From ‘Emily in Paris’ to ‘Hunting Wives’
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Oh, man, 2026 has been a year for good TV. Seriously. From the return of Ted Lasso to the final season of Hacks, there’s been so much great streaming content that it’s been hard to figure out exactly what to watch (though I did narrow things down to my three favorites of 2026 so far).
And for better or worse, we’re not even close to being done. There are a slew of fan-favorite shows that have new seasons yet to drop this year. I’m talking Emily in Paris, The Hunting Wives, The Diplomat and so many more.
I’d probably advise you to start working your way through your must-watch queue (a few fun August suggestions here) before these 11 hit shows return with even more binge-worthy episodes.
- Return Date: September 16, 2026
My colleague once called Slow Horses “the one show me, my millennial husband and my boomer parents are equally obsessed with.” And her family is not alone in their mega-fandom. The series has a whopping 98 percent fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has received 23 Emmy nominations over the course of its run. The sixth season of the show, a funny spy thriller about a team of dysfunctional agents, arrives this September—and Slow Horses has already been renewed for season seven.
- Return Date: September 17, 2026
Sure, this “New Blood” version features ordinary people instead of B- (or C-) list celebs, but it’s the same old Traitors treachery we know and love. And as someone who has long been a fan of the U.K. version of The Traitors (which has been using regular folks as contestants since the beginning), let me tell you that the drama is so much more fun and the tears flow so much harder with this setup. Plus, Alan Cumming and his wild outfits will provide more than enough fabulousness to keep us all starstruck.
- Return Date: October 7, 2026
It’s bonkers to think that Abbott Elementary is already on its sixth season, but here were are—and the show remains just as funny and fresh as ever. According to star Quinta Brunson, “I’m really excited about six, because we have a lot more direction this time. More purpose.” This means even more character development for our favorite Abbott staff members. Oh, and this season will feature the show’s 100th episode, an impressive feat in a time when series often don’t make it past season one.
- Return Date: October 8, 2026
How does Mariska do it?! She’s hosting this year’s Emmy Awards, she just finished an impressive stint on Broadway, she went viral during the big Knicks win and, now, she’s back with a mind-blowing 28th season of Law & Order: SVU. As a longtime fan of the show, I can honestly say SVU is still worth the watch (the same can’t be said for the stale and soapy Grey’s Anatomy). Captain Olikly staple in my household
- Return Date: October 15, 2026
I’ll forever think of her as Felicity, but Keri Russell has had an impressive, decades-long career that is still clearly going strong. After the teen drama of my high school years, Russell starred in The Americans, which ran for six seasons, and she’s now the lead of the hit Netflix series The Diplomat, which is about to debut its fourth season. Impressive. The show follows a U.S. ambassador who must navigate the high-stakes world of politics amid a major international attack.
- Return Date: October 23, 2026
This heist drama is a fun and fast-paced thriller—and it’s back for a fourth iteration. French actor Omar Sy is our lead character, a “gentleman thief” seeking vengeance against a wealthy family, who finds himself in a sticky situation in the latest eight-episode season. And when he discovers his arch-nemesis is in the same sticky spot, a high-stakes chess match between the two ensues.
- Return Date: October 30, 2026
Like Keri Russell, Michael C. Hall has been a TV favorite of mine for decades, dating back to his brilliant dramatic work on Six Feet Under in the early 2000s. And, obviously, I’ve been obsessed with his portrayal of serial killer Dexter throughout the years (and through multiple revivals). This particular sequel series returns this October for a second season (just in time for Halloween) and explores our favorite killer having a mid-life crisis.
- Return Date: November 1, 2026
This hit historical drama only debuted in 2022, and it’s already on its fourth season. (These rich families work fast.) The series follows members of high society in New York City around the end of the 1800s. Here, it’s old money versus new money (meanwhile I’d settle for some money). Several of my favorite actresses star in the series, including Carrie Coon, Christine Baranski and Cynthia Nixon.
- Return Date: November 20, 2026
This is it, folks. The long-awaited fourth and final season of this plane-crash/wilderness thriller is finally here. There’s a lot of ground to cover as the surviving teens are finally rescued and return home to deal with the reality of their horrific actions. According to the show’s co-creator, “Buckle up is, I guess, the only thing I can say because we get a little crazy.”
- Return Date: November 26, 2026
This soapy, surprise Netflix hit about murder, guns and cheating spouses is back for another sexy season. Stars Malin Akerman and Brittany Snow return—but does Akerman’s awful wig come back too?! This time around, John Stamos joins the cast andthere’s a mini time jump to where Dermot Mulroney’s character is officially running for office. I can’t wait for the next batch of twists to unravel.
- Return Date: December 24, 2026
It’s the end of a European era, as Emily and her adventures arrive for one last season on Netflix. Season five brought us to Italy, but season six starts in Greece, before Emily finally makes her way back to Paris. Will we find out where Emily’s heart truly lies? I’m banking on it.
