26 Must-Watch TV Shows on Paramount+ (April 2026): ‘The Madison’ and More

This moving drama series explores grief and human connection in the wake of a catastrophic tragedy. New Yorker Stacy Clyburn (Michelle Pfeiffer) relocates to a ranch outside Bozeman, Montana, following the deaths of her husband Preston (Kurt Russell) and his brother Paul (Matthew Fox) in a plane crash. Now living where the men used to spend much of their time, Stacy and her family try to process their immense loss while dealing with the realities of funeral preparations and living in rural Montana.

Fans are loving this new show from Yellowstone mastermind Taylor Sheridan, hailing it as a poignant and intimate family drama. In opposition to Sheridan’s other high-stakes, action-oriented shows, The Madison offers a stark tonal contrast in its slower and more emotional subject matter. The show has an unmistakably grounded feel and succeeds in its authentic portrayal of navigating loss, and both Russell and Pfeiffer give captivating performances.

Junior executives-in-training Matt (Matt Ingebretson) and Jake (Jake Weisman) work for the evil corporation Hampton DeVille, headed by sociopathic CEO Christian DeVille (Lance Reddick) and his cronies John (Adam Lustick) and Kate (Anne Dudek). Matt and Jake’s only lifeline amidst their job’s never-ending conveyor belt of crises, disasters and scandals is their human resources rep Grace (Aparna Nancherla), who is also overburdened by their company’s unhealthy workplace culture.

Corporate deftly blends nihilism with absurdity to create a workplace sitcom like no other. The dark satire is a cathartic take on the soulless 9-to-5 grind that captures the specific kind of anxieties that are fostered in toxic work environments. The show takes these anxieties and turns them into surreal — and hilarious — nightmares.

Loose canon, rule-breaking CIA case officer Colin Glass (Tom Ellis) is partnered up with FBI special agent Bill Goodman (Nick Gehlfuss), who just happens to be Glass’ exact opposite. Seasoned and by-the-book, Goodman frequently butts heads with the smart-mouthed Glass, but the two have to find a way to work together on assignments out of the CIA’s New York station. In the Big Apple, they investigate cases that pertain to domestic threats against the country, and eventually, they discover that the things that make them different are actually their biggest assets.

This one-hour crime procedural isn’t out to reinvent the wheel, but it’s a sturdy workhorse show that’s the best kind of comfort food watch for those who love investigative series. In addition to having exciting cases and a well-paced narrative, CIA also finds strength in the believable, empathetic dynamic between Goodman and Glass.

This new addition to the world of Star Trek takes place in the 32nd century and follows the events of Star Trek: Discovery. In Starfleet Academy, the first new group of cadets in over a century comes together on board the USS Athena to learn from their instructors and train to become the next generation of Starfleet officers. In addition to gaining hands-on experience, they also navigate friendship, love, conflict and a growing new enemy that threatens the United Federation of Planets.

While the modern attempts to revive the Star Trek franchise have been met with mixed results, Starfleet Academy is a refreshing change of pace. The well-written script is funny and sharp, conveyed beautifully by the talented young cast, whose characters receive a generous amount of care and detail. The sets are visually stimulating, the characters are interesting, and it’s overall a fun, easy bit of sci-fi adventure. Starfleet Academy may just prove to be a great way to cultivate a new generation of Star Trek fans.

Taylor Sheridan might be leaving Paramount, but his many, many hit shows will remain. His newest blockbuster, Landman, stars Billy Bob Thornton as Tommy Norris, a petroleum landman who works for the M-Tex Oil company. Tommy is good at his job, but not a lot of people like him, including his ex-wife, Angela (Ali Larter), or his boss’ spouse, Cami Miller (Demi Moore). Still, he gets the job done, but when a fatal accident occurs on his watch, Tommy’s days as a Landman may be numbered.

The hit drama just returned with season 2 and focuses on the immediate aftermath of Monty’s (Jon Hamm) death. Cami is now CEO of M-Tex Oil, and everyone wants her to sell the company and cash out — even Tommy. Meanwhile, Angela is still as crazy as ever, while Tommy’s son, Cooper (Jacob Lofland), follows in his father’s footsteps and becomes a landman himself. Part soap opera, part neo-Western, Landman is all kinds of fun and gives Thornton a leading role worthy of his laid-back charm.

Harry Da Souza (Tom Hardy) is a fixer who makes problems go away for the Harrigan crime family. Conrad (Pierce Brosnan) and Maeve (Helen Mirren) Harrigan treat him as if Harry is their own son, which is why he becomes increasingly involved in the family’s turf war with the Stevensons. As the violence escalates, Harry will have to make some tough decisions. Is it worth risking his own family to save the illegal livelihood of the Harrigans?

MobLand borrows the style of Guy Ritchie‘s 2000 lad-gangster flicks and the brutality of Martin Scorsese’s classic Goodfellas to tell a story about British mobsters who do very bad things to each other. Hardy is good as a loyal hired hand with a killer right hook, but better still is Mirren as the mob family’s boozy matriarch. You wouldn’t want to cross, but you would want to sit down with her to drink a whiskey sour or two.

Are you ready to get tracked again? Broadcast’s biggest hit show is back for another season of bounty hunting and family drama. Tracker season 3 opens with the show’s lead hero, Colter Shaw (Justin Hartley), still reeling from the revelations about his father in last year’s finale. Colter doesn’t have much time to process any of that as he has to save his wayward brother, Russ (Jensen Ackles), from getting hurt — or worse.

With Bobby (Eric Graise) and Velma (Abby McEnany) no longer part of the show, Tracker will look and feel a bit different this time around. But the same things that made it a hit, namely Hartley’s charismatic presence and some pretty entertaining action-packed storylines, are still present in season 3.

A spinoff of the hit CBS series Fire Country, Sheriff Country stars Morena Baccarin as Mikey Fox, a woman with a lot on her plate. As Sheriff of Edgewater Country, she has to keep the peace at all times, which is easier said than done as it’s plagued by various gangs and career criminals.

Her family life isn’t any better as she has to juggle a deadbeat ex-husband (Christopher Gorham), an ex-con father (W. Earl Brown) who likes to grow weed and a rebellious teenage daughter (Amanda Acuri) who gets mixed up in all kinds of trouble. Fans of Prime Video’s Bosch will like Sheriff Country, another police procedural with a strong female lead who kicks butt and kinda likes it.

America’s favorite fictional “mayor” is back, and he’s still intent on making sure his town is safe and sound. Throughout the first three seasons, Mike McClusky (Jeremy Renner) has had his share of challenges, but he’s always managed to keep the peace as one of Kingstown’s most respected power brokers.

His position will be tested in season 4, now streaming on Paramount+, as a gang war threatens to upend the town’s power dynamics — and Mike’s status. New additions to the cast include The Sopranos vet Edie Falco as a tough prison warden and Broadway star Laura Benati as a correctional officer with eyes for Mike.

NCIS superfans will love this new spinoff series, which follows beloved characters Anthony “Tony” DiNozzo (Michael Wetherly) and Ziva David (Cote de Pablo) from the original series. No longer together but co-parenting their daughter, Tali, Tony and Ziva think they have their lives all figured out — until they’re framed for a hack and forced to go on the run from Interpol. 

Filled with the same teasing, banter and romantic tension that the characters shared on the original series, Tony & Ziva combines spy thriller vibes with romantic comedy chemistry in a more long-form, serialized storyline than the typical NCIS procedural drama. 

The Taylor Sheridan show Tulsa King stars the legendary Sylvester Stallone as Dwight “The General” Manfredi. Dwight is a former mafia capo finally released from a 25-year prison sentence, and he’s sent by his mob family to establish operations in Tulsa, Oklahoma. There, he begins to build a new criminal empire while facing the challenges of a different world than the one he remembers, filled with unexpected alliances, culture clashes and personal redemption.

The series balances humor with drama, weaving intricate plots for its complicated characters. Season 3 just started, so now’s the perfect time to catch up.

South Park has returned for season 27 after some delays, and it’s come back with a bang — skewering President Donald Trump while showing off its trademark irreverent humor. Set in the fictional town of South Park, Colorado, the series follows the lives and misadventures of four boys — Eric Cartman, Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski and Kenny McCormick, all voiced by creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker. It’s a staple of TV comedy that’s always bold, controversial and unapologetic. 

The first attempt to revive Dexter, New Blood, was not very well-received by fans or critics. The second attempt, Resurrection, has been hailed as a return to form for the serial killer. With 94 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s safe to say this Michael C. Hall show is a hit, and it’s with good reason.

Featuring beloved cast members from the original series as well as new characters played by Peter Dinklage and Uma Thurman, Resurrection sees Dexter trying to make things right with his son Harrison (Jack Alcott) — despite the fact that Harrison tried to kill him in New Blood. According to Deadline, Resurrection will be returning for a second season — so now’s a great time to get hooked.

This critically acclaimed drama series is currently airing its seventh season, with new episodes dropping every Friday until August 3. The poignant and realistic show from executive producers Lena Waithe and Common weaves together an intricate narrative about a group of residents on Chicago’s South Side. The characters are connected by circumstance but find themselves bound by the necessity of hope and the pursuit of positivity amid a challenging environment. The series delves into themes such as community, family and identity, portraying characters who navigate the trials and tribulations of daily urban life.

The sprawling ensemble cast features Jason Mitchell, Jacob Latimore, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, and Alex Hibbert, among others. Critics and audiences alike have praised the show for its rich character development and its ability to address complex social issues with empathy and authenticity. 

Is there any reality show more influential than Survivor? Phrases like “You’ve been voted off the island” have become common parlance due to this island competition. Host Jeff Probst leads a group of contestants who are isolated in a remote location and must fend for themselves by building shelter, finding food and competing in challenging tasks. The participants are divided into tribes that compete against each other, often in physically demanding and strategic challenges, to win rewards and immunity from elimination. 

Season 49 of Survivor will be coming to Paramount+ in the fall, so now is the perfect time to get hooked.

After coming to an end in 2020, Paramount+ revived this long-running forensic procedural in 2022 as Criminal Minds: Evolution. Both shows follow a team of criminal profilers in the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) as they travel across the United States to investigate and solve various crimes by analyzing the behavior of the criminal.

The show is known for its character-driven plots, exploring the personal lives and professional challenges of its main characters, including Jason Gideon (Mandy Patinkin), Aaron Hotchner (Thomas Gibson), and Dr. Spencer Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler). The chemistry among the ensemble cast allows viewers to stay invested as they delve into the deepest, darkest corners of the human psyche.

Have you ever looked back on a memory and realized someone else experienced it differently from you? Is it possible to really know the truth? The Affair takes this question and builds a show out of it, telling the story of an illicit relationship from the very different perspectives of each person involved. It follows Noah Solloway (Dominic West), a New York City schoolteacher and writer, and Alison Bailey (Ruth Wilson), a young waitress from Montauk trying to piece her life back together after a personal tragedy. The story is bold, the character development is complex and the performances are intense and captivating.

The Affair expertly blends mystery, drama and psychological exploration as the characters navigate the aftermath of their frequently questionable decisions. The drama delves deep into the complexities of memory and perception, inviting us to question how subjective truth can be.

This zany, unapologetic sitcom, produced by SNL’s Amy Poehler, is about two best friends trying to make it in New York City. But Abbi (Abbi Jacobson) and Ilana (Ilana Glazer) don’t just face the ordinary trials and tribulations of New Yorkers — they often end up in surreal situations that could only happen to them. (A never-ending trip to pick up a missed package from a mysterious island, a drunken alter-ego with her own fan club and a deeply bizarre apartment cleaning job come to mind.)

Broad City is a must-watch for New Yorkers, but it’s also required viewing for any pair of best friends who are more like soulmates. Though Abbi and Ilana are very different (Abbi is a type-A introvert with a love of organization while Ilana is a polyamorous free spirit who hates working), their love is so all-encompassing that you feel like you’re inside the friendship with them. And trust us — it’s a good place to be.

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? One of the most iconic cartoon characters of all time, that’s who.

In addition to his pineapple home in Bikini Bottom, SpongeBob (Tom Kenny) also resides on Paramount+. (Or at least the first 13 seasons of his show do.) Whether you’re looking for something to put on for the kids or just seeking a nostalgia bomb of mindless fun, you can’t go wrong with SpongeBob SquarePants. It’s a classic for a reason.

If, like SpongeBob’s best buddy Patrick Star, you’ve been living under a rock, there’s a chance you somehow haven’t seen SpongeBob. Give it a chance before you write it off as “just for kids.” The early seasons in particular have a dry, satirical wit that still maintains the eponymous sponge’s effervescent optimism. “I’m ready” to watch it over and over again.

From Taylor Sheridan (creator of Yellowstone, 1883 and 1923), Lioness is a CIA spy thriller about a group of female operatives fighting the war on terror. Zoe Saldaña (Guardians of the Galaxy, Avatar) plays Joe, the leader of the Lioness team. Charged with keeping her operatives safe in an extremely dangerous field, Saldaña’s performance is both tough and vulnerable. Her commanding presence makes her believable as both a leader and a soldier. 

The stakes in this series are high, creating excellent dramatic tension that will keep you glued to your screen. Her scenes opposite Nicole Kidman’s Kaitlyn Meade (Joe’s supervisor) showcase both actresses’ impressive range.

Frasier is a spinoff of Cheers (also available on Paramount+), but many say that this family sitcom surpasses the original. Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) and his equally refined brother Niles (David Hyde Pierce) are both psychiatrists who love opera, fine wine and antiques. Their father, Martin (John Mahoney), is a retired cop who loves beer, TV and football. But after Martin is shot during a robbery, he can no longer live on his own and moves in with Frasier in his museum-like Seattle apartment. (He brings his dog Eddie with him, much to Frasier’s chagrin.) 

While Martin’s working-class, salt-of-the-earth worldview often clashes with Frasier and Niles’ intellectualism, the Crane men grow closer than ever as they navigate their love lives and careers. Frasier is the host of a therapy radio show, and his producer, Roz (Peri Gilpin,) never fails to amuse with her snarky one-liners and unapologetic promiscuity. 

Niles’ hidden longing for Martin’s physical therapist, Daphne (Jane Leeves), provides constant fodder for comedy. Nearly every line of dialogue contains a clever joke and yet the show’s moments of sincerity will bring a tear to your eye. With 11 heartwarming seasons, Frasier is practically its own form of therapy.

Dexter is a serial killer who only kills other serial killers. Michael C. Hall plays this charismatic murderer, who works as a blood spatter analyst at the Miami Metro police department. The bright, colorful and diverse backdrop of Miami creates a chilling contrast to Dexter’s “Dark Passenger,” the strange force inside him that pushes him to kill. 

In addition,  the supporting cast at Miami Metro really makes Dexter shine, from Dexter’s foul-mouthed, fiery sister Deb (Jennifer Carpenter) to his crude but lovable forensics partner Masuka (C. S. Lee). With its great performances, fascinating twists and intriguing moral dilemmas, it’s not surprising that Dexter has become a franchise in and of itself, with three spin-offs and counting.

Dexter prequel Original Sin is a ‘90s-set origin story featuring exquisite casting of younger versions of the original series’ characters. Patrick Gibson (Shadow and Bone) portrays a young Dexter as he graduates from college and begins his career in forensics. 

Gibson not only bears a resemblance to Michael C. Hall, he captures every mannerism, from Dexter’s voracious appetite for Cubano sandwiches to his awkward charm to his irrepressible bloodlust. The series, which was renewed for a second season in April, features Christian Slater as Dexter’s adoptive father, Harry, and also stars Sarah Michelle Gellar and Patrick Dempsey in completely new roles that bring welcome color to the Miami Metro Police Department. It’s a fascinating look at the origins of TV’s most beloved serial killers.

It’s The Kardashians meets Downton Abbey in this over-the-top, outrageous comedy. This underrated gem follows the Bellacourt sisters, Lillian (Natasha Leggero) and Beatrice (Riki Lindhome), as they try to rise to the top of high society in 1902 Newport, Rhode Island. 

Filmed in mockumentary style, Another Period’s hysterical commentary on class and social climbing is elevated with fantastic performances by its supporting cast. Michael Ian Black plays head butler Mr. Peepers, whose devotion to the family borders on sociopathic. Christina Hendricks (Mad Men) plays ambitious servant Celine (who is quickly renamed “Chair” by the cruel Bellacourt family). Jason Ritter plays Beatrice’s twin brother Frederick, with whom she shares a suspiciously close relationship. 

Produced by Ben Stiller (who makes a riotous guest appearance in season 1), Another Period is a who’s who of comedy brilliance, featuring cameos from Jack Black and Cedric the Entertainer. Do not expect historical accuracy, but expect to laugh a lot. 

Can an algorithm really deliver your perfect match — and if it did, could you identify them? In this reality dating show, a group of singles is matched by an algorithm and challenged to find “The One.” If every contestant correctly identifies their perfect match, the group splits a cash prize, up to a million dollars. 

Are You the One? has been praised for its decision to feature contestants across the LGBTQ+ spectrum, making it a trailblazer in the reality dating space. In an age where so many people meet on dating apps and are matched by algorithms, Are You The One? feels more culturally relevant than ever as it puts that concept to the test. 

Sandra Oh (Grey’s Anatomy) gives a phenomenal performance in this British spy series, where she plays MI6 agent Eve Polastri, who is obsessed with female killers. When she joins a team tasked with stopping a mysterious international assassin known as Villanelle (Jodie Comer, who is equally enthralling opposite Oh), the two women become entangled in a bizarre symbiotic relationship. Eve and Villanelle are constantly circling one another, each learning about the other’s past in a duet that’s equal parts erotic and sinister. 

The cat-and-mouse game between the two complicated women is rich and enticing. Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag) was the showrunner of the first season of this series, setting the witty, intense, and emotionally layered tone for all four seasons.