We’ve officially surpassed the halfway point of 2026, and thus far, it’s been a great year for new television. And Prime Video has been keeping up with the trends. Alongside many of their hit returning shows, the streamer has welcomed a bevy of new ones, including highly anticipated adaptations and daring new reimaginings. But which one is the best of the year so far?

Prime Video has released shows about love. They’ve dropped live-action adaptations of a comic character and series that reimagine beloved characters. We are here to analyze 12 new titles that have officially debuted this year. To rank from worst to first, we’ll consider everything from performances to writing, as well as their overall impact on the year. So, yes, some bonus points are tagged on for pop culture prowess. Let’s celebrate Prime Video’s smattering of series that have kept us binging.

12

‘The Gray House’

We have an adoration for historical dramas. It’s exciting to watch a period story with its sprawling set pieces and elaborate costumes. But just because it may look incredible, and even feature a top-tier production team and cast, doesn’t mean it’s going to be extraordinary. Sadly, such was the case for The Gray House. Executive produced by Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman, the historical drama centers on the lives of four Southern women who used the expectations of their era as cover for espionage. Together, these women — Elizabeth Van Lew (Mary-Louise Parker), Eliza Van Lew (Daisy Head), Mary Jane Richards (Amethyst Davis), and Clara Parish (Hannah James) — transform their Underground Railroad operation into an effective intelligence network that gathers secrets, moves messages, and alters the course of the war in favor of the North. An important retelling of forgotten heroes, The Grey House’s eight episodes are a bit too bloated and melodramatic to pack the historic punch it intended.

The real-life spy ring in Richmond serves as a brilliant premise to build on, but the writers cram far too many minor characters and subplots into the series, which detracts from the main focus. Even with eight episodes, some over an hour each, the pacing is heavily padded, causing significant pacing woes. There are a few solid performances, including Paul Anderson as Stokely Reeves, Rob Morrow as Judah Benjamin, and Head as Elizabeth Van Lew. While Parker is convincing as Eliza Van Lew, it’s not nearly the caliber you may be used to from her previous body of work. With so many historical liberties taken to fill space, The Grey House may have been better suited for an epic film rather than a lost-in-the-shuffle series.

11

‘Kevin’

With a brilliant voice cast and a beloved creator, Kevin should have been better than it was. Unfortunately, Kevin, created by Aubrey Plaza and Joe Wengert, was an unfortunate misfire. The adult animated comedy follows Kevin, a neurotic, lifelong housecat who opts to leave his human owners following their divorce, taking up residence at an animal rescue in Astoria, Queens, with a chaotic gang of misfit pets. Inspired by a real-life breakup, it blends raunchy humor with sincere themes about finding your place in the world without traditional “owners.” Kevin is a gleeful comedy that fulfills the void where you may be lacking animated talking animals, but if you need a purpose for comedy that is crass, you’ll find Kevin unpleasant.

Where Kevin thrives is the exceptional cast of stars who signed on. In addition to Plaza, the ensemble features Jason Schwartzman, Amy Sedaris, John Waters, and Whoopi Goldberg. But even the famous voices weren’t enough. The surreal humor and chaotic energy are not shocking to come from Plaza’s brain, but the writing relied too heavily on gross-out gags rather than on the emotional narrative inherent to the story. Vulgarity is at the center of the script. Rather than find a true identity, it fell into the trap of trying to be the next BoJack Horseman. Sadly, the show’s devoted fans won’t get more time with Kevin and friends, as the series has been canceled.

10

‘Elle’

We love origin stories now more than ever. It’s often a surefire success because it builds on a popular IP, adding depth to an established world. But not every character easily translates to an origin tale. Unfortunately for Elle, it tried too hard to be part of the Legally Blonde universe and still seemed to be only using the character’s popularity as it forged its own identity. Retconning the character in a soulless tale, Elle takes viewers back to 1995 as the teenage years of Elle Woods (Lexi Minetree), from first loves to unexpected friendships, are explored. Originally living a luxurious, privileged life in Bel-Air, California, Elle’s world is upended when a family financial scandal forces them to relocate to moody, rain-soaked Seattle. Elle explores how her pretty-in-pink aura and perky demeanor clash with the grunge-heavy, cynical high school environment of her new city.

Of course, the draw is the connection to the original film. The eight-episode series is meant to operate as an origin story, showing the formative experiences that eventually molded Elle Woods into the confident and iconic character Reese Witherspoon made famous. Minetree shines as Elle, effortlessly capturing her essence, but the film establishes Elle as a ditz from the start. Elle shows her growth at 16. So what happened in between? Do we blame the sorority for dumbing her back down? Unfortunately, the story is droll. The nostalgia is full-blown, as are the teenage tropes,<t<stronghe latter of which is meant to capture the film's camp. It falls flat.</t<strong And yet when the series falls into dramatics it becomes antithetical to its mission.<em<Legally Blonde<is meant to be peppy and light. Elle certainly could have had a rough life that informed her future but that’s not why we tuned in to it. Perhaps a movie musical of Broadway show is what we should have thrived for instead.

9
‘Scarpetta’

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