As 2025 closes out and the focus shifts to 2026, February is already shaping up to be an incredible month for thrilling shows based on best-selling books, especially on Netflix. Using popular books as the basis of shows definitely isn’t a new concept, but it has become a pillar for streaming services when looking for growth areas in programming.
The Hunting Wives, Boots, Ballard, It: Welcome to Derry, Murderbot, and Heated Rivalry are all examples of very different shows that released on streaming in 2025, but they all started as books in some form. 2026 will continue that trend with a mix of new and returning streaming shows based on books. January features book adaptations, like A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, but February is looking like the true highlight thanks to Netflix’s schedule.
The Lincoln Lawyer & The Night Agent Are Returning To Netflix In February 2026
Netflix has finally confirmed The Lincoln Lawyer season 4’s release date, revealing that all 10 episodes of the new installment will debut on February 5, 2026. The highly anticipated return of the legal crime drama will adapt Michael Connelly’s The Law of Innocence, which will see Mickey Haller on trial for the murder of a former client. Two weeks later, on February 19, The Night Agent is set to return for season 3 on Netflix.
While The Night Agent is more of an action thriller, many might not realize that, like The Lincoln Lawyer, it’s also based on a book. In this case, The Night Agent serves as the adaptation of Matthew Quirk’s 2019 book. Though it’s only a standalone novel and not a long-running series, the viewership success of The Night Agent has allowed the show to expand the story of FBI agent Peter Sutherland.
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We also can’t discuss popular Netflix shows based on books without mentioning Bridgerton. It’s a very different type of drama compared to shows like The Lincoln Lawyer and The Night Agent, but it certainly carries a fan following. Part 1 of Bridgerton season 4 will debut on January 26, with Part 2 joining the already impressive February release list due to Netflix’s plan to air the second batch of episodes on February 26.
February’s Release Schedule Already Features The Exciting Return Of Several Shows Based On Books
New seasons of The Lincoln Lawyer and The Night Agent give Netflix a big boost regarding the early 2026 programming schedule. What’s more, there are a few other book adaptations also set to return in February. Prime Video’s Cross, which is based on James Patterson’s hit Alex Cross series, will be back for season 2 starting February 11. Unlike the Netflix shows, Cross season 2 will follow a weekly release, giving viewers new episodes through mid-March.
It will be a similar case for AMC’s Dark Winds, the critically acclaimed crime drama based on Tony Hillerman’s series of Leaphorn & Chee books. Dark Winds season 4 will premiere on February 15, with new episodes airing weekly on AMC and streaming on AMC+. Past seasons of the show have also become available on Netflix, including season 3.
With that said, it will be interesting to see if any other hit streaming shows based on books aim for early 2026 releases. Reacher season 4 is expected to arrive in the first half of the new year, and there’s also the show’s spinoff, Neagley. As for completely new shows, Catherine Ryan Howard’s 56 Days is being turned into a drama series on Prime Video, and it’s set to release on February 18, giving viewers plenty of book adaptations to look out for in the coming months.
