Picture Credit: Netflix
Netflix has a big selection of summer viewing options for 2026, including a new Harlan Coben adaptation, an adult-animated series from Ricky Gervais, and more. Here are 5 upcoming series to put on your radar
Netflix almost always makes a big splash with its summer releases, capitalizing on the season to deliver some of its most anticipated shows. Look no further than the debut of Stranger Things in 2016 or the long-awaited live-action One Piece in 2023. Last year alone, the showcase showcased some major releases, including Squid Game Season 3 and Ginny & Georgia Season 3. There’s always something to cozy up to.
With summertime just around the corner, which upcoming Netflix series need to be on your radar, along with our movie picks?
Sweet Magnolias (Season 5)
Coming to Netflix: June 11
Genre: Romance drama
Cast: JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Brooke Elliott, and Heather Headley
Netflix is kicking off the summer season with the return of fan-favorite, heartwarming drama Sweet Magnolias, the streamer’s smash-hit small-town romantic drama set in Serenity, South Carolina. In this season, lifelong best friends (and iconic trio) Maddie, Dana Sue, and Helen are in for a particularly wild ride. The girls are headed for New York City, with Maddie taking on an exciting job in Manhattan. Meanwhile, the wedding bells are ringing as Helen prepares to — finally — tie the knot with Erik, after years of fan anticipation.
In addition, this season adds The Sopranos‘ Jamie-Lynn Sigler to its cast as Nell Winters, who’s introduced to Maddie in New York.
Why we’re hyped: This season has some big promises on the horizon: a trip to the Big Apple, a long-anticipated wedding, and likely so many more surprises. For long-time fans of Sweet Magnolias, over a year of anticipation for the new season is finally paying off. And there’s no better time for new fans to jump into Serenity and follow along.
I Will Find You
Coming to Netflix: June 18
Genre: Crime Drama
Cast: Sam Worthington, Britt Lower, Milo Ventimiglia, Erin Richards, Logan Browning, Jonathan Tucker, Chi McBride
Back in 2018, Netflix first struck a lucrative exclusive deal with best-selling author Harlan Coben. After much success, the streamer extended the deal in 2022. Over the years, there’s been a glut of brilliant projects, from Missing You to Fool Me Once. So far in 2026, we’ve had Run Away, starring James Nesbitt. And next up is I Will Find You, which arrives on the streamer in June.
Co-created by Robert Hull (Quantum Leap, Alcatraz), I Will Find You boasts yet another all-star cast, including Sam Worthington (known for the Avatar movies), Emmy-winning Britt Lower (AppleTV’s Severance), and Milo Ventimiglia (This is Us).
The 8-episode thriller follows David Burroughs (Worthington), an innocent father serving a life sentence for his son’s murder. When he receives evidence that his son may still be alive, he attempts to break out of prison to learn the truth.
Believe it or not, I Will Find You marks the first time that a series in Netflix and Coben’s partnership has taken part within the United States. Typically, these adaptations take place in the UK, with others being set elsewhere across Europe.
Why we’re hyped: Harlan Coben dramas have given Netflix a steady supply of quality television in recent years. They’re tense, gripping, and never fail to entertain. I Will Find You will no doubt build on the solid foundation of Coben dramas already available — and who doesn’t love a prison break story?
Avatar: The Last Airbender (Season 2)
Coming to Netflix: June 25
Genre: Fantasy
Cast: Gordon Cormier, Kiawentiio, Ian Ousley, Dallas Liu, Miya Cech, Elizabeth Yu, Maria Zhang, Daniel Dae Kim
Avatar: The Last Airbender. (L to R) Kiawentiio Tarbell as Katara, Gordan Cormier as Aang, Ian Ousley as Sokka, Maria Zhang as Suki in season 2 of Avatar: The Last Airbender. Cr. Katie Yu/Netflix © 2025
Two years after beginning its journey, Netflix’s live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender lands on the streamer this summer. When it debuted in 2024, the show depicted a different take on the Avatar everyone loves; it took on a much darker tone and massively condensed the story. Understandably, the changes were irksome to some but embraced by others. If one thing is for certain, it drew a lot of viewership, accumulating 21.2 million views in its first four days. The streamer subsequently renewed the remake for two more seasons, through to its natural conclusion.
After Avatar Aang (Gordon Cormier) and his team managed to defeat the Fire Nation fleet at the end of the first season, when we next catch up with them, they head to the heart of the Earth Kingdom, and its capital, Ba Sing Se, where Aang must master the Earth element. The series will introduce fan-favorite, sharp-witted character Toph Beifong (Miya Cech), aka the Blind Bandit, who joins them on their journey.
Why we’re hyped: Season 1 of Netflix’s Avatar delivered fantastic visuals and breathless action. It depicted a much darker version of the story, which drew in a wider audience. In Season 2, we’re seeing the story expand into the Earth Kingdom and its capital, Ba Sing Se. Plus, we’re so excited to see fan-favorite Toph Beifong in live-action.
Little House on the Prairie
Coming to Netflix: July 9
Genre: Historical Fiction
Cast: Skywalker Hughes, Alice Halsey, Luke Bracey, Crosby Fitzgerald, Jocko Sims, Warren Christie
If this isn’t the ultimate series to cozy up with this summer, we don’t know what is. Little House on the Prairie adapts Laura Ingalls Wilder’s seminal, semi-autobiographical novels, focusing on the harsh realities of the Ingalls family during frontier life, as they live and work on a farm in Midwestern America during the late 19th century. The series has seen adaptation before — and it was a big 9-season success — but the latest one aims to bring the story to a new generation.
Netflix’s version of the story comes from creator Rebecca Sonnenshine (Lessons in Chemistry), and stars Alice Halsey as Laura, Luke Bracey as Charles, and Crosby Fitzgerald as Caroline.
Why we’re hyped: Netflix clearly expects Little House on the Prairie to be a big hit, with it already being renewed for a second season prior to launch. This series
Alley Cats
Coming to Netflix: August 7
Genre: Adult Animation
Cast: Ricky Gervais, Diane Morgan, Tom Basden, David Earl, Andrew Brooke, Jo Hartley
Alley Cats. (L to R) David Earl as Puke, Diane Morgan as Olive, Jo Hartley as Kitten, Ricky Gervais as Gus, Tom Basden as Ponce, Andrew Brooke as Fang, in Alley Cats. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2026
Created by Ricky Gervais, the adult-animated series Alley Cats follows a group of feral British cats, each from a different walk of life. We follow them as they go about the streets of the UK, offering a unique perspective on life and the societal trials and tribulations they face. In true Gervais style, expect cutting social commentary, bleak humor, and perhaps even a heartfelt journey underpinning it all.
Gervais has assembled a top-tier voice cast, bringing together stars who have appeared in his most esteemed series, from After-Life to Derek. This includes Diane Morgan (regarded for her beloved portrayal of satirical Philomena Cunk), David Earl, and Tom Basden.
Why we’re hyped: From his numerous stand-up shows to (perhaps most notably) his heartfelt drama After-Life, Ricky Gervais already has such a distinguished body of work at Netflix. Alley Cats offers a unique approach, but will undoubtedly send viewers into a mix of laughter and sadness.
Which Summer 2026 release from Netflix are you most excited about? Tell us in the comments down below!
