What to Watch this January 2026

There was this tweet I kept seeing on my timeline about always having something to look forward to, even if it's something small. Since this is a tv blog, let's go through some shows airing this cold January. You never know, perhaps your next favourite show is on this list!

Harlan Coben's Run Away (Netflix)

Streaming on: January 1

Run Away was released on January 1st, about a father (James Nesbitt) desperately searching for his missing daughter (Ellie de Lange). It was every parents' nightmare. Their beautiful daughter went off to university and changed, after meeting a boy and getting hooked on drugs. A brutal murder, a cop intent on suspecting the father, and a daughter who refused to be found -- add in a couple of contract killers and a private detective looking into another missing person's case, and we have a twisty mystery that was a solid watch for a cold evening.

As of this writing, I have already seen and have written recaps about the first four episodes. If I were to pick a standout character halfway through, I would choose Ash (Jon Pointing), a mostly quiet assassin whose north star appears to be his partner in crime, Dee Dee (Maeve Courtier-Lilley). I look forward to watching the back four episodes over the weekend!

Here's a link to Harlan Coben's Run Away official trailer.

Land of Sin (Netflix)

Streaming on: January 2

When a young man named Silas went missing, his dying father called his former foster mother, Dani, who also happened to be a cop, to come look for him. Dani and her new partner Malik had to navigate a town where their very presence was widely resented. A Nordic mystery that focused its unrelenting lens on poverty and inter-generational family drama, it's not exactly an easy watch, but based off the first episode alone, it looks to be a powerful one.

His & Hers (Netflix)

Streaming on: January 8

As a mystery lover, I will always be grateful that Netflix has decided to produce a lot of mysteries. This new miniseries, premiering on January 8th, stars Tessa Thompson as a reporter and Jon Bernthal as a detective who becomes a suspect in his own murder investigation. Oh, and they were married. It is based off a 2020 psychological thriller by Alice Feeney. I've linked the Goodreads page here, if you'd like to check it out. I won't have time to read the book before the show airs, but I am genuinely excited for this one.

Here's a link to the His and Hers official trailer.

The Night Manager Season 2 (Prime Video)

Streaming on: January 11

We waited a looong time for this. The first season aired way back in 2016, and to be honest I did not think there would ever be a second season. But here we are, it only took over nine years, and Tom Hiddleston is back as Jonathan Pine, a former military officer who became a spy.

The first episode of the second season started broadcasting on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK on January 1st. Outside of the UK, it will start streaming via Prime Video on January 11th.

Here's a quick plot summary from the BBC:

'Jonathan Pine thought he’d buried his past. Now living as Alex Goodwin - a low-level MI6 officer running a quiet surveillance unit in London - his life is comfortingly uneventful. Then one night a chance sighting of an old Roper mercenary prompts a call to action and leads Pine to a violent encounter with a new player: Colombian businessman Teddy Dos Santos.'

Here's a link to The Night Manager Season 2 official trailer.

Agatha Christie's Seven Dials (Netflix)

Streaming on: January 15

You know I just had to include an Agatha Christie adaptation to this list. Set to premier on January 15th, this was adapted for television (well, streaming) by Chris Chibnall, the creator and writer of the brilliant British crime drama Broadchurch. It's a three-part series, set in 1925 England, where a murder interrupted a country house party, and a young aristocrat named Lady Bundle Brent (Mia McKenna-Bruce) decided to play detective.

Agatha Christie books, and adaptations, are comfort reads and watches for me. They are often set in luxurious locations, so my mind and my eyes get to take a quick holiday. I know the mystery will be solved by the end of the story, so my brain does not have to be anxious about that. Seven Dials also features a solid cast -- Helena Bonham Carter (one of my favourites), Martin Freeman (he will play Superintendent Battle, who appeared in several Agatha Christie stories), Corey Mylchreest (I can't be the only one who fell completely in love with him the moment he introduced himself as George in Queen Charlotte), and Edward Bluemel (My Lady Jane should not have been cancelled!).

Here's a link to the Agatha Christie's Seven Dials official teaser.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (HBO)

Streaming on: January 18

After the latter seasons of Game of Thrones and the second season of House of the Dragon, I did not think I would ever be excited again about an adaptation of a George RR Martin work. But, it only took one trailer, and I am fully on board. I am keeping my fingers crossed that this show, helmed by Ira Parker, will heal the wounds left by two other shows that I loved very much at certain points, but which eventually, I had to accept were just not working for me.

And no, I did not expect that there be no changes from the pages to the screen; I am far from a book purist. I did not expect there to be dragon battles at every episode. Whilst I was not yet recapping during the Game of Thrones years, here's a sample House of the Dragon recap I wrote back in 2022, it's long, because I was so in love with the episode and the show. My concerns started halfway through the first season, and by the time the second season rolled in, well, let's not go there.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, however, looks pitch perfect. The casting, with Peter Claffey as Dunk and Dexter Sol Ansell as Egg, was exquisite. The tone captured the more light hearted nature of the Dunk and Egg novellas. Please don't make me regret my optimism. Please, please.

Whilst we are here, I also wanted to highlight Harry Lloyd's brilliant narration of the A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms audiobook. Harry Lloyd also wonderfully played Prince Viserys in Game of Thrones. In case you would prefer to listen to the audiobook than read the novellas, I highly recommend Mr. Lloyd's narration.

Here's a link to the official trailer of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.

I hope your 2026 started well and joyfully. Happy watching, everyone!