A selection of the musicians and actors we're predicting big things for in 2026

A new year definitely offers up the chance to get reflective, and in the last few days, we’ve been counting back some of the best albums, shows and movies that entertained us over the last 12 months.

But it’s equally as important to look to the future, too.

While 2025 introduced us to plenty of exciting new names who’ve had the whole world talking in recent history, next year looks set to be a big one for plenty of other artists and performers from the world of music, film, TV and beyond.

Here are just 12 of the people we’re predicting big things for in 2026…

Debbii Dawson

In an age when anyone can achieve TikTok virality with a video of themself singing without even having to leave the house, it’s increasingly rare for a TV talent show audition to really cut through – but somehow Debbii Dawson managed it with her unique cover of ABBA’s Dancing Queen on America’s Got Talent three years ago.

Since then, Debbii has earned a loyal following thanks to her distinct sound, mixing the unmistakable flourishes of 70s hitmakers like Queen, Dolly Parton and, of course, ABBA with a forward-looking approach to pop.

Even more excitingly, she’s managed to incorporate her own quirky personality into her music, making her brand of pop even more irresistible.

Tyriq Withers

Over the last year has seen Tyriq Withers catching our eye in not one but two major horror projects, appearing alongside a star-studded cast in the latest iteration of I Knew What You Did Last Summer and more than holding his own in the unfairly-maligned sports nightmare Him.

Already in 2026, he’s slated to appear in Reminders Of Him, a new romantic drama adapted from the Colleen Hoover novel of the same name co-starring Longlegs’ Maika Monroe, which means a whole new audience is most likely about to fall head over heels for him in 2026, too.

That being said, the less said about the last major Colleen Hoover adaptation, the better…

Yerin Ha

Since it burst onto our screens in 2020, Netflix’s flagship period drama Bridgerton has helped make household names of cast members like Nicola Coughlan, Regé-Jean Page and, of course,

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