Series Snapshot ~ 2/26/2026

By: [email protected] on Thu, 02/26/2026 - 14:58

Welcome to the Series Snapshot, a weekly deep dive into the shows topping the streaming charts.

This week at Netflix a brand new docuseries is going viral; Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model. The new three-part documentary comes from creative team Mor Loushy and Daniel Sivan, and sheds light on the iconic reality tv series’ highs and lows, for better or worse. Reality Check is fortified with the additions of the original series judges, including Tyra Banks herself, who created Next Top Model, but has been the center of one or two recent controversies regarding times the series crossed the line. Reality Check scores highly with critics and viewers, and some note that while the series does a good job of covering some of the heinousness of the time, as well as platforming former contestants, it fails to offer substantive criticism of the modeling industry as a whole. Next Top Model also comes with a dedicated fanbase, so early reviews can take time to settle.

At Hulu, post-apocalyptic political thriller Paradise returns with season two to positive reception across the board, claiming the most watched spot. Paradise benefits from its twisting premise - a secret service member investigates a president’s murder, and uncovers a massive secret bunker for the rich and powerful to hide-out during doomsday scenarios. Season two launched with three episodes, which thus far have scored highly. Paradise has no shortage of big names in its cast, including Sterling K. Brown, James Marsden, Juliane Nicholson, and Shailene Woodley. Sterling K. Brown in particular, receives copious praise for his conflicted performance as Agent Xavier Collins, providing an emotional anchor for the series to build out from. Paradise was created by Dan Fogelman, and new episodes release on Hulu every Monday.

HBO’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has had a near-perfect run in its first season, dominating the platform’s streaming charts since it premiered on January 18th. The season one finale aired on Sunday, finishing strong with high ratings and favorable reviews from both critics and audiences, who seem satisfied with the wrap up, but already eager for season two. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, based on the series of novellas by George R. R. Martin stars Peter Claffey as Ser Duncan the Tall, Dexter Sol Ansell as his squire, Egg, and Daniel Ings as Ser Lyonel Baratheon. HBO has greenlit more seasons, but fans will have to wait until sometime in 2027 for the next installment. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms was created by George R. R. Martin and Ira Parker.

At Amazon Prime Video, new limited series erotic thriller 56 Days takes the top spot in viewership, ahead of Fallout. 56 Days is adapted from a novel of the same name by Catherine Ryan Howard. Narratively similar to Tell Me Lies, we see two timelines play out simultaneously- the whirlwind romance and 56 day courtship of Ciara (Dove Cameron) and Oliver (Avan Jogia), as well as a present day murder-investigation, flashing back and forth between the two. The new limited series has had great success with general audiences, but fares poorer with critics. Both groups praise the performances of Karla Souza and Dorian Missick, who play key detectives with the Boston Police Department. 56 Days was created by Karyn Usher and Lisa Zwerling.

AppleTV’s mystery thriller adaptation The Last Thing He Told Me unseats Shrinking as most watched series with the premiere of its second season on Friday. Based on the bestselling novel by author Laura Dave, The Last Thing He Told Me, follows Hannah Hall (Jennifer Garner) as she pieces together clues in the wake of her husband’s (Nikolaj Coster-Waldeau) mysterious disappearance, following an embezzlement scandal. As she digs deeper, she uncovers a criminal conspiracy and hidden dangers that suddenly threaten her family. Curiously, the series received poor reviews from both critics and audiences, although season two is faring slightly better. It seems Last Thing He Told Me is bolstered by Garner, who remains a high draw for viewership, as well as a built-in audience from the novel. The Last Thing He Told Me was created by Laura Dave and Josh Singer, with new episodes every Friday and a finale set for April 10th.

Once again, FX biopic series Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette is number one at Disney Plus, following a strong release of its first few episodes. Sarah Pidgeon is a standout, receiving praise for nuanced choices in her portrayal of Bessette, humanizing a woman often reduced to a fashion Icon, while newcomer Paul Anthony Kelly plays JFK Jr. with poise and presence, in his most substantial project to date after a massive casting call from creator Ryan Murphy. Love Story isn’t perfect; some gripe at occasional slow pacing, and in contrast to the series leads, Naomi Watts as Jackie O., is a somewhat out-of-step caricature, but despite nitpicks, consensus is positive. Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette was created by Connor Hines and Ryan Murphy, and new episodes air every Thursday on Disney Plus.