There are some exciting historical fiction shows to look forward to in January 2026. It doesn’t matter if you want a bit of adventure or you’re interested in romance and crime. There’s even something from different time periods to suit all interests.
PBS and the streaming networks are the places to turn for the period dramas this month, and it does make sense. The shows set in the past need large budgets for costumes and sets, and broadcast networks don’t tend to have that. It’s why Timeless didn’t get to go on after two seasons.
So, here’s a look at the four shows coming in January that we’re looking forward to. They are allin release date order.
Miss Scarlet season 6
While those with PBS Passport can watch some episodes of Miss Scarlet season 6 already, the show officially makes its PBS debut on Jan. 11, 2026. Miss Scarlet season 6 will pick up off the back of the fifth season, which saw Alexander Blake invite Eliza Scarlet into his house. There is something there between them, but can they make their personal relationship work and keep their professional lives separate?
Well, we all know that Blake is going to have to turn to Eliza for help with cases. This could lead to some tensions between them, especially as Moses returns for some help.
Stick around after new episodes of Miss Scarlet, as All Creatures Great and Small season 6 will also air. Miss Scarlet premieres on Sunday, Jan. 11 at 8/7c on PBS.
Ponies
How about a series that takes us back to 1977 instead of further into the past? Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson star in Ponies, which is set at the American embassy in Moscow. The two secretaries end up needing to lean on each other when their husbands die under mysterious circumstances.
Of course, that means something suspicious happened. It’s in the middle of the Cold War, and their husbands were CIA operatives. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that there is some sort of conspiracy going on. Now they just need the skills to figure out what that conspiracy is.
Ponies will premiere on Peacock on Thursday, Jan. 15 as an eight-episode binge-watch.
Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials
Another Agatha Christie novel is getting an adaptation, this time by Chris Chibnall. Seven Dials follows a woman, Lady Eileen “Bundle” Brent, who decides to look into the murder of Gerry Wade. It was all supposed to be a prank, though, with multiple alarm clocks being set to annoy the man, but it uncovers his murder.
This is a three-part miniseries, and it’s all coming as a binge, which makes it perfect. Not only does it offer us a look at one of Christie’s best stories, but it’s also a fun 1920s setting, so expect some parties and champagne.
Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials will stream on Netflix on Thursday, Jan. 15.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
Finally, it’s the Game of Thrones series that we have all been waiting for. This was supposed to arrive in 2025, but was pushed back to January 2026. To be honest, a show like this needs a lot of post-production work, so we’ll accept that. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is based on the novellas focused on Dunk and Egg, and now we get to see everything play out on screen.
Dunk is a hedge knight, prepared to prove himself as a worthy knight for the Targaryens. However, as he makes enemies, he ends up pulled into duals and trials by combat to prove his innocence. On his journey, he meets Egg, a young squire who is far more than he initially seems.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premieres on Sunday, Jan. 18 on HBO.