SO FAR, SO GOOD
Halfway into the year, these 10 shows are the standouts
TELEVISION
It may feel like 2026 has just begun, or like it's already lasted a decade, but somehow and some way, it's already half done.
And for fans of TV, that means there's already been a slew of great (and not-so-great) shows that have captured our hearts and minds so far this year.
Here's a look at the 10 best shows of the year so far. While No. 1 may not surprise you, hopefully there are a few wonderful shows for you to discover on the list.
1 'The Pitt'
It's almost a cliché to call HBO Max's medical drama sensation "The Pitt" the best show on TV. It has collected a wheelbarrow full of shiny awards, including 15 Emmys for 2025's first season.
But in Season 2, which premiered back in January, "The Pitt" didn't miss a (heart)beat. The new episodes somehow grew on the creative success of Season 1, with new characters, new emergencies and new commentary on our very chaotic world. The show seems to be an unstoppable cultural phenomenon. If it continues like this, "The Pitt" will be the best show on television for as long as it airs. HBO Max
2 'Lord of the Flies'
This new adaptation of the classic William Golding novel, a British production, is a moody, harrowing and deeply upsetting experience. And yet, you can't look away from the story of a group of young boys stranded on a deserted island, losing all measure of civilization and decorum as the days pass.
Perhaps the most affecting aspect of the series is how truly tiny the young actors are — it's one thing to read about children in peril and quite another to see it in such vivid color. The story is an absolute classic for a reason.Netflix
3 'Survivor 50'
Twenty-six years and 50 seasons into its run on CBS, the reality competition series that took the world by storm in 2000 is still kicking — and kicking up a storm of great TV. When "Survivor" premiered on CBS, there was nothing on TV like it: 16 people left on an island without any food, shelter or creature comforts, voting one another out one by one until only a "Sole Survivor" remained, winning $1 million.
The show has evolved over its long tenure, but its bombastic 50th season managed to both capture the spirit of the show's origins and honor its long legacy. Fan-favorite players returned, twists were introduced and the winner walked away with a whopping $2 million. It was a reminder that TV doesn't have to be brand new to be effective. Sometimes the old formulas work, and new generations can be lucky enough to discover them. CBS/ Paramount+
4 'Beef'
In 2023, Netflix's "Beef," the story of a road-rage incident that turns into a blood feud between two strangers, was a surprise hit, a word-of-mouth sensation that rode its acclaim and fantastic performances all the way to multiple Emmy awards. Its long-awaited second season, with a new cast and a new beef at the center, did not disappoint.
Season 2 follows two couples on a path of mutual destruction, one older and jaded and one young and naive. Starring Carey Mulligan, Oscar Isaac, Cailee Spaeny and Charles Melton, the story retains the shock and awe, exciting performances and mind-boggling twists of Season 1 while remaining fresh and exciting.Netflix
5 'The Comeback'
No one is better at a comeback than Lisa Kudrow, except, perhaps, Valerie Cherish. Yes, the irresistibly cringey protagonist of HBO's comedic darling "The Comeback" came back, once again. The story of an actress looking for her comeback graced our screens in Season 1 (2005) and in Season 2 (2014), and 2026's Season 3 found a story that is so very apt (and hilarious) for the times we're currently living in.
This time, Valerie, a faded TV star always looking to bring her career back into the spotlight, is starring in a revolutionary new TV series: One written by artificial intelligence. Kudrow hits every mark, the jokes are acerbic and hilarious, and every moment is must-see TV. HBO
6 'The Other Bennet Sister'
Sometimes the best way to stand out is to go small, quiet and calm. "The Other Bennet Sister" is a perfect blend of sweet and simple without being boring or slow. Based on the novel by Janice Hadlow, "Bennet" tells the story of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" from the point of view of Mary Bennet, Lizzie Bennet's awkward and plain younger sister. BritBox
7 'The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins'
Who would ever think of pairing Daniel Radcliffe and Tracy Morgan in a goofy, self-referential network sitcom? Well, that would be creators Robert Carlock ("30 Rock") and Sam Means ("Girls5Eva") who found surprising comedic chemistry among those two stars, as well as the rest of the magnetic cast.
Its charm is in its simplicity of concept — Morgan plays a disgraced football star trying to rehab his image with the help of a struggling documentarian (Radcliffe) — and the whip-smart execution of its jokes. NBC
8 'Margo's Got Money Troubles'
Hilarious, quirky and delicious, "Margo's Got Money Troubles" is an irresistible comedy with a magnetic cast that you can't stop watching. Elle Fanning stars in the adaptation of RufiThorpe's book as the titular Margo, a young single mother who is, well, having some money troubles. She turns to OnlyFans to make ends meet, with the help of her former wrestler father (Nick Offerman) and much to the chagrin of her flighty mother (Michelle Pfeiffer).
Fanning is excellent in the role, and the series balances its silly and serious elements with aplomb. Apple TV
9 'How to Get to Heaven from Belfast'
"Belfast" is a mystery drama that follows Saoirse (Roisin Gallagher), Dara (Caoilfhionn Dunne) and Robyn (Sinead Keenan), close friends since high school who live semi-charmed lives in their late 30s. But they have a dark secret from their teenage years that has to do with a former fourth bestie in the group, Greta, who mysteriously turns up dead.
The show is captivating and heart-racing, with unpredictable twists and turns. You just may want to put on subtitles while you watch.Netflix
10 'Ponies'
Starring "Game of Thrones" alumna Emilia Clarke and "The White Lotus" Season 2 breakout Haley Lu Richardson, "Ponies" is the story of two unassuming CIA widows who turn out to be rather good spies themselves when thrust into the cold, killer world of 1970s Moscow.
It is rich with warmth, good storytelling and magnetic actors. The stakes are high, the KGB agents are handsome, the intelligence is deadly and the costumes are groovy. What's not to love? Peacock
