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By Melissa Fleur Afshar
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NBC’s 2026 renewal picture is beginning to take shape, with long‑running franchises once again emerging as the safest bets and newer scripted series facing more uncertain futures.
While the network has so far confirmed only a handful of renewals, ratings performance, scheduling decisions and franchise stability offer strong clues about which shows are likely to return and which may be nearing the end of the road.
The early signals look familiar.
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NBC has repeated last year’s strategy by moving quickly on select comedies while leaning heavily on Dick Wolf’s production empire. At the same time, at least one newer drama has seen its prospects dim significantly after being pulled from the schedule.
Officially Renewed Series
NBC has officially renewed two comedies so far: Happy’s Place and St. Denis Medical, both of which were picked up for third seasons earlier this month. St. Denis Medical, which debuted during the 2024-2025 season, marked NBC’s latest entry into the mockumentary sitcom format.
Sure Things for Renewal
NBC’s strongest position remains its Dick Wolf franchises.
The network’s five Wolf‑produced dramas—Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., Chicago Med, Law & Order and Law & Order: SVU—are all widely viewed as safe.
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Chicago Fire, which premiered in 2012, has aired 284 episodes as of January 21, 2026. The series was renewed for a 14th season in May 2025, which premiered on October 1, 2025, and continues to perform reliably. Chicago P.D. and Chicago Med remain steady contributors as part of the “One Chicago” block, while Law & Order: SVU has never been considered in doubt due to its consistent strength.
Too Soon To Say
Several newer or lower‑profile series fall into more uncertain territory.
The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins is considered too early to call, while The Hunting Party could go either way depending on how the rest of the season performs.
The most precarious situation belongs to Brilliant Minds.
While the medical drama has not been officially canceled, NBC has pulled it from the schedule amid declining Season 2 ratings. The series was renewed for a second season in May 2025 and premiered on September 22, 2025, before taking a midseason break after Episode 10.
NBC initially announced a return, but the network removed the show from its lineup earlier this month, stating that the remaining episodes would air at an undetermined date later this season or during the summer.
Although NBC has not issued a formal cancellation announcement, the scheduling move has been widely interpreted as a sign that the show’s future is in serious doubt.
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