The upcoming 2026/2027 TV season, which starts in September 2026 and moves into next year, is already shaping up to be really impressive. Along with dozens of popular shows that have been renewed and will be returning with new seasons, there are brand-new shows that will be returning for a second season.
Along with highlighting some of the most exciting ones, not including reality TV shows (like Survivor and The Amazing Race, which have been renewed), game shows, or talk shows, we run down pretty much all the shows that will be coming back in the new TV season following the summer. Note that the list is subject to change based on possible delays and changes in release schedules, as well as new renewals that continue to come in.
R.J. Decker (Season 2)
Dubbed one of the most exciting new crime dramas, R.J. Decker stars Scott Speedman as the title character, a former photojournalist who served 18 months in jail for assault. A former conman as well, now that he’s released, he’s turning over a new leaf and working as a private investigator.
Set in South Florida, giving the show a Dexter meets CSI: Miami vibe, Decker takes on a variety of cases, from the weird to cookie-cutter ones. He gets help from his ex and her new wife, who happens to be a police detective, as well as a mysterious woman from his past. Earning decent ratings, the show has staying power to become one of the coolest new procedurals. It returns in Fall 2026 for Season 2.
Scrubs (Season 2)
The revival of the medical sitcom that originally aired from 2001 to 2010 has been a hit with fans, bringing back characters from the original to follow their lives today, more than 15 years after the original ended. Retconning storylines from the original, Scrubs has the same level of goofy humor and heart, a lovely walk down memory lane with one of the most iconic TV duos of all time.
Now renewed for a second season, there’s no definitive launch date, but it’s expected to arrive early, sometime in Fall 2026, in time to kick off the new primetime TV season line-up. In fact, it is believed that the show’s move-up date played a role in delaying the premiere of High Potential Season 3, which has been held back for a 2027 midseason release.
Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 (Season 2)
Scheduled for release in Fall 2026, as confirmed by Netflix Tudum, this animated sci-fi spin-off of Stranger Things called Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 is set between the events of Season 2 and 3 of the main show, helping fill gaps in the story that were never explored, given the long wait between seasons. It follows all the main characters, voiced by different actors, confronting various types of monsters in the Upside Down.
Inspired by Saturday morning cartoons from the ’80s, while the show received mixed reviews, Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 will get the chance to attract more viewers and better develop its story through this upcoming second season. It’s a fun show that continues the intrigue of the original.
Memory of a Killer (Season 2)
Expected to return in the 2026/2027 season, though there’s no official timeline just yet, it’s perhaps surprising that Memory of a Killer is returning, given that it received negative reviews. The story positions Patrick Dempsey as Angelo Doyle, a contract killer who hides his real work from his daughter and his daughter and family life from his boss. He’s also secretly suffering from Alzheimer’s, which impacts both his ability to do his job and keep these two worlds separate.
The crime drama, based on the Belgian film De Zaak Alzheimer and the 1985 novel, has some shining moments, including wonderful performances by Michael Imperioli and Richard Harmon. It’s disjointed and Dempsey unconvincing, but it became a streaming hit. If you loved Season 1 or are at least curious to see where the story goes from here, the show will be back.
CIA (Season 2)
Another surprising renewal, given the lukewarm reception, CIA has the right recipe to become a hit with Tom Ellis at the center, who delighted fans with his portrayal of Lucifer Morningstar in Lucifer. He plays CIA case officer Colin Glass, who, much like Lucifer, isn’t interested in playing by the rules. As with any “buddy cop” type show or movie, he’s paired with a by-the-book partner, FBI special agent Bill Randall (Nick Gehlfuss), when the U.S. is hit with domestic terrorism threats.
Confirmed to be returning for the upcoming TV season, the FBI franchise spin-off has the potential to become the next big procedural if it plays its cards right. Created by Dick Wolf, he knows a thing or two about the genre, having created other juggernauts like the Law & Order and Chicago franchises, as well as FBI.
Marshals (Season 2)
This Yellowstone spin-off is set to return either in late 2026 or early 2027 for its second season. Joining others in the franchise like 1883, 1923, and Dutton Ranch, Marshals is a sequel, continuing the story for Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) as he starts working with a specialized group of U.S. Marshals, protecting his home state of Montana.
The series was not very well received by critics, but it’s getting a second chance to potentially live up to the hype around Yellowstone and other shows in the franchise. One of many Taylor Sheridan projects, Marshals is a must-watch for fans of his work.
Heated Rivalry (Season 2)
It might be Spring 2027 when Heated Rivalry returns for Season 2, but you’ll have to crank the air conditioning on early to cool down from the return of this steamy sports romance. Heated Rivalry is all anyone could talk about since it premiered in November 2025, thanks to both the sweet and hot story and the performances from newcomer leads Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie.
The story, based on the Rachel Reid book series Game Changers, is a classic one of forbidden love with a modern twist. Pro hockey players Shane Hollander (Williams) and Ilya (Storrie) have a secret romance, complicated further by the fact that they play for rival teams. A masterclass in character chemistry, this Canadian gem is probably going to last a long, long time.
All’s Fair (Season 2)
Ryan Murphy projects appear to be hit and miss, and despite All’s Fair being widely panned, the show has managed to creep its way back for another season thanks to a strong fan following. The female-led show stars Kim Kardashian, Naomi Watts, Niecy Nash-Betts, Teyana Taylor, Sarah Paulson, and Glenn Close as divorce attorneys who leave a male-dominated firm to start their own. Naturally, they specialize in representing women.
All’s Fair is a typical legal drama with a female empowerment angle that highlights complex cases and interpersonal relationships that are just as complicated. Critics be damned, as the show ranked number one on Hulu’s most-watched titles on premiere day, and the director has fervently defended the show in light of the negative reception. It may very well become one of those guilty pleasures.
Dexter: Resurrection (Season 2)
Dexter: Resurrection is already in production in New York, and it is confirmed to be coming back in October 2026. Fans can’t wait for the sequel series to the popular 2000s crime drama Dexter, continuing the journey of vigilante serial killer Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall). With a new batch of criminals to take down, including a notorious serial killer like him, Dexter will be busy.
The story wonderfully weaves his murderous proclivities with his desire to be a good father to his son, Harrison (Jack Alcott), and, based on the ending of Season 1, Dexter has no plans of changing his ways. With several confirmed new cast members, including Succession‘s Brian Cox set to play the evil New York Ripper, and the confirmed return of Desmond Harrington as Joey Quinn, it’s gearing up to be a season that will be as exciting as the first.
Ballard (Season 2)
Amazon Prime Video
Likely to launch in late 2026 or early 2027, Ballard is a police procedural that keeps the Bosch story going. Also based on a Michael Connelly novel series featuring the character Renée Ballard, Maggie Q stars as the LAPD detective. The story follows her work as she takes over running a newly formed cold case unit.
Ballard has all the makings of an addictive procedural with the added edginess, thanks to being on streaming instead of linear network TV. It’s nice to dive into older cases, a la old shows like Cold Case. Along with a case-of-the-week feel, the show includes an overarching arc that ties the episodes together. With a perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes critics’ score, Ballard is already off to a great start.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
