The familiar post-holiday lull has settled in across Australia. The summer blockbusters have been seen, the cricket tests are a memory, and the return to work routine is firmly underway. This seasonal slowdown traditionally extends to our television screens, with networks and streamers holding back major releases for the new year to capture maximum audience attention.
Thankfully, that quiet period is now over. A wave of highly anticipated new and returning series is hitting Australian streaming platforms, offering the perfect antidote to the January blues and providing plenty of reasons to stay entertained.
HBO Max's Powerhouse Lineup: Drama Returns with a Vengeance
HBO Max is launching 2026 with a formidable slate of returning favourites and a hotly anticipated new entry into a legendary franchise.
The award-winning medical drama The Pitt makes its much-anticipated return for a second season. The show, which captivated audiences globally in early 2025, once again plunges viewers into the high-stakes environment of the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center. The new season picks up the story ten months after the first, unfolding over a tense Fourth of July weekend. Fans can catch new episodes every Friday at 1pm AEDT on the platform.
Also back for more cut-throat action is Industry, now entering its fourth season. The drama set within a ruthless London investment bank continues to expand its stellar cast. Following the addition of Kit Harington in season three, the new season welcomes Stranger Things star Charlie Heaton, Mad Men's Kiernan Shipka, and Ted Lasso's Toheeb Jimoh. New episodes of the financial thriller drop on Mondays at 1pm AEDT.
For fantasy fans, a new chapter in the Game of Thrones universe begins. The spin-off A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight premieres on Monday, January 19. The series is set approximately a century before the events of the original show and follows the adventures of the idealistic hedge knight Ser Duncan the Tall and his young squire, Egg.
From the Rink to the Rails: High-Stakes Action and Comedy
Australian viewers have developed a serious appetite for ice hockey stories, and two very different shows are feeding that demand. The hilarious fifth season of Shoresy, the Letterkenny spin-off, continues to win hearts with its foul-mouthed charm and surprisingly heartfelt moments. New episodes land every Friday at 5pm AEDT on SBS On Demand.
Interestingly, it shares a creative link with the steamy romance series Heated Rivalry, whose creator, Jacob Tierney, also serves as an executive producer on Shoresy. The complete series of Heated Rivalry is available to stream now on HBO Max.
Meanwhile, Apple TV+ delivers tense, real-time drama with the second season of Hijack, starring Idris Elba. While the first season unfolded on a hijacked plane, the new season shifts the action to a train racing through Berlin. This gripping thriller releases new episodes every Thursday at 1pm AEDT.
Post-Apocalyptic Adventures and Must-See Performances
Prime Video continues its successful foray into video game adaptations with the second season of Fallout. The show, featuring a standout performance by Walton Goggins, has been a major hit. This season delves into the iconic location of New Vegas, faithfully bringing the beloved game's world to life. As the season enters its second half, new episodes are released on Wednesdays at 7pm AEDT.
Goggins, celebrated for his roles in series like The Righteous Gemstones and The White Lotus, proves once again why he is one of the most compelling actors on television, anchoring the show's unique blend of dark humour and existential dread.
With this diverse and high-quality array of content now flooding Australian streaming services, the new year viewing schedule is anything but slow. Whether you're in the mood for medical emergencies, financial scheming, fantasy quests, laugh-out-loud comedy, or post-apocalyptic survival, there's a show waiting to pull you out of the January lull and into a world of compelling storytelling.
