After a busy Australian winter of major cinema releases, attention turns to the small screen. Fall 2026 brings a mix of science fiction, fantasy, horror, animation, comedy and returning favourites.
Among the season’s biggest attractions are new series such as VisionQuest, Crystal Lake and Avatar: Seven Havens, alongside returning shows including Scrubs, South Park and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Here are ten notable releases to watch, with dates listed as supplied for the US platforms.
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10. Scrubs
The hospital comedy returned last year for its first season since 2010, excluding the much-disputed ninth season. The revival successfully brought back the original show’s warmth and eccentric humour.
Dr Cox, played by John C. McGinley, appoints his former protégé J.D., played by Zach Braff, as Sacred Heart Hospital’s new Chief of Medicine. The promotion does not strip J.D. of his familiar charm, while the season also adds emotional weight through Dr Cox’s medical condition.
Season 11 premieres on ABC on September 30.
9. Dig
Not to be confused with Tom Cruise’s upcoming comedy Digger, Dig is a new sitcom led by Amy Poehler. Poehler plays an archaeologist who, with fellow researchers, uncovers a major secret during an excavation in Greece.
The series reunites Poehler with executive producer Mike Schur, one of the co-creators of Parks and Recreation. Details remain limited, but that creative partnership gives this archaeological comedy plenty of reason for interest.
Dig premieres on Peacock on November 23.
8. Crystal Lake
The Friday the 13th franchise returns to television with Crystal Lake, a prequel from Callum Vinson, who also worked on It: Welcome to Derry. The series revisits the history of Camp Crystal Lake before the original 1980 film.
That film introduced Pamela Voorhees as the killer, rather than the hockey-mask-wearing Jason. Crystal Lake follows Pamela’s story before those events, with Linda Cardellini playing Jason’s mother.
All eight episodes of the first season arrive on Peacock on October 15.
7. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
HBO’s new adaptation faces the challenge of revisiting a story that remains strongly associated with the Daniel Radcliffe-led films. It has also attracted criticism because of author J.K. Rowling’s public anti-transgender views.
The cast remains a major draw. Nick Frost plays Hagrid, Paapa Essiedu takes the role of Severus Snape and John Lithgow appears as Dumbledore. The television format may also allow the production to restore material from the books that the films had to omit.
The eight-episode first season premieres on HBO Max on December 25.
6. South Park season 29
South Park made Donald Trump a central target during its 27th and 28th seasons, frequently portraying the US president in deliberately crude and humiliating ways. The political focus generated regular headlines and drew direct attention from Trump.
Some viewers objected to the shift, while others felt it gave the long-running animated comedy renewed relevance. The series returns for season 29 on September 16, followed by semi-weekly episodes. As with the previous season, the release pattern may change.
5. Blade Runner 2099
Blade Runner 2099 expands the neon dystopia established by the original 1982 film and Blade Runner 2049. Although the latter earned critical praise, it did not become the blockbuster its large production costs required.
Ridley Scott, director of the original film, serves as executive producer alongside Shining Girls creator Silka Luisa. This eight-episode Prime Video miniseries reverses the franchise’s usual power structure: replicants now control Los Angeles, while humans occupy the oppressed position.
All episodes arrive on November 25.
4. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 3
Set thousands of years before the familiar films, The Rings of Power explores Middle-earth’s Second Age and the creation of Sauron’s Rings. Season 3 centres on Sauron forging the One Ring, which he intends to use against his enemies.
The series has received a mixed response partly because it develops its own mythology from Tolkien’s appendices rather than adapting the novels directly. Even so, its scale, production design and willingness to make expansive story choices continue to make it a significant fantasy release.
The season begins on Prime Video on November 11 with four episodes. Two more arrive on November 18, followed by the final two on November 25.
3. Carrie
Stephen King’s 1974 novel and Brian De Palma’s 1976 film remain influential supernatural thrillers. This six-episode television version comes from Mike Flanagan, the creator of The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, Midnight Mass, The Midnight Club and The Fall of the House of Usher.
Flanagan also directed the King adaptations Gerald’s Game and Doctor Sleep. His version moves the story into the present, addressing an environment shaped by cyberbullying and school shootings while retaining the tale of a telekinetic teenager confronting her tormentors at prom.
All six episodes release on Prime Video on October 7.
2. VisionQuest
Following WandaVision and Agatha All Along, VisionQuest is being positioned as the conclusion to a WandaVision trilogy. Paul Bettany returns as Vision, a character whose appearances across Marvel films and television have consistently explored identity and humanity.
The story follows Vision after his return in WandaVision. Although the white android has recovered his memories, he must rebuild his personality and sense of humanity. The series also introduces a human version of Ultron, played by James Spader, within Vision’s programming.
Whether it primarily completes Vision’s arc or helps lead into Avengers: Doomsday, the eight-episode series is designed as an experimental, potentially strange chapter. It begins weekly on Disney Plus on October 14.
1. Avatar: Seven Havens
Avatar: The Last Airbender followed Aang, the last airbender and the Avatar, in a world where water, earth, fire and air can be controlled by specialised benders. Its three-season story became a modern animation landmark.
The Legend of Korra, which followed Aang’s successor, Korra, also earned praise for continuing that world. The third animated series introduces Pavi as the next Avatar, and its challenge will be matching the achievements of its predecessors.
The 13-episode first season premieres on Paramount Plus on October 9. A second season is planned with another 13 episodes, although no future release date is provided.
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