The Netflix English Series Hits and Misses of 2026 So Far
From Bridgerton to The Lincoln Lawyer to One Piece, what's been a smash hit for Netflix so far, what's underperformed and what's missed?
Pictures: Netflix
Last week, we analyzed the biggest movie hits and misses of 2026. Now it's time to turn our attention to scripted series. With the first quarter wrapped, we're breaking down which English-language shows dominated, which performed respectably, and which failed to connect with audiences.
From returning powerhouses to highly anticipated debuts that stumbled out of the gate, here's how Netflix's English series slate performed in Q1 2026.
The Winners of Q1 2026
Two series completely dominated the quarter, leaving little room for competition.
- Bridgerton (Season 4): The Regency drama remains Netflix's most reliable franchise. The platform's two-part release strategy continues to deliver results, with Season 4 pulling in 73.5 million views (estimate via NetflixandChiffres) in its first 14 days and charting in 92 countries. It's the undisputed series champion of the quarter.
- HIS and HERS (Limited Series): The quarter's biggest surprise. This limited series launched with an impressive 59.23 million views and topped the charts in 91 countries, nearly cracking Netflix's all-time top 10. The formula proved simple: A-list talent plus a compelling crime narrative equals blockbuster viewing.
The Reliable Returners
One Piece. Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy in season 2 of One Piece. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2026
Several established franchises delivered steady, predictable performance—exactly what Netflix's renewal model depends on.
- ONE PIECE (Season 2): The live-action anime adaptation demonstrated that its debut season wasn't a one-off success. Drawing 28.7 million views and dominating Top 10 charts in 93 countries, the Straw Hat Pirates maintained impressive global momentum, though viewership is down more than 30% compared to season 1—making season 3's performance a key metric to watch.
- The Lincoln Lawyer (Season 4) & The Night Agent (Season 3): These series represent Netflix's winning formula for mainstream procedural drama. Both achieved nearly identical 14-day numbers (20.7 million and 20.5 million views) with extensive international reach spanning 83 and 90 countries. While The Night Agent shows notable decline, this may simply reflect the exceptionally high bar set by its breakout first season. Both have secured renewals for their fourth and fifth seasons.
- Virgin River (Season 7): Seven seasons in, this comfort-viewing staple continues to retain its dedicated fanbase, drawing a solid 16.5 million views across 66 countries. The series demonstrates minimal audience erosion, which explains why Netflix greenlit season 8 well in advance.
- Gabby's Dollhouse (Season 13): This children's programming workhorse maintains steady performance. Likely boosted by the recent feature film release, the series continues to deliver consistent viewership.
The Solid Mid-Tier
Picture Credit: Netflix
These limited series and new entries posted respectable numbers, demonstrating that original properties can still break through in a crowded marketplace.
- Run Away: Another strong performer in the limited series space, accumulating 30.9 million views across 84 countries, though trailing behind some previous Harlan Coben adaptations.
- Agatha Christie's Seven Dials: The British mystery delivered solid results with 19.89 million views and strong international distribution across 82 countries.
- Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen: For an entirely new horror property—a notoriously challenging genre on Netflix—this series showed encouraging week-over-week growth, reaching an estimated 13.32 million views with presence in 87 countries. Whether these numbers warrant renewal remains uncertain.
- Free Bert: With approximately 7.93 million views, this performance sits within the range of star-driven comedy series that have recently earned quick renewals.
The Series Misses
Not every release achieves global traction. Several anticipated titles underperformed significantly, failing to generate the viewership or international reach necessary for meaningful 14-day estimates.
- How To Get To Heaven From Belfast: Perhaps the quarter's most surprising disappointment. Despite high expectations as the follow-up from Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee, the series barely registered internationally, charting in only 10 countries and missing global Top 10 metrics entirely.
- Heartbreak High (Season 3): The Australian teen drama, which previously enjoyed modest viral success without becoming a major hit, concluded with underwhelming numbers. It appeared in just 29 regional Top 10 lists and failed to accumulate sufficient viewing hours for a global 14-day estimate.
- The Upshaws (Part 7) & Strip Law: Both titles failed to register globally. The Upshaws remains heavily dependent on its US audience base, while newcomer Strip Law missed the charts completely.
- Sesame Street (Volume 2) – While criticizing Sesame Street feels uncomfortable, the series struggled against contemporary YouTube-native children's content when volume 1 launched, and volume 2 performed even more poorly.
