It is a busy season for television enthusiasts as the streaming landscape undergoes a significant shift, marked by the long-awaited conclusion of cult classics and the star-studded revival of literary masterpieces. Between the supernatural mysteries of Indiana and the sharp-tongued ballrooms of Regency England, the industry’s biggest players are pulling out all the stops for 2026.
The Final Countdown for Stranger Things
The global phenomenon Stranger Things recently made its highly anticipated return for its fifth and final outing, though fans have found themselves in a bit of a nail-biting limbo. Only the first four episodes of this epic conclusion were dropped last month, leaving millions of viewers on the edge of their seats. The wait is nearly over, however; three more instalments are set to arrive on Netflix this Boxing Day (Friday, 26th December), with the definitive series finale scheduled to air on New Year’s Day.
Behind the camera, the architects of this 1980s-inspired universe, Matt and Ross Duffer, remain as inseparable as ever. Now 41, the North Carolina-born twins have famously refused to work apart since their youth. Their bond was so strong that they actually turned down a spot at the Florida State University College of Motion Picture Arts because the institution wouldn’t allow them to collaborate. “We don’t even know how we work alone,” Matt once admitted. They eventually found their footing at Chapman University in California, graduating in 2007 before conquering Hollywood.
The brothers’ personal lives have also become a point of public interest. Matt is currently engaged to Sarah Hindsgaul, the show’s hair designer, with whom he has a son—boasting none other than Winona Ryder as a godmother. Meanwhile, Ross is navigating a more private transition following his 2024 separation from ex-wife Leigh Janiak. After nine years of marriage, Janiak filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences, though further details regarding the split have been kept firmly under wraps.
A Fresh Look at a Regency Classic
While one flagship series ends, another is just beginning its journey. Netflix has released the first teaser trailer for its new adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice, and the casting alone has set social media alight. Emma Corrin, known for The Crown, takes on the role of Elizabeth Bennet opposite Jack Lowden’s Mr Darcy.
This six-part series, penned by Dolly Alderton and directed by Heartstopper’s Euros Lyn, promises a faithful yet vibrant retelling. The ensemble is a “who’s who” of British talent, featuring Olivia Colman and Rufus Sewell as the elder Bennets, alongside Jamie Demetriou as the sycophantic Mr Collins and Fiona Shaw as the formidable Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
The teaser has already begun making waves, appearing on the big screen in the UK ahead of Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights. With Austen’s Sense and Sensibility also slated for a film adaptation later this year starring Daisy Edgar-Jones, it seems 2026 is officially the year of the Austen revival.
High Stakes and High IQs
On the procedural front, the American breakout hit High Potential has solidified its status as a global heavyweight. Based on the French series HPI, the show follows Morgan Gillory (played by Kaitlin Olson), a cleaner whose staggering IQ leads her from mopping floors to solving cases for the LAPD.
The show has struck a chord with critics and audiences alike, boasting a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It isn’t just the public who are hooked; 9-1-1 star Jennifer Love Hewitt recently expressed her desire for a crossover episode, noting that since both shows are set in Los Angeles and air on ABC, a meeting between Morgan and the 118 dispatchers would be a natural fit.
The second season is currently airing weekly on Disney+, with the eleventh episode of its 18-part run having just landed. For those looking to keep up with the flurry of new content, many viewers are opting for bundled subscriptions to manage the sheer volume of high-quality drama currently hitting our screens.
