Garry Bushell has hand-picked the greatest TV programmes of 2026 so far, spanning terrestrial television and streaming services. Despite the World Cup dominating the schedule for five weeks, quality shows remain available on demand, making now an ideal time to catch up on the best new series.
Honorable Mentions and Notable Shows
Several highly rated shows missed the top 10 but are worth watching. The third and final season of Euphoria (Sky) was criticised for excessive shock and gore, but it was beautifully directed with standout performances from Zendaya as Rue and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as gangster Alamo Brown. BAIT (Prime), Riz Ahmed’s James Bond comedy, satirises actors and the film industry. Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed (Apple TV) features Tatiana Maslany as Paula, a magazine fact checker and newly divorced single mum who witnesses a crime during a video chat with her favourite ‘cam boy’, leading to cover-ups and conspiracy.
Second seasons of Beef (Netflix) and Rivals (Disney) were not as strong as their first. Upcoming shows include Neagley, a Reacher spinoff starring Maria Sten, premiering on Prime Video this summer, possibly after the fourth season of Reacher.
10. Slow Horses (Apple TV)
Season six starts on 16th September, but the series revolves around a B-team of second-rate secret agents run by Gary Oldman’s Jackson Lamb. The show celebrates underdogs outperforming MI5, with Lamb delivering foul-mouthed lines like “I’ve got haemorrhoids that are more ****ing use than you.” Oldman brings Lamb to life as a flatulent, fag-smoking, Scotch-swigging, curry-stained character, yet beneath the slob exterior lies a first-class brain. Based on Mick Herron’s novels, it is arguably the best British TV series of the decade.
9. The Cage (BBC)
Set in a Liverpool casino in the late 1980s, two casino workers with money problems start skimming takings. The casino is run by villain Gary Packer, who cleans drug profits through gambling. Matty (Michael Socha) and Leanne (Sheridan Smith) are the light-fingered employees driven by desperation. Written by Tony Schumacher, the show balances poverty and crime with heart and humour. Geraldine James plays Gary’s elegant mother Nancy, unaware of his criminal enterprises.
8. Clarkson’s Farm (Amazon Prime)
Jeremy Clarkson’s reality series is funnier than most BBC comedies and more authentic than TOWIE. It shows real farming hardships, including unpredictable yields, rotten weather, and strict planning regulations. Memorable moments include Clarkson getting his Lamborghini tractor stuck after ignoring farm hand Kaleb Cooper’s warnings, and a cow headbutting him. The latest series ended with Clarkson revealing he has prostate cancer, following a heart attack scare.
7. House of the Dragon (Sky)
The fantasy saga returns for its third season with action-packed battles, set 100 years after the Targaryen conquest and 200 years before Daenerys Targaryen. Based on George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, it portrays the Dance of the Dragons war of succession. At $20m an episode, the show looks incredible, with well-written dialogue, royal court intrigue, and thrilling battlefield action. Season two felt sluggish, and Martin criticised changes, but the new series packs fresh characters and epic battles.
6. The Bear (Disney+)
The Bear has left fans in tears over a heartbreaking tribute to Rob Reiner. The series continues to deliver intense kitchen drama and emotional depth.
5. Baby Reindeer (Netflix)
This gripping series explores themes of obsession and trauma, based on real-life experiences. It has been praised for its raw performances and compelling storytelling.
4. The Responder (BBC)
From the creator of The Cage, this police series continues to impress with its gritty realism and strong character development.
3. Succession (HBO/Sky)
The final season of the Roy family saga delivered a satisfying conclusion, with sharp writing and stellar performances across the board.
2. The Last of Us (HBO/Sky)
The post-apocalyptic drama remains a standout, with powerful performances from Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, and a faithful adaptation of the video game.
1. Slow Horses (Apple TV)
Reigning as the best TV show of 2026, Slow Horses continues to set the standard for British television, with Gary Oldman’s Jackson Lamb as the standout character.
