If you’ve been paying attention to the cable landscape lately, you know FX is basically the only one still swinging for the fences. While other networks are just recycling old procedural tropes, John Landgraf’s team is out here turning a 1,000-page historical novel into an 18-Emmy-winning juggernaut. But now that we're officially in 2026, everyone is asking the same thing: what’s next?
Honestly, the schedule for new tv shows on fx network is looking a little wild. We’ve moved past the "prestige drama" era into something much weirder—body horror, sci-fi conspiracies, and a hitman with memory loss.
It’s a lot to keep track of. Let’s get into what is actually worth your time.
Ryan Murphy’s Obsession with "The Beauty"
If you thought Ryan Murphy was done after Grotesquerie or American Horror Story, you were wrong. Very wrong. His latest project, The Beauty, is scheduled to hit FX and Hulu on January 21, 2026.
Basically, it’s a sci-fi crime drama based on a comic book. The premise is kind of terrifying: there’s a sexually transmitted disease that makes you physically "perfect." We're talking supermodel looks, instant weight loss, the whole deal. But—because it’s Murphy—there’s a catch. People start dying in gruesome ways.
Why you should care:
- The Cast: Evan Peters is back (obviously), but he’s joined by Rebecca Hall. They play FBI agents investigating the trend.
- The Tech Angle: Ashton Kutcher plays a trillionaire who’s basically the face of the "miracle drug" behind the beauty.
- The Vibe: It looks like a mix of The Substance and a high-end police procedural.
It’s going to be polarizing. People will either love the social commentary or find the body horror too much. But that’s FX for you. They don’t really do "middle of the road."
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Alien: Earth and the Noah Hawley Factor
We’ve been hearing about the Alien TV show for what feels like a decade. Noah Hawley, the guy behind Fargo, is finally delivering Alien: Earth.
Unlike the movies, this takes place on our home turf about 30 years before the original Ridley Scott film. It’s an 8-episode season that explores what happens when a spacecraft crashes on Earth and the corporate greed that follows. It already got a Season 2 renewal in late 2025 before the first season even fully finished its run, which tells you the network is incredibly confident.
The show stars Sydney Chandler and Timothy Olyphant. Having Olyphant back on FX feels right—it brings back those Justified vibes, even if he's fighting Xenomorphs instead of Kentucky outlaws.
The Lowdown: Ethan Hawke’s Neo-Noir Hit
If you missed the premiere of The Lowdown in late 2025, you need to catch up on Hulu right now. It was created by Sterlin Harjo (the genius behind Reservation Dogs) and stars Ethan Hawke as a bookstore owner who gets sucked into a massive conspiracy in Oklahoma.
It’s a neo-noir that feels "cool and quirky," as the critics say. The show was officially renewed for Season 2 in January 2026. If you liked the dry humor and heart of Reservation Dogs but wanted a bit more blood and mystery, this is the one. Keith David is also in it, and honestly, anything with Keith David is worth a watch.
What’s the deal with Shōgun Season 2?
This is where the rumors get messy. Shōgun was supposed to be a limited series. Then it became a global phenomenon.
Here is the factual reality as of January 2026: cameras have finally started rolling in Vancouver. The writers' room finished the scripts for 10 new episodes last year. Hiroyuki Sanada (Lord Toranaga) is back, not just as the lead, but as a full executive producer. The new season is reportedly set 10 years after the events of the first season.
Expert Note: Don't expect this to drop anytime soon. Because they just started filming this month, we are looking at a late 2026 or, more likely, an early 2027 release date. Quality takes time, and FX isn't going to rush their crown jewel.
New Faces in the Shōgun Universe
Since a lot of characters... well, died... in the first season, we have a bunch of new cast members joining the fray:
- Asami Mizukawa as Aya
- Masataka Kubota as Hyūga
- Ren Meguro as Kazutada
It’s uncharted territory because they’ve run out of James Clavell’s source material. They’re relying on actual history now.
The Ryan Murphy Anthology Machine: Love Story
FX is also moving forward with American Love Story. The first installment is slated for February 2026.
It’s following the relationship of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. Sarah Pidgeon and Paul Kelly are playing the lead couple. If you liked American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson, this is following that same "prestige historical gossip" template. It’s stylish, it’s tragic, and it’ll probably dominate social media for two months.
New TV Shows on FX Network: The "Hidden" Gems
Beyond the big names, there are a few smaller projects and spin-offs that are currently in development or filming:
- The Shards: Based on the Bret Easton Ellis novel. It’s a teen thriller set in the 80s about a serial killer in LA. Kaia Gerber is starring in it.
- Snowfall Spin-off: Yes, it’s actually happening. It’s set to focus on Gail Bean’s character (Wanda) and Isaiah John (Leon). Expect this one toward the end of 2026.
- The Bear Season 4: We know Season 3 left everyone stressed out. Season 4 is deep in production. The stakes are higher, the kitchen is louder, and the "Yes, Chef" memes are nowhere near dead.
Is the "Golden Age" Over?
A lot of people say TV is dying. I don't buy it. FX seems to be the one place where they still let creators take weird risks. Whether it's a sci-fi show about an STD that makes you pretty or a historical epic about Japan, they aren't playing it safe.
The move to put everything on Hulu (or "FX on Hulu") has been a bit confusing for older viewers who still look for the channel on their cable box, but it’s basically saved the network. It allows these shows to find an audience that doesn't watch "linear" TV.
Actionable Steps for FX Fans
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, here is what you should do:
- Audit your subscriptions: Make sure you have the Hulu/Disney+ bundle. Almost all of these shows premiere there simultaneously or the day after.
- Watch "The Lowdown" now: It’s the best thing on the network that nobody is talking about yet. You’ll want to be caught up before Season 2 trailers start dropping this summer.
- Set a calendar alert for January 21: The Beauty is going to be the "water cooler" show of the winter. Even if it's bad, you'll want to see the visuals.
- Follow Noah Hawley on social: He’s notorious for dropping cryptic teasers for Alien: Earth.
FX is clearly betting big on 2026. They've got a mix of heavy hitters like Shōgun and The Bear returning, while flooding the zone with Ryan Murphy's high-concept weirdness. It's going to be a busy year for your remote.
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Check your local listings or just refresh your Hulu app on Wednesday nights—that's usually when the magic happens.