The 2026 CBS lineup is a high-stakes blend of nostalgia and reinvention. As the network pivots toward grittier procedurals and star-studded spin-offs, these are the five shows currently dominating the cultural conversation. Whether you’re a die-hard NCIS fan or missing the charm of Lucifer, here is your essential 2026 watchlist.
1. CIA: THE LUCIFER REUNION (Starring Tom Ellis)
The Hype: The biggest headline of early 2026 is the return of Tom Ellis to primetime. Moving from the devil’s throne to the world of high-stakes espionage, Ellis stars in CIA, a character-driven procedural that breaks away from the traditional “Wolf Entertainment” formula.
The Hook: Ellis plays a rule-breaking CIA officer paired with a by-the-book FBI agent (Nick Gehlfuss of Chicago Med fame).
Premiere Date: February 23, 2026 (Taking over the Monday 10/9c slot).
The Scandal: Production was reportedly delayed due to “creative friction” between Ellis and the studio over making the show “darker” than a standard network drama.
2. NCIS: ORIGINS (Season 2)
The Hype: After a record-breaking first season, the prequel following a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Austin Stowell) returns to anchor Tuesday nights.
The Hook: Season 2 dives deeper into the 1991 timeline, focusing on Gibbs’s mentorship under the legendary Mike Franks.
Return Date: February 24, 2026 (Following the Winter Olympics break).
Watch For: The fallout of the “Lala Dominguez” cliffhanger and the much-hyped “Legacy Crossover” episode where Mark Harmon’s narration reportedly takes a back seat to a shocking present-day cameo.
3. SHERIFF COUNTRY (Season 1)
The Hype: The Fire Country universe officially expands with Morena Baccarin as Sheriff Mickey Fox. This spin-off has already started outperforming its predecessor in the ratings.
The Hook: Set in Edgewater, Mickey Fox deals with a crime-ridden town while navigating a complicated relationship with her incarcerated father.
Return Date: February 27, 2026 (Moving to Friday nights at 8/7c).
The Buzz: Rumors suggest a massive “Stairway to Fire” crossover event in March that will decide the fate of the entire Leone family.
4. Y: MARSHALS (The Neo-Western Evolution)
The Hype: Capitalizing on the “Yellowstone fever,” CBS brings a rugged, neo-Western energy to Sundays with Y: Marshals.
The Hook: Starring Luke Grimes, the show follows a former rancher who joins the U.S. Marshals to hunt down fugitives in the Montana wilderness.
Premiere Date: March 1, 2026.
The Vibe: Think Justified meets Yellowstone. It’s gritty, cinematic, and reportedly features the most expensive “horse-stunt” choreography in network history.
5. WATSON (Season 2 – The ‘Death Slot’ Survival)
The Hype: Morris Chestnut returns as a modern-day Dr. John Watson, but the stakes have changed.
The Hook: Following the death of Sherlock Holmes, Watson runs a high-tech clinic while solving crimes that baffle the NYPD.
Return Date: March 1, 2026 (Moving to the “Sunday Death Slot” at 10/9c).
Why It’s Must-Watch: The 2026 return features a guest appearance by Robert Carlyle as a hallucination (or is he?) of Sherlock Holmes. If the ratings don’t improve this season, this might be the last time we see this version of Baker Street.
HONORABLE MENTION: NCIS: TONY & ZIVA
While strictly on Paramount+, the “Tiva” spin-off is the talk of the 21st District. After its high-octane September 2025 launch, fans are bingeing the first season in early 2026 as rumors of a “Season 2 Revival” swirl following its initial cliffhanger ending in Paris.
