The 10 Best TV Shows of 2026 (So Far)

The small screen was packed with both new productions and strong returning seasons in the first half of 2026. Sterling K. Brown's Paradise, Jean Smart's Hacks, Myha'la's Industry, and Sam Reid's Interview with the Vampire are among the season's most talked-about shows.

1. The Pitt (Max)

This series reinvents the hospital drama format with real-time, single-location suspense. Noah Wyle delivers the most mature performance of his career.

2. Paradise (Hulu)

Starring Sterling K. Brown, this political thriller delivered the year's most debated pilot episode with its first-episode twist.

3. Hacks (Max)

Deborah Vance and Ava's relationship reaches its darkest point this season. Jean Smart's Emmy win seems certain.

4. Industry (HBO)

The ruthless world of finance, with a new focus in its fourth season, further deepens the moral decay of its characters.

5. Interview with the Vampire (AMC)

Sam Reid's Lestat is hailed as the best screen adaptation of Anne Rice's work to date.

6. The Studio (Apple TV+)

Directed by and starring Seth Rogen, this Hollywood satire brutally proves the absurdity of the industry.

7. Severance (Apple TV+)

The second season was worth the long wait. Ben Stiller's aesthetic and Dan Erickson's script continue to reshape the genre.

8. The White Lotus (HBO)

Mike White's third season moved to Thailand. Its ensemble cast and social sharpness are once again spot on.

9. Widow's Bay (Apple TV+)

The biggest surprise of the year. This mystical thriller set in a coastal town connects with its characters as much as its atmosphere.

10. Andor (Disney+)

The second and final season goes down in history as the most adult production in the Star Wars universe to date.

Source: Entertainment Weekly – "The 10 Best TV Shows of 2026 (So Far)".