The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →What new TV shows are starting this fall? These are our 10 editorial picks from the U.S. fall 2026 launch slate, ranked by the distinctiveness of their premises, their casts or creative hooks, the strength of their story worlds, and available anticipation signals—not by a universal audience poll. The list includes new series alongside adaptations, a franchise continuation, a spinoff, and a revival, so “new” here also covers substantially reintroduced stories. Several titles have already premiered as of October 8, 2026.
Our 10 most anticipated Fall 2026 shows
Rankings reflect editorial judgment across genre, familiarity, cast or creative appeal, and premiere timing. They are not an objective scorecard. Network dates below are supported by published schedules; some streaming dates come from entertainment outlets rather than a primary service listing and should be treated accordingly.
1. The Traitors: New Blood (NBC)
The strongest format shift on this list is the move from celebrity contestants to everyday players. Without established public personas to read, the game’s alliances and suspicions may turn on how contestants behave inside the competition. NBC says Alan Cumming hosts, with missions contributing to a prize fund of up to $250,000. This is a new edition of an existing strategic-reality format, not an unrelated new concept. NBC scheduled its network launch for September 17, with the regular hourlong slot beginning October 8. NBC’s schedule and format details; TheWrap’s anticipation rationale.
2. A Tale of Two Cities (MGM+ / BBC One)
This new adaptation of Charles Dickens’s novel has a built-in dramatic triangle: Kit Harington plays Sydney Carton, Mirren Mack plays Lucie Manette, and François Civil plays Charles Darnay. It is the clearest pick for viewers drawn to literary adaptations and period drama. TheWrap lists a September 6 premiere; the date and regional availability should be checked against the services’ own listings. TheWrap’s cast and schedule details.
#1 Best Overall
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3. Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story (Netflix)
The anthology’s next subject is the 1892 murders of Andrew and Abby Borden, for which Lizzie Borden was acquitted. That distinction matters: the series concerns a notorious case, not a settled verdict of guilt. TheWrap describes this installment as more tongue-in-cheek than earlier seasons and names Ella Beatty, Vicky Krieps, Charlie Hunnam, Rebecca Hall, Jessica Barden, Joey Pollari, Billie Lourd, and Sarah Paulson among the cast. TheWrap lists September 17 as the premiere date. TheWrap’s series details.
4. Cupertino (CBS)
Robert and Michelle King’s legal procedural starts with two lawyers fired from a tech startup who build a practice representing people harmed by volatile technology corporations. Its Silicon Valley setting gives the case-of-the-week potential a clear contemporary target. Mike Colter and Rachel Keller lead, with Ella Stiller and Busy Philipps also highlighted. CBS lists the series premiere for October 8. CBS’s fall schedule; TheWrap’s cast and premise details.
Rank #2
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5. Eternally Yours (CBS)
This sitcom gives the fall slate a lighter, playful-spooky option: a vampire couple of 500 years lives in present-day Seattle with its coven, and their daughter begins dating a human. TheWrap identifies its creators as the team behind Ghosts. CBS lists the premiere for October 8. CBS’s fall schedule; TheWrap’s premise and creative-team details.
6. East of Eden (Netflix)
John Steinbeck’s novel gets a limited-series adaptation led by Zoe Kazan, adding a literary prestige entry to a slate otherwise rich in genre and procedural ideas. TheWrap lists it among Netflix’s fall introductions, while Tom’s Guide’s October schedule lists October 1 as the premiere. That date is not independently confirmed here by a Netflix page, so check Netflix’s listing for the latest availability. TheWrap’s fall slate; Tom’s Guide’s October schedule.
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Rank #3
- 1080p resolution - View your favorite movies, shows and games in full high definition.
- Alexa voice control - The Alexa Voice Remote lets you easily control your entertainment, search across apps, switch inputs, and more using just your voice. Press and hold the voice button and ask Alexa to easily find, launch, and control content, and even switch to cable.
- Access thousands of shows with Fire TV - Watch over 1.5 million streaming movies and TV episodes with access to thousands of channels, apps and Alexa skills, including Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, YouTube, Apple TV+, Disney+, ESPN+, Sling TV, Paramount+, and other services right from this TV.*
- DTS Virtual-X Sound - An immersive sound format creates a three-dimensional sound experience with your TV’s speakers.
- Supports HDMI ARC - Sends audio directly from the HDMI jack to a compatible soundbar or AV receiver, removing the need for an extra cable.
7. A Different World (Netflix continuation)
This next-generation continuation returns to Hillman College. Jasmine Guy and Kadeem Hardison reprise Whitley Gilbert and Dwayne Wayne, while Maleah Joi Moon plays their daughter Deborah as she begins college. TheWrap also identifies additional returning cast members. No premiere date was captured in the cited coverage, so a date should not be assumed without an official Netflix listing. TheWrap’s cast and premise details.
8. Newlyweds (NBC)
Téa Leoni and Tim Daly reunite onscreen in a comedy about a husband whose preferred quiet life is disrupted by marriage. Jamie Lee Curtis executive produces and appears as a recurring guest star, according to TheWrap. The reunion is the clearest hook; the available description supports that premise without requiring extra plot assumptions. NBC scheduled the premiere for October 23. NBC’s fall schedule; TheWrap’s cast and premise details.
Rank #4
- Bright, clear picture: Bring entertainment to life on our 24" flat screen TV with bright 720p HD—perfect for bedrooms, kitchens, and beyond. Roku Smart Picture cleans up incoming TV signals, optimizes them, and chooses the right picture mode.
- Seamless streaming: With fast Wi-Fi and apps that launch in a snap, Roku Select Series TVs get you to your entertainment quickly. You get excellent picture quality, clear sound, automatic updates, and more. It’s simple to use. Hard to outgrow.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
- A world of free entertainment: Enjoy a huge selection of free live TV, news, sports, movies, shows, and much more—all just a click away.
- More streaming, less searching: With personalized picks right on your Home Screen, quick access to the sports and entertainment you watch most, and fast and easy search in one place—the days of endless scrolling are over.
9. Nocturne (Apple TV)
This dark crime series adapts Lars Kepler’s novels Lazarus and The Sandman. Liev Schreiber plays a soldier-turned-detective returning to his hometown while a serial killer, played by Stephen Graham, is active. TheWrap also names Zazie Beetz, Bill Camp, Rory Culkin, Chrissy Metz, Poorna Jagannathan, and Gary Carr in the cast. TheWrap lists October 30, but the date and service listing need confirmation from Apple TV before relying on them. TheWrap’s series details.
10. Scrubs (ABC revival)
The revival adds a familiar comedy to a ranking otherwise weighted toward crime, horror, fantasy, and drama. ABC lists a two-episode premiere for September 30. Its schedule says ABC originals stream the next day on Hulu; Hulu is also available on Disney+ for bundle subscribers. The cited schedule does not establish cast or story details for this version, so this entry is limited to its revival status and confirmed launch information. ABC’s fall schedule and streaming notes.
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How to interpret the rankings and dates
The ranking is an editorial selection, not a claim that these are the ten shows most anticipated by all viewers. Tom’s Guide reported that nearly 5,000 readers responded to its own 2026 anticipation poll, but its reported vote shares apply to other titles and to its respondents—not to this list or the viewing public at large. Tom’s Guide’s poll and its methodology context.
For viewing details, CBS says episodes can stream live as they air with Paramount+ Premium or on demand the next day on any Paramount+ plan. ABC says its originals stream the next day on Hulu, including Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers. These are the services’ published schedule notes, not a guarantee of availability in every region. CBS/Paramount+ schedule; ABC schedule.
Quick Recap
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