MIPCOM 2026 is shaping up to be a major moment for global television, and the scripted TV lineup already has buyers, broadcasters and fans buzzing. From the return of Baywatch to prestige international dramas like Maya, Shaka iLembe and The Death of Sherlock Holmes, this year’s market is packed with ambitious series designed to travel far beyond their home territories.
For anyone tracking the future of TV & Video, the latest MIPCOM slate offers a revealing snapshot of what networks and distributors believe audiences want next: recognizable brands, star power, crime procedurals, elevated historical storytelling and globally minded drama with strong local identities.
Why the MIPCOM 2026 scripted TV slate matters
MIPCOM is where projects often gain momentum long before they become household titles. The MIPCOM 2026 scripted TV offering stands out because it balances franchise familiarity with creative risk. Some shows are rooted in beloved IP, while others are betting on fresh formats, underrepresented histories or unusual narrative structures.
Several themes are clear across the market:
- Classic brands are being reimagined, with Baywatch leading the charge.
- Crime and mystery remain dominant, from The Interrogator to Alibi.
- International stories are gaining prestige positioning, especially with titles like Shaka iLembe.
- Star-led drama is still a key sales hook, with Bella Ramsey, Stephen Fry and Rafe Spall among the major names attached.
Baywatch leads the MIPCOM 2026 scripted TV conversation
No title in the MIPCOM 2026 scripted TV selection arrives with more instant recognition than Baywatch. The iconic lifeguard drama is returning in a new version backed by Fremantle and Fox Entertainment, with Fox holding domestic rights and Prime Video already on board in several territories.
The reboot keeps the brand’s most famous visual cues, including the red swimsuits and sun-soaked rescue action, while introducing a new ensemble cast. Stephen Amell takes the lead as Hobie Buchannon, joined by Jessica Belkin, Shay Mitchell, Hassie Harrison, Thaddeus LaGrone, Noah Beck and Brooks Nader.
Behind the camera, the series has notable pedigree. Matt Nix serves as showrunner, while original franchise figures Michael Berk, Greg Bonann and Doug Schwartz return as executive producers. McG is also executive producing and directing the premiere, giving the project a clear commercial sheen.
Why does Baywatch matter at MIPCOM? Because it combines nostalgia, global awareness and straightforward export appeal. In a crowded scripted marketplace, few properties are as instantly marketable.
Other standout scripted series heading to Cannes
Maya brings star power and emotional tension
One of the most closely watched drama launches in the MIPCOM 2026 scripted TV slate is Maya, a six-part thriller from Two Brothers Pictures and Banijay Rights. The show pairs Daisy Haggard and Bella Ramsey in a tense story about a single mother and teenage daughter forced into witness protection.
Set between London and rural Scotland, Maya promises an intimate, character-driven chase story. Haggard created the series and also directs, adding a personal creative stamp. Ramsey’s involvement alone will attract attention, given their profile after Game of Thrones and The Last of Us.
The Interrogator gives Fox another crime engine
Crime dramas remain essential to the MIPCOM 2026 scripted TV market, and The Interrogator fits that demand neatly. Created with Stephen Fry at its center, the series follows former MI6 agent Conrad Henry and a team of unconventional specialists who solve cases when ordinary policing fails.
With Jenna Elfman, Michael Beach, Jessica Sula, Maria Zhang and Luke Kleintank in the cast, the show has a mix of procedural structure and character eccentricity. It is the kind of premium network crime series that can play broadly across multiple territories.
Shaka iLembe continues its international rise
Shaka iLembe may be one of the most important titles in the MIPCOM 2026 scripted TV lineup from a cultural and industry perspective. The epic South African series tells the story of King Shaka and the rise of the Zulu nation, with Lemogang Tsipa in the lead role.
Already a major ratings and awards success in Africa, the drama is now being positioned for a wider international audience through StudioCanal. Told in isiZulu, it reflects a broader shift in global TV toward language authenticity and regionally rooted storytelling with cinematic scope.
Its appeal lies not only in historical spectacle but also in the market’s growing appetite for epic series that expand the canon beyond familiar Western settings.
The Death of Sherlock Holmes explores the missing years
There is no shortage of Sherlock Holmes adaptations, but The Death of Sherlock Holmes offers a smart twist. Rather than retelling familiar mysteries, the series focuses on the unexplored three-year period after Holmes’ apparent death at Reichenbach Falls.
Rafe Spall stars as the detective, with the story unfolding in the Swiss Alps after Holmes is found barely alive and suffering from memory loss. The setup blends literary legacy with a fresh mystery engine, making it one of the more intriguing period offerings in the MIPCOM 2026 scripted TV mix.
Alibi experiments with form
Among the most unusual concepts in the MIPCOM 2026 scripted TV market is Alibi, a New Zealand short-form crime drama with a non-linear structure. The first six episodes can be watched in any order before the final episode reveals the truth behind a teenager’s murder.
That hook makes Alibi a reminder that innovation in TV does not always require bigger budgets; sometimes it comes from format design and viewer participation.
What these shows reveal about where television is heading
The MIPCOM 2026 scripted TV slate reflects a market that is cautious in some ways and adventurous in others. Buyers still want reliable genres and known brands, but they also need projects that feel distinct enough to cut through algorithm-driven sameness.
The biggest signals from this year’s lineup include:
- IP still sells, especially when refreshed for modern audiences.
- Global casting helps, but strong concepts matter more than celebrity alone.
- Non-English language drama is increasingly central, not niche.
- Event-style storytelling remains valuable in a fragmented viewing market.
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Conclusion: MIPCOM 2026 scripted TV is mixing nostalgia with global ambition
The strongest takeaway from the MIPCOM 2026 scripted TV lineup is that the industry is not choosing between safe and bold ideas; it is trying to package both at once. Baywatch brings the power of a legacy brand, while Maya, Shaka iLembe and Alibi show that fresh voices and inventive structures still matter. If this slate is any indication, the next wave of television will be more international, more genre-focused and more competitive than ever.
