15 New TV Shows to Watch This Week: October 12–18, 2026
The week of October 12 brings a mix of returning favourites, new streaming releases and Halloween-season horror. Marvel fans have VisionQuest, Netflix brings back The Diplomat and Love Is Blind, and horror viewers can head to Peacock for Crystal Lake, the prequel to the Friday the 13th franchise.
Here is the day-by-day guide to the TV premieres and finales scheduled for October 12–18, 2026, including where to watch them.
Monday, October 12
Below Deck - Season 13
Available On: Bravo and Peacock
Below Deck returns for its 13th season, bringing viewers back to the demanding world of luxury yacht charters. The reality series follows crew members as they manage guests, tight schedules and the personal tensions that can develop while living and working together.
Best for: Reality TV fans who enjoy workplace drama and unpredictable personalities.
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - Season 18 Finale
Available On: FX/FXX
The long-running comedy reaches its Season 18 finale. The series continues to follow the dysfunctional group behind Paddy's Pub, whose selfish schemes and terrible decisions regularly turn ordinary situations into chaos.
Best for: Viewers looking for dark comedy and familiar sitcom characters.
Blue Murder Motel - Season 1 Finale
Available On: Acorn TV
Blue Murder Motel wraps up its first season. Viewers who have followed the series can catch the season's concluding episode on Acorn TV.
Best for: Fans who want to finish a mystery series before starting something new.
Tuesday, October 13
The Trap (Die Falle)
Available On: Netflix
This six-part German psychological thriller follows a reclusive author who attempts to draw out the man she believes murdered her sister.
The premise centres on grief, suspicion and the risks of trying to uncover the truth through a dangerous plan. With its focus on psychological tension, the series is a choice for viewers who prefer mysteries built around characters and secrets.
Best for: Fans of European thrillers and slow-building suspense.
TYSON
Available On: Netflix
Netflix's four-part documentary series examines the life and boxing career of Mike Tyson. The series explores the story of one of boxing's most recognisable figures, making it an option for sports fans and viewers interested in the life behind a public persona.
Best for: Boxing enthusiasts and documentary viewers.
Wednesday, October 14
Wednesday is one of the busiest days of the week, with new seasons, a Marvel series and an investigative documentary arriving across streaming platforms.
Love Is Blind - Season 11
Available On: Netflix
The reality dating series returns with a season set in Boston. Participants once again explore whether emotional connections formed without seeing each other can lead to lasting relationships.
The first five episodes are scheduled to arrive at 3 a.m. ET on October 14.
Best for: Viewers who enjoy dating experiments, relationship debates and reality TV twists.
VisionQuest
Available On: Disney+
Marvel returns to television with VisionQuest, continuing Vision's story after WandaVision. The new series brings the character back into focus as the Marvel television universe expands its exploration of artificial intelligence, identity and the meaning of being human.
The first two episodes are scheduled for release on October 14.
Best for: Marvel fans who want to follow the story beyond WandaVision.
The Lowdown - Season 2
Available On: FX and Hulu
Ethan Hawke returns as journalist Lee Raybon in the second season of The Lowdown. The series follows Raybon as his reporting draws him into complicated stories and conflicts.
The first two episodes are scheduled to air at 9 p.m. ET.
Best for: Viewers who enjoy character-driven crime stories and investigative drama.
Hunting Gary Glitter
Available On: Netflix
This investigative documentary miniseries examines the crimes associated with Gary Glitter and their wider impact. It offers a factual, documentary-led alternative to scripted entertainment in a week filled with drama and reality programming.
Best for: Viewers interested in investigative documentaries and criminal cases.
Thursday, October 15
Thursday brings three major releases across Netflix and Peacock, including a new horror series and the return of a political thriller.
Hollywood Arts
Available On: Netflix
The Victorious spin-off follows Trina Vega as she becomes a substitute teacher at her former performing-arts school, despite being unqualified for the job.
The premise brings the character back into a school environment, this time with Trina on the other side of the classroom. The series is aimed at viewers familiar with the original Nickelodeon comedy.
Best for: Fans of Victorious and lighthearted school comedy.
Crystal Lake
Available On: Peacock
Halloween season gets a major horror release with Crystal Lake, a prequel to the Friday the 13th franchise.
The series explores the world surrounding Pamela Voorhees and Jason's childhood, returning to the backstory behind one of horror's most recognisable names. All eight episodes are scheduled to arrive on October 15, making it a potential binge-watch for horror fans.
Best for: Slasher fans and viewers preparing a Halloween watchlist.
The Diplomat - Season 4
Available On: Netflix
Keri Russell returns as Kate Wyler in the fourth season of Netflix's political drama. The new season continues the high-pressure world of international diplomacy, with a US–UK crisis involving a Russian superweapon at the centre of the story.
All eight episodes are scheduled to arrive on October 15.
Best for: Fans of political thrillers, international intrigue and fast-moving drama.
Friday, October 16
Tulsa King - Season 4
Available On: Paramount+
Sylvester Stallone returns as Dwight Manfredi in the fourth season of Tulsa King. Dwight's criminal operation faces fresh pressure as political, personal and underworld conflicts threaten the empire he has built.
The first episode is scheduled to arrive at 3 a.m. ET on October 16.
Best for: Viewers who enjoy mob stories, crime drama and antihero-led series.
Sunday, October 18
Sunday closes the week with a returning crime drama, a detective series and a new reality programme.
Maigret - Season 2
Available On: PBS
The detective drama returns for its second season, with an episode scheduled for 9 p.m. ET. The series follows the investigations of the well-known French detective Jules Maigret.
Best for: Fans of traditional detective stories and methodical investigations.
The Gold - Season 2
Available On: PBS
The Gold continues its dramatisation of the aftermath of the Brink's-Mat gold robbery. Season 2 begins with its first episode scheduled for 10 p.m. ET.
The story revisits the investigation and consequences of a major British heist, focusing on the people and criminal networks connected to the case.
Best for: Viewers who enjoy crime dramas inspired by real events.
The Catfish Murders
Available On: Oxygen
Oxygen introduces The Catfish Murders, a new reality series scheduled to premiere at 10 p.m. ET. The programme brings a crime-focused story to the week's final day of premieres.
Best for: Fans of true-crime television and crime-focused reality programming.
The Best New Shows to Watch This Week
If you do not have time to watch everything, these are the strongest choices based on genre and audience interest.
For Marvel fans: VisionQuest on Disney+.
For political drama: The Diplomat Season 4 on Netflix.
For dating reality TV: Love Is Blind Season 11 on Netflix.
For Halloween horror: Crystal Lake on Peacock.
For crime and mob drama: Tulsa King Season 4 on Paramount+.
For reality TV: Below Deck Season 13 on Bravo and Peacock.
For documentary viewing: TYSON on Netflix.
