The Toronto International Film Festival, presented by Rogers, is announcing its 2026 Primetime program, spotlighting groundbreaking episodic storytelling and auteur-driven television from some of the world’s most exciting creators. This year’s Official Selections showcase the creative power and influence of the medium, featuring major World Premieres and new seasons of compelling dramas, thrillers, and docuseries starring François Arnaud, Bérénice Bejo, Linda Cardellini, Jon Hamm, Carrie-Anne Moss, Gary Oldman, Hudson Williams, and more.
Primetime spotlights the best in international and North American series, bringing new shows to the big screen. Featuring one or two episodes and conversations with cast and creators, this program treats TIFF audiences to a first look at upcoming series before they hit TV, alongside the people who made them. This year’s lineup has a heavy focus on series based on established IP, including “American Hostage,” “Carrie,” and “Crystal Lake (Friday the 13th).”
The program’s opening title is Jesse McKeown’s “Below,” a six-episode series starring Mackenzie Davis, Charlie Heaton, and Josh Hartnett, about a small town in Newfoundland that comes under siege by a mysterious sea creature. Premiering his new series “Carrie,” Mike Flanagan makes his return to TIFF after his 2024 People’s Choice Award winner “The Life of Chuck.”
2026 Primetime program (in alphabetical order):
2.6 Seconds: Death in the Outback | Darren Dale | Australia
World Premiere
Alice | Virginie Verrier, Guillaume Lonergan | France, Canada
World Premiere
American Hostage | Shawn Ryan, Eileen Myers, Adam Arkin | USA
World Premiere
Below | Jesse McKeown | Canada
World Premiere
Opening series
Blindspot Berlin | David Nawrath | Germany
World Premiere
Carrie | Mike Flanagan | Canada, USA
World Premiere
Closing series
Crystal Lake | Brad Caleb Kane, Michael Lennox | USA
World Premiere
Oxygen Masks Will (Not) Drop Automatically | Marcelo Gomes, Carol Minêm | Brazil
North American Premiere
Slow Horses | Will Smith, Adam Randall | United Kingdom, USA
International Premiere
YAGA | Kat Sandler, Rachel Talalay, David Frazee | Canada
World Premiere
Primetime’s lead programmer is Geoff Macnaughton. The 51st edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, presented by Rogers, runs September 10th–20th, 2026. Today concludes this week’s announcements. TIFF Takeover returns on Tuesday, August 4th, at 10am ET with more programming news.
Previously announced:
Galas And Special Presentations Lineup
Platform Programming & Jury
Discovery
Upcoming announcements:
TIFF Takeover 2: August 4th–6th
Tue., Aug. 4: Centrepiece, Wavelengths & Classics
Wed., Aug. 5: TIFF Docs & Shortcuts
Thu., Aug. 6: Midnight Madness
Dan Bayer, Nadia Dalimonte, Giovanni Lago, Sara Clements, and I will be attending this year’s TIFF from Next Best Picture in person.
Are you excited for this announcement? What other films do you think will be announced for this year’s Toronto International Film Festival? Please let us know your thoughts in the comments section below or on our X account.
