When Morgan Freeman speaks, we listen. It is basically a law of nature at this point. Whether he’s explaining the birth of a star or just ordering a sandwich, that voice carries a weight that makes everything feel a bit more official. Honestly, though, it’s been a minute since we’ve seen him this busy on the small screen.
2026 is shaping up to be a massive year for the legendary actor. He isn't just showing up for a quick paycheck either; he’s deeply involved in projects that span from gritty Civil War spy rings to the literal extinction of the dinosaurs. If you’ve been looking for a new series with morgan freeman, you’re actually spoiled for choice right now.
The Gray House: A Different Kind of Civil War Story
Let’s talk about the big one first. On February 26, 2026, Prime Video is dropping all eight episodes of The Gray House. This isn't your typical "men in blue and gray staring at maps" kind of drama. It’s a historical spy thriller produced by Freeman’s Revelations Entertainment alongside Kevin Costner’s Territory Pictures.
The plot is actually wild because it’s based on a true story that most history books just sort of skipped over. It follows an all-female spy network in Richmond, Virginia. You’ve got a socialite, her daughter, a formerly enslaved woman, and a courtesan all working together right under the noses of the Confederate High Command. General Ulysses S. Grant basically credited these women with helping the Union win the war.
Mary-Louise Parker leads the cast, but Freeman’s DNA is all over the production. He and Costner have been friends since Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, and this project feels like their attempt to tell a "real" American story that’s been gathering dust.
Returning to the World of Taylor Sheridan
If you prefer your drama with more high-tech surveillance and modern-day tension, you probably already know about Lioness. Freeman plays U.S. Secretary of State Edwin Mullins. In the first season, he was kinda just a looming figure in the background.
🔗 Read more: Anjelica Huston in The Addams Family: What You Didn't Know About Morticia
Season 2 changed that completely.
Freeman moved from a recurring guest to a series regular. Seeing him sit across from Nicole Kidman and Zoe Saldaña to debate the ethics of CIA "Lioness" missions is a masterclass in screen presence. He’s mentioned in interviews that he joined the show specifically for Taylor Sheridan’s writing. He likes the pace. He likes the grit. Paramount+ has already renewed the series for Season 3 as of late 2025, so we’ll be seeing a lot more of Secretary Mullins soon.
Why he keeps doing it
At 88, Freeman doesn't need the money. He’s said his "bucket list" is mostly scratched out. But he still gets up, straps on the metaphorical guns, and gets to work. He treats TV with the same reverence as film, which is probably why these shows don't feel "small."
The Science and History of Everything
We can't talk about a new series with morgan freeman without mentioning his documentary work. It’s what he’s built for. Netflix is leaning into this in 2026 with a massive series simply titled Dinosaurs.
Produced by the team behind Life on Our Planet, this show uses next-gen CGI to track the rise and fall of the most famous creatures to ever walk the earth. Having Freeman narrate the extinction of the T-Rex feels oddly appropriate—like the universe itself is telling us how it happened.
💡 You might also like: Isaiah Washington Movies and Shows: Why the Star Still Matters
Then there’s History’s Greatest Escapes.
A new season is hitting The History Channel on January 26, 2026.
It’s fascinating stuff.
One episode in the new batch focuses on the "Belfast Breakout," while another looks at "Fleeing Hellmira," a daring escape from a Civil War prison. Freeman doesn't just narrate these; he hosts them, walking through reconstructed cells and explaining the physics of how these people actually got out. It’s one of those shows you start watching at 10:00 PM and suddenly it’s 2:00 AM and you’re an expert on 19th-century tunnel engineering.
What’s Actually Worth Your Time?
Not everything with a big name is a winner, but the quality control on Freeman’s recent output is surprisingly high. If you only have time for one, go with The Gray House. It has that "prestige TV" feel that we used to get from HBO miniseries in the early 2000s.
If you're more into the "Sheridan-verse" style of storytelling—lots of yelling, lots of moral ambiguity, and very fast pacing—then Lioness is the way to go. Just be prepared for the fact that Freeman is the "adult in the room" there; he’s the one holding the politicians accountable while the operators are out in the field.
- For History Buffs: The Gray House (Prime Video)
- For Thriller Addicts: Lioness (Paramount+)
- For Casual Learning: Dinosaurs (Netflix) or History’s Greatest Escapes (History Channel)
There’s also some buzz about a project called Hate to See You Go featuring Alfre Woodard and Bill Burr, which is slated for late 2026. It’s a drama centered around an aging blues musician. It sounds like a smaller, more intimate story compared to the epic scale of his recent TV work, but that’s usually where Freeman shines the brightest.
📖 Related: Temuera Morrison as Boba Fett: Why Fans Are Still Divided Over the Daimyo of Tatooine
Basically, the man isn't slowing down. He’s just getting more selective. He’s moved from being an actor who "shows up" to a producer who "builds." Whether it’s a spy ring in 1863 or a CIA mission in 2026, the through-line is always the same: a search for some kind of truth, delivered in that unmistakable baritone.
To keep up with these releases, make sure your Prime Video and Paramount+ notifications are actually turned on for late February. Most of these shows are dropping in "binge" formats, so you'll want to clear a weekend for The Gray House specifically.
Next Steps for Your Watchlist:
Check your Prime Video subscription status before February 26 to ensure you have access to The Gray House premiere. If you haven't seen the first two seasons of Lioness, start them now on Paramount+; the narrative builds quickly, and you’ll want to be caught up before the Season 3 rumors turn into a concrete release date later this year. Finally, if you're a fan of the "Big History" genre, set a DVR recording for The History Channel on Monday nights starting January 26 for the new season of Greatest Escapes.