Left Alive), and then, 37 years later, following a similar crime, by a veteran detective named Georgia (Heather Mitchell, Love Me).
Stan, June 18.
Lanterns
The DC comic book universe is undergoing a major reboot, following the 2025 release of Superman. Now, the television division of the superhero franchise is set to launch its own new era. This series focuses on the intergalactic peacekeepers known as the Green Lanterns. Veteran Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights) and new recruit John Stewart (Aaron Pierre, Rebel Ridge) are tasked with investigating a small-town Nebraska murder with potential extraterrestrial connections. A promising sign for the series is the involvement of Damon Lindelof, who masterfully oversaw the complex Watchmen.
HBO Max, August 17.
Last Seen
Fresh from his impressive contribution to The Devil Wears Prada 2, Patrick Brammall returns to drama with this local thriller. He plays Ian Ridley, a former police detective whose life was shattered 11 years ago when his young daughter, Maggie, vanished without a trace. Now working as a police dispatcher, Ian becomes convinced that a caller seeking help is actually a teenage Maggie, leading him on a solitary and determined pursuit.
Apple TV, September 9.
Life, Larry, and the Pursuit of Unhappiness
Larry David’s unique perspective on any given topic is well-documented, as evidenced by countless episodes of Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm. This sketch comedy series sees him tackle American history, with former US President Barack Obama among the producers. The result is expected to be a distinct and humorous exploration of the past, featuring an impeccable list of guest stars, including Bill Hader (Barry) and Jerry Seinfeld (Unfrosted).
HBO Max, June 27.
Little House on the Prairie
This remake comes as a surprise. The original Little House on the Prairie was a beloved broadcast network hit from 1974 to 1983, chronicling the heartwarming struggles of an American frontier farming family in the 1870s. This new iteration stars Australian actor Luke Bracey (The Artful Dodger) as the upright patriarch Charles Ingalls. The series aims for faithful adaptation and family-friendly appeal, though it’s likely to attract commentary from those with traditional views on media.
Netflix, July 9.
Lucky
Anya Taylor-Joy, who recently showcased her action prowess in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, takes on a new role in this twisty crime thriller. She plays Lucky, a con artist whose elaborate scheme goes awry when her husband disappears, and she finds herself pursued by both the FBI and a menacing mob boss (Annette Bening, Dutton Ranch). The series is created by Jonathan Tropper, whose dark crime comedy Your Friends and Neighbours recently concluded its second season.
Apple TV, July 15.
My Brilliant Career
Miles Franklin’s 1901 novel, a cornerstone of Australian literature, tells the story of Sybylla Melvyn, a young woman torn between societal expectations of marriage and her ambition to become a writer. Gillian Armstrong’s 1979 film adaptation, starring Judy Davis, was a landmark in Australian cinema. Now, creator Liz Doran (Please Like Me) and stars Philippa Northeast (Territory) and Christopher Chung (Slow Horses) face the challenge of upholding that esteemed legacy.
Netflix, TBC.
Neuromancer
William Gibson’s 1984 novel is credited with defining modern science fiction, introducing concepts of dystopian excess, online culture, and rapid technological advancement. The question now is how to translate Gibson’s vision of life in 2035, a mere nine years away, to the screen. Callum Turner (Masters of the Air) plays Case, a disaffected hacker recruited for an online heist. This mission plunges him into a world of a menacing World War III veteran (Mark Strong, Dune: Prophecy) and a cybernetic mercenary (Brianna Middleton, Sharper).
Apple TV, TBC.
Pride and Prejudice
It’s a universal truth that each generation gets its own adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic 1813 novel of romantic manners. Following the iconic 1995 BBC series with Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth, and the 2005 film starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen, the latest version features Emma Corrin (The Crown) as the witty and defiant Elizabeth Bennet and Jack Lowden (Slow Horses) as the proud Mr Darcy.
Netflix, TBC.
Treasure and Dirt
With their stark, pock-marked landscapes, hidden riches, and subterranean communities, the outback opal mining towns of Australia provide a perfect setting for a murder mystery. This Australian desert procedural, adapted from Chris Hammer’s novel of the same name, begins with the bizarre murder of a miner. The investigation is spearheaded by a local constable (Liv Hewson, Yellowjackets) and a homicide detective brought in from the city (Michael Dorman, Patriot).
ABC, TBC.
Trinity
Jed Mercurio, the mastermind behind Line of Duty, has crafted this conspiratorial thriller. The series centres on the clandestine entanglement between America’s defence secretary (Richard Madden, Game of Thrones) and a nuclear submarine commander (Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Morning Wars). Given Mercurio’s track record, particularly the intense tone of his 2018 British series Bodyguard, which also starred Madden, expect a spicy and suspenseful narrative.
Netflix, TBC.
War
This London-set legal drama offers an intense, no-holds-barred battle between lawyers. The story unfolds as the high-profile marriage of a tech billionaire (Dominic West, The Wire) and a Hollywood movie star (Sienna Miller, The Loudest Voice) implodes amidst scandal. Creator George Kay (Hijack) focuses on the intricate legal strategies employed by the rival firms representing the estranged couple, promising a compelling exploration of lawfare.
HBO Max, TBC.
Big Shows Making a Comeback
The Agency (Season Two): This CIA thriller starring Michael Fassbender, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Richard Gere delivered a compelling debut filled with action and betrayal. Expect further complications and suspense in its second season.
Paramount+, June 22.The Bear (Season Five): The highly acclaimed Chicago-set culinary drama, known for its blend of fine dining and raw emotional intensity, returns for its final season. Creator Christopher Storer will aim to provide a satisfying conclusion to the series.
Disney+, June 26.Black Doves (Season Two): Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw are back as the formidable best friends who seamlessly blend witty banter with high-stakes action.
Netflix, TBC.Colin from Accounts (Season Three): Patrick Brammall and Harriet Dyer, celebrated for their portrayal of complex screen relationships, return for a third season of Australia’s top comedy.
Binge, TBC.Dark Matter (Season Two): This engrossing and nightmarish parallel-worlds science-fiction thriller, featuring Joel Edgerton and Jennifer Connelly playing multiple versions of their characters, continues its exploration of alternate realities.
Apple TV, August 28.The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (Season Three): The most expensive television series ever produced continues its ambitious expansion of Tolkien’s Middle-earth, building a standalone epic.
Amazon Prime Video, November 11.Maxton Hall – The World Between Us (Season Three): This German-language romantic drama, set in England, has become a young-adult fiction sensation, chronicling intense campus love affairs.
Amazon Prime Video, TBC.Nobody Wants This (Season Three): Kristen Bell’s frisky podcaster and Adam Brody’s rabbi are set to navigate a new set of personal challenges as the show establishes itself as an annual fixture.
Netflix, TBC.Silo (Season Three): This dystopian drama, starring Rebecca Ferguson of Dune fame and set within a vast, isolated underground city, enters a crucial season where answers about the outside world are expected.
Apple TV, July 3.Ted Lasso (Season Four): Jason Sudeikis, his iconic tracksuit, and much of the cast from the feel-good sports comedy are back. The American coach takes on a new challenge, leading a women’s team.
Apple TV, August 5.
