6 New Shows to Watch in August 2026
August is shaping up to be another big month for TV with some of the year’s most anticipated returning series finally making their way back to screens. From long-awaited new chapters of fan favorites to the final farewell of a beloved Netflix drama, there’s plenty to look forward to.
Apple TV welcomes back Dark Matter for Season 2 and Ted Lasso for its highly anticipated fourth season, while Prime Video’s Reacher returns for another action-packed case. Paramount+’s Lioness reunites Nicole Kidman and Zoe Saldaña for Season 3, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is still going strong with its 18th season, and Outer Banks begins its final adventure as the Pogues’ story comes to an end.
But it’s not just returning favorites dominating the month. August also brings brand-new series. Whether you’re looking for your next binge-worthy obsession or something completely different, there are plenty of premieres to add to your watchlist. Here are 6 new shows to watch in August 2026.
The Shards – August 5 (FX/Hulu/Disney+)
Cast: Igby Rigney, Homer Gere, Graham Campbell, Kaia Gerber, Hayes Warner, Wes Bentley, Evan Rachel Wood, Jordan Roth, Owen Painter
Synopsis: “FX’s The Shards is a seductive drama series from executive producer Ryan Murphy, based on the acclaimed bestselling novel by Bret Easton Ellis. Set against the vivid backdrop of 1980s Los Angeles, the series follows a group of privileged high school seniors at an elite prep school as they navigate identity, sex, jealousy, obsession and the dangers lurking beneath the surface of American adolescence.”
Sterling Point – August 5 (Prime Video)
Cast: Ella Rubin, Amélie Hoeferle, Jacob Whiteduck-Lavoie, Keen Ruffalo, Bo Bragason, Daniel Quinn-Toye, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Jay Duplass, Missi Pyle, Nikko Angelo Hinayo, Mabel Strachan, Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers
Synopsis: “Sterling Point is a heartfelt, coming-of-age drama led by 17-year-old Annie Jacobson (Ella Rubin). Raised in New York City with her twin brother (Keen Ruffalo) and loving adoptive father (Jay Duplass), Annie’s life takes a turn when she inherits her mysterious grandfather’s island in Canada. There, she finds new friends, budding romances and untold family secrets.”
Alley Cats – August 7 (Netflix)
Voice Cast: Ricky Gervais, Tom Basden, Andrew Brooke, Kerry Godliman, Jo Hartley, Diane Morgan
Synopsis: “Alley Cats is an adult comedy animation series from the razor-sharp mind of Ricky Gervais. It follows a gang of foul-mouthed feral cats who cause havoc while musing on the meaning of life and fighting for survival in a brutal human world.”
Anna Pigeon – August 7 (USA Network)
Cast: Tracy Spiridakos, Ronnie Rowe, Manuel Rodriguez-Saenz, Ryan Northcott, Cooper Levy, Jordan Sledz, Crystle Lightning, Nikki Hallow, Kim Coates, Paulina Alexis, Tricia Helfer
Synopsis: “Anna Pigeon flees city life for the solitude of America’s stunning national parks following a devastating loss; while Anna tries to outrun her demons, her focus turns to solving crimes that have taken place within national park grounds.”
Lanterns – August 16 (HBO)
Cast: Kyle Chandler, Aaron Pierre, Kelly Macdonald, Nathan Fillio, Garret Dillahunt, Poorna Jagannathan, Ulrich Thomsen, Nicole Ari Parker, Jason Ritter, Sherman Augustus, Paul Ben-Victor, Cary Christopher, Chris Coy
Synopsis: “Based on the DC comic Green Lantern, drama series Lanterns follows new recruit John Stewart and “Lantern” legend Hal Jordan. These two intergalactic cops are drawn into a dark, Earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.”
Blue Murder Motel – August 24 (Acorn TV)
Cast: Michala Banas, Brett Tucker, Jayden Daniels, Stephanie Tauevihi, Jamie McDermott
Synopsis: “Married couple Vanessa and Peter Coleman leave their cop careers behind to run a motel in a sunny beachside New Zealand town, believing their hardest days are behind them. But plans soon collapse when a dead body is discovered in Unit 3, just one week after opening. The retired detectives’ instincts resurface as they are drawn back into investigation mode. And the town’s friendly charm begins to crack, revealing hidden secrets and unresolved grudges.”
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