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- Sara Donnellan | NJ.com
Good news for TV lovers: There are several must-watch series premiering next month
There’s something for everyone on the August 2026 TV calendar, from an adaptation of a beloved novel to a gritty DC Comics series. Mark your calendars for these five highly anticipated TV shows
#1. ‘The Shards’
Premiere date: Aug. 5 on FX and Hulu
Based on Bret Easton Ellis’ bestselling novel of the same name, “The Shards” follows a group of affluent prep school students living in the Hollywood Hills. Bret (Igby Rigney), an aspiring writer, becomes obsessed with his theory that a charming new student, Robert Mallory (Homer Gere), is responsible for a string of murders in their area
Ellis co-created the series with television mogul Ryan Murphy, who is known for developing popular shows including “Glee,” “American Horror Story” and “9-1-1.”
The “Shards” trailer racked up 15 million views within three days
#2. ‘Ted Lasso,’ season 4
Premiere date: Aug. 5 on Apple TV
“Ted Lasso” co-creator and star Jason Sudeikis previously hinted that the Apple TV series would end after season 3, so fans were thrilled when season 4 was confirmed in 2025
Sudeikis stars as the eponymous character, an American college football coach who is unexpectedly thrust into coaching an English soccer team. In season 4, Ted starts coaching women’s soccer
In June 2023, season 3 of “Ted Lasso” became the first Apple TV show to surpass one billion viewing minutes in a single week. The comedy drama has won 13 Emmys to date, including two Outstanding Comedy Series wins
#3. ‘Reacher,’ season 4
Premiere date: Aug. 12 on Prime Video
Based on Lee Child’s “Jack Reacher” book series, “Reacher” stars Alan Ritchson in the title role. Jack Reacher is a former US Army Military Police officer with extensive investigative and combat skills. He lives a nomadic lifestyle but always seems to find corruption and conspiracies as he wanders the country
Season 3 of “Reacher” aired in 2025 and became Prime Video’s most-watched returning season of television ever. Season 4 is based on the 13th book in the “Jack Reacher” novel series, “Gone Tomorrow.” It follows Reacher as he investigates a woman who dies by suicide on a subway, leading him to a massive political conspiracy
#4. ‘Lanterns’
Premiere date: Aug. 16 on HBO and HBO Max
Based on the popular DC Comic “Green Lantern,” the upcoming series is a superhero show with a twist. Director James Hawes has compared the tone to gritty neo-noir titles like “True Detective” and “Fargo.”
Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre star as Hal Jordan and John Stewart, members of the Green Lantern Corps, an intergalactic law enforcement agency. As Hal trains John to take his place, the pair investigate a sinister murder in rural Nebraska. The action plays out between two different timelines: one in 2016 and another in present day
#5. ‘Outer Banks,’ season 5
Premiere date: Aug. 20 on Netflix
Season 1 of “Outer Banks” premiered in April 2020, becoming a cultural phenomenon during the COVID-19 pandemic. The teen drama has maintained a loyal fan base since then. The 2024 season 4 premiere spent two weeks at the number one spot on the Netflix Global Top 10 list for English TV series
Set in North Carolina, “Outer Banks” follows two conflicting groups of teenagers in search of lost treasure. Chase Stokes stars as John B. Routledge, the leader of a group of friends from The Cut, a working class community in the Outer Banks. The Pogues routinely clash with the Kooks, the name given to wealthy, elitist residents of the island
Season 5 of “Outer Banks” is the mystery drama’s final season
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This article was produced with assistance from AI tools and reviewed by AL.com staff
