Midyear TV Highlights: 2026’s Standout Series (Unranked)

A midyear roundup by Variety critics Aramide Tinubu and Alison Herman features 20 unranked, alphabetically arranged TV picks from the first half of 2026 across streaming services (Peacock, HBO, Apple TV+, Hulu, Prime Video, Netflix, AMC, etc.). The slate spans horror, drama, comedy, and genre-bending series, showcasing sharp writing, bold concepts, and standout performances (examples include The ‘Burbs, The House of the Spirits, The Testaments, The Pitt, The Vampire Lestat, and Widow’s Bay, among others).