Honestly, the "Golden Age of TV" has been declared dead so many times that it’s starting to feel like a recurring bit. But look at your watchlist. It’s January 2026, and if you're still complaining that there's nothing to watch, you're probably just looking in the wrong corners of your streaming apps. The reality of good tv shows right now isn't about the massive, billion-dollar failures we saw a few years back. It’s about these weirdly specific, high-quality swings that streamers are finally taking again.
People keep saying streaming is "cable 2.0," and yeah, the ads suck. But the actual content? It's getting spicy. We’ve moved past the era where every show had to be a "cinematic event" and returned to stuff that actually feels like television.
Why A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is the Westeros We Actually Wanted
If you’re burnt out on dragons and incestuous throne-squabbling, I get it. House of the Dragon is great, but it’s heavy. That’s why the arrival of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms this month on HBO is such a breath of fresh air.
Most people expect another sprawling epic with ninety characters to track. They're wrong. This is basically a "Hedge Knight" road trip. It follows Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey) and his tiny, bald squire "Egg" (Dexter Sol Ansell).
It’s smaller. It’s funnier. There’s a lightness to it that Game of Thrones hasn't touched since maybe season one. The stakes aren't "the end of the world"—they’re about a guy trying to win a jousting tournament so he can eat. Peter Claffey has this earnest, big-guy energy that makes the whole show feel grounded. It’s the best thing George R.R. Martin has put his name on in years because it remembers that characters matter more than lore dumps.
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The Streaming Hits You’re Probably Scrolling Past
Netflix’s His & Hers is the one everyone is texting about this week. You’ve got Jon Bernthal and Tessa Thompson playing an estranged husband and wife—one’s a detective, the other’s a reclusive ex-journalist—who get sucked into a murder investigation in a small Georgia town.
It’s based on the Alice Feeney novel, and it’s messy in the best way. It’s got that "who can I trust?" vibe that made Gone Girl such a moment.
Then there’s The Pitt.
Wait, did you miss Season 1? It was the surprise medical drama hit of 2025.
Noah Wyle is back for Season 2 on Max, and it’s currently sitting at a 99% on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s a "near perfect medical procedural," but it doesn’t feel like those stale network shows your parents watch. It’s gritty, it’s fast, and it’s actually about how broken the healthcare system is.
What to watch if you're bored:
- Industry (Season 4): Still the most stressful show on TV. If you want to watch people in suits make terrible life choices while snorting things they shouldn't, HBO’s finance drama remains elite.
- The Traitors (Season 4): Peacock found a goldmine. This season has Donna Kelce and Lisa Rinna. It’s absolute camp, and Alan Cumming is wearing outfits that defy the laws of physics.
- Star Trek: Starfleet Academy: Paramount+ is betting big on this one. It’s set in the 32nd century with Holly Hunter as the lead. It’s basically "Star Trek meets YA drama," and surprisingly, it works.
Marvel's Weird Pivot Might Actually Work
Let's talk about Wonder Man.
Disney+ finally dropped it, and it’s... a meta-comedy?
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II plays Simon Williams, an actor trying to get a role in a superhero movie within the MCU. Ben Kingsley is back as Trevor Slattery. It’s weird. It’s self-aware. It feels more like Barry than The Avengers.
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This is what good tv shows right now look like—they aren't trying to set up the next five movies. They’re just trying to be a good thirty minutes of entertainment. If you’re tired of "homework" TV, this is the palette cleanser you need.
The "Harlan Coben" Factor
Netflix is still printing money with Harlan Coben adaptations. Run Away is the latest one starring James Nesbitt. Look, we all know the formula by now: a secret from the past, a missing kid, a lot of people staring intensely at laptops. But man, it’s addictive. It’s the ultimate "one more episode and I'll go to bed" show. James Nesbitt brings a level of gravitas to the role that elevates what could have been a standard thriller into something genuinely heartbreaking.
Stop Watching the Same Three Things
The biggest mistake people make with good tv shows right now is sticking to the Top 10 list.
The algorithm is a lie.
It rewards whatever got the most clicks in the last four hours, not what’s actually worth your time.
Take A Thousand Blows on Hulu/Disney+. It’s a Victorian boxing drama from Steven Knight (the Peaky Blinders guy). It’s brutal, it’s beautifully shot, and it’s got a Season 2 that just landed. Or Hijack Season 2 on Apple TV+. Idris Elba is on a train this time. Is it realistic? Absolutely not. Is it a 10/10 thriller that makes you forget to breathe? Yes.
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Practical Steps for Your Next Binge
If you're feeling overwhelmed, don't just click on the first thing with a "Trending" badge. Start with A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms if you want high-quality storytelling that doesn't feel like a chore. If you need a thrill, go for His & Hers.
Check the "New Releases" sections on the smaller streamers too. Apple TV+ is currently carrying the torch for high-budget sci-fi and smart comedies like Shrinking (Season 3 is airing now and Harrison Ford is still the MVP).
The best way to find your next favorite is to pick a genre you usually hate and try the highest-rated version of it. You might hate medical dramas, but The Pitt might change your mind. You might be "over" superheroes, but Wonder Man is barely a superhero show.
The stuff is out there. You just have to stop looking at the posters and start hitting play.
Next Steps for Your Watchlist
- Clear your Sunday night: HBO is still the king of the "appointment TV" slot with A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and Industry.
- Download the Peacock app: Even if just for a month. The Traitors is the only reality show actually worth the hype in 2026.
- Check the Rotten Tomatoes "Verified Fresh" list: For 2026 specifically, look for the critical consensus on The Pitt—it’s the highest-rated returning drama for a reason.