Did you enjoy your holiday break, when the firehose stream of new television releases slowed to a relative trickle?
Well, it’s over. Broadcasters and streamers are unleashing their schedules for the first quarter of 2026.
One emerging theme is that several breakout stars of “Game of Thrones” have new TV gigs, including Sophie Turner (“Steal,” Prime Video, Jan. 21), Alfie Allen (“Girl Taken,” Paramount Plus, Jan. 8) and Emilia Clarke (“Ponies,” StackTV, Jan. 15).
Other established TV actors are also back at it, such as Josh Charles (“Best Medicine,” CTV, Jan. 6); Patrick Dempsey and Michael Imperioli (“Memory of a Killer,” CTV, Jan. 25); Nicole Kidman (“Scarpetta,” Prime Video, March 11) and Elisabeth Moss (“Imperfect Women,” Apple TV Plus, March 18).
Meanwhile, Canadian TV star turned movie A-lister Simu Liu takes “The Copenhagen Test” (StackTV, Jan. 6).
There’s also yet another “Star Trek” spinoff, “Starfleet Academy” (Paramount Plus, Jan. 15), and a new Ryan Murphy thriller (“The Beauty,” Disney Plus, Jan. 21).
There’s even a revival of the early aughts comedy “Scrubs” (CTV, Feb. 25).
Plus, there are all the returning shows, including Canadian offerings “Saint-Pierre” (CBC, Jan. 5), “Small Achievable Goals” (CBC, Jan. 6), “Allegiance” (CBC, Jan. 7) and “Family Law” (Global, Jan. 8).
Yes, it’s a lot, but I’ve winnowed down the onslaught to nine new and returning series — and one Netflix movie — that I’m looking forward to, listed in order of premiere date.
The Pitt
Dr. Robby (Noah Wyle) and the staff of the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center captivated critics and scooped up five Emmy Awards last year, including best drama. They’re back for a second season that replicates the first’s conceit of following a single 15-hour shift, this time over the 4th of July weekend. Characters that viewers fell in love with return, including Robby, charge nurse Dana (Katherine LaNasa) and student doctor Mel (Taylor Dearden), and there are new faces, including Sepideh Moafi (“The L Word: Generation Q”) as an attending physician who clashes with Robby. Jan. 8, Crave
The Night Manager
Remember 2016, when “The Night Manager” debuted and the John le Carré adaptation excited critics and viewers alike? It’s back with a long-delayed second season, with Tom Hiddleston reprising his role as spy Jonathan Pine and the marvellous Olivia Colman as his former handler. This time, the show goes off book, with the action taking place partly in Colombia, and Diego Calva (“Narcos: Mexico”) and Camila Morrone (“Daisy Jones & the Six”) joining the cast as villain and love interest, respectively. Jan. 11, Prime Video
Riot Women
Sally Wainwright has given voice to memorable female characters in shows like “Happy Valley” and “Gentleman Jack.” In her latest, those voices get louder as a group of women of a certain age form a punk band. It starts out as a lark but becomes an antidote to feeling undervalued and unappreciated by families, co-workers and society in general. As keyboard player Beth (Joanna Scanlan) puts it: “We sing songs about being middle-aged and menopausal and more or less invisible. And you thought the Clash were angry.” Jan. 14, BritBox
Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials
This stylish adaptation of a story by the grande dame of mysteries boasts an impressive cast, including Helena Bonham Carter and Martin Freeman, and an adaptation by Chris Chibnall, creator of the excellent crime drama “Broadchurch.” A handsome young government employee is found dead the morning after a house party at an English country estate and young aristocrat Lady Eileen, a.k.a. Bundle (Mia McKenna-Bruce), decides to investigate, putting herself and others in danger. Jan. 15, Netflix
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
When you think of “Game of Thrones,” you probably think of bloody battles, scary white walkers, sex, death, incest and dragons. You might have forgotten the series could also be funny, thanks to characters like Tyrion Lannister and Lord Varys. At first glance, this prequel is a lighter affair, focused on the adventures of hedge knight Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey, “Bad Sisters”) and his adorable squire, Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell). Don’t worry, there will still be violence and Targaryens, plus a crackerjack cast including Bertie Carvel (“Dalgliesh”), Sam Spruell (“Fargo”) and Daniel Ings (“The Gentlemen”). Jan. 18, Crave
Bridgerton
Dearest gentle reader, yes, I’m still hooked on this candy-coloured romantic fantasy based on the novels of Julia Quinn. The fourth instalment is a “Cinderella” variation with wayward second Bridgerton son Benedict (Luke Thompson) falling for a masked silver lady at a ball. She’s really a maid named Sophie (Yerin Ha), although Benedict’s only clue to her identity is a dropped glove. The first four episodes of the season release on the 29th, with the final four on Feb. 26. Jan. 29, Netflix
How to Get to Heaven From Belfast
I have a soft spot for shows set in Ireland in general, and for “Derry Girls” in particular, so a new series from its Irish writer Lisa McGee was bound to pique my interest. “How to Get to Heaven” is described as a comedy thriller about three friends in their 30s who go on “a dark, dangerous and hilarious odyssey through Ireland” after learning of the death of a fourth member of their childhood group. I wish I could tell you more, but there isn’t even a trailer out as of writing. It stars Roísín Gallagher (“The Dry”), Sinéad Keenan (“Being Human”) and Caoilfhionn Dunne (“Industry”). February, Netflix
The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins
I am so not a sports fan, but “Ted Lasso” taught me that I could love comedies set in that world. “Reggie Dinkins” has the added attraction of reuniting the team behind “30 Rock”: co-creators Robert Carlock and Sam Means, executive producer Tina Fey and star Tracy Morgan. Morgan portrays an NFL player who’s banned from the league after betting on his own games, and turns to a documentary maker to try to salvage his reputation. The filmmaker is played by Daniel Radcliffe, who’s made some interesting choices since leaving “Harry Potter” behind. Feb. 23, 10 p.m., CTV; Feb. 24, Crave
Outlander
The 18th-century highlander Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan) and 20th-century nurse Claire Beauchamp (Caitríona Balfe) have gone through hell and back in their epic time-travelling romance, facing injury, near-death and separation many times over. With the American Revolutionary War still raging in Season 8, I would expect more danger ahead but, here’s hoping, also a happy ending for one of the most passionately devoted couples on TV. March 9, 9 p.m., W Network/StackTV
Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man
Before Cillian Murphy won an Oscar for playing a tortured physicist in “Oppenheimer,” he was the enthrallingly ruthless gangster Tommy Shelby in “Peaky Blinders.” This film, a continuation of the six-season series, reunites Murphy with the show’s creator, Steven Knight, as well as actors Sophie Rundle, Stephen Graham and Ned Dennehy. It’s set in 1940 Birmingham, and has added Oscar nominees Tim Roth and Barry Keoghan to the cast, as well as Rebecca Ferguson (“Silo”). March 20, Netflix
Happy new TV year!
