2026's best series: From mini-dramas to big-budget epics

The first half of 2026 has delivered a compelling lineup of television series across digital platforms, ranging from intricate mini-series to ambitious, big-budget projects. These shows have captured attention with their diverse storytelling and critical acclaim, including Emmy nominations.

Disney+'s "Paradise," created by Dan Fogelman, continues to explore the consequences of memory and the struggle against absolute power. The second season opens with a strong episode, building on the first season's themes. Agent Xavier's journey, after emerging from the "paradise" he sought to find his wife Teri, is transformed into an emotional odyssey, skillfully avoiding the clichés that often plague such narratives.

On HBO Max, Richard Gadd's new story, "Half Man," follows the success of "Baby Reindeer." From its opening scenes, the series signals a return to exploring toxic and addictive relationships, this time focusing on two step-siblings bound by fate and circumstance rather than blood. Their decades-long relationship transcends typical coming-of-age stories, evolving into a harrowing ceremony of toxic masculinity and uncontrolled violence.

"A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms," an adaptation of George R.R. Martin's "Tales of Dunk and Egg" stories, opens a new door in the "Game of Thrones" universe by centering on an ordinary knight. The series eschews the grand dynasties and wars of the Seven Kingdoms, instead portraying the "rusty" tournaments on muddy grounds. It highlights the lives of "flawed" and "ordinary people" from the lower echelons of society, whose deaths are considered "unimportant" villagers, offering a compelling narrative.

Apple TV+'s "Your Friends & Neighbors," created by Jonathan Tropper, features Jon Hamm as a thief who alternates between stealing his neighbors' belongings and watching classic films with whiskey. The series offers a biting look at the lives of the upper class. Hamm's portrayal of this anti-hero, possessing a charisma reminiscent of the stars on his character's film posters, makes the show captivating. Meanwhile, Prime Video's "Bait," a comedy with cleverly crafted dialogues and dazzling performances, is Riz Ahmed's new autobiographical comedy. It centers on the debate about who will be the next James Bond, incorporating the possibility of a dark-skinned, Pakistani actor taking on the role, blended with surreal elements for an exciting narrative. "Widow's Bay" on Apple TV is set on a fictional island off the New England coast.