From a lighter Westeros spinoff to a queer hockey romance, 2026 has already delivered a diverse range of standout television. Here are the best shows of the year so far, as selected by critics.
HBO Max's A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms offers a funnier, simpler departure from Game of Thrones. Following Ser Dunk and his squire Egg as they prepare for a tourney, the series balances charm with gore, including a Targaryen twist that leads to bloodshed. Critics praised its lighter tone: 'The real world is now too Westeros-like for us to cope with any more.'
BBC iPlayer's Amanda stars Lucy Punch as a delusional middle-class mum and influencer. The second series follows her quest for a bigger house in SoHa, supported by Philippa Dunne and Joanna Lumley. One critic noted: 'Amanda slots neatly into a lineage of British comedy icons... Alan Partridge and David Brent.'
Prime Video's Bait, created by Riz Ahmed, follows a British-Pakistani actor striving to become James Bond. The semi-autobiographical story blends comedy with a poignant exploration of cultural identity, as the protagonist grapples with playing a white colonial icon. A review called it 'the most wry, witty and brilliant look at cultural identity we’ll watch this year.'
BBC iPlayer's The Blitz: 85 Years On is a 90-minute documentary featuring survivors from across the British Isles. It preserves memories of childhood trauma and resilience, with the death of interviewee Patsy Moneypenny underscoring the urgency. One critic highlighted a story of a boy whose father retrieved his Hornby train from rubble.
Now's Heated Rivalry, based on Rachel Reid's novels, stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie as pro hockey players Ilya and Shane. The queer romance, filled with secret trysts and emotional moments, has become a global smash, inspiring raves. A critic described it as 'a gorgeous queer love story in the butch world of pucks and padding.'
