Netflix used its 2026 Upfront presentation in New York to announce a wave of new scripted series, renewals, and expanded creative partnerships. Among the biggest reveals were new projects tied to Harlan Coben, Chris Van Dusen, and Molly Smith Metzler, alongside renewals for Love Is Blind and Quarterback.
The presentation also included several announcements already receiving their own standalone coverage, including Big Mistakes Season 2, Running Point Season 3, and My Life with the Walter Boys Season 4.
The Netflix Upfront 2026 announcements highlighted the streamer’s continued focus on franchise storytelling, book adaptations, sports documentaries, and YA dramas. Netflix also confirmed multiple new first-look or ongoing creative partnerships as part of the event, including expanded collaborations with Dan Levy, Chris Van Dusen, and Harlan Coben.
Netflix Announces New Fantasy Drama Barbaric
One of the newly announced scripted projects was Barbaric, a medieval fantasy drama based on the bestselling Vault Comics series created by Mike Moreci and Nathan Gooden.
Netflix describes the series as follows: “a ruthless and crass barbarian” who is cursed to only use violence for good. He travels alongside a talking axe and a young witch in a story centered on revenge, redemption, and self-discovery.
Academy Award nominee Sheldon Turner will co-showrun, write, and executive produce the series alongside Robert Rovner.
Additional executive producers include:
- Jennifer Klein
- Barry Jossen
- Tana Jamieson
- Javier Grillo-Marxuach
- F.J. DeSanto
- Damian Wassel
- Sam Claflin
- Luke Carroll
- Michael Stevenson
The series will be produced by A+E Studios.
Chris Van Dusen Launches New YA Drama Calabasas
Netflix also announced Calabasas, a new YA drama from Bridgerton creator Chris Van Dusen.
The project marks the first series under Van Dusen’s new creative partnership with Netflix, where he will continue developing scripted projects exclusively for the streamer.
Inspired by Via Bleidner’s book If You Lived Here, You’d Be Famous By Now: True Stories From Calabasas, the series is set at an elite private school and centers on the headmaster’s daughter becoming involved in a forbidden romance.
Netflix described the show as a story where appearances hide deeper tensions inside one of the country’s wealthiest communities.
Van Dusen serves as showrunner, writer, and executive producer through CVD Productions.
Executive producers include:
- Kim Kardashian
- Emma Roberts
- Alexandra Milchan
- Martin Salgo
- Karah Preiss
- Matt Matruski
- David Sweeney
- Via Bleidner
Netflix also highlighted Van Dusen’s previous success with Bridgerton, noting that the franchise has entered Netflix’s Global Top 10 more than 60 times.
Harlan Coben and David E. Kelley Team Up for Myron Bolitar
Another major reveal during the Netflix Upfront 2026 announcements was Myron Bolitar, a new drama adaptation based on Harlan Coben’s bestselling novels.
The series will be co-showrun, written, and executive produced by David E. Kelley and Kyle Long.
Netflix described the story as follows: former basketball player Myron Bolitar after an injury ends his NBA career and pushes him into the world of sports management.
Greg Yaitanes will direct multiple episodes and executive-produce.
Netflix also confirmed an extension of its long-running creative partnership with Harlan Coben, whose previous adaptations for the streamer include:
- Fool Me Once
- Safe
- The Stranger
- Run Away
- Missing You
- The Innocent
The company noted that book adaptations accounted for more than 9 billion global viewing hours on Netflix in 2025.
Love Is Blind Heads to Boston for Season 11
Netflix officially renewed Love Is Blind for an eleventh season, this time set in Boston.
The reality dating series is scheduled to premiere in Fall 2026.
Hosted once again by Nick and Vanessa Lachey, the series continues its format of singles forming emotional relationships before meeting face-to-face.
Chris Coelen returns as creator and executive producer alongside Ally Simpson, Brent Gauches, and Brian Smith.
Quarterback Returns in July 2026
Netflix also confirmed that Quarterback Season 3 will premiere globally on July 14, 2026.
The documentary series follows NFL quarterbacks during the season, with new episodes focusing on:
- Jayden Daniels
- Baker Mayfield
- Cam Ward
- Joe Flacco
The series is executive-produced by Peyton Manning, Jamie Horowitz, Patrick Mahomes, and NFL Films executives.
Joe Zucco returns as showrunner.
Molly Smith Metzler Brings The Retrievals to Netflix
Netflix also announced The Retrievals, a drama adaptation of Susan Burton’s acclaimed New York Times and Serial Productions podcast.
The series comes from Emmy-nominated Maid creator Molly Smith Metzler.
Inspired by real events, the story follows women at Yale Fertility Center who underwent procedures without anesthesia after a nurse stole fentanyl meant for patients.
Netflix described the series as both “powerful” and “surprisingly funny,” centered on a group of women challenging a major institution.
LuckyChap and Quiet Coyote will produce the project.
FAQ
- What was announced during Netflix Upfront 2026? Netflix announced new scripted series, reality renewals, sports documentaries, and expanded creative partnerships with several major creators.
- What is Calabasas about? Calabasas is a YA drama inspired by Via Bleidner’s book about life inside an elite private school community in Southern California.
- When does Quarterback Season 3 premiere? Quarterback Season 3 premieres globally on Netflix on July 14, 2026.
Key Details
- Event: Netflix Upfront Presentation 2026
- Major Renewals: Love Is Blind Season 11, Quarterback Season 3
- New Series: Barbaric, Calabasas, Myron Bolitar, The Retrievals
- Creative Partnerships: Dan Levy, Chris Van Dusen, Harlan Coben
- Studios Mentioned: A+E Studios, Warner Bros. Television, LuckyChap, Quiet Coyote
- Notable Creators: David E. Kelley, Molly Smith Metzler, Chris Van Dusen, Harlan Coben
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
- Confirmed Release Dates: Quarterback Season 3 premieres July 14, 2026; Love Is Blind Season 11 premieres Fall 2026