Honestly, trying to keep track of Matthew McConaughey’s television career lately feels a bit like chasing a ghost through the Texas brush. One minute he’s the face of the Yellowstone future, and the next, he’s nowhere to be found in Montana. If you’ve been scouring the trades looking for "the" Matthew McConaughey new TV series, you've probably realized by now that there isn't just one project—there are three distinct, slightly messy, and very ambitious stories currently fighting for his time.
It's a weird moment for the Oscar winner. He hasn't really headlined a massive live-action series since True Detective season one back in 2014. That was a decade ago. Since then, we've had a lot of "alright, alright, alright" and a few voice roles, but the 2026 slate is where the rubber finally hits the road.
The Brothers Comedy: A Reunion That Almost Didn't Happen
Let's talk about the Apple TV+ project first because it's the one that’s been the biggest headache for the studio. Originally titled Brother From Another Mother, the show is now officially going by the simpler title Brothers.
This isn't your standard sitcom. It’s a meta-comedy where McConaughey and Woody Harrelson play "fictionalized" versions of themselves. The premise is basically every fan’s fever dream: the two of them try to live together with their respective families on McConaughey’s ranch in Texas. If you've ever seen these two interview each other, you know it’s going to be chaotic.
But here’s where it gets dicey.
The show hit a massive wall in June 2025. Showrunner David West Read (of Schitt's Creek fame) walked away after eight of the ten episodes were already shot. Creative differences—the classic Hollywood divorce. For months, the industry whispered that the show was dead in the water. However, recent updates confirm that Lee Eisenberg is in talks to steer the ship home. They’re reportedly back in production this month to finish those final two episodes. We're looking at a late 2026 release window if they can keep the peace in Austin.
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The Madison: Why McConaughey Walked from Yellowstone
You can't talk about a Matthew McConaughey new TV series without addressing the Yellowstone elephant in the room. For a solid year, everyone assumed McConaughey was taking the reins from Kevin Costner. The project was tentatively called 2024.
It didn't happen.
While Taylor Sheridan and McConaughey are reportedly fans of each other, the deal never crossed the finish line. Instead, the series morphed into The Madison, which is now led by Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell.
Expert Note: Don't expect a surprise cameo. Insiders suggest McConaughey was looking for a very specific type of creative control and a massive paycheck that didn't align with the shifting direction of the post-Dutton universe.
The Madison is officially set to premiere on March 14, 2026. If you're watching it hoping to see McConaughey ride over the horizon, you're going to be disappointed. He's moved on to something much darker.
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The Brothers Project: Reuniting with Nic Pizzolatto
This is the one that has the "Prestige TV" crowd sweating. After the bidding war to end all bidding wars, Netflix snatched up an untitled series currently being called The Brothers Project.
The DNA of this show is incredible:
- Creator: Nic Pizzolatto (True Detective)
- Star: Matthew McConaughey
- Co-Star: Cole Hauser (Rip from Yellowstone)
- Producer: Skydance Sports
This is a gritty crime drama that casts McConaughey and Hauser as brothers. It’s a full-circle moment since the two of them haven't shared a screen since Dazed and Confused in 1993. Unlike the Apple comedy, this is meant to be heavy, atmospheric, and potentially the spiritual successor to the Rust Cohle era.
There were rumors that this might actually be a secret True Detective reboot, but those have mostly been debunked. It's an original story, likely involving some kind of sports-underworld connection given Skydance Sports is involved. Filming is expected to pick up steam throughout 2026, meaning we likely won't see a trailer until the tail end of the year.
What Most People Get Wrong About His 2026 Schedule
People keep asking why he's doing two shows with "Brothers" in the title. It’s confusing!
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Essentially, you have the Apple TV+ comedy (Brothers) which is about his real-life friendship with Woody Harrelson, and the Netflix drama (The Brothers Project) which is a scripted thriller with Cole Hauser. They are completely unrelated, though they both lean on McConaughey's "Texas Brother" brand.
Then there's the movie side. While you're waiting for these shows, he’s got The Rivals of Amziah King hitting theaters on August 22, 2026. It’s a backwoods Oklahoma crime thriller that got a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes after its festival run. If you want to see the "serious actor" McConaughey before the TV shows drop, that’s your best bet.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you want to stay ahead of the curve on these releases, here is how you should prioritize your watch list:
- Mark March 14, 2026: Even though McConaughey isn't in The Madison, it’s the show that exists because he passed on it. It will set the tone for Western dramas this year.
- Watch the Apple TV+ Newsroom: Keep an eye out for a trailer for Brothers. Once that showrunner transition is finalized, the marketing blitz with Woody Harrelson will be impossible to miss.
- Check for "The Rivals of Amziah King" in August: This film is being described as his official comeback vehicle. It’s the closest thing to True Detective vibes you'll get until the Netflix show drops.
- Ignore the Yellowstone Cameo Rumors: They are almost certainly clickbait. His focus is entirely on the Pizzolatto reunion and the meta-comedy at this point.
The "McConaughey Renaissance" version 2.0 is officially underway, and while it's been a bumpy road through production delays and showrunner swaps, the sheer volume of content coming in 2026 is unprecedented for him. Just make sure you're looking at the right streaming service when the time comes.