'Ponies' and 4 Other Most Anticipated TV Series to Watch in January 2026

The start of a new year is traditionally a time for major announcements, and 2026 will be no exception.

After the holiday lull, streaming services are preparing to bombard viewers with both the long-awaited return of iconic franchises and completely new, ambitious projects.

1. 'Ponies'

Release Date: January 15, 2026

Streaming Platform: Peacock

If you enjoy spy thrillers like The Night Manager but are tired of the genre's excessive pathos and lack of self-irony, we have the perfect recommendation for you.

Ponies explores the Cold War from an unexpected perspective – through the eyes of characters uninvolved in the larger geopolitical context.

The action takes place in 1977 Moscow. Two secretaries at the American embassy who are also wives of diplomats learn of their husbands' deaths. In a fit of revenge, they agree to work for the CIA as double agents.

2. 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms'

Release Date: January 18, 2026

Streaming Platform: HBO Max

In addition to House of the Dragon, another Game of Thrones prequel is on the way – A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, which is based on George R.R. Martin's collection of short stories.

The action takes place a century before the familiar events of the original series, and the main shock is that nothing major happened during that era – no large-scale civil strife or wars.

This is one reason fans appreciate the original source so much: its down-to-earth atmosphere and stories about everyday life in Westeros. The plot centers on the adventures of knight Duncan and his young squire, Egg, who hides his royal heritage.

3. 'Wonder Man'

Release Date: January 27, 2026

Streaming Platform: Disney+

Marvel's upcoming series, Wonder Man, presents a curious paradox. On the one hand, the concept seems fresh and ambitious, reminiscent of a hybrid of The Studio and Irma Vep: a struggling actor accidentally gains superpowers after landing a role in a remake of an old blockbuster.

However, Marvel has repeatedly shown that even the most promising concept can have a formulaic and predictable plot.

4. 'Agatha Christie's Seven Dials'

Release Date: January 15, 2026

Streaming Platform: Netflix

In response to the renewed popularity of detective stories, Netflix has delved into the treasure trove of one of the genre's greatest authors – Agatha Christie.

The Seven Dials Mystery is one of her early novels and features the theft of state secrets, complex murders, and secret societies.

Rather than a seasoned detective, the case will be investigated by the young aristocrat Lady Brent, played by Mia McKenna-Bruce. The creators avoided radical modernization or a change of era, instead creating an authentic yet visually striking adaptation.

5. 'The Beauty'

Release Date: January 21, 2026

Streaming Platform: Hulu

The wave of criticism surrounding Ryan Murphy's legal drama, All's Fair, starring Kim Kardashian, has just died down. The show made it onto various lists of the year's worst, but a new project appears on the horizon: the horror detective series, The Beauty.

In theory, the story of FBI agents investigating a series of mysterious supermodel deaths in France and encountering a dangerous virus created by a disgruntled billionaire sounds compelling.

However, with Murphy's track record, it's hard to imagine anything worthwhile coming out of it.