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The 5 Must-Watch New TV Shows That Will Dominate The Streaming Wars In Early 2026

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The streaming wars are heating up again, and as we move past the holiday season, the slate of new, high-budget, and highly-anticipated television shows for late 2025 and early 2026 is nothing short of explosive. The current date, December 18, 2025, marks the perfect time to finalize your watchlist, as major platforms like Netflix, HBO/Max, Disney+, and Paramount+ are rolling out their biggest and most ambitious projects yet, spanning epic fantasy, gritty Westerns, and the next phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

This curated list focuses exclusively on the freshest, most unique series—not just returning favorites—that are guaranteed to become the next global obsession. Prepare your binge-watching schedule now, because these five new shows are set to redefine prestige television and dominate the cultural conversation for the entire new year.

1. The Abandons (Netflix): The Gritty Western That Takes No Prisoners

The Western genre is being revitalized, and The Abandons is leading the charge with a dark, action-packed premise that is already generating significant buzz. This series is the brainchild of renowned creator Kurt Sutter, best known for his work on the critically acclaimed crime drama Sons of Anarchy. His signature style—brutal, moralistically complex, and deeply character-driven—is now being applied to the American frontier.

Plot and Core Entities

Set in 1850s Oregon, the show centers on a group of diverse, unconventional families who embrace a life of isolation and self-sufficiency, only to find their land coveted by a powerful, corrupt force. The core conflict revolves around these families who must band together to defend their property and their honor, forming a new, violent, and necessary family unit to survive the greed of the Gold Rush era. This is not a romanticized Western; it's a raw look at the brutal realities of the frontier.

The cast alone makes this a must-watch, featuring two powerhouse actresses known for their complex roles in previous prestige television. Lena Headey, famous for her role as Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones, stars alongside Gillian Anderson, known for her Emmy-winning performances in The X-Files and The Crown. Their combined presence promises a deep, intense period drama. Other key cast members include Nick Robinson.

  • Platform: Netflix
  • Genre: Western, Action, Period Drama
  • Creator: Kurt Sutter
  • Key Cast: Gillian Anderson, Lena Headey, Nick Robinson
  • Premiere Date: December 4, 2025

2. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (HBO/Max): The Next Westeros Epic

For fans mourning the end of Game of Thrones and eagerly devouring House of the Dragon, the next major fantasy epic from the world of Westeros is finally here. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is an adaptation of the beloved "Tales of Dunk and Egg" novellas written by George R.R. Martin. The series is set a full century before the events of Game of Thrones and about 90 years after House of the Dragon, offering a fresh, yet familiar, look at a less politically volatile, but still dangerous, Westeros.

The Tale of Dunk and Egg

The series follows the adventures of the unlikely duo: Ser Duncan the Tall (Dunk), a young, naive, but courageous hedge knight, and his diminutive squire, Aegon V Targaryen (Egg), who is secretly a prince of the Targaryen dynasty. Their journey across the Seven Kingdoms is a more intimate, road-trip-style fantasy, focusing on themes of honor, duty, and class within the realm. The show is expected to have a lighter tone than its predecessors, while still retaining the political intrigue and medieval realism that defines the franchise.

Ira Parker serves as the showrunner, with House of the Dragon co-creator Ryan Condal on board as an executive producer, ensuring continuity and quality control for this vital piece of the lore. The lead roles are played by Peter Claffey as Dunk and Dexter Sol Ansell as Egg.

  • Platform: HBO / Max
  • Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Historical Fiction
  • Source Material: Tales of Dunk and Egg by George R.R. Martin
  • Showrunner: Ira Parker
  • Key Cast: Peter Claffey, Dexter Sol Ansell
  • Anticipated Release: 2026

3. Wonder Man (Disney+): The MCU's New Hollywood Satire

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) continues its expansion into the realm of streaming with Wonder Man, a miniseries that promises to be unlike any Marvel project before it. Set to be a part of Phase Six of the MCU, the series focuses on Simon Williams, a character who is both a superhero and a Hollywood actor/stuntman, allowing the show to explore themes of celebrity, identity, and the superficiality of the entertainment industry.

The Cast and Creative Vision

The series is slated for a winter arrival, with a confirmed release date in late January. The lead role of Simon Williams/Wonder Man is played by Emmy-winning actor Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who is no stranger to the world of comic book adaptations. His casting brings significant star power to the project, which is expected to blend superhero action with a sharp, satirical edge, similar to the tone of the acclaimed She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, but with a focus on the movie-making business.

This is a crucial new entry in the MCU's television line-up, as it introduces a character with deep ties to other entities in the Marvel comics, potentially setting the stage for future crossovers. The eight-episode structure positions it as a contained, binge-worthy series that will kick off the new year for Disney+ subscribers.

  • Platform: Disney+
  • Genre: Superhero, Action-Comedy, Satire
  • Part of: Marvel Cinematic Universe (Phase Six)
  • Key Cast: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
  • Premiere Date: January 27, 2026

4. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy (Paramount+): A New Generation of Sci-Fi

The ever-expanding Star Trek universe is introducing its 12th series, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, which aims to capture a younger, more diverse audience while retaining the core philosophical optimism of the franchise. Set in the 32nd century, the show takes place at the titular Starfleet Academy, the institution responsible for training the next generation of Starfleet officers, scientists, and explorers.

The series is a coming-of-age story that follows a group of diverse cadets as they navigate the challenges of rigorous training, personal growth, and the immense responsibility of upholding the principles of the United Federation of Planets in a far-future setting. The 32nd-century backdrop, first introduced in Star Trek: Discovery, provides a vast, technologically advanced, and largely unexplored canvas for new adventures.

The series is co-showrun by Alex Kurtzman, the executive producer overseeing the entire modern Star Trek Universe, and Noga Landau. This creative team is set to deliver a high-stakes, emotional drama that explores what it means to be a hero in a radically changed galaxy. The show is currently in production, promising a fresh perspective on the classic sci-fi drama.

  • Platform: Paramount+
  • Genre: Science Fiction, Coming-of-Age, Drama
  • Part of: Expanded Star Trek Universe
  • Co-Showrunners: Alex Kurtzman, Noga Landau
  • Setting: 32nd Century, Starfleet Academy

5. The Beauty (FX): Ryan Murphy's Chilling Medical Sci-Fi Thriller

Mega-producer Ryan Murphy (known for American Horror Story, Dahmer, and Feud) is back with a new, unsettling anthology series, The Beauty, which blends high fashion, medical mystery, and sci-fi horror. The premise is instantly captivating and deeply unnerving: the world of international supermodels turns dark when a series of mysterious deaths begins to occur.

Pursuit of Perfection and a Global Crisis

The official plot description suggests the show explores how the global, relentless pursuit of physical perfection spirals into a massive crisis with dangerous, perhaps even supernatural, consequences. This focus on the dark side of beauty standards and the fashion industry gives the show a timely, topical edge while delivering the high-gloss, unsettling visuals Murphy's productions are known for.

The cast is characteristically star-studded, featuring Murphy-verse mainstay Evan Peters as FBI agent Cooper Madsen, who is tasked with solving the disturbing mystery. He is joined by a powerful ensemble including Anthony Ramos, Jeremy Pope, Ashton Kutcher, and Rebecca Hall. The combination of a medical sci-fi plot, a high-fashion backdrop, and a truly impressive ensemble cast makes The Beauty one of the most intriguing and potentially binge-worthy series of the new year, solidifying FX's reputation for prestige television.

  • Platform: FX (and likely Hulu/Max via streaming deal)
  • Genre: Medical Sci-Fi, Mystery, Thriller
  • Executive Producer: Ryan Murphy
  • Key Cast: Evan Peters, Anthony Ramos, Ashton Kutcher, Rebecca Hall
  • Lead Character: FBI Agent Cooper Madsen

Final Thoughts on the New Wave of Prestige Television

The 2025-2026 winter and spring slate of new shows demonstrates a clear trend in the industry: a focus on cinematic scale, intellectual property (IP), and genre diversity. From the dusty, character-driven Western action of The Abandons and the intimate fantasy of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms to the satirical superhero world of Wonder Man and the cerebral sci-fi of Starfleet Academy, there is truly something for every viewer. These series represent the best of the next wave of prestige television, promising deep storytelling and high production values that will make them the definitive talking points of the new year. Prepare your streaming subscriptions and get ready to watch!

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new shows to watch

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