With the new year just days away, television fans in the UK and beyond are bracing for a dazzling array of premieres and specials that promise to light up screens throughout 2026. From long-awaited spin-offs and literary adaptations to festive crime dramas and heartfelt period pieces, the coming months will see both fresh faces and familiar favorites vying for viewers’ attention. Whether you’re drawn to the intrigue of Westeros, the romance of the Regency era, or the comfort of Christmas mysteries, there’s something for everyone in this packed TV calendar.
It all kicks off in grand style on Sunday, January 18, 2026, as Sky Atlantic debuts A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, the next chapter in the ever-expanding Game of Thrones universe. According to inews.co.uk, this prequel is set a full century before the original series and follows the adventures of the earnest Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire, Egg. Fans can expect a lighter tone, but the stakes are as high as ever, with the Targaryens still ruling the Iron Throne and danger lurking at every turn. The anticipation is palpable, with many hoping this adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s novella will recapture the magic that made the franchise a global phenomenon.
Hot on its heels, Netflix is set to release the fourth season of Bridgerton on Thursday, January 29. This time, the spotlight falls on Benedict Bridgerton, whose romantic journey begins at a masquerade ball and leads to a classic tale of mistaken identity and forbidden love. As reported by inews.co.uk, the intrigue deepens when Benedict discovers that the mysterious "Lady in Silver" is actually Sophie, a maid. Will love conquer class boundaries? Fans are eager to find out.
February brings a blend of comedy and mystery with How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, Lisa McGee’s much-anticipated follow-up to Derry Girls, premiering on Netflix. The show centers on three lifelong friends whose reunion takes a dark turn after a cryptic email about a missing schoolmate. inews.co.uk describes the series as a “mash-up” of genres, promising both laughs and suspense as the trio embarks on a journey across Ireland to uncover the truth.
March ushers in the debut of Scarpetta on Prime Video, starring Nicole Kidman as the formidable forensic pathologist Dr. Kay Scarpetta. The series, based on Patricia Cornwell’s best-selling novels, unfolds across two timelines—one tracing Scarpetta’s early career in the 1990s, the other following her return home to solve a grisly murder. The show also stars Jamie Lee Curtis as Scarpetta’s estranged sister, promising both family drama and high-stakes crime-solving.
April is shaping up to be a blockbuster month. HBO’s Euphoria returns for its third season, set five years after the characters’ high school graduation. Details remain under wraps, but inews.co.uk confirms that Cassie and Nate are now engaged and living in the suburbs, while Maddy and Lexi have found their way to Hollywood. The fate of Zendaya’s Rue remains a tantalizing mystery.
Also in April, Disney+ will premiere The Testaments, a spin-off of The Handmaid’s Tale based on Margaret Atwood’s acclaimed sequel. Ann Dowd reprises her role as Aunt Lydia, presiding over a new generation of women in Gilead who are determined to challenge the regime. The series picks up years after Offred’s story, offering a fresh perspective on resistance and resilience.
Mid-April sees the arrival of Margo’s Got Money Troubles on Apple TV, a sharp comedy starring Elle Fanning as a college student who, after an unexpected pregnancy, turns to OnlyFans to solve her financial woes. The show, adapted from Rufi Thorpe’s novel and helmed by David E. Kelley, explores the price of internet fame with humor and heart.
Summer brings yet another nostalgic treat with Elle on Prime Video, a prequel to Legally Blonde produced by Reese Witherspoon. The series follows a teenage Elle Woods as she navigates the perils of high school, discovers her values, and learns to stand up for herself—pink wardrobe and all.
The year’s roster is rounded out by a slew of other standout offerings. Disney+ will introduce Alice and Steve, a quirky anti-romantic comedy starring Nicola Walker and Jemaine Clement. Channel 4 is reviving A Woman of Substance with Brenda Blethyn in the lead, and Tip Toe, a drama featuring Alan Cumming and David Morrissey as neighbors whose friendship is tested by a changing society. Netflix’s highly anticipated adaptation of Pride and Prejudice will star Emma Corrin, Jack Lowden, and Olivia Colman, with Dolly Alderton promising a witty, modern take on Austen’s classic.
ITV1 is set to air Believe Me, a true crime drama focusing on the victims of sex attacker John Worboys, while BBC’s Babies will explore the emotional challenges of pregnancy loss. Jack Thorne’s adaptation of Lord of the Flies for BBC One promises to remain faithful to William Golding’s novel, with each episode focusing on a different character’s perspective. Netflix will also deliver Vladimir, a psychological drama executive produced by Sharon Horgan, and Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen, a horror series from the creators of Stranger Things.
Alongside these new launches, BritBox has been keeping viewers entertained through the festive season. On December 29, 2025, the platform released a special 90-minute episode of Death in Paradise, in which four co-workers wake up after a Christmas party to find a dead body floating in their villa’s pool. DI Mervin Wilson, played by Don Gilet, faces one of his trickiest cases yet, balancing crime-solving with family dilemmas, according to ScreenHub.
Just days earlier, on December 27, 2025, BritBox aired the two-part Call the Midwife Christmas Special. The story follows senior midwives on a mercy mission to Hong Kong, while their younger colleagues manage affairs back home in Poplar. The alternating settings provide a backdrop for growth and personal discovery, with a cast led by Helen George and Jenny Agutter.
On December 22, 2025, BritBox’s Beyond Paradise Christmas Special saw DI Humphrey Goodman, played by Kris Marshall, tackle a series of festive crimes while his partner Martha plotted a surprise. The mix of mystery and holiday cheer proved irresistible, with the show’s ensemble cast delivering both laughs and suspense.
As viewers look ahead to 2026, the sheer variety and ambition of upcoming series and specials stand out. From epic fantasy and period drama to crime mysteries and heartfelt comedies, the television landscape is more vibrant than ever. For fans, the only real dilemma is what to watch first.
