Down Cemetery Road season 2: Release date speculation and latest news
Will the Apple TV series be returning for more?
*Warning: This article contains spoilers for Down Cemetery Road's season 1 finale.* With Down Cemetery Road only ratcheting up the stakes with the more episodes that were released over the past weeks, it's safe to say that the finale packed quite the punch. Not only did it deliver surprises, deaths and plot twists, it did actually wrap things up rather neatly for such a gripping drama. Since its premiere, many have been quick to compare the Dame Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson-led series to Slow Horses, the other Apple TV show based on the original novels by Mick Herron. Well, while it may not have got the early series renewal like Slow Horses, the future remains bright for Down Cemetery Road as it's now officially been renewed for season 2! The new season is set to see Thompson and Wilson reunite once again as Zoë and Sarah, this time thrown into a case that sees them "navigating the glamorous but ruthless world of black market antiquities" after a woman falls in front of a train. With season 1 focusing on the pair's investigation into a growing government conspiracy, Thompson revealed that there had actually been a lot of changes from the novel. Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com, the actress said: “It’s changed a lot from the book; Sarah and Zoë are very different to how they are in the books, but that’s normal. That’s what happens in adaptations." She went on: “Mick was wonderful. He and Morwenna Banks get on very well. He did as any author should and had faith in the process and his writers. “He’s incredibly generous and not remotely wanting to control anything. He’s just delighted that we’re all there doing it.” But when exactly can we expect this second outing for Down Cemetery Road? Read on to find out what we know so far about the Apple TV series and its future. Will there be a Down Cemetery Road season 2? Yes! Apple TV have now renewed Down Cemetery Road for season 2. On the announcement of the show's renewal, star and executive producer Emma Thompson said in a statement: “I’m so thrilled that Down Cemetery Road has been enjoyed enough to warrant a second season. The thought of working with the team again, with wonderful Morwenna Banks in the writer’s seat and the indomitable Ruth Wilson who is the best and most brilliant co-star any aging Dame could desire, is frankly far more than I feel I deserve. "Zoë Boehm is a punkishly delicious avatar and I can’t wait to pull on her knock-off Doc Martens again. Thanks to everyone who watched! We are go for the next one and it’s all down to you." Jay Hunt, creative director for Europe at Apple TV, also said: “Audiences around the world fell in love with 'Down Cemetery Road' and I am glad the unlikely duo of Zoë and Sarah will be back with their unique form of acerbic wit." When could Down Cemetery Road season 2 be released? As of now, there's no confirmed release date for Down Cemetery Road season 2. However, season 1 was initially announced back in April 2024, with the series then premiering in October 2025. So, depending on schedules, we could imagine that a second season could land on our screens in late 2027. Who could return for Down Cemetery Road season 2? Seeing as Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson headed up the first season of Down Cemetery Road, many fans may be expecting the duo to helm the next instalment – and we're in luck as it's now been confirmed that both leading actresses will be reprising their roles for season 2. Barring any flashback scenes, we can safely assume that Amos (Fehinti Balogun) and Downey (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett) won't be returning for any further potential seasons as both of their characters were killed in the finale. While a lot of things get pretty well wrapped up in the finale, we do see C (Darren Boyd) seemingly go into business with a faceless mystery person, which could lead nicely into a potential season 2. As for Hamza (Adeel Akthar), he's seen alive and well by the final moments of the series, although we don't know what the future holds for him and his failed missions. For those reasons, the rest of the cast (aside from Thompson and Wilson) that we'd expect to potentially see in season 2 are as follows: Ruth Wilson as Sarah Tucker Emma Thompson as Zoë Boehm Adeel Akhtar as Hamza Darren Boyd as C What could happen in a potential Down Cemetery Road season 2? The official synopsis for season 2 is as follows: "Season 2 reunites Zoë Boehm (Thompson) and Sarah Trafford (Wilson) chasing down another twisted mystery. After a woman falls in front of a train Zoë is called in to investigate, but this seemingly simple case soon upends her life as she and Sarah find themselves navigating the glamorous but ruthless world of black market antiquities. "Matters take a deadly turn when they stumble into the path of a brutal serial killer who will stop at nothing to cover up his crimes." We do know that by the end of season 1, things are tied up pretty neatly regarding Zoë and Sarah, with the pair going their separate ways after all they've been through together. But as for whether we'll be seeing any returning faces like C or Hamza who are back to exact any revenge, we'll just have to wait and see. Is there a trailer for Down Cemetery Road season 2? No! Seeing as Down Cemetery Road season 2 has just been commissioned, there's obviously no trailer just yet. In the meantime, this was the trailer for season 1 – if you need View Green Video on the source website Read our guide to the best Christmas TV for 2025. Down Cemetery Road is now available to stream in full on Apple TV – sign up to Apple TV now. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Gavin & Stacey icon stars in first look at new Jane Austen-inspired drama The Other Bennet Sister
The new BBC period drama will be landing in 2026.
It's nearing the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth and in the run up to the event on the 16th December, the BBC have graced us with a fitting treat – some first-look images of its upcoming period drama, The Other Bennet Sister. The new drama is set to premiere in 2026 and will focus on the "oft-overlooked middle sister in Pride and Prejudice", Mary Bennet. The leading character in question will be played by Call the Midwife's Ella Bruccoleri, who we see in an image flanked by her beaming sisters and does certainly seem to be the ignored middle child. The other first-look images also give us our first glimpse at Gavin and Stacey star Ruth Jones who is joined by Richard E Grant as Mrs and Mr Bennet. While Jones is next set to be on our screens in Harlan Coben's Run Away, it marks just another exciting project for the actress, comedian and writer. <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/12/Other-Bennet-Sister-cast-d967f31.jpg" width="5120" height="3414" alt="Maddie Close as Jane Bennet, Poppy Gilbert as Lizzie Bennet, Ella Bruccoleri as Mary Bennet, Molly Wright as Kitty Bennet and Grace Hogg-Robinson as Lydia Bennet in The Other Bennet Sister all walking down a country path, wearing pastel coloured outfits and smiling." title="547457,TITLE:The Other Bennet Sister" /> We also see Indira Varma (The Night Manager) and Richard Coyle (Heads of State) as Mr and Mrs Gardiner, who appear to be having a grand old time smiling at something whilst sat in a beautiful floral garden. We also know that they're Mary’s aunt and uncle who end up employing Mary as a governess to their three children, introducing her to a whole new social world in the process. The other Bennet sisters will be played by Maddie Close (Sunflower Child) as Jane, Poppy Gilbert (Chloe) as Lizzie, Molly Wright (The A Word) as Kitty and Grace Hogg-Robinson (The Coroner) as Lydia, while potential suitors Mr. Ryder and Mr. Hayward will be played by Laurie Davidson (The Girlfriend) and Dónal Finn (The Wheel of Time). The synopsis for The Other Bennet Sister reads: "The story begins at Longbourn, the Bennet family home, where Mr and Mrs Bennet preside over a lively household of five unmarried daughters: Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia. As society’s pressures mount, the Bennet sisters navigate the glittering yet precarious world of Regency England, where marriage is both aspiration and necessity. "While her sisters pursue romance and social triumph, Mary embarks on a very different path. Leaving Longbourn behind, she travels to London to live with her aunt and uncle, Mr and Mrs Gardiner, in their elegant home on Gracechurch Street. There, Mary begins a journey of self-discovery, stepping out of the shadows and into her own story." Pride and Prejudice fans will also be in for a treat as iconic events such as Meryton Assembly Ball and the Netherfield Ball will also feature in the series. The series itself is based on Janice Hadlow’s acclaimed novel, with the author saying of the series: "It's very exciting to think that Mary Bennet will soon be coming to our screens, taking centre stage at last in the story Jane Austen never gave her, played with such feeling by the wonderful Ella Bruccoleri, in the company of a brilliantly empathic cast who bring the whole drama gloriously and poignantly to life." Read more: Idris Elba stars in explosive Hijack season 2 first-look trailer as hit thriller returns to screens in mere weeks New Inspector Lynley adaptation with Sanditon favourite gets release date confirmed by the BBC Screenwriter Sarah Quintrell also said: "Exploring Jane Austen’s world through the eyes of Mary Bennet for the first time has been a joyful experience - and our incredible cast have added a whole new layer of life to these characters. Our story is set in a familiar and much-loved world, but we’re coming at it from a completely new angle. Mary’s story is about coming of age when you’re the odd one out - how do you find your place in the world? "As a young girl growing up in Croydon my world could not have been more different to Jane Austen’s - but there is a universality in her work that reaches across generations and class boundaries, and we cannot wait to bring the Bennet family to a new audience. The Other Bennet Sister is true to the spirit of Pride and Prejudice but I hope it will also surprise and delight fans both old and new." Other characters in the series include Caroline Bingley, who is set to be played by Tanya Reynolds (The Decameron), whilst Charlotte Lucas is played by Anna Fenton-Garvey (The Nevers) and Mr Collins will be portrayed by Ryan Sampson (Mr Bigstuff). Ann Baxter will also be played by Doctor Who's Varada Sethu while John Sparrow will be played by Aaron Gill (Smothered). Read our guide to the best Christmas TV for 2025. The Other Bennet Sister is coming soon to BBC One and iPlayer. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
New Inspector Lynley adaptation with Sanditon favourite gets release date confirmed by the BBC
The brand new crime drama is coming soon to BBC One.
It's time to bookmark another crime drama for your watchlists as it's now been confirmed just when Lynley will be landing on BBC One and iPlayer. Described as a "contemporary update" of the original novels by Elizabeth George, the new four-part series will premiere on BBC One on Monday 5th January at 8:30pm. The drama, which premiered on BritBox in North America earlier this year, will also be released as a boxset on BBC iPlayer for all your binge-watching needs. Leo Suter (Sanditon) and Sofia Barclay (Ted Lasso) lead the series as unconventional detective duo DI Tommy Lynley and DS Barbara Havers, with the rest of the cast including Daniel Mays (Magpie Murders) as DCI Brian Nies, "the astute, suspicious Senior Detective at Three Counties Major Incident Team, whose aversion to Lynley is partly born of his own insecurities about class and partly because he knows he’s no longer the smartest person in the room". Niamh Walsh (The English Game) stars as Helen Clyde, "an estate agent and Lynley’s former Oxford classmate whose romance with Lynley is sparked when their paths fatefully cross on a case". The rest of the cast includes Michael Workeye (My Lady Jane) as tech specialist Tony Bekele, while Joshua Sher (Vera) stars as forensic scientist Simon St. James. The synopsis for Lynley reads: "Tommy Lynley is a brilliant police detective but an outsider in the force – simply by virtue of his aristocratic upbringing. He is paired with Barbara Havers, a sergeant with a maverick attitude and a working-class background. "With seemingly nothing in common and against all odds, the mismatched duo of Lynley and Havers become a formidable team, bonded by their desire to see justice done." It's obviously not the first time that the books have been adapted for the TV, with The Inspector Lynley Mysteries originally airing on the BBC from 2001 to 2008. That series saw Nathaniel Parker and Sharon Small lead the cast but this time round, the new Lynley series is coming to us from production company Playground, who are known for their work on All Creatures Great and Small and Wolf Hall. Read more: Shetland future confirmed following season 10 finale – will there be a season 11? Idris Elba stars in explosive Hijack season 2 first-look trailer as hit thriller returns to screens in mere weeks The new series has been written by Steve Thompson, who is known for his work on shows like Doctor Who, Vienna Blood, Jericho and Sherlock. At the time of the BBC's acquisition of the show, Thompson said: “It's a privilege and a thrill to have the opportunity to adapt these wonderful books for television. Elizabeth George's iconic characters are greatly loved and her gripping stories are smart and ingenious.” Similarly, author Elizabeth George said: “I'm thrilled to see Thomas Lynley and Barbara Havers come to television again, especially through the participation of the BBC and Britbox and the production expertise of Playground. Watching my characters brought to life on television is a real celebration.” Read our guide to the best Christmas TV for 2025. Lynley will premiere on BBC One and iPlayer on Monday 5th January at 8:30pm. Add Lynley to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Down Cemetery Road ending explained: Does Zoë die and what happens to Dinah?
How did things pan out for everyone at the end of Down Cemetery Road?
*Warning: This article contains full spoilers for the finale of Down Cemetery Road.* In the run-up to the final episode of Down Cemetery Road, there were one too many close calls, a train carriage chase that we can't quite stop thinking about and some truths finally coming to light about the mysterious bomb explosion that kicked off the series. The penultimate episode saw the ultimate showdown between Amos (Fehinti Balogun) and Zoë (Emma Thompson) as he tried shooting her dead from the cliffside. Dinah and Sarah (Ruth Wilson) had to jump from those very cliffs into the sea to obtain a speedboat that would get them out of there in one piece but not realising that waving for Zoë's attention would give away her spot to Amos, things didn't look good for Zoë at all. Amos shot at the landmines as Zoë ran towards the sea and it looked as though things had ended on a sad note for the private investigator, with Sarah having no choice but to take the boat and drive hastily away with Dinah ducking for cover. But what exactly happened in the final episode of Down Cemetery Road? Read on for a full breakdown of the gripping finale. Down Cemetery Road ending explained: Did Zoë die? Although Sarah makes it safely back into town with Dinah in tow, she thinks that Zoë has unfortunately fell victim to Amos's murderous plots. However, it also soon becomes apparent that a gun-wielding Hamza (Adeel Akhtar) is on his own deadly mission, as ordered by C (Darren Boyd) to "finish it" once he reports to his boss that he's spotted Sarah and Dinah. Back in the town, Sarah tries to explain more about Zoë to Dinah and no sooner does she call Zoë "a bit mean", Zoë herself turns up right behind them. It turns out that Zoë made it out alive from the beach after all, with the help of Donny (Gary Lewis) who drove her back to land. However, the police are still on the hunt for Zoë after being incorrectly tipped off by Amos about her being a murderer. At the same time that police start to swarm the village, Amos also makes his way further into the island. But that's not before he disposes of his bag (of weapons, we're sure), retrieving one grenade for luck on his way down the road. Sarah is struggling with their decision to flee, saying that she thinks they should just go to the police and tell them the truth. But Zoë underlines the reality of the wider government conspiracy and the fact that these people are still after Dinah. So, they get on a bus headed for the train station and all is well. Well, at least temporarily. It turns out that the bus has been hijacked by Hamza, a fact that Sarah and Zoë only realise late into the journey when they figure out they're nowhere near the station. Hamza eventually drives them to a church and locks them inside, taking them all hostage but isn't exactly the cold-blooded, murderous type as we've learnt. Not knowing what to do now, he calls C and tells him of his predicament, who then informs him that back-up is on the way. Of course, it's on the way in the form of Amos who has stolen a car to get there. But Amos isn't about to get involved unless he gets what he wants: to kill Hamza, something that C says is perfectly alright with him. Dinah, who has clearly picked up a thing or two while being on the run, pulls out a rusty metal shard from the pews and hands it to Sarah and Zoë to use later. Just as Hamza is getting to quite a fever pitch in his own nervy monologue, a grenade comes crashing through the window, signalling the arrival of Amos. It goes off and together, Sarah, Zoë and Dinah hide out in an underground space in the church's floor. Does Amos die? Amos enters the church and a confrontation between the villain and Hamza starts to notch up, with Amos willing Hamza to shoot him. They're interrupted when Dinah appears outside in the church's window, which triggers Amos to look below and spot Zoë crawling underneath. Pulling her out, the pair get into a tense stand-off, with Amos eventually getting the upper hand and keeping Zoë in a headlock. However, Zoë has just enough left in the tank to muster up the strength to stab Amos in the eye with the shard of metal Dinah retrieved earlier. Sure, it's a bloody and disgusting injury but that's not what kills Amos. Instead, he walks back and loses his footing on a small toy car, falls and suffers a fatal head injury which kills him. At the same time, Hamza has gone chasing after Dinah and tries to lure her out but she cleverly runs to Sarah, who faces off with Hamza with a gun of her own that she retrieves from the bus. Hamza gets Sarah to put her gun down and tries to outsmart her by picking it up, something she had a feeling he'd do in the first place. It turns out that she kept the plugs in the barrels and so, the gun backfires with the fateful shot taking most of Hamza's hand in the process. With both baddies down, Zoë runs out of the burning church to Dinah and Sarah who are more than happy to see her. They take the stolen car that Amos had come in and make their way down the winding roads, with Sarah singing along to What’s Up? by the 4 Non Blondes, dramatically tossing out her wedding ring in the process. We then see a wounded Hamza stumbling down similar country roads, with his hand bleeding out and no end realistically in sight. What happens to Dinah? On the train back, Zoë calls Wayne and he's given the green light to deploy all of the government secrets they've managed to suss out, including videos of the chemical testing. Because of the public outcry to all of the information doing the news rounds, C resigns from his government post and sets off for a life in the private sector, apparently unscathed by his cover-up plots. Talia (Lydia Leonard), the defence secretary, is the one who now has to answer for it all and has to shoulder the blame. Landing safely back in London in one piece, it's time for goodbyes for Dinah, Sarah and Zoë who all go their separate ways. Sarah drops Dinah off with Downey's sister Ella and not one for emotional goodbyes, Zoë walks the opposite way away from Sarah without saying anything but does get teary as she does so. Read our guide to the best Christmas TV for 2025. Down Cemetery Road is now available to stream in full on Apple TV – sign up to Apple TV now. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Best Christmas TV for 2025 – your guide to what's worth watching
It wouldn't be Christmas without hunkering down in front of the TV and tuning into various festive offerings and, fortunately, there are plenty of gems to look forward to on this year's schedule. From festive episodes of Amandaland, Mandy, All Creatures Great and Small, Bullseye, Call the Midwife and Death in Paradise, to one-off specials including Julia Donaldson's The Scarecrow's Wedding, Guz Khan's Stuffed and Brendan O'Carroll's Shedites, there's loads to look forward to. The Traitors and The Night Manager are also returning to our screens for brand new seasons over the festive period, while Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will host their final ever episode of Strictly Come Dancing. And if you're looking for a Christmas special of some of your entertainment favourites, then you're also in luck: there are festive episodes of The Masked Singer, Taskmaster, MasterChef and The Great British Sewing Bee on the horizon. But there's no use telling you everything to expect – scroll on to find out for yourself what shows will be airing over the festive period and where to watch them. Best Christmas TV for 2025 – your guide to what's worth watching 1. Amandaland Christmas special It's time to return to SoHa, as Motherland spin-off Amandaland is back on our screens for a festive special! Lucy Punch reprises her hilarious leading role as Amanda, with Joanna Lumley as her mother Felicity. But it's a very special reunion this time round as Lumley will be joined by her Absolutely Fabulous partner in crime Jennifer Saunders, who will play her on-screen sister Aunt Joan – described as "a ball of country-living, enthusiastic upper-class bluster [and] very, very different from Felicity". The synopsis reads: "Amanda and the family head to Aunt Joan’s country house, but the plans change when Mal and Anne tag along and she struggles to recreate the magical Christmases she spent there as a child. "Anne’s in despair at being separated from her family, and Felicity is increasingly irritated by her sister’s constant high spirits. Meanwhile Mal sees a hidden photo that seems to reveal a deep family secret…" The Amandaland Christmas special will air on BBC One and iPlayer on Christmas Day at 9:15pm. 2. The Night Manager season 2 Nine years after the season 1 finale, The Night Manager returns for season 2 as Tom Hiddleston's Jonathan Pine returns for another action-packed mission. This time round, Pine is led to a violent encounter with a new player: Colombian businessman Teddy Dos Santos, played by Diego Calva. Other returning faces include Olivia Colman (The Crown) as Angela Burr, Alistair Petrie (Sex Education) as Sandy Langbourne, Douglas Hodge (Joker) as Rex Mayhew, Michael Nardone (Traces) as Frisky and Noah Jupe (A Quiet Place) as Daniel Roper. New faces also include Camila Morrone (Daisy Jones & The Six), Indira Varma (Doctor Who), Paul Chahidi (Wicked Little Letters), and Hayley Squires (Adult Material). The Night Manager season 2 will premiere on BBC One and iPlayer on New Year's Day 2026 (Thursday 1st January) at 9:05pm. 3. All Creatures Great and Small Christmas special "It’s Christmas 1945, the first peacetime Christmas after the war," reads the official synopsis for this festive episode. "With Helen feeling under the weather, it’s fallen on James to take on the Darrowby Nativity play." Elsewhere, "Siegfried is back at Mrs Stokes's Farm to see Hilda the goat, who’s been up to more mischief," while Mrs Hall is determined to win the Drovers' darts competition and take home the top prize: a turkey, which are in short supply due to the war. The Skeldale housekeeper "wants everyone to practise" to boost their chances, "but an old friend turns up surprising her and Siegfried" – with the vet making "a big decision about his future." Meanwhile, Tristan and Charlotte's relationship continues to go from strength to strength. All Creatures Great and Small Christmas special 2025 will air on 5 on Christmas Eve at 9pm. 4. Call the Midwife Christmas specials We're not just getting one Call the Midwife Christmas special this year, but two – and they're set to be their usual dose of heartwarming, emotional and hilarious. While plot details are under wraps for now, we do know that the episodes will feature a Poplar Christmas parade, several great costumes and things being more steady than ever between Trixie (Helen George) and Matthew (Olly Rix). Call the Midwife's two specials will air on BBC One and iPlayer at 8:15pm on Christmas Day and 8:30pm on Boxing Day respectively. 5. EastEnders This year's anticipated EastEnders Christmas special will feature a test of motherly love for Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) as it relates to daughter Zoe (Michelle Ryan), Pam St Clement and Shaun Williamson's surprise returns as Pat and Barry for Nigel's ongoing dementia storyline, Max Branning's (Jake Wood) flash forward to 2027 and a return for Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) being on the horizon. The EastEnders Christmas episodes will air on BBC One and iPlayer at 7:45pm and 9:45pm. 6. Death in Paradise Christmas special It's time to take a trip back to Saint Marie for another festive edition of the fan-favourite detective series. As well as the main returning cast, Josie Lawrence (Outside Edge), Kate Ashfield (Shaun of the Dead), Pearl Mackie (Doctor Who), James Baxter (Waterloo Road), Billy Harris (Ted Lasso), Oriana Charles and Alix Serman are all joining the festivities. This time round, the Christmas spirit will be unfolding in both Saint Marie and Swindon as an office Christmas party takes a very dark turn, with a stranger being found dead in their Caribbean villa. The Death in Paradise Christmas Special will air on BBC One and iPlayer on 28th December at 8:30pm. 7. Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special This year’s Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special will see six couples take to the dance floor in a bid to be crowned the Strictly Christmas Champion. The episode marks the final stint for long-running hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman but all the judges return once again, so we can expect plenty of praise and criticism from Head Judge Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke. The Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special will air on BBC One and iPlayer on Christmas Day at 5:30pm. 8. The Scarecrows' Wedding It's become Christmas tradition now for another animated adaptation of one of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's books. This year sees this tale of two devoted scarecrows get the animation treatment, with an all-star cast that includes Rob Brydon (Gavin and Stacey) as Reginald Rake, Jessie Buckley (Wicked Little Letters) as Betty O’Barley, Domhnall Gleeson (About Time) as Harry O’Hay and Sophie Okonedo (Slow Horses) as the Narrator. The Scarecrows' Wedding will air on BBC One and iPlayer on Christmas Day at 3:10pm. 9. Beyond Paradise Christmas special <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/11/Martha-d940585.jpg" width="4284" height="2856" alt="A group of people stand together indoors at a festive gathering, clapping and smiling. A man in a navy suit and a woman in a cream satin dress are at the front, both looking happy and celebratory. Behind them, two older women also clap, surrounded by warm fairy lights, stone walls, and a decorated Christmas tree, creating a cosy holiday atmosphere." title="Beyond Paradise" /> We return to Shipton Abbot for some festive cheer, with the guest cast of this year's episode including Adrian Edmondson (Alien: Earth), James Lance (Ted Lasso) and Jonny Weldon (One Day). "When Esther discovers a man on the steps of the Shipton Abbott police station with no memory, holding a photo of Humphrey, the team gets to work to uncover who the mysterious man is while balancing a flurry of festive cases," the synopsis reads. "At the same time, with the help of Anne, Zoe and a special guest, Martha races to pull off her secret plan while Kelby tries to help a mystery man trapped inside his snowman costume. "But with an influx of unexpected visitors, a slew of holiday crimes to crack, and a heartwarming reunion on the line, can the team juggle it all and still be ready for a life-changing reveal?" The Beyond Paradise Christmas special will air on BBC One and iPlayer on 21st December at 9pm. 10. Mandy Christmas special Diane Morgan’s hapless alter ego will be back on our screens this year in a Mandy Christmas special, which will see the character hoping to stay in and enjoy all the good television on. But as ever, there’s a daft adventure on the horizon as Mandy ends up dabbling in global diplomacy. The Mandy Who Knew Too Much will premiere on BBC Two and iPlayer on 22nd December 2025 at 10.25pm. 11. A Mary Berry Christmas In this one-hour festive special, Dame Mary Berry will enjoy "all the things that make Christmas such an important time of the year", according to the BBC. The beloved cook and presenter will explore the traditions that the nation likes to celebrate during the festive season, including delicious food, carols and picking out the perfect Christmas tree. As is tradition, Mary will be joined by an exciting line-up of special guests, including actress Alison Steadman and presenter Zoe Ball. A Mary Berry Christmas will premiere on BBC One and iPlayer on Wednesday 17th December at 9pm. 12. The Great British Sewing Bee The Great British Sewing Bee is returning with a Christmas Celebrity Special, which will see Lucy Beaumont (Celebrity Traitors), Anton Du Beke (Strictly Come Dancing), Susan Wokoma (Taskmaster) and Tom Wilson (Gladiators) test their crafty skills in a series of Christmas-themed tasks. The festive episode will be presented by Sophie Willan, who'll be replacing Sara Pascoe as main host of the series next year. The Great British Sewing Bee: Celebrity Christmas Special will premiere on BBC One and iPlayer on Christmas Eve at 7.25pm. 13. Run Away It's become a New Year's Day tradition now to binge-watch a Harlan Coben thriller, and this year is no different as Run Away is set to land on our screens to nurse any annoying hangovers or pre-work blues. The new series assembles a great cast once more with Gavin & Stacey's Ruth Jones and James Nesbitt leading the cast as private investigator Elena Ravenscroft and confused father Simon Greene. "Simon (Nesbitt) had the perfect life: loving wife and kids, great job, beautiful home. But then his eldest daughter Paige ran away and everything fell apart," the synopsis reads. "So now when he finds her, vulnerable and strung out on drugs in a city park, he finally has the chance to bring his little girl home. But it turns out she’s not alone, and an argument escalates into shocking violence. "In the aftermath, Simon loses his daughter all over again, and his search to find her will take him into a dangerous underworld, revealing deep secrets that could tear his family apart forever." Run Away premieres on Netflix on 1st January 2026. 14. Coronation Street Once again, this year's Corrie Christmas storyline is concerned with the icon that is Gail Platt (Helen Worth) and while the character did leave the cobbles last year, she's set to return (albeit on a video call) in a very special cameo. Elsewhere, there's secrets and lies aplenty at the Rovers Return as Eva wrestles with the guilt of keeping a big secret, the Websters are set to be left reeling following a tragic death and also, Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank) edging closer to discovering the abuse that Todd Grimshaw (Gareth Pierce) is facing at the hands of his boyfriend Theo Silverton (James Cartwright). The Coronation Street Christmas special will air on ITV1 and ITVX on Christmas Day at 7:15pm. 15. Madame Blanc Mysteries Christmas special <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/11/Sally-0e6b252.jpg" width="4800" height="3200" alt="A smiling woman stands indoors in front of a decorated Christmas tree with glowing lights. She is wearing a black, sheer, long-sleeved top with a dotted pattern and has her blonde hair styled up. She is holding a large, ornate, floral-patterned chest with gold accents placed on a green velvet-covered table. The setting appears festive and elegant, with detailed wall decorations in the background." title="The Madame Blanc Mysteries: Christmas Special (2025)" /> In this two-hour Christmas special episode, Jean, Dom, Judith and Jeremy attend an exclusive Christmas Eve event at the Musée de Sainte Victoire. As per the synopsis: "Jean is invited to authenticate a newly acquired treasure – a rare Ormolu box once owned by Marie Antoinette. But the festive mood turns dark when Jean discovers a ticking bomb hidden inside. "With just 90 minutes until detonation, the museum is sealed shut, the security guard is dead, and the race is on. Jean and the gang must crack the code and defuse the bomb before time runs out. This is Jean’s most perilous challenge yet – can she save the day?" The Madame Blanc Mysteries Christmas special will air on 5 on 23rd December at 8pm. 16. Red Eye season 2 Red Eye returns on New Year's Day, with the new season marking the return of Jing Lusi as DS Hana Li, while Line of Duty's Martin Compston joining the cast as Head of Embassy Security Clay Brody. One of ITV's top 10 dramas of last year, this new season will follow DS Hana Li and Compston's guest character, who are forced to "set aside past differences to solve a new high-stakes conspiracy". Red Eye will premiere on New Year’s Day on ITV and STV and will be available for streaming on ITVX and STV Player. 17. Stranger Things season 5 volume 2 and finale The final instalments of the anticipated fifth season of Stranger Things are set to be released over Christmas Day and New Year's, wrapping up the year in a decidedly dramatic fashion, we're sure. New characters have already been introduced for the final season, from Linda Hamilton's Dr Kay to Jake Connelly's Derek Turnbow, while Nell Fisher stuns in her role as Holly Wheeler. But what do the final four episodes have in store for the cast? We'll just have to wait and see. Stranger Things season 5 volume 2 premieres on 25th December (26th December in the UK) on Netflix, with the finale premiering on 31st December (1st January in the UK). 18. The Great Peep Show Christmas Bake Off The Great British Bake Off is returning with a Christmas special later this year, and there are some familiar faces amongst the festive line-up. Stars of the multi award-winning sitcom Peep Show are actually headed into the iconic tent as they swap awkward encounters for icing sugar as fan favourites David Mitchell, Olivia Colman, Isy Suttie, Matt King and Sophie Winkleman reunite for the first time since Peep Show wrapped in 2015. The Great Peep Show Christmas Bake Off is coming to Channel 4 this Christmas. 19. Dear Father Christmas The story of this one-off film follows 16-year-old Chris (Lenny Rush), who refuses to believe that Father Christmas isn’t real. With his dad (James Buckley) determined to “have the talk”, Chris’s mission to prove Father Christmas exists leads him on a hilarious and heartfelt adventure – complete with a star-studded ensemble cast including Greg Davies, Stephen Fry, Asim Chaudhry, Hannah Fry and more. Dear Father Christmas will air on Channel 4. 20. The Hunting Wives This US drama previously aired on Netflix stateside in July but has now found a home on ITV in time for some festive binge-watching. It's already been renewed for a second season, meaning that there's plenty more to look forward to in the dramatic series. Based on the novel by Mary Cobb, the series follows a woman as she and her family move from Boston to Texas. There, she grows close to a socialite — maybe too close — and becomes consumed by obsession, seduction and murder. The Hunting Wives will arrive on ITVX on Saturday 27th December 2025. 21. Amadeus Reimagining the legacy of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Will Sharpe stars as the musical genius, with the six-part series exploring the genius composer’s extraordinary career and his imagined rivalry with Salieri. Paul Bettany (WandaVision) stars as the envious court composer Antonio Salieri, while Gabrielle Creevy (In My Skin, Black Doves) plays Constanze Weber, Mozart’s fiercely loyal wife. Amadeus will launch on Sky and NOW on 21st December. 22. Two Doors Down Christmas special Beloved sitcom Two Doors Down is returning to our screens this Christmas, with the full cast of the Scottish series to reunite for a brand new festive episode. The cast for the episode includes Cathy (Mackichan), Christine (Elaine C Smith) Colin (Jonathan Watson), Alan (Graeme Stevely), Michelle (Joy McAvoy), Ian (Jamie Quinn) and his fiancé Gordon (Kieran Hodgson). Two Doors Down returns to BBC One and iPlayer this Christmas on Christmas Eve at 10pm. 23. The Masked Singer Christmas special It's everyone's favourite bonkers musical talent competition, with this year's festive special of The Masked Singer set to be just as good as previous iterations. There's set to be four brand new celebrities taking to the stage to try and wow the judges but as for who will be behind the masks, we'll just have to tune in and see. Joel Dommett returns as host of this year's Christmas episode, along with judges Mo Gilligan, Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall and Maya Jama. The Masked Singer Christmas special will air on ITV1 and ITVX. 24. Here We Go – Our New Year’s Fireworks Fantasaganza <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/12/Here-We-Go-8b1b35d.jpg" width="3882" height="2588" alt="Jude Morgan-Collie as Sam, Freya Parks as Amy, Katherine Parkinson as Rachel, Alison Steadman as Sue, Jim Howick as Paul, Tom Basden as Robin and Tori Allen-Martin as Cherry in Here We Go. They are stood raising champagne glasses for a photo, which is framed by gold tinsel and baubles, in front of a red background." title="Here We Go" /> Jim Howick (Ghosts) and Katherine Parkinson (The IT Crowd) return to lead the cast of this festive special, with Alison Steadman (Gavin & Stacey), Freya Parks (The School for Good and Evil), Jude Morgan-Collie (Good Girl’s Guide to Murder), Tori Allen-Martin (London Kills) all reprising their roles. The synopsis reads: "New Year’s Eve is fast approaching and this year Rachel is very keen to throw a massive party. Paul, less so: he’d much prefer a nice quiet holiday cottage with a sauna so he can sweat out the massive boil that’s recently appeared on his cheek; two quite different visions for seeing in the new year. "So begins a typically chaotic Jessop Family holiday, featuring a road trip, a missing dummy, and a large crate of unlicensed fireworks Paul picked up from a police auction." Here We Go – Our New Year’s Fireworks Fantasaganza will air on BBC One and iPlayer on New Year's Eve at 8pm. 25. Emmerdale There's set to be plenty of drama in the Dales as a festive special for Emmerdale is set to be an ITV highlight again this year. While fans of the series will be looking forward to plenty of action to unfold for many of the soap's characters, it looks as though times will continue to grow bleak for characters like Celia (Jaye Griffiths), Bear Wolf (Joshua Richards) and Kim (Claire King). Charity's (Emma Atkins) secret is also set to come to light but will her pregnancy come to light? The Emmerdale Christmas special will air on ITV1 and ITVX on Christmas Day at 6:15pm. 26. Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Cook Off While this year has already seen the celebrity version of MasterChef, this Christmas will see fresh-faced hopefuls taking to the kitchen to see if they have what it takes in the cooking stakes. This episode will see one lucky cook take home the Golden Whisk trophy, with GK Barry, Kola Bokinni, Nikki Fox and Iain Stirling all vying for the coveted prize. They'll have two tasks to impress, with the judges having also called in the help of last year’s Celebrity MasterChef winner, Vito Coppola. Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Cook Off will air on BBC One and iPlayer on Monday 22nd December at 8pm. 27. MasterChef Festive Extravaganza – Champion of Champions What do you get when you take MasterChef former champions and re-enter them into the kitchen that propelled their careers? Well, you get Champion of Champions, a fierce kitchen battle to see if they have what it takes to take the Golden Pan trophy home. This episode sees 2013 champion Natalie Coleman, 2023’s Chariya Khattiyot, 2020's Thomas Frake and 2024's Brin Pirathapan going head-to-head to see if they can come up with plates that will impress the judges and revered restaurant critic, Tom Parker Bowles. MasterChef Festive Extravaganza – Champion of Champions will air on BBC One and iPlayer on Monday 29th December at 8pm. 28. Bullseye Christmas special Freddie Flintoff returns as host of the rebooted version of Bullseye, with the classic darts-based show set to bring some cheer to the TV line-up. As of now, we don't know who will be competing but last year's special featured champion Luke Littler, so we'll just have to see who the show has under their sleeves. Bullseye Christmas special will air on ITV1 and ITVX on Christmas Day at 8:15pm. 29. Stuffed Guz Khan is used to making audiences laugh in the likes of Man Like Mobeen but here, he takes on a different kind of role in Stuffed as Arslan Farooqi. The 60-minute special sees Arslan receive a £8000 Christmas bonus and set off for a trip of a lifetime with his multi-faith family. As per the synopsis: "His wife Hannah (Morgana Robinson), his two daughters and brother-in-law Jamie (Theo Barklem-Biggs) are all set for the ultimate festive adventure. However, when office worker Arslan discovers the bonus was a mistake and must be repaid immediately, Christmas chaos ensues - and disaster follows the family at every turn. "Together with new holiday friend Lily (Sue Johnston), they must find a way out of this predicament and hope for a Christmas miracle that can save Arslan’s job and the family’s livelihood. Stuffed is a modern-day Christmas caper for the whole family to enjoy this yuletide season." Stuffed will air on BBC One and iPlayer on Tuesday 23rd December at 9pm. 30. Amanda and Alan's Spanish Christmas Fresh off the nationwide success of Celebrity Traitors, Alan Carr returns to our screens once again with his friend Amanda Holden as they venture off to Spain. Returning to the village of Moclín in southern Spain, the pair set out to throw a spectacular festive party as a heartfelt thank you to the locals who helped them along the way. They're set to bring their usual chaos and hilarity as they dive into Spanish Christmas traditions, making homemade treats and more. Amanda and Alan's Spanish Christmas will air on BBC One and iPlayer on Saturday 27th December at 5:45pm. 31. The Celebrity Apprentice Christmas special Set to make its return for two brand new festive episodes, The Celebrity Apprentice will be taking this batch of celebrities to Lapland for a challenge that's set to be tougher than ever – and will be able to be sampled by the general public. In aid of Children in Need, the candidates will be split into two groups and sent to Lapland to develop their own gingerbread biscuits. Celebs taking on the task this year include TV presenter AJ Odudu, broadcaster Angela Scanlon, Radio 1 DJ Charlie Hedges, comedian Eddie Kadi, EastEnders actor Jake Wood and more. The Celebrity Apprentice Christmas special will air on BBC One and iPlayer on 29th December at 9pm, with the second and final episode coming the next day, also at 9pm. 32. The Good Ship Murder Christmas special Just like last year, we're set to return to the seas as The Good Ship Murder returns for its Christmas special for 2025. While plot details remain under wraps for now, we can expect plenty more drama as Catherine Tyldesley and Shayne Ward are reunited as First Officer Kate Woods and detective Jack Grayling. As per the synopsis, we're set to go to Alicante for this episode. It continues: "Donna, a woman claiming to suffer from a life-changing illness, boards the ship with her loyal friend Bernie. As the festive voyage begins, Donna charms fellow passenger Gary and yearning for a Christmas miracle, visits a remote monastery. There she meets Rodriguez, a mysterious man of the cloth, and Thomasina, an enigmatic nun. But the holiday cheer turns dark when Bernie is found dead. "With Gary, Rodriguez, and Thomasina each under scrutiny, the hunt for the truth leads deep into a web of deceit and desperation. When the real story finally comes to light, it upends everything the crew thought they knew about the tragedy. "Meanwhile Jack, recently sacked from the ship, is lying low performing to half-empty rooms in a grimy dive bar. The monastery murder draws Kate back to him, and with Jamil’s help, will the two finally rekindle their romance?" The Good Ship Murder Christmas special will air on 5 on 29th December at 9pm. 33. The Great Festive Pottery Showdown <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/11/777981S4-Embargo-0001-Tuesday-25th-November-The-Great-Celebrity-Pottery-Throw-Down-2025-3-ed7cb9d.jpg" width="5472" height="3648" alt="Sarah Hadland, Tim Vine, Colin Murray, Amber Gill, Siobhan McSweeney, Keith Brymer Jones and Rich Miller sat and stood next to each other, smiling ahead in front of a Christmas backdrop." title="77798_1_S4_- Embargo 0001 Tuesday 25th November - The Great Celebrity Pottery Throw Down 2025-3" /> Comedian Tim Vine, actor Sarah Hadland, broadcaster Colin Murray and reality star Amber Gill are all taking on the pottery wheel for this year's festive-themed episode. While we'll just have to watch and see who has got what it takes when it comes to crafting amazing bowls, trinkets and the like, we do know that Siobhán McSweeney will host the celebrity festive edition. Judges Keith Brymer Jones and Rich Miller also return, tasked with deciding whether the results of the wheel should be displayed with pride or not. The Great Festive Pottery Showdown will air on Channel 4 on 26th December at 7:45pm. 34. Taskmaster: Champion of Champions Alex Horne and Greg Davies are set to put former Taskmaster champions to the test, with an expectantly fierce battle for the overall title. This year, Sam Campbell, John Robins, Andy Zaltzman, and Mathew Baynton return to see if they have what it takes to concur a whole new batch of tasks, that will likely be a lot more difficult and far-fetched than their previous stints. Taskmaster: Champion of Champions will air on Channel 4 on 22nd December at 9pm. 35. Taskmaster's New Year Treat Taskmaster fans are being treated in plentiful supply this year, with not just Champion of Champions but also the annual New Year Treat. An eclectic mix of five famous faces from all corners of the entertainment world will take on a raft of challenges, with those including BAFTA-winning TV chef and musician Big Zuu, former footballer Jill Scott MBE, actress and presenter Rose Ayling-Ellis MBE, BRIT-nominated singer and musician Sam Ryder, as well as lexicographer, etymologist and presenter Susie Dent. Taskmaster's New Year Treat will air on Channel 4. 36. The Family Next Door If there's one thing that Australian dramas know how to do, it's build tension – so if you're looking for a gripping new series, look no further than The Family Next Door. This series follows enigmatic Isabelle as she moves into a small seaside cul-de-sac. There, her obsessive drive to solve a mystery casts suspicion on four neighbouring families but will she be able to get to the bottom of this case that she can't seem to let go of? The Family Next Door will air on ITVX on 21st December. 37. Gladiators: Celebrity Special Joe Wicks will be taking on presenter Sam Thompson while boxer Nicola Adams will be taking on podcaster Vogue Williams in this celebrity special of Gladiators. The BBC series has continued to go from strength to strength since it was rebooted for the BBC and there's a reason it's known as the toughest show on TV. Who will come out triumphant after the selection of challenges? We'll have to see. Gladiators: Celebrity Special will air on BBC One and iPlayer on Christmas Day at 3:35pm. 38. The Repair Shop at Christmas There's a raft of very special faces set to enter the repair shop this Christmas including Dame Helen Mirren, who wishes to repair a broken cello that has come into her possession. Now belonging to a care home of which Dame Helen is a supporter, she's intent on getting it fixed for the residents and their families to enjoy. Elsewhere, author Julia Donaldson and Rob Brydon also want to repair toy farmhouse, which has helped inspire some of Julia’s best-loved books. The synopsis adds: "The team also fix a remarkable mechanical reindeer, a broken sledge, and a dilapidated carol book that plays a central role in a much celebrated Sheffield Christmas tradition." The Repair Shop at Christmas will air on BBC One and iPlayer on Friday 26th December at 7:30pm. 39. The Yorkshire Vet at Christmas The vets and nurses throw themselves into a festive fundraising challenge to support charities close to their hearts. The Dogs Trust slogan, “A dog is for life, not just for Christmas”, may be nearly 50 years old, but Peter Wright is determined to make a real difference this year. He and Julian Norton each lead rival teams in a series of sponsored events packed with fun and festive spirit. The Yorkshire Vet at Christmas will air on 22nd December at 8pm. 40. A Ghost Story for Christmas: The Room in the Tower Mark Gatiss returns with another Ghost Story for Christmas, this time being led by Dame Joanna Lumley and Tobias Menzies. Marking Gatiss's eighth Christmas story for the BBC, this one is set in the inter-war years and sees Roger Winstanley being haunted by an unsettling, recurring dream for the past 15 years. The dream itself involves an invitation to spend the night in the house of an acquaintance, where an unseen terror lurks and the figures who populate the dream seem to age in real time. However, as per the synopsis: "Nightmare and waking life seem to finally collide when an invitation to the dreaded room in the tower becomes all too real…" A Ghost Story for Christmas: The Room in the Tower will air on BBC Two and iPlayer on Christmas Eve at 10pm. 41. Sister Boniface Christmas special <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/09/Sister-Boniface-Mysteries-season-4-c974a8a.jpg" width="2855" height="1903" alt="Ruth Felix Livingstone, Sister Boniface, DI Sam Gillespie and WPC Peggy Button in a grassy green with a church and blue sky in the background all looking at the camera, as Sister Boniface holds out a magnifying glass." title="Sister Boniface Mysteries season 4" /> Lorna Watson returns as Sister Boniface for another Christmas special set to be full of mystery, intrigue but also heartwarming moments. While plot details are currently under wraps, we can expect the kind of cosy crime plot that will leave us feeling all warm inside for the season. Last year's episode was centred around a fittingly festive panto but we'll just have to wait and see what Sister Boniface and her team are set to face. Sister Boniface Christmas special will air on BBC One and iPlayer. 42. Mrs Brown's Boys Christmas and New Year specials Brendan O'Carroll reprises his leading role for two Mrs Brown's Boys specials set to air across Christmas and New Year's. The first, Mammy's Bottles, sees Mrs Brown "rediscover the meaning of family as she gathers those closest to her together for a Christmas photo. Buster unveils another of his signature Christmas trees with maximum impact and Cathy frets about what presents to buy everyone". As for the New Year episode, Stormin' Mammy, "tensions are high as Agnes and the gang prepare for an incoming storm. Buster’s flying high as he nervously awaits his birthday parachute jump. Winnie receives a shock to the system and a lost Nun looks for help". Mrs Brown's Boys will air on BBC One and iPlayer at 10:15pm on Christmas Day and 10:05pm on New Year's Day. 43. Shedites <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/12/shedites-cf82623.jpg" width="4214" height="2809" alt="Shane Casey as Paul, Brendan O'Carroll as Jimmy, Deidre O'Kane as Councillor Orla, Alan Wilson as Postman Padraig, Danny O'Carroll as Cheesy, Phil Davis as Harry, Simon Delaney as Gavin and Paddy Houlihan as Paddy the Liar all crowded round a laptop and wooden desk, looking surprised." title="545616,TITLE:Shedites" /> Also from the Mrs Brown's Boys team, Shedites is a new half-hour comedy that is set in and around the men’s shed in a village in Ireland. The synopsis reads: "It’s a place where men make themselves useful building and repairing things, and along the way find company through unlikely friendships, a sense of purpose, and a mug of strong tea. For many, the men’s sheds offer a new lease of life, and the Rathbowen shed is no exception." Shedites will air on BBC One and iPlayer on New Year's Day at 10:35pm. 44. The Traitors season 4 After the monumental success of The Celebrity Traitors that only just finished airing, it doesn't seem as though the gap between Traitors action is all that bad any longer. Still, nothing quite beats seeing a raft of civilians trying to suss out who is a Traitor or Faithful in the fittingly moody castle setting, with Claudia Winkleman providing plenty of meme-able moments in due course, we're sure. The Traitors season 4 will premiere on New Year's Day on BBC One and iPlayer at 9:05pm. 45. The Big Fat Quiz of the Year What's better than lounging on the sofa after Christmas, with your hand in a chocolate selection box and angrily answering some general knowledge questions relating to the rollercoaster of the year we've all had? Nothing really – so it's a good thing that Big Fat Quiz of the Year is returning for another edition. This time, host Jimmy Carr is joined by Jonathan Ross, Richard Ayoade, Katherine Ryan, Nick Mohammed, Roisin Conaty and Lou Sanders. The Big Fat Quiz of the Year will air on Channel 4. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Gavin & Stacey icon Ruth Jones gives exciting update on her next TV project with James Corden
The co-writing duo will be bringing us a new series in the near future!
Gavin & Stacey star and co-creator Ruth Jones is back on our screens soon in the upcoming Harlan Coben thriller Run Away. While we all wait patiently until New Year's Day when the binge-watching for that eight-parter will commence, Jones has teased some further details about her upcoming projects – one of which she is working on alongside Gavin & Stacey's James Corden. At an exclusive screening for Run Away at the BFI Southbank, RadioTimes.com asked Jones what she has coming up next. "The next project I’m working on is set in Wales and it’s with my dear old friend and fellow actor Steve Speirs and we’ve co-written something," she revealed. "We’re filming before we film the project with James. "So I’m writing with James and with Steve, sort of in parallel as it were. It’s been great actually, we’ve got it all mapped out, we’ve got great production teams on both sides and I feel very lucky.” It was previously reported in September of this year that Jones and Corden would be reuniting for a brand new TV show, with the pair reportedly set to star alongside an all-British cast for the 10-part series. As for Jones's other project with actor and writer Speirs, the BBC announced their untitled project just a couple of months ago. The new six-part series will see the pair co-starring and co-writing, with the show set to look at "the challenges and rewards of relationships in middle age." The synopsis reveals that it's "a tender comedy centred on the unlikely friendship between two people who meet at a knee trauma clinic; retired teacher Clive is 60 and widowed, and environmental officer Shelley-Ann is 55 and going through a bitter divorce." Read more: Gavin & Stacey's Ruth Jones discusses working with James Corden again: "He's one of my best friends" When Gavin Met Stacey details how a party brought about the finale At the time of its commission in October, Jones said in a statement: “I'm so grateful to the BBC for commissioning our new series. Steve and I are old friends and working with him is always a thrill. Can’t wait.” Speirs also said: “Thanks to the team at the BBC for backing our new show. I’ve worked with Ruth for over 30 years and am really looking forward to doing it again!” While neither of those projects has a release date, cast or title confirmed just yet, fans of Jones's can get excited about her upcoming role in Netflix's Run Away, which will see her take on a more dramatic role. View oEmbed on the source website The series sees Jones star as private investigator Elena Ravenscroft whose path crosses with James Nesbitt's Simon Greene, a grieving father who's on a desperate search for answers when his daughter disappears and he's pulled into a dangerous underworld. Run Away stars Ellie de Lange (Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light) as runaway daughter Paige, while the rest of the supporting cast includes The Couple Next Door's Alfred Enoch, Gangs of London actor Lucian Msamati, Jon Pointing (Big Boys), Tracy Ann-Oberman (Code 404), Annette Badland (Ted Lasso), Finty Williams (The A List), Joe McGann (Kaos) and Ingrid Oliver (Sweetpea). Run Away will premiere on 1st January 2026 on Netflix – sign up from £5.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media. Add Run Away to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Power Book IV: Force season 3 release schedule – When is episode 5 out?
New episodes are being released weekly on MGM+ in the UK.
*This article contains spoilers for episodes 1-5 of Power Book IV: Force season 3* The Power universe is nearing a major turning point, with its remaining spin-offs now heading for their conclusions – and Power Book IV: Force has just made that clearer than ever. While Book III: Raising Kanan will end with its fifth season, Book IV: Force is currently airing its third and final season on MGM+ in the UK. Now at its midpoint, the series has delivered one of its boldest moves yet with the death of Claudia Flynn (Lili Simmons). Episode 5, fittingly titled The Last Dance, sees Tommy Egan (Joseph Sikora) finally kill Claudia – a major shake-up given that viewers had waited for her release from prison and a long-awaited revenge plot. Instead, her freedom lasts just a single episode, removing one of the show’s most formidable villains halfway through the final run. Diamond Sampson (Isaac Keys) also made a dangerous solo move by wiping out the Yardies without Tommy’s knowledge, while Vic Flynn (Shane Harper) secretly sought out reinforcements from the Irish Mob, pushing him further into the criminal spotlight. There’s also a huge personal twist for Tommy, as Mireya Garcia (Carmela Zumbado) is revealed to be pregnant with his child – though she chooses not to tell him after witnessing the bloody fallout of Claudia’s death. With five episodes now available, the final stretch of Force is set to answer whether anyone can truly replace Claudia as Tommy’s ultimate adversary – and just how much more he’s prepared to lose before the series ends. When will Power Book IV: Force season 3 episode 6 be released? Power Book IV: Force season 3 episode 6 will be released on Saturday 13th December 2025. The third season premiered in the UK on Saturday 8th November on MGM+. Its release comes one day after its US counterpart on Starz, where it premiered on Friday, 7th November. For both territories, the series is being released weekly, with new episodes landing in the UK every Saturday. How many episodes of Power Book IV: Force season 3 are there? There are 10 episodes in the third and final season of Power Book IV: Force. Power Book IV: Force season 3 release schedule The full release schedule for Power Book IV: Force season 3 is as follows. Episode 1 - Do or Die - Saturday 8th November (out now) Episode 2 - A Seat at the Table - Saturday 15th November (out now) Episode 3 - There's Always a Price to Pay - Saturday 22nd November (out now) Episode 4 - Time To See The King - Saturday 29th November (out now) Episode 5 - The Last Dance - Saturday 6th December (out now) Episode 6 - Saturday 13th December Episode 7 - Saturday 20th December Episode 8 - Saturday 27th December Episode 9 - Saturday 3rd January Episode 10 - Saturday 10th January Power Book IV: Force season 3 trailer You can watch the dramatic trailer for the third season of Power Book IV: Force below. View oEmbed on the source website Power Book IV: Force season 3 continues weekly on Saturdays in the UK only on MGM+. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Best Christmas movies on Netflix UK in 2025 – from Love Actually to The Holdovers
It's the most wonderful time of the year!
As we hurtle headfirst towards Christmas, you might already have worked your way through several of the classic festive films, from The Holiday to Love Actually. Luckily, if you're after a few more festive films to enjoy in the run-up to the big day, Netflix has a vast selection box to tuck into – and while the quality might be extremely variable, there are a couple of genuine greats alongside the more cheesy offerings. Nancy Meyers's 2006 romcom The Holiday – with its all-star cast featuring Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law and Jack Black – has more than earned its place in the Christmas canon over the years, as well as Richard Curtis's Love Actually. Another star-studded ensemble offering, the 2003 film has understandably already found its way in Netflix's top 10 some weeks ahead of Christmas. There's also the likes of some Oscar-nominated options including 2024's The Holdovers, which saw Da'Vine Joy Randolph scoop up the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, as well as the Oscar-nominated 2019 animation Klaus. And when it comes to the aforementioned cheesy options, there is a seemingly endless supply – from new offerings like Jingle Bell Heist, Hot Frosty and Our Little Secret to heartwarming romcom Single All the Way and Vanessa Hudgens's festive franchise The Princess Switch. RadioTimes.com has put together our selection of the best festive films to watch on the streaming giant as you hunker down with your nearest and dearest. So, without further ado, read on for the best Christmas movies to watch and stream on Netflix UK in 2025 to spread a little bit of festive cheer. Best Netflix Christmas movies to watch in 2025 Love Actually This romcom may have come out all the way back in 2003, but Love Actually remains a must-watch for many at this time of the year. With an all-star cast that includes Emma Thompson, Keira Knightley, Alan Rickman, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth and more, the film follows eight couples from all walks of life in the days leading up to Christmas. There's heartbreak, blossoming romance and plenty of festive feels – but we'd expect no less from the mind of Richard Curtis, who is otherwise known for Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and the more recent That Christmas. Watch Love Actually now on Netflix The Holdovers Having recently been added to the streamer, The Holdovers was released last year in the UK to sweeping critical acclaim. Starring Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham, a curmudgeonly instructor at a New England prep school, Paul remains on campus during Christmas break to babysit a handful of students with nowhere to go. He soon forms an unlikely bond with a brainy but damaged troublemaker, and with the school's head cook, a woman who just lost a son in the Vietnam War. The film is both hilarious and extremely touching, offering a bit more of a melancholic Christmas film experience than some other festive films but is nonetheless, an excellent pick. Watch The Holdovers now on Netflix That Christmas Richard Curtis made one of the most enduring Christmas films of the 21st century in Love Actually, and now his series of festive children's books have served as the basis for this new animated film on Netflix. Similarly to Love Actually, it tells the interlocking stories of various families and friends in the run up to Christmas Day, with an A-list cast of British actors providing the voices. It's also a lot more suitable for children than his earlier film – a sweet and charming tale suitable for the whole family. Watch That Christmas now on Netflix Nativity! This 2009 film ended up spawning a whole franchise – with three sequels having followed in the 10 years since the original, each introducing a new major actor to the cast. The first entry is the only one streaming on Netflix and sees Martin Freeman starring as primary school teacher Paul Maddens, who is tasked with directing the annual Nativity play A spirited film perfect for younger audiences, the cast of children more than match the big names in the cast. Watch Nativity! now on Netflix The Family Stone Another recent addition to Netflix in time for the festive period, The Family Stone sees the late Diane Keaton lead an ensemble cast that also includes the likes of Sarah Jessica Parker, Claire Danes, Rachel McAdams and more. The film follows Parker's Meredith, who has grown up with conservative values, discovering that she's a bit of a misfit at her boyfriend's family's Christmas celebrations. Whilst their relationship seems to be going swimmingly when in the city, when they visit family in a small New England town, that's when things start to go awry. Watch The Family Stone now on Netflix Jingle Bell Heist This brand new festive release for 2025 sees Connor Swindells and Olivia Holt star as Nick and Sophia, two cash-strapped strangers who team up to rob a London department store on Christmas Eve. Whilst their major focus is on not getting caught and getting revenge on the store's owner, there may also be some blossoming romance round the corner. Watch Jingle Bell Heist now on Netflix Hot Frosty Arguably the pick of Netflix's 2024 slate of festive originals, Hot Frosty stars Hallmark movie stalwart Lacey Chabert as a recently widowed woman who finds love in an unexpected way – by falling for a handsome snowman who magically comes to life. Unabashedly silly but also rather sweet, it taps into many of the tropes of the cheesy Christmas movie – but with a game cast and some great jokes it manages to stand out from the crowd. Watch Hot Frosty now on Netflix Last Christmas This sentimental festive rom-com – which was written by Emma Thompson and directed by Paul Feig – takes its name from the hit Wham! song of the same name, and features many hits from George Michael's career on its soundtrack. Focusing on the romance between an employee at a Christmas-themed shop (Emilia Clarke) and a man who seems too good to be true (Henry Golding), it's certainly an imperfect film. It's a little twee, rife with clichés. and a late twist received a certain amount of ridicule at the time of the film's release in 2019. But if you're looking for a slice of festive cheese, it will go down well with a glass of mulled wine. Watch Last Christmas now on Netflix Violent Night This film is essentially like Die Hard meets Home Alone, with Stranger Things star David Harbour playing a rather crude version of Santa Claus, who must regain his mojo to take action when mercenaries gatecrash the celebrations of a wealthy family. What follows is an entertaining bloodbath that might not necessarily bring festive cheer for all audiences, but Harbour’s big, bold and ultimately heartwarming performance anchors the film and provides plenty of laughs along the way. Watch Violent Night now on Netflix Our Little Secret <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2024/11/OLS2024021205538R-5635f87.jpg" width="7200" height="4800" alt="Ian Harding as Logan, Dan Bucatinsky as Leonard, Kristin Chenoweth as Erica and Lindsay Lohan as Avery in Our Little Secret in a kitchen at Christmas" title="Ian Harding as Logan, Dan Bucatinsky as Leonard, Kristin Chenoweth as Erica and Lindsay Lohan as Avery in Our Little Secret" /> Lindsay Lohan’s second festive film for Netflix is more grounded than her previous offering, Falling for Christmas. She stars as Avery, who finds herself unexpectedly shacked up alongside her ex-boyfriend Logan (Ian Harding) years after splitting up. They’ve each found new partners, but it turns out those partners are siblings — which leads to an awkward festive holiday that sees Avery and Logan desperately trying to keep their history a secret from the new family. The contrived set-up is mined for some amusing gags, ensuring this is a cut above most made-for-streaming seasonal fare. Watch Our Little Secret now on Netflix The Holiday Love Actually is probably still the most beloved star-studded mid-2000s Christmas romcom – but Nancy Meyers's 2006 film can give it a good run for its money, and is now firmly established as a festive favourite. The film sees Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz star as two women living in England and the US respectively who swap homes for the festive period in a bid to cast aside their relationship woes – only to each find themselves falling for local guys played by Jack Black and Jude Law. Watch The Holiday now on Netflix Klaus The first Netflix original film to be nominated for the Best Animated Feature award at the Oscars, Klaus is a charming, heartwarming film that serves as an alternative origin story for Santa Claus, who is voiced by JK Simmons as part of a star-studded voice cast that also includes Jason Schwartzman, Rashida Jones and Joan Cusack. Schwartzman plays Jesper, a hapless student postman who is stationed in the miserable, selfish Arctic town of Smeerensburg as a punishment for being the worst person at his Academy, with his life changing when he comes across a brilliant but reclusive toymaker known as Klaus. Watch Klaus now on Netflix The Christmas Chronicles There have been a lot of great on-screen Santas over the years – from Richard Attenborough to Tim Allen – and the idea to cast Kurt Russell as Jolly Old Saint Nick (alongside Goldie Hawn as Mrs Claus) was a stroke of genius from the creative team behind this Netflix original family flick from 2018. It follows a pair of siblings whose plan to capture Santa Claus on camera one Christmas Eve goes horribly awry – leading them to form an alliance with the big man and his elves in order to save Christmas. It was followed by a sequel on 2020, which is also worth a watch. Watch The Christmas Chronicles now on Netflix Robin Robin Aardman Animations currently has a new Wallace & Gromit film on the way – but if you're looking for something more explicitly festive, you can check out the studio's 2021 musical short Robin Robin, which follows a stop-motion bird attempting a heist. The robin in question has been raised by a family of mice, and has only recently become aware that she is rather different from her relatives, so she sets out on a daring adventure to steal a star and prove that she, too, can be a good mouse. The impressive voice cast includes Richard E Grant, Gillian Anderson and Adeel Akhtar. Watch Robin Robin now on Netflix Single All the Way When it comes to Christmas movies generally, you can somewhat guess the plotline and unfortunately, the genre lacks diversity in all areas. But this recent Netflix movie seeks to rectify some gaping representation holes and is the streaming giant's first gay festive romcom. Single All the Way follows bachelor Peter (Michael Urie), whose plans to bring his boyfriend home for Christmas are derailed when he discovers that his new man is actually someone else’s husband. When Peter convinces his best friend Nick (Philemon Chambers) to accompany him instead, his family soon hatch a plan to make a real relationship happen between the pair. But, of course, like any good romantic film, the pair are left to contemplate their own relationship and ask themselves how much they really mean to each other. Watch Single All the Way now on Netflix Falling for Christmas In Falling for Christmas, Lindsay Lohan returns to the big screen as Sierra Belmont, a newly engaged heiress who has a skiing accident in the days leading up to Christmas. After she is diagnosed with amnesia, she finds herself in the care of handsome cabin owner Jake (Chord Overstreet) and his daughter. Queue a will-they-won't-they storyline to keep you guessing and a fair share of heartwarming romance. While the premise is far from ordinary, the film has quickly ticked many viewers' boxes on what they want in a festive film: an easy watch, quietly comedic and somewhat predictable. Watch Falling for Christmas now on Netflix Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey If you're looking for the kind of festive musical that has an important life message at its centre, look no further than this 2020 film. In Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey, we follow the story of Jeronicus Jangle, an eccentric inventor who loses his passion for life after a personal tragedy. It takes a visit from his granddaughter, a creative young girl called Journey, to once again spark his enthusiasm – but it might be too late to thwart a dastardly scheme by his former apprentice-turned-rival. Watch Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey now on Netflix Love Hard There's just something about romcoms and Christmas that seem to go hand in hand, and this 2021 Netflix release fits the bill perfectly. Starring The Vampire Diaries' Nina Dobrev, this film takes everything we know and love about the genre and upends it with a modern twist. Dating apps and catfishing plague this LA writer's fledging romance and when Natalie (Dobrev) finds out that she's been speaking to an entirely different person than she thought – after having travelled 3,000 miles to surprise him for the holidays – hope is almost lost. She soon finds out that actually, she's been catfished by her dream man's childhood friend Josh (Jimmy O Yang) who is equally as unlucky in love. Essentially, this is a lighthearted romantic comedy that chronicles Natalie's attempts to reel in love, all with varying results. Watch Love Hard now on Netflix The Noel Diary The best kinds of Christmas films are those that somehow end up in a whirlwind of events that you least expect. With The Noel Diary, we follow Justin Hartley as Jacob Turner, a best-selling author who returns home at Christmas to settle his mother's estate upon her death. Instead, he discovers a diary that holds secrets to the past and also to Rachel (Barrett Doss) – an intriguing young woman on a mission of her own. Together, they embark on a journey to confront their pasts and discover a future that's totally unexpected. Watch The Noel Diary now on Netflix The Princess Switch A Netflix Christmas film list can't be complete without a mention of The Princess Switch. Now onto its third movie, the franchise has won over viewers with how charming it is, not to mention the sheer amount of joyful escapism the three films provide. The identity swapping premise is rather simple but it doesn't mean it gets any less interesting to watch. In the first film, we follow Margaret, Duchess of Montenaro, who, one week prior to Christmas, switches places with Stacy, a Chicago 'commoner' who looks exactly like her. With the assistance of a magical Santa's helper, Margaret falls in love with Stacy's handsome co-worker while Stacy falls in love with Margaret's fiancé, the dashing Prince. As for the other two movies, there's ascensions to the throne, romance and fun in store, which is the perfect kind of film trilogy to get stuck into at Christmas time. Watch The Princess Switch now on Netflix How the Grinch Stole Christmas Every year, almost like clockwork, this 2000 film slowly creeps its way back into Netflix's top 10 rankings. It's a classic and not only stars Jim Carrey, Taylor Momsen and Christine Baranski, it's also a hilarious tale about the meaning behind everyone's favourite holiday. Based on the well-known Dr Seuss children's story, this live-action feature film follows Cindy Lou, a six-year-old girl who believes in the spirit of Christmas and sets out to reform the Grinch, who lives in solitude just outside Whoville, hates the townsfolk and despises Christmas. Watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas now on Netflix Christmas with You Pair any good Christmas film with a catchy soundtrack and you basically have a festive hit. In this Christmas movie, pop star Angelina (Aimee Garcia) escapes to grant a young fan's wish in small town New York even though she's suffering with career burn out. She not only finds the inspiration to revitalise her career, but also a shot at true love. Watch Christmas with You now on Netflix I Believe in Santa If you're looking for the kind of film that will most likely leave you with a smile on your face and believing a little more in the magic of Christmas, look no further than this Netflix release. The film follows Lisa (Christina Moore) and her new romantic flame Tom (John Ducey). All is going well in their blissful five months of dating until Lisa learns that Tom is actually obsessed with her least favourite holiday of the year. The big question of the film is, though: is it time to give Christmas another chance? Watch I Believe in Santa now on Netflix Scrooge: A Christmas Carol Netflix has taken to adapting a Charles Dickens classic and this version is a glorious animation. A Christmas Carol has seen iterations as a Muppet-filled affair, a 1901 silent film and a 2009 computer animated feature film, also. This time round, though, this newly released Netflix film updates the famous 1970 Leslie Bricusse-composed musical with reimagined songs. And when we tell you that this is a star-studded voicing affair, we mean it. Not only do we have Luke Evans as Adult Scrooge, we also have Olivia Colman as 'Past', the Ghost of Christmas Past, Jessie Buckley as Isabel Fezziwig and Johnny Flynn as Bob Cratchit. Rounding out the cast is Fra Fee as Harry Huffam, Giles Terera as Tom Jenkins, Trevor Dion Nicholas as 'Present', James Cosmo as Mr Fezziwig and Jonathan Pryce as Jacob Marley. Watch Scrooge: A Christmas Carol now on Netflix Holidate 'Feel-good' is the term that springs to mind when describing this festive number, and it's clear to see why. Holidate follows two strangers who, fed up with being single over the holidays, agree to be one another's dates to their respective holiday gatherings while they remain single. We follow them as they go from being platonic plus-ones to fighting their very real (and growing) feelings towards each other. Not only does it have a touch of raunch to it, the film also includes a good slate of festive songs that will leave you humming along long after watching. Watch Holidate now on Netflix A Castle for Christmas This movie may be a little bit silly, but it's all part of the festive charm that makes it such an easy watch. To escape a scandal, a best-selling author journeys to Scotland where she falls in love with a castle – and faces off with the grumpy duke who owns it. A Castle for Christmas stars Brooke Shields as protagonist Sophie Brown, while Cary Elwes plays Duke Myles. There's also even a cameo from Drew Barrymore. Watch A Castle for Christmas now on Netflix Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker This documentary film is a welcome change from the usual comedic fare that populates Netflix's Christmas movie lists usually. In this Shonda Rhimes docufilm, we learn more about Debbie Allen's (Grey's Anatomy) career and follow her group of dance students as they prepare for Allen's annual Hot Chocolate Nutcracker. It's a behind-the-scenes look at Allen's own dancing school, but also provides crucial insight into a career and dance style that is usually vastly underrepresented. Watch Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker now on Netflix Sign up for Netflix from £5.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream. Check out more of our Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Harry Potter TV series star in emotional first look at Mum and Marriage writer's "powerful love story" from BBC
The new series is set to explore the heartbreak of pregnancy loss.
*Warning: This article contains mention of pregnancy loss and miscarriage that some readers may find distressing.* Having helmed series such as Mum, Him & Her and Marriage, Stefan Golaszewski is bringing us a brand new drama and this time round, it's set to be a gripping and tender exploration of love and pregnancy loss. Well, we now have our first look at the series, entitled Babies, which shows leading stars Siobhán Cullen (Bodkin) and Paapa Essiedu (Black Mirror) in two very different scenes. One image shows the pair standing outside what appears to be a doctor's office with serious facial expressions, whilst the other shows them on the bus laughing and joking together. Just from the first look of Babies, it's clear that a range of deep emotions are set to be explored in this six-parter. Billed as a "powerful love story," the official synopsis reads: "The series follows Lisa (Cullen) and Stephen (Essiedu), a couple in their 30s whose hope is tested as they endure multiple miscarriages. While confronting unimaginable grief, their bond shines through with humour, warmth, and unwavering love." Charlotte Riley (The Peripheral) and Jack Bannon (Pennyworth) also star in the series as Amanda and Dave, "a new couple navigating their own challenges and testing their compatibility." The synopsis teases that "their complex relationship, set against Lisa and Stephen’s ongoing pregnancy journey, begins to expose cracks in Stephen and Dave’s long-standing friendship." The series was initially announced last year, with Golaszewski saying at the time: "Paapa, Siobhán, Jack and Charlotte are all incredible actors. Their warmth, detail and deep humanity are essential to telling this crucial story that’s never told." Golaszewski has written and directed Babies, with the series marking his return to the BBC after the release of Marriage in 2022. That series, which starred Nicola Walker and Sean Bean, followed a married couple and showed the realities of navigating a long-term union. The series garnered plenty of critical acclaim and so, it'll likely be a return to form for Golaszewski once Babies lands on our screens. Read more: Stephen Graham's A Thousand Blows releases explosive first-look trailer for season 2 – and new episodes arrive soon BBC unveils first look at The Handmaid's Tale and Doctor Who stars in much-anticipated Gareth Southgate drama At the time of the drama's announcement, Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, also said: "Babies has everything we love about Stefan Golaszewski's work - a tender, authentic, emotional and human look at couples navigating a time in their lives that is rarely covered on television. "It's no surprise that this very special series has attracted such an outstanding cast, and it's been an honour to see them bring Stefan's scripts to life." As for the leading stars of the series, viewers will have most recently seen Cullen in Netflix's Bodkin, with the actress also being known for her roles in The Long Call, The Dry and Obituary. As for Essiedu, his breakout role was in that of I May Destroy You but since then, he's had lead roles in the likes of The Lazarus Project, Gangs of London and Black Mirror's Demon 79 episode. He is also set to star alongside Keeley Hawes in the upcoming Jack Thorne drama, Falling, which centres on a devoted nun and a Catholic priest who unexpectedly find themselves falling for each other. Essiedu is also scheduled to feature as Severus Snape in the forthcoming HBO TV series, alongside fellow British actors Janet McTeer, Nick Frost, Johnny Flynn, Paul Whitehouse and Katherine Parkinson, among many more. Babies will be coming to BBC One and iPlayer. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Adolescence duo's upcoming film tipped to surprise viewers as Ashley Walters makes "beautiful" directorial debut
Animol marks Ashley Walters's feature film directorial debut.
It's been quite the whirlwind year for Ashley Walters, with the former Top Boy star kicking off 2025 as one of the leads in Harlan Coben's Missing You and the revered Netflix hit Adolescence. That's just on top of balancing a music career and releasing a memoir this year. But it looks as though the future continues to burn bright for Walters, with the star set to make his feature film directorial debut next year with Animol. The upcoming film, which is written by Nick Love, has been described as a "raw and poignant coming-of-age story" that "highlights the power of humanity in the midst of adversity." The film has been developed by Film4 in collaboration with Joi Productions, which is founded by Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor. Upon the release of Gharoro-Akpojotor's own directorial debut Dreamers, she sat down for an exclusive Pass the Mic interview and revealed some details of what we can all expect with Animol. "That man doesn't sleep," Gharoro-Akpojotor laughs when reflecting on the year he's had. Animol officially kicked off production at the start of the year but since that announcement, Adolescence has obviously landed into the world to widespread critical acclaim and multiple award wins. So, how has it been working with Walters on Animol, especially after the release and whirlwind of Adolescence? "It's been great. I think the joy of it is actually, selfishly, it's meant more publicity for the film which is great because that means next year when it comes out, everyone gets to watch it or will go watch it," Gharoro-Akpojotor says. "The good thing about Ashley doing all these things is that he's a professional and he's quite collaborative. He's very open to 'What's your idea?' and he'll take that, take this. I think that comes from when you work across multiple fields of music or as an actor, you learn to work with people. You learn to appreciate everyone's opinion. "Working with him within that context, there's the hype of the film that we're all excited about and we can't wait to release it. But also, his schedule's been crazy." She continues: "He has been like 'No guys, this is a priority for me' so making things work for us as and when because Adolescence, he went for the Emmys, now he's in Dune: Prophecy and had to shoot that. He shot a different film in summer time. But he's always making Animol a priority. "It's been actually quite a wild time but I'm very excited, I can't wait for people to see it because it's so beautiful, it's very unexpected from him and I think it will really announce him as a voice that people should listen to visually, creatively. I don't think people are going to expect what the film is going to do." While Walters has directed multiple episodes of A Thousand Blows, Animol does mark his first time directing a full length feature – and he'll be reunited with Adolescence co-star Stephen Graham in it. The film itself draws on Walters's own experience, with Animol set to be "a searing portrayal of life within the confines of a Young Offenders’ Institution." Graham joins the supporting cast as a Welfare Officer tasked with supporting the young offenders during their incarceration while Sharon Duncan-Brewster (Dune: Part One) also stars alongside leads Tut Nyuot and Vladyslav Baliuk. At the time of Animol entering production, Walters said in a statement regarding the film's inception: “Nick and I have worked together before and always wanted to create something bold—something that sparks conversation while delivering visual beauty. Animol is deeply personal to me. "It explores the struggle of being your authentic self in a world that often pressures you to conform—one of life’s greatest challenges. At its heart, this is a story about survival and the safety found in true connection. It’s not about the ‘what’; it’s about the ‘why.’ I couldn’t be more excited to bring my debut feature to life with such an incredible team.” Read more: Eternity stars reveal they're already living in their idea of hell in the afterlife: "America right now" Divisive James Bond film confirmed to air across Christmas ITV schedules As of now, a release date for Animol has not yet been confirmed but Gharoro-Akpojotor serves as producer on the film along with Tom Hawkins under Joi Productions, which is a film and TV company focused on Black, queer and female-led stories. Speaking about the wider UK film landscape in her Pass the Mic interview and the state of diversity right now, Gharoro-Akpojotor said: "I'm excited but also scared because it's a film that I hope a lot of people see. "But also, it's a film that I want to challenge people, but the scary part is that you want people to engage in their love story and the immigration of it. I think it's the second Black lesbian film in cinemas in the UK. For me, that's a big deal just in terms of representation on so many levels. I'm excited about that but I'm also like 'are people going to go and watch it because of that?'. At the same time, I think people should watch it for that, if anything." Dreamers is in cinemas from Friday 5th December and Animol will be coming soon. Check out more of our Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Dreamers director Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor: "In cinema, after you come out, it's like you stop existing"
Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor chats to Pass the Mic about her feature directorial debut Dreamers, the conversations the film prompts about immigration, and the state of Black queer cinema in the UK.
With her directorial debut Dreamers having premiered at London Film Festival and Berlin International Film Festival earlier this year, as well as having spoken at multiple pre-release screenings of the film, you'd think that Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor may have possibly tired a little talking about her movie. Sure, she jokes that she'd love to sleep after its release, but it's abundantly clear that she's beaming with happiness and gratitude at just being able to make a film like this one. Dreamers is Gharoro-Akpojotor's feature film debut, which she has also written, and is a semi-autobiographical story that is underpinned by love. The film follows Isio (Ronkẹ Adékoluẹjo), a Nigerian woman who is detained after living undocumented in the UK for two years. She is remanded at Hatchworth Removal Centre and there, meets Farah (Ann Akinjirin) who keeps her spirits high as the possibility of her asylum pleas being rejected looms. Isio is seeking asylum in the UK because there is a very real threat of danger if she were to return to Nigeria, something that Gharoro-Akpojotor had similar experiences of. While at the crux of Dreamers is very much a love story, it still must be hard to bare your soul on the big screen like this, I remark. "I watch the film sometimes and I'm very proud and happy because for me, it's a part of my life that made me a whole lot stronger," Gharoro-Akpojotor tells me. "I went through so much therapy in the process, during the filming. Not everything in the film happened to me but some things could've. The scene where Isio's with the case worker talking, it was much longer before, but that scene is verbatim what happened in my session. "When the guy at the end asks, 'How do I know you're gay?', that's the same thing that my guy said to me at the end. Making it and going through the emotions everyday, it becomes different, it reminds you where you've been but also how much I've grown. There were times on set that were very intense and I asked myself, 'Why am I doing this?' but that's what therapy's for." The director adds: "The journey of Isio freeing her mind or realising her own voice, I think that was my journey of having to learn that immigration doesn't have to define you." Although Gharoro-Akpojotor has been doing the screening circuit throughout various points of the year now, the prospect of the film being released to the public brings its own unique set of emotions. "I'm excited but also scared because it's a film that I hope a lot of people see," she says. "But also, it's a film that I want to challenge people, but the scary part is that you want people to engage in their love story and the immigration of it. I think it's the second Black lesbian film in cinemas in the UK. "For me, that's a big deal just in terms of representation on so many levels. I'm excited about that but I'm also like 'are people going to go and watch it because of that?'. At the same time, I think people should watch it for that, if anything." When Gharoro-Akpojotor learnt that Dreamers fell into such a small statistic, how did that make the debut director feel? "It's wild. There are some stats that you never think about until somebody tells you. We made the film and knew 'They're queer, Black, it's about immigration' but that was it. "Then someone who I work with had done some research for something else and had said he'd been looking for Black lesbian films out of the UK and he could only find Stud Life. That was over 20 years ago. "We come from a period where people talk about diversity in film and TV, we talk about making a difference and then you suddenly realise it's a surface level thing. In my mind, you look at Black cinema for instance and you see the lack of." The founder of Joi Productions, Gharoro-Akpojotor is in a better position than most to know what's actually being done to further representation within UK cinema right now. That being said, the director and producer is clear that there's still more that needs to be done. "I made Blue Story, I made Boxing Day. I look at the landscape and there hasn't been a lot of Black cinema anyway that people can go 'Let me go see myself in it'. "Then you look at queer cinema separately, there's not a lot of queer cinema in the UK and that's just before getting to being a Black woman. The things that frustrate me the most is when people are like 'Oh, maybe you haven't got audiences for your film' but I think the issue is that maybe you don't know how to market to these audiences. So therefore, you don't even want to put money behind marketing for these audiences to go and watch the film." She adds: "When I first found out about [that statistic], I was quite shocked because I didn't realise how terrible the stats were, just around queerness and Black queerness on screen. Part of the reason why I got into films was just because I wanted to see myself on screen." Around the age of 19, Gharoro-Akpojotor was on a mission to find just that as a film fan. She wanted to find films that could speak to her sexuality, race and also being from Nigeria. She wasn't looking for these films purely for her own amusement, it was also in a bid to help her come out to her mother at the time. "I was trying to gather research and see how [these characters] did it," she laughs but admits that every film she managed to find was American with nothing from the UK. Through her work as a producer and now, as a feature film director and writer, Gharoro-Akpojotor is hoping to change all of that – but it's no easy feat. She's unashamed in the fact that she wants to create work that shows people that their stories matter, with that being one of the reasons why she went into filmmaking in the first place. "It's nice to be part of that representation and growing the catalogue but it's also terrible that ... there's nothing. It's awful," she says, reflecting on Dreamers space in the somewhat non-existent queer Black cinema strand coming out of the UK. When Dreamers was screened at an event in Ghana, a man accosted Gharoro-Akpojotor in the audience Q&A asking whether the film was "pushing the gay agenda in Africa". He'd said that if it went to National Film Board in Ghana then it would be deemed illegal, seeing as the country had just last year passed a bill making identifying as LGBTQ+ illegal. The moderator had said that Gharoro-Akpojotor didn't have to answer but she wanted to, saying that it was a good conversation to have. "I'm not pushing an agenda, I'm just showing people that it exists," the director says as she reflects on how she answered at the time. "What you choose to do with that information is really up to you. This film cannot make you gay. But why are you so concerned with what everyone is doing in their bedrooms?" While that's just one negative instance of some heckling from the sidelines (although it turns out that the man in question loved Dreamers), one of the best things Gharoro-Akpojotor has been confronted with after screenings are audience members beaming and saying "I saw myself on screen, thank you". But also, a glaringly obvious undercurrent that has come out of the film being screened is the fact that one of the topic's explored in the film is still something that many don't know a lot about. "What I've realised taking the film around is that a lot of people don't know anything about immigration," Gharoro-Akpojotor tells me. She describes a woman in one of the screenings who acknowledged her own privilege before asking the director how exactly someone becomes an illegal immigrant. "She had no idea how you could. Immigration is something where people are like, 'Oh immigrants' but there's no explanation, you don't understand the complexities of the immigration system," Gharoro-Akpojotor says. But she welcomes those questions because that's the point of the film, she explains. "Maybe people will begin to question the rhetorics around immigration or even just question their own belief as to what immigration is and who immigrants are." View oEmbed on the source website We joke rather than despair over the fact that when you add on levels of intersections within one's identity, it only lessens the probability of seeing your stories reflected on the big screen these days. But why is it so hard to bring a breadth of diverse storytelling to life in UK cinema? "I think, for me, I find that there's an unconscious bias. I don't think a lot of people realise that they're doing it. One thing we do at Joi Productions is we say we're Black, queer, female-led and everything in between. But when you come to us, you don't have to sell your Blackness or your queerness. We encourage the fact that we don't need to explain to audiences that this is a queer character or this is a Black character. "In Dreamers, I made a point that they never come out to each other, they just fall in love and that's it. When you live the experience, you just are. I got tired of seeing so many coming out stories because after you come out, in cinema, it's like you just stop existing. It's like I'm out... but you don't live." Gharoro-Akpojotor continues: "I think sometimes with the people in power... when it comes to you being a person of colour or a person from an underrepresented group, if the person you're speaking to doesn't understand that, they ask you to dig deeper into whatever experience you have in order for them to understand. "Whereas if you're in a room and everyone there has different lived experiences, they wouldn't be asking you to explain 'What does it mean to be queer? What does it mean to be Black? What does it mean to be working class?'. They would accept that it just is what it is. It's more about the story, less about the identity of the person. I think a lot of times in cinema, people spend more time wanting you to explain why you do A, B, C, D as a Black person. A lot of writers get frustrated." It's that process of explanation that can often be drawn out and take away a sense of creative freedom for many budding writers from underrepresented backgrounds. "When you think of any other film with 'insert white man', it just happens. My man is just living in the woods, assassin, we don't need to know how he got there," Gharoro-Akpojotor laughs. "Why does he live there? Is there a shower? But there's never questions about his trauma or what led him there. He's just there. Then you insert a Black man and it's like 'Why is he there? What led him there?'. But I think that's a very unconscious thing where [if] you don't understand the other person, you spend more time trying to understand. Sometimes people conflate understanding character with understanding the character's backstory or experience for them to find a way for them to relate." While we laugh about assassins in trees, Gharoro-Akpojotor does reflect on the fact that this very instance rings true for Dreamers. "There was a producer years ago when I first was doing Dreamers, he was like 'I'm more interested in their story of coming to the UK, what was that journey and what did they have to fight for?'. "That's because you're so used to hearing these painful, traumatic stories – go and read the paper, you'll find those stories, it's nothing new. I'm trying to tell a story of women and they're just in a place where they have to survive but that was hard for him to understand. 'How do you make me feel for them if you don't show their pain?' but again, with the man in the forest, you're not going 'Where's his trauma?'." Gharoro-Akpojotor continues: "In the film, I didn't talk about immigration, I spoke about it twice and that was a conscious decision. If you feel that at the end of the film that she should've got out, more should've happened or you're angry at the system then good. That's many people's lives. Many people that you know nothing about because you've never bothered to think who are these people and what are they going through." While the director has crafted a film that is very much centred on love, it does obviously also shine a light on the asylum process in the UK. How has it been fielding questions about immigration as if she's the sole beacon of information on it? "I always tell people that I have no solution, I know nothing but I do really believe that we as individuals have choices that we can make. Our choices affect policies. If we want any sort of real change, we have to make different choices. The thing about immigration is that it's such low-hanging fruit ... it's something the government uses all the time," she says. Gharoro-Akpojotor tells me that living in Dagenham 20 years ago, it was the rise of the British National Party and the English Defence League. Then, the rhetoric was that people are "coming over and taking our jobs", she says, "but 20 years later, we're still having the same conversations. Why are we? What is it about immigration that means you can't get a job?" "These asylum hotels you're protesting outside, nobody just turns up and checks in for two weeks, they got put there. The people who are coming, I think sometimes we forget to think about why they're coming, where they're coming from, what situation they're running from. But also, we should stop framing immigrants in that way because expats do the same thing – they go somewhere for a better life, for sunshine in Spain or wherever it is. "The only difference is there's an economic differentiation because when you're an expat, you've got a bit of money, you can buy a house. When you're an immigrant coming over, the assumption is that you're very poor, you have nothing so therefore, you can't contribute. When in reality, people who come in seeking asylum used to be doctors, accountants, teachers, have all these skills that we don't bother to think about." Releasing the film at this time when those tensions are seemingly at fever pitch is part of the scariness of Dreamers coming out, Gharoro-Akpojotor tells me. "The people I really want to watch the film are people who I want to be engaged with the immigration aspect of it too. I want the gays to go and watch it, I want women to go and watch it, people of any colour to go and watch it. Also, people who wouldn't normally watch a film about immigration and have their own questions." As for the future, Gharoro-Akpojotor is looking to adapt Diana Evans's Ordinary People which is "a beautiful, poetic unromantic romance" that follows two middle-class Black couples in Crystal Palace. "It's all about an affair that saves a marriage. It's adult and different to Dreamers but still soft." She continues: "I have a thing where I'm like 'How can we expand Black cinema and it's not just in the hood or it's not just solely based on your culture?' It's just about people with lives and things that we all experience in life. That's one of the things I'm very passionate about, the expansion of Blackness in genre – horror, action, romance because I don't think we have enough of that. I want to see more Blackness across the board, in every shape and form." Gharoro-Akpojotor is also serving as producer on Ashley Walters's Animol, which is his feature film directorial debut. "This man doesn't sleep," she laughs as we speak briefly about the post-Adolescence haze that has been 2025 for him. "He's always making Animol a priority. It's been actually quite a wild time but I'm very excited, I can't wait for people to see it because it's so beautiful, it's very unexpected from him and I think it will really announce him as a voice that people should listen to visually, creatively. I don't think people are going to expect what the film is going to do." For Gharoro-Akpojotor though, the future continues to beam bright as she confidently assures me that she'll continue doing all three – producing, writing and directing – going forward. In America, they seem to do it all, she says, so why not over here too? "I have stories to tell and I feel like I should be able to tell them. In the UK, we're so used to putting people in boxes but what happens when we just take them away?" Dreamers is in cinemas from Friday 5th December. Check out more of our Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Stranger Things season 5 release date and latest news
Hawkins's final battle is fast approaching.
The fifth and final season of Stranger Things is finally upon us, with the first four episodes available to watch now. But with the show having been running for almost a decade, there are countless storylines to conclude and characters to do justice. Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com, the Duffer brothers previously explained how they studied their favourite finales to try and work out how to approach the ending of Stranger Things. "We looked at Six Feet Under, which is one of the great finales that I've ever seen. We looked at Breaking Bad, we looked at Friday Night Lights, so there was definitely a handful of them that we looked and studied. Not for the plot specifically, but just like, why did that work for us and other fans of those shows?" Matt Duffer added of the Stranger Things finale: "There's a sense of inevitability. When you're looking at shows that don't work, or the endings that don't work, it is when it feels like sometimes the shows are trying too hard to surprise fans or do something different. "So we want it to feel very much in line with the show and the endings for each of the characters to feel inevitable. That's what we're striving for." It looks as if season 5 could well live up to expectations, however, if the dazzling Stranger Things trailers – which have generated enormous chatter about who might die in the finale – are anything to go by. Are you excited to learn all the secrets that Stranger Things season 5 has in store? Fear not: we've got everything you need to know about the upcoming run, which is dropping in three epic volumes. Stranger Things season 5 release date: When is it coming out in the UK? The first four episodes of Stranger Things season 5 (aka Volume 1) landed on Wednesday 26th November in the US and on Thursday 27th November in the UK, meaning they're available to watch now. The next three episodes (aka Volume 2) will be released on Christmas Day (Thursday 25th December) in the US and on Boxing Day (Friday 26th December) in the UK. And the grand finale will cap things off on New Year's Eve (Wednesday 31st December) in the US and on New Year's Day (Thursday 1st January 2026) in the UK. Each volume releases at 5pm PT, which equates to 1am here in the UK. The two-hour finale will also be shown in over 350 cinemas in the US and Canada at the same time as it drops on Netflix. Alas, the episode does not appear to be getting a theatrical run in the UK. How many episodes are in Stranger Things season 5? Stranger Things season 5 will consist of eight episodes. This is the same number of episodes as seasons 1 and 3, but one less than seasons 2 and 4. Regardless, this is likely to clock in as one of the longest entries in the saga due to the extensive runtimes already announced (more on that below). What are the Stranger Things 5 episode titles? Netflix has revealed the titles to all eight episodes in Stranger Things 5, and they have stirred up plenty of speculation among the fanbase. Here's an overview of all the episodes in Stranger Things season 5 and their runtimes: Episode 1 - The Crawl (1 hour and 8 minutes) Episode 2 - The Vanishing Of... (54 minutes) Episode 3 - The Turnbow Trap (1 hour and 6 minutes) Episode 4 - Sorcerer (1 hour and 23 minutes) Episode 5 - Shock Jock (TBC) Episode 6 - Escape From Camazotz (TBC) Episode 7 - The Bridge (TBC) Episode 8 - The Rightside Up (approx. 2 hours) The title of the second episode has left people particularly intrigued over who exactly will be "vanishing" this time around. (It also serves as an homage to the first ever episode, The Vanishing of Will Byers.) In an Instagram post (below), Stranger Things co-creator Ross Duffer described The Crawl as the "most eventful first episode since season 1" and said that The Vanishing Of... boasts the "craziest cold open we've ever done". When is Stranger Things season 5 set? Stranger Things season 5 will feature a time jump to explain why the appearances of the young cast have changed, bringing the characters' ages in line with those of the cast. A brief description of Stranger Things season 5, released along with the episode titles, stated that "in the fall of 1987, one last adventure begins" – confirming that this story will take place roughly one year after the fourth. Who stars in Stranger Things season 5? Of course, it wouldn't be Stranger Things without the original 'kids' (now all grown up), with a behind-the-scenes clip during production teasing more scenes of them together after season 4 split them up. That means you can look forward to more scenes of Noah Schnapp (Will), Finn Wolfhard (Mike), Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin), Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas) and Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven). For Schnapp, this included shooting season 1 flashbacks of his younger self lost in the Upside-Down, which relied upon a body double and state of the art 'de-aging' technology to recreate his childhood look. Brown had previously gone through the process for Stranger Things 4, which revealed Eleven's backstory in greater depth, and so Schnapp asked his co-star for advice on how to achieve the best result. "It was fun to step into those director shoes that we don't really get the chance to do on the show," he told Deadline. "And think introspectively and reflectively of how I act and how I did act and move and breathe and turn and look and kind of relay that onto this little kid, who was so cute." In terms of the scenes themselves, which see a young(er) Will going toe-to-toe with a Demogorgon, he added it was "gratifying" to find out what happened between the scenes in season 1, and teased that his character is "stronger than we may have believed". Sadie Sink is also back as Max Mayfield, who befriended the group in season 2 and has since grown particularly close to Lucas, but the nature of her role remains unclear for the time being. Max had a close brush with death in season 4, which left her comatose and potentially braindead. The first Stranger Things 5 trailer only featured her in an unconscious state, although Sink has previously teased that she may have more action to come. Other returnees include Winona Ryder as Will's mother Joyce, David Harbour as Eleven's adoptive father Hopper, plus Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton and Joe Keery as love triangle trio Nancy, Jonathan and Steve. Here's a list of the confirmed Stranger Things 5 cast – read on for more on the additions and absences in the line-up. Noah Schnapp as Will Byers Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers David Harbour as Jim Hopper Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven/Jane Hopper Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers Joe Keery as Steve Harrington Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley Brett Gelman as Murray Bauman Priah Ferguson as Erica Sinclair Paul Reiser as Dr Sam Owens Jamie Campbell Bower as Peter Ballard/Henry Creel/One/Vecna Cara Buono as Karen Wheeler Gabriella Pizzolo as Susie Linda Hamilton as Dr Kay Nell Fisher as Holly Wheeler Jake Connelly as Derek Turnbow Alex Breaux as Lt Akers Amybeth McNulty as Vickie Joining the line-up as a newcomer is Terminator icon Linda Hamilton, whose casting was announced at a TUDUM fan event. She said at the time: "I don’t know how to be a fangirl and an actress at the same time. I'm gonna work on that." More recently, child actors Nell Fisher (Evil Dead Rise) and Jake Connelly have joined the Stranger Things family, alongside Alex Breaux, who recently played a young Dr Brenner on Broadway's edition of stage play The First Shadow. As for the show's Dr Brenner, it seems unlikely that he'll be returning after his expanded role in season 4 ended in calamity, despite actor Matthew Modine positing that his character might have survived (again). Another character who won't be returning is Eduardo Franco's Argyle. Introduced in season 4, Argyle was a stoner friend of Jonathan Byers (played by Charlie Heaton), who quickly became a key part of the season. He rescued Jonathan, Will (Noah Schnapp), Mike (Finn Wolfhard) and Agent Harmon (Ira Amyx) before helping Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) fight Vecna at the pizza parlour where he worked. However, when asked if he'll be part of the final season on the Steve Varley Show, he said: "It's nice to hear that there's, you know, concern or something, you know what I mean? But I never got a phone call. So I think, yeah, I think that's it." What will the plot of Stranger Things season 5 be? Stranger Things season 5 will follow the final battle for Hawkins – and the world – after season 4 saw the barrier between our reality and the Upside-Down seemingly rupture for good. The official synopsis for Stranger Things season 5 reads: "The fall of 1987. Hawkins is scarred by the opening of the Rifts, and our heroes are united by a single goal: find and kill Vecna. But he has vanished – his whereabouts and plans unknown. "Complicating their mission, the government has placed the town under military quarantine and intensified its hunt for Eleven, forcing her back into hiding. As the anniversary of Will's disappearance approaches, so does a heavy, familiar dread. "The final battle is looming – and with it, a darkness more powerful and more deadly than anything they've faced before. To end this nightmare, they'll need everyone – the full party – standing together, one last time." Co-creator Matt Duffer told The Hollywood Reporter in a recent interview that season 5 sticks to the "north star" ending that the team have had in mind for "a really long time," but allowed room for added detours that "often surprised" even them. "Really the way we approach every season... was as if every season was a movie. Let’s not leave anything on the table," he explained. Expanding further in an interview with RadioTimes.com, the Duffers revealed that they had studied past series finales in an attempt to avoid the pitfalls of the most infamous misfires. "When you're looking at the endings that don't work, it is when it feels like sometimes the shows are trying too hard to surprise fans or do something different," theorised Matt. "So we want it to feel very much in line with the show and the endings for each of the characters to feel inevitable. That's what we're striving for," he continued, citing Breaking Bad, Six Feet Under and Friday Night Lights as influential success stories. In keeping with earlier seasons, we know this is going to be an emotional one. While promoting Deadpool & Wolverine, producer Shawn Levy said: "It's not too far away but also not soon enough... When the Duffers pitched the story of season 5, nobody wasn't crying, including me. Not a dry eye in that room." Stranger Things season 5 trailer A full-length trailer has now been released and, as you probably already guessed, it looks like our heroes are really going to be put through the wringer this season as Vecna emerges from the darkness. Watch for yourself below: View Green Video on the source website A second trailer focused on Volume 1 (consisting of episodes 1-4) followed, which had a more fun and optimistic tone – but still carries foreboding signs of trouble ahead. You can watch it on YouTube. Will Stranger Things season 5 be the final season? Yes, it's true! When season 5 was announced, it was confirmed that it would be the final season of the show. However, spin-offs are in the works at Netflix, with an animated series titled Tales of '85 being first up, followed by a live-action anthology influenced by the unique style of Twin Peaks (via Deadline). It's unclear just how involved the Duffer brothers will be in the latter project, given they recently closed a film and television deal with rival media giant Paramount. Explaining the shock pivot, the filmmakers said that they were keen to release features for the big screen and support the embattled cinema experience, while Netflix's model is primarily focused on home viewing. Speaking to RadioTimes.com at the premiere, producer Shawn Levy said that he'd love to see a Stranger Things spin-off focused on odd couple besties Dustin and Steve, but made no promises that such a project would become a reality. Previously, Dustin actor Matarazzo has suggested that he would consider reprising the role, but only after a break to pursue other opportunities – understandable after committing about a decade to Stranger Things. He said: "If you were to ask me a year from now if I wanted to come back, I'd probably be like, 'I’m gonna do some other stuff for a bit initially,' but who knows what it's going to be like?" "I would love to see, potentially, if there's a continuation of Dustin after [season] 5, if any of us make it up to that point, I would love to see what would happen, what Dustin would be like as a 30-year-old." Stranger Things seasons 1-4 are available on Netflix now. Sign up for Netflix from £5.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream. Add Stranger Things to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Sci-Fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Rivals season 2 first look released as David Tennant and cast return for "jaw-dropping" twists in 2026
It's been a year since Rivals was renewed for a second season but at long last, we have a first look at the brand new episodes thanks to Disney+. The first season ended on quite the dramatic cliffhanger for David Tennant's Lord Tony Baddingham – the last we saw of him was being clubbed over the head with an award by his lover and Corinium producer Cameron Cook (Nafessa Williams). So, something tells us he's out for revenge in a major way this time round, and we can see Tony in a new picture above, this time looking sterner than ever as he's walking away from his helicopter. Other first-look images of the Rivals cast show us Williams's Cameron who appears to be at some kind of meeting, while Aidan Turner's Declan O'Hara is seen standing by a camper van, wearing a similarly hued t-shirt that matches the vehicle to a T. The final image shows Bella Maclean's Taggie O'Hara and Alex Hassell's Rupert Campbell-Black sneaking a moment together in a pantry. Seeing as the pair confessed their feelings for one another in the finale, it doesn't look as though they've made any strides to making their relationship public. As Rupert and Taggie's father Declan had already discussed all of this (with Rupert assuring Declan that he wouldn't go near his daughter romantically), it's possible that Rupert and Taggie's relationship could very well lead to an implosion for Declan and Rupert's working relationship. If one thing's for certain, these images have only further piqued our interest for the new season and it really can't come soon enough. While we don't have a confirmed release date for Rivals season 2 just yet, we do know that the season will premiere in 2026. It's been teased that the new episodes will pack "even more wit, desire, and jaw-dropping twists. Power struggles intensify, rivalries deepen and ambition pushes loyalties to the brink." Currently filming in the UK, the new season will be coming after the sad death of Rivals author Dame Jilly Cooper, who also served as an executive producer on the series, previously describing it as an "absolutely wonderful" adaptation. The new season's synopsis reads: "Set in the stunning Cotswolds countryside and against the backdrop of the glamorous, high-stakes world of 1980s British television, the second instalment reunites the all-star cast who captivated fans and critics, while introducing some exciting new faces. "Following last season’s dramatic cliffhanger with Tony’s fate hanging in the balance, Lord Baddingham is back and out for vengeance ready to stop at nothing to keep Corinium’s empire unrivalled." Read more: Jill Halfpenny's "gripping" new psychological drama gets its release date confirmed with tense first look Euphoria season 3 release window finally confirmed – as surprising plot details revealed for Rue, Cassie and more We already know that Rutshire is set to welcome in some new faces as well, as it was previously announced that Rupert Everett and Hayley Atwell had been cast in key roles. Atwell is set to play Helen Gordon, Rupert's ex-wife and the mother of his daughters, and Everett is set to take on the role of Malise Gordon, her new husband and Rupert's former show-jumping coach. As for other new stars, Maxim Ays, Holly Cattle, Oliver Dench, Amanda Lawrence, Bobby Lockwood, Eliot Salt and Jonny Weldon are all joining Rivals season 2 too. Rivals season 1 is available to stream on Disney+. Sign up to Disney+ now for £5.99 per month or £99.90 for a full year. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Euphoria season 3 release window finally confirmed – as surprising plot details revealed for Rue, Cassie and more
We finally know some further details about Euphoria season 3.
After years of speculation, we finally know which month HBO's Euphoria is set to hit screens and it's good news. It turns out that we won't be waiting too much longer for new episodes, with it now being confirmed that Euphoria season 3 will premiere in April 2026. As of now, no further details have been given over if episodes will land at the same time in the UK as the US but we can imagine it'll be the case, especially with HBO Max being confirmed to rollout in the UK and Ireland in March next year. Series creator Sam Levinson spoke at the HBO Max presentation in London this week, revealing further exciting details about what's to come for some of the fan-favourite characters – and you may be left surprised at where we find the likes of Rue and Cassie. Levinson revealed (via Variety): “Five years felt like a natural place because if they’d gone to college they’d be out of college at that time. "We basically pick up Rue [Zendaya] south of the border in Mexico, in debt to Laurie [Martha Kelly], trying to come up with some very innovative ways to pay it off.” As for Sydney Sweeney's Cassie, Levinson teased: “And then Cassie is living in the suburbs with Nate [Jacob Elordi], they’re engaged and she’s very addicted to social media and envious of what appears to be the big lives that all of her high school classmates are living at this point in time. “I feel strongly this is our best season yet… I will say that Cassie and Nate do in fact get married. I’m confirming it. And I promise that it will be an unforgettable night.” Whether fans have been waiting four years since the finale for Cassie and Nate to tie the knot is certainly a stretch, but Levinson has only confirmed rumours that have been floating around since paparazzi pictures surfaced of Sweeney on the Euphoria set in a wedding dress. Season 2 saw their relationship develop very unexpectedly, especially seeing as Cassie and Maddy used to be best friends, with Nate and Maddy being the 'it' couple that underpinned Euphoria's first season. Doubling down on a relationship plotline that so many fans had a problem with is certainly a bold step but we'd expect nothing less from The Idol creator. Seeing as Cassie has only displayed insecurity and low self-esteem a lot of the time through the series, something tells us that getting married to Nate won't be all rainbows. Paired with the fact that she appears to be living her life scrolling online, we can imagine that Cassie will make some further bad decisions. As for what they are and whether Levinson will properly flesh out her character this time round, we'll just have to wait and see. Sweeney did previously state that "Cassie is crazy" when asked about Euphoria season 3 on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, adding that in the new season, "she's even worse". As for Zendaya's Rue, who has very much been the lead of the series, it seems as if she's gotten herself into another tricky spot of trouble. After the season 2 finale, many would expect Rue to be in a better place seeing as she had chosen to get sober after a relapse. But hey, a sensible Rue may not make sense for Levinson's season 3 vision. As for further Euphoria details, Levinson also said: “Jules [Hunter Schafer] is in art school, very nervous about having a career as a painter and trying to avoid responsibility at all costs. Maddy [Alexa Demie] is working in Hollywood at a talent agency for a manager, she’s obviously got her own side hustles going. "And Lexi [Maude Apatow] is an assistant to a showrunner played by Sharon Stone, who is just absolutely delightful and a true icon.” Read more: Euphoria season 3 release window confirmed by HBO boss as he comments on show's future with A-list Hollywood cast Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney gives update on season 3 Since the season 2 finale, the cast of Euphoria has only gone on to be bigger household and Hollywood names, with the main cast having been seen in a raft of recent movie releases. The confirmed returning cast for season 3 includes Zendaya, Hunter Schafer, Eric Dane, Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeney and Colman Domingo. Alexa Demie, Maude Apatow, Martha Kelly, Chloe Cherry, Dominic Fike and Nika King are also returning, as well as Alanna Ubach, Daeg Faerch, Melvin Bonez Estes, Paula Marshall, Sophia Rose Wilson and Zak Steiner. As for new faces, Spanish singer Rosalía joins the cast as well as YouTuber Trisha Paytas, Natasha Lyonne, Danielle Deadwyler, Eli Roth and Marshawn Lynch. Other new cast members include Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Toby Wallace, Darrell Britt-Gibson, Kadeem Hardison, Priscilla Delgado, James Landry Hébert, Anna Van Patten, Asante Blackk, Bella Podaras, Bill Bodner, Cailyn Rice, Colleen Camp and Gideon Adlon. Hemky Madera, Homer Gere, Jack Topalian, Jessica Blair Herman, Kwame Patterson, Madison Thompson, Matthew Willig, Rebecca Pidgeon and Sam Trammell also round out the new cast. Euphoria is available to watch on Sky Atlantic and NOW with an Entertainment Membership. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Call the Midwife 2025 Christmas specials air dates and times confirmed by BBC
It's time to return to Nonnatus House not once, but twice this Christmas.
This year is another very special one for Call the Midwife fans as we're obviously being treated to our usual dose of festive cheer in the form of a festive episode – but this year, we're once again getting two brand new specials. Now, we know just when they'll be landing on our screens. Thankfully, there's not a lengthy gap between them and they'll be airing on consecutive days. It's now been confirmed that Call the Midwife's two specials will air at 8:15pm on Christmas Day and 8:30pm on Boxing Day respectively. Each episode will be an hour long and will see "Violet and Fred travel to Hong Kong to visit her son, where they learn that the Branch House in Kowloon has collapsed and there are multiple fatalities". The synopsis continues: "A rescue mission is hastily organised, and a team from Nonnatus make emergency plans to head out." Meanwhile, "Cyril receives an unexpected request" from a visitor. At the same time, "Rosalind and Joyce host a Christmas gathering" and Sister Catherine "gets involved in a case with two mums-to-be who are Irish travellers and living in a camp". <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/11/Call-the-Midwife-Christmas-special-2025-Sister-Hilda-Mrs-Ma-Sister-Julienne-75c0ff2.jpg" width="4284" height="2856" alt="Sister Hilda and Sister Julienne sitting at a table and comforting a distraught Mrs Ma." title="Fenella Woolgar as Sister Hilda, Patra Au as Mrs Ma and Jenny Agutter as Sister Julienne in the Call the Midwife Christmas special 2025." /> The two Christmas specials are set to be quite different for the series, according to the show's cast and creative team. Previously speaking to RadioTimes.com exclusively after the series won the Returning Drama award at the National Television Awards 2025, Stephen McGann teased that "there will be heat" before series creator Heidi Thomas added that "there will be snow and sweat in equal measure". "Also, one Christmas special that really makes me laugh," McGann said. "There are bits of the Christmas special – there's real drama, as always – but there's also a wonderful thing that happens, which I'm not going to tell you, but actually they are brilliant." Laura Main said that the specials go to "completely new territory", adding that she means "geographically, and even what happens in Poplar", adding: "It's absolutely new ground." We do know that the Hong Kong-centred storyline will put a stop to festivities as disaster strikes for the characters. The episode will see the mother house collapse and leave several casualties, with Jenny Agutter revealing about the episode: "We discover the ground underneath the mission has made it collapse. It's just sunk away. Some people have died, the whole place is destroyed, and the orphans and mothers have nowhere to go." Read more: Call the Midwife stars tease epic Christmas special with unexpected 'stunt': "It felt like Mission: Impossible" Call the Midwife's Jenny Agutter teases death and destruction in "disturbing" Christmas special She added: "So, they get a small party together to go out to Hong Kong to see what they can do to help, try and find new premises and take care of things." Rebecca Gethings returns as Sister Veronica in the new episodes, also teasing: "She and Nurse Crane find a newborn baby who's been left in a cardboard box, literally hours after being born. It's all looking quite bleak, but then the mother comes to collect the baby, so that's a really lovely moment, but tough for Sister Veronica. "She has bonded with this baby. She's got these mixed feelings of delight that this baby's going to be okay and reunited with his mother, but also this illogical wanting of the baby herself." Trixie star Helen George also recently spoke with Radio Times to preview the Christmas specials and discuss what's going on with her character and Matthew, explaining that "things feel more stable than they possibly ever have" between the pair. So, it looks like it'll be Call the Midwife's usual dose of heartfelt and emotional and the episodes couldn't come soon enough! Call the Midwife airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Add Call the Midwife to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Death in Paradise and Beyond Paradise 2025 Christmas specials air dates confirmed by BBC
Both hit crime dramas will be airing over the festive period.
It wouldn't quite be Christmas without the slew of wonderful festive telly to sort through over the coming weeks, would it? Well, it's now been confirmed just when fans of Death in Paradise and Beyond Paradise will be able to enjoy each of the show's yuletide specials. While last month brought exciting news about the guest casts that will be in each show, we now know that Beyond Paradise will air on 21st December at 9pm, and Death in Paradise will air on 28th December at 8:30pm. So, get marking your calendars! Beyond Paradise will transport us back to Shipton Abbott where Humphrey and the team are already having a busy season when they're confronted by a mystery man who is found holding a photo of Humphrey, with no memory. The synopsis continues: "At the same time, with the help of Anne, Zoe and a special guest, Martha races to pull off her secret plan while Kelby tries to help a mystery man trapped inside his snowman costume. "But with an influx of unexpected visitors, a slew of holiday crimes to crack, and a heartwarming reunion on the line, can the team juggle it all and still be ready for a life-changing reveal?" <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/11/Martha-d940585.jpg" width="4284" height="2856" alt="A group of people stand together indoors at a festive gathering, clapping and smiling. A man in a navy suit and a woman in a cream satin dress are at the front, both looking happy and celebratory. Behind them, two older women also clap, surrounded by warm fairy lights, stone walls, and a decorated Christmas tree, creating a cosy holiday atmosphere." title="Beyond Paradise" /> Of course, Kris Marshall and Sally Bretton will be leading proceedings as DI Humphrey Goodman and Martha Lloyd respectively, with the rest of the returning cast including Zahra Ahmadi as DS Esther Williams, Dylan Llewellyn as PC Kelby Hartford, Barbara Flynn as Anne Lloyd, Felicity Montagu as Margo Martins, Jamie Bamber as Archie Hughes and Melina Sinadinou as Zoe Williams. As for new faces descending on the sleepy Devon town, the guest cast for the Christmas special includes Adrian Edmondson (Alien: Earth), James Lance (Ted Lasso) and Jonny Weldon (One Day). Just one week later, TV fans will be able to get swept up in the shores of Saint Marie for a dose of Death in Paradise, which will unfold both on the Caribbean island and also closer to home in Swindon. Read more: BBC confirms Christmas 2025 TV schedule – from The Traitors season 4 to The Night Manager season 2 "Addictive" drama series about scandalous Mitford sisters is set to head to BBC iPlayer The official synopsis for the episode reads: "The office Christmas party of a lifetime takes a dark turn when four co-workers wake up to find a stranger dead in the pool of their Caribbean villa. "DI Mervin Wilson and the team identify the murder weapon, but they’re left baffled when they find that it was locked in a drawer when the murder took place... thousands of miles away from the crime scene, in Swindon! Stuck in Saint Marie, the team calls on the help of a familiar face to crack the case. "Meanwhile, Mervin’s anxiously waiting to hear back from his newly discovered brother, which prevents him from embracing Saint Marie's Christmas celebrations. Can Mervin resolve his family situation and get into the festive spirit – for the sake of his team and the island?" As well as Don Gilet's DI Mervin Wilson, the cast of familiar faces includes Shantol Jackson as DS Naomi Thomas, Ginny Holder as Officer Darlene Curtis, Shaquille Ali-Yebuah as Officer Sebastian Rose and Élizabeth Bourgine as Catherine Bordey. It wouldn't be a twisted episode of Death in Paradise without their guest appearances, which have been confirmed as including Josie Lawrence (Outside Edge), Kate Ashfield (Shaun of the Dead), Pearl Mackie (Doctor Who), James Baxter (Waterloo Road), Billy Harris (Ted Lasso), Oriana Charles and Alix Serman. Beyond Paradise will air on 21st December at 9pm and Death in Paradise will air on 28th December at 8:30pm on BBC One and iPlayer. Add Death in Paradise to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Down Cemetery Road release schedule: When is episode 8 on Apple TV?
When do new episodes of the Mick Herron adaptation series get released on Apple TV?
There's just one episode of Down Cemetery Road left to go and boy, are the stakes at an all time high right now. It looks as though all paths have led to one windswept destination as Sarah (Ruth Wilson) and Zoë (Emma Thompson) continue to work hard to find Dinah. But they're not the only ones to descend upon the small Scottish fishing village, as Downey (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett) and Amos (Fehinti Balogun) are also reaching their own breaking points. While the tension has continued to notch up throughout the episodes, Balogun's Amos has certainly brought an addictive sinister quality to the series which only means that, for us, the finale really couldn't come soon enough. Down Cemetery Road has continued to be a welcome addition to Apple TV's offerings, particularly for Slow Horses fans, as it's also adapted from Mick Herron's work. Co-stars Thompson and Wilson have previously praised the story for featuring two characters at its centre who wouldn't typically be seen in this kind of story. "[Zoë and Sarah] are very unusual characters; Sarah doesn't really fit into the genre," said Wilson in an interview with RadioTimes.com. Read more: Apple TV's Down Cemetery Road book changes revealed by Emma Thompson Emma Thompson: I’d film action scenes on Down Cemetery Road, then have a half an ale between takes "She's a person like you and me, so there's something really fascinating and relatable about her – a twist on what we usually see on TV. They're two amazing, eccentric female leads. It's really rare, unique and funny." But when does the last episode land? Read on for details on when you can expect the finale of Down Cemetery Road to drop on Apple TV, complete with a full schedule and how many episodes the series is in total. Down Cemetery Road release schedule: When is episode 8 on Apple TV? Down Cemetery Road episode 8 will be released on Apple TV on Wednesday 10th December. The series premiered on Apple TV with a double bill on Wednesday 29th October. Since then, a single episodes has dropped weekly every Wednesday. How many episodes of Down Cemetery Road are there? There will be eight episodes in Down Cemetery Road season 1 in total. Down Cemetery Road release schedule: When are new episodes out? Episode 1 - Almost True - Wednesday 29th October (out now) Episode 2 - A Kind of Grief - Wednesday 29th October (out now) Episode 3 - Filthy Work - Wednesday 5th November (out now) Episode 4 - My Friends Don't Like Me - Wednesday 12th November (out now) Episode 5 - Slow Dying - Wednesday 19th November (out now) Episode 6 - Neglected Waters - Wednesday 26th November (out now) Episode 7 - Lights Go Out - Wednesday 3rd December (out now) Episode 8 - What Will Survive - Wednesday 10th December Down Cemetery Road trailer You can watch the full trailer for Down Cemetery Road below. View oEmbed on the source website Down Cemetery Road will stream on Apple TV+ from Wednesday 29th October 2025 – sign up to Apple TV+ now. Add Down Cemetery Road to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" class="x_OWAAutoLink" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Love Actually star's Charles Dickens-inspired series finally gets return date confirmed with new first look
The series was renewed back in November 2024.
Having been renewed more than a year ago now, we finally have a first look at The Artful Dodger season 2 – and have a release date confirmed. The new season will once again see Love Actually star Thomas Brodie-Sangster in the leading role as the titular character, but this time he's set to be in deeper trouble than ever before. The second season is set to kick off on 10th February 2026, with all episodes dropping as a boxset. The official synopsis reads: "Jack’s back! The Artful Dodger returns, and he’s in deep trouble. He’s got an appointment with the noose, he’s being hunted by Inspector Boxer, Port Victory’s new lawman, and if he sees the woman he loves, Lady Belle, he’ll be hanged. "Meanwhile, Lady Belle is determined to forge her future in medicine, defying expectation and stepping into danger, driven by ambition and a love already hanging in the balance." It adds: "With Boxer competing with Jack for Belle’s affection, the crafty Fagin drags Dodger into their most dangerous heist yet, and a killer is on the loose. "Get ready for an explosive season of new characters and locations with more thrills, humour, heart, invention and deception than ever." Once again, the characters of the series are inspired by the well known tale by Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist. As well as a returning Brodie-Sangster, David Thewlis also reprises his role as Fagin as well as Maia Mitchell as Lady Belle Fox. Other returning cast members include Susie Porter as Lady Jane Fox, Damien Garvey as Governor Fox, Tim Minchin as Darius Cracksworth. Lucy-Rose Leonard as Lady Fanny Fox, Nicholas Burton as Dr Sneed, Kim Gyngell as The Prof. Luke Carroll, Vivienne Awosoga, Aljin Abella, Brigid Zengeni and Albert Latailakepa are all also back. Read more: Harlan Coben's new Netflix thriller starring Gavin & Stacey icon releases chilling first look trailer Bridgerton fan-favourite stars in riotous first look at return of acclaimed comedy series There are also a few new characters to get excited about for season 2 including Luke Bracey (Elvis) as Inspector Henry Boxer, Jeremy Sims (Mr Inbetween) as Uncle Dickie and rising star Zac Burgess (Cruel Intentions) as Phineas Golden. The series has once again been filmed in Sydney, Australia with Senior Vice President and Managing Director of The Walt Disney Company Australia and New Zealand, Kylie Watson-Wheeler, saying: “We’re excited our fan-favourite Aussie Original is back for a second season. It has more romance, adventure and razor-sharp wit, plus several new faces. “The show’s return is a testament to its local and international success and the high-calibre talent involved, both in front and behind the camera. “We’re immensely proud to be bringing quality Australian storytelling to the world stage and to have further elevated the production with intricate new costuming and sets that take audiences even deeper into the adrenaline-pumping world of The Artful Dodger.” The Artful Dodger season 2 will premiere on Disney Plus on 10th February 2026. Season 1 is available to stream now. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Harlan Coben's new Netflix thriller starring Gavin & Stacey icon releases chilling first look trailer
It's almost that time of year for another Harlan Coben thriller to binge-watch.
It's almost become streaming tradition now that upon the dawn of a new year also means we get a brand new Harlan Coben thriller to get obsessed with. This time round, we have Run Away – and at long last, we have a trailer for the gripping new series. Released today, the trailer not only gives us a glimpse at the leading cast of Run Away but also gives us a window into the drama to come. As we see in the trailer, things were pretty much picture perfect for Simon (James Nesbitt) and his close-knit family. The trailer kicks off as they drop off their daughter Paige (Ellie de Lange) to university, with Simon being the typically embarrassing father and Minnie Driver starring as Paige's mother Ingrid, excitedly taking pictures of her daughter as they embark on this new chapter of her life. However, as we soon see, things don't quite go as expected as we get brief snapshots of what's to come: Paige trying to push past her father to leave the house, lots of shouting and the police getting involved. We're then introduced to Gavin & Stacey co-creator Ruth Jones in the role of private investigator Elena Ravenscroft, who attends a crime scene and reveals she's working alongside the police on a case. That's when we realise the crossover between the two lead characters, as Elena seems intent on finding Paige for her case, something that Simon obviously can't really help her with as he doesn't know the whereabouts of his daughter. You can watch the trailer for yourself below. View oEmbed on the source website As the chilling trailer reveals, it's quite a convoluted web of secrets and crime, as Paige's boyfriend is soon found dead, with Simon intent on still finding his daughter. As well as first looks at Nesbitt and Jones in their leading roles, the trailer also gives us glimpses into the character of Detective Isaac Fagbenle, who is played by Alfred Enoch, and also Jon Pointing (Big Boys). The official synopsis for the series reads: "Simon (Nesbitt) had the perfect life: loving wife and kids, great job, beautiful home. But then his eldest daughter Paige ran away and everything fell apart. "So now when he finds her, vulnerable and strung out on drugs in a city park, he finally has the chance to bring his little girl home. But it turns out she’s not alone, and an argument escalates into shocking violence. "In the aftermath, Simon loses his daughter all over again, and his search to find her will take him into a dangerous underworld, revealing deep secrets that could tear his family apart forever." The rest of the Run Away cast includes Gangs of London alum Lucian Msamati, Tracy Ann-Oberman (Code 404), Annette Badland (Ted Lasso), Finty Williams (The A List), Joe McGann (Kaos) and Ingrid Oliver (Sweetpea), as well as Adrian Greensmith (of Coben's Prime Video series Shelter), Ellie Henry (Hollyoaks), Maeve Courtier-Lilley (Silent Witness) and Amy Gledhill (Alma's Not Normal). Run Away is coming to Netflix on 1st January 2026. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
New on Netflix UK December 2025: All the upcoming shows and films
It's another busy month for the streaming service.
It's the most wonderful time of the year, and as we head into December, Netflix has a whole host of presents set to be released to its subscribers. There are star-studded films such as Jay Kelly, Wake Up Dead Man and Goodbye June on the way, as well as hit returning series including Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft and Emily in Paris, back for new runs. Meanwhile, those looking for laughs this festive season can look forward to Rowan Atkinson's return as Trevor Bingley in Man vs Baby, and for Ricky Gervais's latest stand-up special, Mortality, which is arriving at the end of the year. Last but not least, after volume 1 left things on a monumental cliffhanger, Stranger Things season 5 is back for volume 2 this month - before the finale arrives on 1st January 2026. In the meantime, scroll on to find out more about what's coming to Netflix in December 2025. New on Netflix UK in December Monday 1st December All the Empty Rooms (2025) – Short documentary film will sees journalist Steve Hartman and photographer Lou Bopp travel across the US to memorialise the bedrooms of children lost to school shootings. Beyond the Mask (2015) – Action-adventure film set during the American Revolution and starring John Rhys-Davies. Cocomelon Lane season 6 – Sixth run of the animated children's series. Love Is Blind: Italy season 1 – New Italian version of the hit reality dating series. Love Lies Bleeding (2024) – Romantic thriller film directed by Rose Glass and starring Kristen Stewart and Katy O'Brian. My Next Guest With David Letterman and Adam Sandler (2025) – Letterman interviews actor Adam Sandler for this new instalment of his talk show format. Rob Delaney: Jackie (2020) – Stand-up comedy special from Rob Delaney. Talamasca: The Secret Order season 1 – New series in the Immortal Universe of shows based on Anne Rice's books, this one starring Celine Buckens and Elizabeth McGovern amongst others. Taskmaster season 18 – 2024 season of the hit Channel 4 comedy competition show, with the line-up including Andy Zaltzman, Babatunde Aléshé, Emma Sidi, Jack Dee and Rosie Jones. Troll 2 (2025) – Norwiegan film and sequel to the 2022 monster film Troll. WWE Survivor Series (2025) – Return of the annual WWE event. Tuesday 2nd December A Big LEGO Christmas (2016) – Documentary film about the opening of a LEGO store in London at Christmas. Inside LEGO at Christmas (2020) – Documentary showing the staff at LEGO preparing for Christmas. Matt Rife Unwrapped: A Christmas Crowdwork Special (2025) – Stand-up comedy special from Matt Rife. Sean Comb: The Reckoning (2025) – Documentary about rapper Sean 'Diddy' Combs who was jailed earlier this year, produced by 50 Cent. Wednesday 3rd December The Good Karma Hospital seasons 1-4 – All seasons of the ITV medical drama set in India, starring Amanda Redman, Amrita Acharia and Neil Morrissey. My Secret Santa (2025) – Romantic comedy Christmas film about a desperate single mother who disguises herself as an elderly man to get hired as a ski resort's Santa Claus. With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration (2025) – Christmas special of the reality series hosted by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. Thursday 4th December The Abandons season 1 – Lena Headey and Gillian Anderson lead the cast of this new Western series, as two matriarchs of warring families in the 1800s. The Believers season 2 – Second season of the Thai crime drama. Catch Me If You Can (2002) – Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks lead the cast of this acclaimed caper, based on a true story, directed by Steven Spielberg. I Wish You Had Told Me (2025) – Filipino drama film about a young missionary who travels from the Philippines to Spain to meet his late father's forbidden love. Lali: Time to Step Up (2025) – Argentinian music documentary about pop star Lali. Friday 5th December Call Me Dad (2025) – Emotional Indonesian drama film. Jay Kelly (2025) – George Clooney and Adam Sandler star in this comedy-drama about a Hollywood star and his manager, directed by Noah Baumbach. Love and Wine (2025) – South African romantic comedy film. The New Yorker at 100 (2025) – Retrospective documentary about The New Yorker as the publication marks its 100th anniversary. Owning Manhattan season 2 – New season of the reality show about high end property realtors. The Price of Confession season 1 – Korean thriller series about a woman who is accused of killing her husband, but is offered a way out by a mysterious stranger if she commits a different murder. Stephen (2025) – Indian Tamil-language crime thriller film. Sicily Express – Italian Christmas comedy series. Saturday 6th December The Night My Dad Saved Christmas 2 (2025) – Spanish Christmas comedy film and sequel to the 2023 film. Monday 8th December Elmo & Mark Rober’s Merry Christmas (2025) – Children's Christmas special in which Elmo and the Sesame Street gang team up with former NASA engineer turned YouTuber Mark Rober. Murder By Medic season 1 – British crime docuseries about medical practitioners who have committed murders. Tuesday 9th December Badly in Love season 1 – Japanese reality dating series. Masaka Kids: a Rhythm Within (2025) – Short documentary about children at a Ugandan orphanage who make viral dance videos. Wednesday 10th December The Accident season 2 – Second season of the Mexican thriller series. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004) – Beloved comedy film about a TV news anchorman, starring Will Ferrell, Christina Applegate, Steve Carell, Paul Rudd and David Koechner. Thursday 11th December The Fakenapping (2025) – Saudi comedy film. Had I Not Seen the Sun part 2 – New batch of episodes from the Taiwanese coming-of-age romantic thriller series. Lost in the Spotlight (2025) – Indonesians comedy film. Man vs Baby – Rowan Atkinson reprises his role as Trevor Bingley from Man vs Bee, in this series which finds him left with an abandoned baby while also house sitting at a luxury apartment. Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft season 2 – New season of the animated Tomb Raider series featuring the voice of Hayley Atwell. Friday 12th December City of Shadows season 1 – Spanish crime mystery series. Home for Christmas season 3 – Third season of the festive Norweigan romantic comedy series. Single Papa season 1 – Indian Hindi-language Series comedy drama series. Wake Up Dead Man (2025) – Daniel Craig returns as Benoit Blanc for this third instalment in Rian Johnson's Knives Out murder mystery film franchise. Monday 15th December The Creature Cases chapter 6 – Sixth season of the animated children's series. Tuesday 16th December Culinary Class Wars season 2 – New season of the South Korean cooking competition show. Wednesday 17th December Murder in Monaco (2025) – Documentary about the murder of billionaire banker Edmond Safra in 1999. Thursday 18th December 10Dance (2025) – Japanese romantic drama film about dancers. Emily in Paris season 5 – Lily Collins returns for this new season of the romance series as the titular Emily, who this time is headed to Rom to set up an Italian office for the agency. Friday 19th December A Time For Bravery (2025) – Mexican action comedy film. Breakdown: 1975 (2025) – Documentary about the era of groundbreaking American movies that were inspired by an era of social and political upheaval, beginning in 1975. The Great Flood (2025) – Korean sci-fi film. Saturday 20th December Jake vs Joshua (2025) – Live heavyweight boxing match between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua. Record of Ragnarok season 3 – Third season of the Japanese anime series. Monday 22nd December Elway (2025) – Documentary film about American football legend John Elway. Tuesday 23rd December King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch season 3 – Third season of the reality series following Ken Goldin and his team who run a leading auction house. Wednesday 24th December Goodbye June (2025) – Emotional Christmas drama film directed by and starring Kate Winslet, alongside Toni Collette, Johnny Flynn, Andrea Riseborough, Timothy Spall and Helen Mirren. Tom Segura: Teacher (2025) – Stand-up comedy special from Tom Segura. Thursday 25th December Christmas Gameday: Cowboys vs Commanders (2025) – Live Christmas NFL game, with the Dallas Cowboys facing off against the Kansas City Chiefs. Christmas Gameday: Lions vs Vikings (2025) – Live Christmas NFL game, with the Detroit Lions facing off against the Minnesota Vikings. Friday 26th December Cover Up (2025) – Documentary film about investigative journalist Seymour Hersh. Stranger Things season 5 volume 2 – The hit sci-fi series returns for three more episodes from its final season, with the party's battle against Vecna intensifying. Tuesday 30th December Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story (2025) - True crime documentary about the case of Utah therapist Jodi Hildebrandt. Ricky Gervais: Mortality (2025) – New stand-up comedy special from Ricky Gervais. Read more: What to watch on TV this week Best films to watch on TV today, tonight and this week New on Disney Plus UK December 2025 – every new film and show this month Best movies to watch on Netflix right now Sign up for Netflix from £5.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream. Check out our Streaming Guide for more recommendations on what to watch, or visit our TV Guide to see what's on tonight. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Rum Punch's Travis Jay: "I've got a right to grab the attention of someone who's like me"
Having cut his teeth in the world of comedy, Travis Jay chats to Pass the Mic about returning to BBC Radio 4 for a full season of award-winning sitcom Rum Punch.
After the success of his pilot episode of Rum Punch last year, comedian Travis Jay is back for a fully fledged series of his radio sitcom – and it's only set to be the start of something greater, should the stars align for Jay who also has dreams for Rum Punch beyond the airwaves. As we speak before the release of the BBC Radio 4 series and even ahead of the live recording of his second batch of episodes, Jay is admittedly "super excited" for the release of the full season. "I think the response to the pilot was definitely eye opening. It was a real surprise because it's an audience I'm not familiar with, on a platform I'm also not familiar with. While I listen to podcasts, the idea of being on Radio 4 was just like, 'Okay, everybody speaks so positively about this'. It's just something I still didn't know. So, the response has been far bigger than I imagined," he says. And a positive reaction was definitely recieved around Rum Punch's initial episode, with the pilot going on to scoop up the award for Best Comedy Sitcom at BBC's 2025 Audio Drama Awards. Winning that was "something else", Jay beams, with it proving that the positive feedback "is not in my head and it really did connect". "I genuinely didn't know that we'd be in the running for something like that. When you start writing, it's the furthest thing from my mind. Then it's like – bam, nominations are in," he laughs. He continues: "It's my first comedy award, and I've been doing this for 16 years. I'm just grateful the people are enjoying the project. I think it's a powerful story to tell and I think the feeling it leaves is the thing I really aim for. "I'm one of these stand up comics – I do touch on serious things. Previous specials I've done, I've touched on grief, losing my grandfather. It would seem like, how did you make that funny? But I know that there's value in real life and authentic stories. "The comedy will come, I trust my bones to find comedy. But dealing with real subjects is also quite a powerful thing. The fact that a story like this could connect like that and we go to a full series in an audience I'm not familiar with in that way, it made me feel really, really proud." Describing Rum Punch as a "multigenerational family sitcom", the series follows Jay in the lead role as Marley, an aspiring boxer who has dreams outside of working in his family's Caribbean restaurant. Set in Lewisham, the family comedy follows the Campbell family as they come together to keep the business afloat but also, pursue their own individual ambitions. Upon first listening to it, many will likely be warmly reminded of other Black-led sitcoms that have aired alongside many of us growing older. Desmond's, My Wife and Kids and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air were all shows that were staple to Jay's experience growing up, he tells me. "It's a nod to the legacy of Black sitcoms," Jay says, with those shows remaining so iconic all these years on for a variety of reasons. The studio sitcom format gives viewers "a deeper connection" to many lead characters, Jay says. "The connection runs so deep, it's that real life experience. You're in the room laughing with them and I really wanted to touch on that because it's just things I grew up loving," he says. In reality, the laughter you hear dotted throughout the episodes is all real, recorded live in front of an audience. It's a part of the series that was special to Jay, he admits, but is was always part of the plan when a stand-up comedian is at the helm of the series. "I think if we're going to call it a comedy, it belongs in front of the audience. I think the fact it's real laughter, it lets you know in the moment whether this worked or it didn't. These are stakes that I like, that I'm used to having." The embracing of Rum Punch as an outright comedy is something that Jay says he's doing unashamedly. "I think sometimes we take a shot at comedy but we might fall a bit short so we might say, 'Hey, it's a comedy drama'. "Whereas, I'm like – nah, it's a comedy. We're going to shoot for comedy and if it doesn't hit, that means I didn't do my job. These are the stakes that I think comedy belongs in so I really embrace that challenge." Having gone to one of the live recordings myself, it seemed far from a challenge for Jay to leave the audience in hysterics. Just like the series itself, the audience was made up of all different ages, with jokes landing seamlessly across the auditorium. Just from the material itself, you wouldn't think that Jay wasn't the biggest consumer of audio dramas or really, a listener of BBC Radio 4 ahead of penning Rum Punch. It's refreshing to hear, I tell the comedian once he admits that, but the lack of a personal connection to the form or the platform was a challenge that Jay wholeheartedly embraced. "I thought that if I'm not familiar with this platform and consuming this type of content like this, I've got a right to grab the attention of someone who's like me. It was a real good challenge as a writer, to write blind," he says. "There's no visual aid, your script is setting the tone of the imagination that you try to capture." Jay describes himself as a "very competitive guy", saying that once he sets a goal then he becomes "laser-focused" on it, which is something that the wider Rum Punch team fully supported him in. When it came to sitting down to writing Rum Punch's full series, Jay said one thing was at the forefront of his mind: "Alright, I've got to write for someone like me." He adds: "Because if we're going to drag these new ears to this space, we've got to do it with a big bang. That's why with the pilot, we went full-fledged into it. It was a nice challenge, I'm glad that the response is positive." Riding that high of positive feedback going into the full series must be a lovely feeling for any writer, with Jay saying that many remarked that listening to the pilot felt like watching a TV show due to the excellent visual storytelling at the heart of it. "A lot of people were just like, 'We need this on TV' or 'I haven't seen a family like this in so long'. So, I'm really grateful for that," Jay smiles. Part of the family appeal of the show comes down to the family at the heart of Rum Punch, a cast that Jay couldn't be more proud to work alongside. As well as his own mother, comedian Angie Le Mar, starring as his mother in Rum Punch, the cast also includes The Real McCoy legend Eddie Nestor, Jay's real-life best friend Kevin 'KG' Harry (Ted Lasso), comedian Kyrah Gray, 3 Non-Blondes star Ninia Benjamin and more. Describing them as "a cast of dreams", Jay says that transferring his stand-up comedy writing skills to Rum Punch really underlined the importance of teamwork, both in the realms of crafting narratives for a group of people and not himself, but also ensuring that every cast member felt supported and as though they can shine on stage. Although his mother couldn't make the pilot, she's now in the series and it's a role that Jay had written for her, describing working with her as a "phenomenal experience". "There's a lifetime of memories with this person and they're side by side with you," he says. He recalls one thing his comedian mother had taught him over the years and that's that if you have to explain the joke, it simply isn't funny. "The rules of comedy have been embedded in me from early," he smiles. When it came to crafting the story at the heart of Rum Punch, Jay also credits another anecdote from his mother, who told him to write what he knows. Simply put, the show is the life that I've lived, Jay remarks. "This is the community that I'm from. So, I know the textures and the nuances like the back of my hand." Jay says that most people can likely think of a cultural community hub, like the restaurant in Rum Punch. While he wanted to touch on those elements of relatability, Jay couldn't shy away from the fact that more serious topics do crop up. "Black sitcom has always been impactful," he says. "There's something that it does that just leaves people with a feeling. I think today, there is a little bit of a gap in terms of where we might see that on TV." When it comes to resonating with so many people, Jay also highlights the important of sticking true to the story you want to tell. "I always like to be in that pocket of authenticity all the time. That's why I'm quite stubborn, I'm quite a difficult person to work with because if I feel like we're straying away from authenticity, I'll dig my heels in," he admits. It's an admirable quality to have for any writer, I tell Jay, with the Rum Punch creator saying: "A lot of time we do focus on – especially when shows come out and it's created by a Black person – it's about, 'Okay, explain the Black experience'. Well no, it doesn't need to be explained actually because if I explain myself, it suggests that I have to explain myself. "With this show, it's not a case of anybody explaining why or how they are. Everybody's just living their lives. That's what I really wanted to capture." When it comes to the future of Rum Punch, Jay – as previously mentioned – is thinking big and would love to take the idea for the show to the screen. "I'm incredibly grateful for the radio opportunity we have, because what it's done for my pen has just been ... writing without visual has made my pen a lot stronger. So I think, if TV was available, I'd be ready for it," he says. No stranger to the screen himself with a recent notable role in Netflix's Supacell, Jay says that starring in such a hit Netflix series and working with Rapman opened up his eyes to how much he "really fought for the authentic capture of South London within a superhero show". It was inspiring to witness and was something that Jay took into Rum Punch, further proving that authenticity really can achieve what people think it does. In terms of what he hopes listeners get from Rum Punch, Jay says first and foremost that he wants people to laugh – it is a comedy, after all. "Outside of that, I hope that you see a family that you can connect with. I would love for somebody in the show to almost speak to your experience in some kind of way." He adds: "It's always nice when you've got somebody fighting for your perspective in a conversation. So, I hope that somebody feels represented in the show. We all come from different families, have different networks. That's really what I hope for – that connection is what comes when you listen to Rum Punch." Rum Punch airs on Thursday 27th November at 6:30pm on Radio 4, and is also available to listen to on BBC Sounds. Check out more of our Audio coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Down Cemetery Road is stellar TV – but the real scene-stealer isn't who you think
Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson are great in the series but it's time we talk about Fehinti Balogun.
*Warning: This article contains spoilers for Down Cemetery Road episode 6.* We already knew Zoë was in a precarious situation going into the sixth episode of Down Cemetery Road, but nothing could quite prepare us for the sheer amount of tension that built throughout the latest episode of the series. If you listen closely, you may be able to hear phrases such as "Oh, TV is so back!" or "This is bloody brilliant" ringing out in the distance. Well, those are being cried out by me. That's because episode 6 of the (already) stellar drama is, quite simply, excellent – and really, it's all down to the star that is Fehinti Balogun. Captivating from the very first episode, Balogun has brought the character of Amos to life in such a way that you can't help but want more of him on our screens. There's absolutely no doubt about it: Amos is the antagonist of the series. Whether he's the main one is something to be disputed the closer we inch to the finale and come to understand the powers-that-be a bit better. What we do know, though, is that Sarah (Ruth Wilson) and Zoë (Emma Thompson) are the thorns in his side that he's intent on removing. For all intents and purposes, we're supposed to side with them and not Amos. And while I'm not saying that I side with a serial-killing hitman, it's hard not to absolutely love what the character brings to the dynamic and feel of Down Cemetery Road. Hell, I'd even go so far as saying that the series wouldn't be as great as it is without both Amos and Balogun. In the show's latest instalment, entitled Neglected Waters, the drama comes into its own. While some of the previous episodes may be seen as slightly slower in pace, episode 6 is a lesson for any screenwriter or director in how to build up tension perfectly. Trains have been used time and time again throughout TV and film as apt locations for the most twisted of tales. From Alfred Hitchcock's Strangers on a Train, to The Girl on the Train, Murder on the Orient Express or the more recent Nightsleeper, there's clearly something about being in an enclosed space rattling along the railway that is ripe for building pressure for characters and viewers alike. In Down Cemetery Road, we already knew Amos had spied Zoë following him to his train cabin in the previous episode and while she went into this one assuming she had the upper hand, we always suspect that Amos is several steps ahead of most. Never will the British Transport Police's "see it, say it, sorted" announcement take on such a sinister note than when relayed by Amos, who slips into the seat opposite Zoë on the train. And who knew playing Bananagrams with strangers would end up being Zoë's only way of ensuring she wouldn't be killed that night? All the while, Amos never so much as breaks a bead of sweat, simply enjoying the lengths that Zoë is having to go to in order to try and outsmart him. We've seen it throughout the series but Balogun's straight face is the stuff of pure poker table fear; it simply doesn't give anything away. But as well as being superbly written, Amos is a character that has unexpected layers which are proving ever more enjoyable to peel away. Episode 3 showed a rare side of emotion to the character, revealing that the body he had cut up and disposed of was, in fact, his brother Axel. It's his unwavering commitment to get Zoë in this episode, though, that is not just the perfect cat-and-mouse chase but also only continues to underline Balogun as a gem within this series. Going up against the likes of Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson is no easy feat for any actor, I imagine, but Balogun makes it all look easy. A villain can only make a protagonist look better than they already do and whilst the likes of Thompson and Wilson certainly don't need to be propped up by anyone else with their existing acting chops, Balogun brings out the best of both of them in this series. Through Amos's looming and anxiety-inducing presence within the storyline, it only serves to create a depth of emotion and panic that carries this series. There are multiple gut-wrenching close calls within the recent train scenes alone, with Zoë using the appropriate term of "you sneaky little f**ker" once she realises that Amos has done something to the train to get all the passengers evacuated. He wants to kill her, it's simple. Some may think otherwise but the gun in his pocket (that has a silencer attached to it, no less) speaks volumes. Amos is one-track minded when it comes to his mission but we already know this. Whilst he could've entertained a very keen lover in previous episodes, it was clear his mind was preoccupied with the work he has to get done. Throw in the personal connection of his brother being killed and, well, it's as personal for Amos as finding Dinah is for Sarah. The predator-prey circling that underpins this entire episode notches up further when Amos (under the guise of 'Andy') hijacks a taxi with his new American friends in the passenger seats. From taking polaroids with them the evening prior, to shooting them both dead in cold blood, Amos never fails to shock us. What's his next move? Really, I don't want to be able to guess it and that's the mark of truly terrific TV. But it doesn't stop there – Amos forces himself to start crying and calls the police to report their murders, cleverly implicating Zoë in the crime as the perpetrator and making sure she'll be unable to move freely through the small Scottish fishing village that they're all descending upon. We've seen Balogun's ease at slipping into accents previously within this series but they never fail to surprise, only demonstrating his character's complete ease at manipulating people. Could Amos be the perfect TV villain? He's unintentionally very funny, no-nonsense, slick and just damn good at being a bad guy. Sure, he kills people with absolutely no remorse and fits all the markers of a psychopath, but he's the kind of antagonist that you can't help but enjoy watching, whether in his scenes with the leading actresses or in moments of comedic gold with Hamza (Adeel Akhtar). View Green Video on the source website Balogun's performance throughout the series is one that has me immediately thinking of the awards circuit and the actor hopefully scooping up a raft of nominations for this role. While Balogun clearly has all manner of talents in his various lines of work also as writer and activist, we can only hope that Down Cemetery Road cements him as a regular on our screens in the near future. Because while Down Cemetery Road has been a joyous web of tension and unease to watch unfold, it's really Balogun that has made this series extra special. Down Cemetery Road episodes 1-6 are available to stream on Apple TV, with episodes being released weekly – sign up to Apple TV now. Add Down Cemetery Road to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" class="x_OWAAutoLink" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Akinola Davies Jr on My Father's Shadow: "We don't see enough nuanced representations of fatherhood, especially Black fatherhood"
Named as one of the BAFTA Breakthroughs for 2025, My Father's Shadow director Akinola Davies Jr chats to Pass the Mic about his feature film directorial debut and what its reception spells for his future.
Despite My Father's Shadow not being due for release in the UK until February, this year continues to be a buzzy one for director Akinola Davies Jr. Having premiered in Un Certain Regard at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival (the first ever Nigerian film to be selected for the festival's Official Selection), leading the way at this year's British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) with a staggering 12 nominations, and now the current artist-in-residence at Somerset House, Davies is having a hell of a 2025. Why not chuck in another accolade then, right? Named as part of the 2025 cohort for BAFTA Breakthrough (which is supported by Netflix), Davies says that it's "a real honour" to be recognised in such a way. "It might be the first contact people have with me, but I've been working towards this for almost 15 years. So it's just a real honour to be recognised by BAFTA, which is massive. I'm really, really happy." Over those 15 years, Davies tells me, there's been a lot of hard work and a continuation of not wanting to give up despite many occasions where he's been talked off a metaphorical ledge or two as a director and filmmaker. With a background in creating videos and commercials for music artists and fashion brands, My Father's Shadow is Davies's feature-length film debut. The film, which stars Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, is set against the backdrop of the 1993 Nigerian presidential election and follows two brothers as they spend the day in Lagos with their father, understanding him more as an individual as the time goes on. The film is not only heartfelt, engaging and witty, it's also tender and emotional in all the right places. The film stars newcomers and real-life brothers Godwin Chiemerie Egbo and Chibuike Marvellous Egbo, with that brotherly dynamic also reflected behind-the-scenes. Davies co-wrote My Father's Shadow with his older brother Wale, telling me that it was Wale who originally came up with the concept of the film. "We're pretty close in the way we relate to each other, we have a lot of similar interests. But he'd written a short film called My Father's Shadow, which was basically what it would have been like to spend a day with our father, who we never knew because he passed when we were really young," Davies says. That was more than 10 years ago now, with the idea continuing to float around all the while. When Davies's narrative short film Lizard screened at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival and London Film Festival, was nominated for the BAFTA for Best British Short that year, and went on to win the Sundance Grand Jury Prize, it was then that the brothers thought they may actually get the opportunity to bring Wale's original screenplay to life in a feature film. When Davies read his brother's original script years ago, he had a "huge emotional reaction", he remembers, saying that he was clear about the direction of the film from then. "I was like, 'Look, if we're going to make a film, I think we should make something that honours our childhood, our family, our country as much as possible, because you never know if you're going to get loads of opportunities to make films.' We just wanted to make something that we felt could serve more than just us." Anyone who has a sibling will know it's not always a bed of roses and Davies refreshingly doesn't try to paint a picture of a working sibling relationship as such. Davies admits that Wale is super literal and very good with words compared to himself, who is "more abstract" in the way he thinks, naturally being better with images and pictures. "I think we complement each other and balance out in that way. Working with a sibling is great – it's tough, fun and games. We have a healthy amount of debate and respect for each other. So it means no stone gets left unturned. We really chew the fat on every decision we make because also, we didn't study film. So, there's just a real premium of being as efficient as possible in our storytelling." As a younger sibling, Davies also says that a massive upside to working with your older brother is a certain level of protection in being more creative. "I have someone who's cheerleading and encouraging a lot of ideas that I have and vice versa. Off Lizard, we developed a good working relationship and we just kept it up. We hope to keep it going as long as possible," he says. View oEmbed on the source website When it comes to watching My Father's Shadow, viewers will undoubtedly be captivated by the framing of the story and the use of time passing as an added element of tension. With the 1993 presidential election forming an important narrative backdrop to the film, it may be the first time that many see the events of that tumultuous year characterised on the big screen. But why was it important for Davies and his brother to also frame this story through the lens of these father-son dynamics in the first place? "We thought it was really important because we don't see enough nuanced representations of fatherhood, especially Black fatherhood," Davies tells me. "I think the Black male figure gets a lot of stereotypes projected onto him. We thought we really needed to create a portrait of the men we are or aspire to be, and the men we've been surrounded with in many instances in our life. Also, we're raised by a huge old matriarchal group of women and that's always meant we have – for right or wrong – a lot more access to an emotional toolkit. We've always found that in the men surrounding us," he explains. "I think it was really important to us to just try and create an alternative perspective, an alternative offering of what masculinity is. All too often, it's underserved." It's never explained in the course of the film just how much Dìrísù's father figure is absent in the boy's lives, but we easily get the idea that by virtue of working in a city and trying to provide for his family, he misses out on spending significant chunks of time with his sons. Davies knows that the concept of this working class father having to work to better this family will be understood by some viewers but it's a narrative theme that again, feels underserved, Davies says, with the director really just wanting to provide some balance to the depiction. As well as the storytelling of the film, the actual aesthetic of My Father's Shadow is another point of praise but it's something that Davies says he can't take sole credit for. Jermaine Edwards worked as director of photography on the film, with it being his first feature also. "He's an incredible Jamaican-British talent who has been invited to the ball many a time, but never asked to dance," Davies says. In terms of reference points for the film and how he wanted it to look, Davies takes me through his Mount Rushmore of great directors. He speaks of early Spike Lee films and the way he photographs Black skin, Nigerian filmmaker Genevieve Nnaji, Rungano Nyoni's On Becoming A Guinea Fowl, Mati Diop's Atlantics, growing up on Steven Spielberg, and also Senagelese director Ousmane Sembène, who Davies regards as the "father of African cinema and is someone who we all aspire to be and to emulate". More recently, having met American filmmaker Julie Dash, Davies feels as though they also share a similar film language relating to spirituality and mythological elements. Davies knows his film, it's clear, and that comes from working in every department once he knew he wanted to forge a career in the industry. Having assisted a lot of directors, worked with friends and realised the parameters around storytelling in the world of fashion, Davies honestly can't say that he always knew he wanted to be a filmmaker when I ask him if that was the case. "Eva Yates at the BBC and Rose Garnett were the first two people who ever mentioned the fact that they think I should make a feature film. I thought they were crazy," Davies laughs. "Like, these two white ladies are absolutely off their rocks! I sort of refused and said I'd make a short film, which was Lizard, and then off the success of that, the narrative world, if I'm honest, just really felt like a more accepting space. "I'd always looked for value in fashion and music videos and very often, a lot of my stories just weren't necessarily being reciprocated or being accepted." Garnett, who was the previous director of BBC Film, was someone who tried to serve underrepresented voices, Davies tells me. He continues: "A lot of women, a lot of people of colour, from different, diverse backgrounds – it's really [the BBC's] mandate in terms of being a public-funded institution and I think it's, in this day and age, extremely brave. But I also think it's extremely necessary. Just having people like that at the helm makes me feel a lot more supported and like I can really go hell for leather." With My Father's Shadow being the first ever Nigerian film to be selected for the Official Selection at Cannes, Davies says that the conversations around Nigerian filmmaking and filmmakers from the continent in general were already ongoing and positive prior to his movie. "I think there's an appetite in terms of us, a younger generation, trying to build bridges with our heritage and tell these stories. I think those of us who are first or second generation in a different country – which we're also a part of – are using the tools at our disposal to bring those stories to light. And also, trying to formulate bridges with working from home and engaging with the cinema industries back home," Davies says. "I think what's always happened as Africans or people of colour... is that we're so accustomed to the normalisation of European and American cinema being the stories we've been fed and we understand. But I think it's incumbent on us to find ways to tell our stories because I think we know European history, know European culture. I think it's for us to not allow people to tell our stories, but be quite direct about us telling our own stories so we can represent ourselves and not be left with these stereotypical views of what it's like. "Arthouse films probably have a place to play in that, because we don't necessarily have the access to big commercial budgets in those films. But I do think the stories are there, the storytellers are there. It just takes an interest from co-productions, from different countries and our countries, to be able to get those stories out. I think the success of My Father's Shadow is a prime example of Nigerian and British co-production and how far that can go when all parties are really invested in the type of story we're trying to tell." The film has now premiered in Nigeria, with Davies describing the response to the film there as being "fantastic". "It was really important to us that we gave a Nigerian audience the first look. It's been really overwhelming on so many levels. History wasn't taught in school under military dictatorship. So a lot of Nigerians, especially in the diaspora and who are also my age or younger, it's their first contact with a lot of contemporary Nigerian history. "As for the older generation, it's cathartic for them to see an experience that they went through, visualised on camera. It created this generational conversation which is beyond our wildest dreams. Nigerians are very proud of the film and have really been very accepting and fascinated just to see their experience being visualised on film." In terms of the future, there's obviously the UK release for My Father's Shadow to come. It almost seems like a long time coming seeing as the film has been a deserved hot topic of conversation in community and film circles for some time now. Aside from its upcoming release, Davies hopes to continue working with his brother but more generally for the industry, he hopes that all of the praise and accolades being bestowed on him are a source of inspiration for "someone else that looks like me". He hopes that South Asian voices are represented in the UK and that there's more opportunities for everyone – but does underline the importance of learning the industry, as he has done. "It's all well and good having a creative brain or an idea or story, but you really have to know which allies are invested in your stories, which allies have created opportunities to tell those stories," he says. "Off the back of successful films, you can get a certain amount of people trying to make films with you but in some of those instances, they want you to tell the stories they want to tell or their projection of what your experience is like. I think it takes a lot of you realising that you have to look for the people who want to tell the stories you want to tell, who are very interested in those narratives. I would say it's a two-way street but I just hope there's more." He continues: "I think the best films I've seen this year – I've been to a lot of festivals – are international films. They're just so incredible because you learn so much about different places. You learn how similar our histories and our cultures are. You learn how how we're all connected in so many ways. I think if you just sit and listen to the news, it might seem a lot more disparaging, like there's just so much that separates us. I just think cinema and film have the power to really bring people together. I just really hope there's more opportunities for not just me, but just more stories." Davies is under no illusion that many directors can suffer the "curse" of becoming blindsided by the fact that they're the 'leaders' of a production. The thing that Davies loves the most about filmmaking is the very thing that he thinks many people miss out on, which is the fact that it's a whole community effort. "I wouldn't be speaking to you right now if I didn't love the people I work with and they have a certain level of love back for me because ultimately, they feel they're within a position to give me more. By them giving me more, it's reflected in what you see on screen. [We had a] first time cinematographer, first time writer, my brother, amazing producers. There's just so many people that get unsung during the process. "I think a director's role is really just to reflect light back on all those people so they can have long and established careers and we can keep working together as well." Read more Pass the Mic interviews: Grenfell: Uncovered's Olaide Sadiq – "I wanted to honour the victims but also make people angry" Wild Cherry's Nicôle Lecky: "I wanted this to be elevated and glossy, which we don't always do in British drama" Susan Wokoma on her short film Dark Skin Bruises Differently: "This wasn't the time to be centring whiteness in my stories" My Father's Shadow comes to UK cinemas on 6th February 2026. Check out more of our Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Grenfell: Uncovered's Olaide Sadiq – "I wanted to honour the victims but also make people angry"
Named as one of the BAFTA Breakthroughs for 2025, Grenfell: Uncovered director Olaide Sadiq sits down with Pass the Mic to talk about the documentary, its impact and the wider industry of unscripted TV.
Having helmed one of the most acclaimed documentaries of the year, director Olaide Sadiq remains humble and smiling as she beams about the "nice surprise" of being named one of the BAFTA Breakthroughs for 2025 (an initiative supported by Netflix). When we speak, Grenfell: Uncovered has just bagged a Rose d'Or nomination – testament to Sadiq's hard work on a production that became so much more. While some people around Sadiq have questioned why she was so surprised at the accolade, she reflects on the fact that the industry has seen some "amazing projects" in the past year with "a lot of great people". It's also a privilege, she tells me, to be part of a cohort of people that has seen the likes of Adjani Salmon and Letitia Wright grace the lists, both of whom Sadiq personally admires. "It's weird to be amongst them... but I feel very grateful that I'm recognised in that same way," she says. It must feel like a strange whirlwind of a year in general, I remark to Sadiq, with it now marking just over five months since the release of Grenfell: Uncovered. The Netflix documentary was Sadiq's directorial debut and was one that, surprisingly, Sadiq says she thought may be a "very quiet debut" – in reality, it was anything but. The response to the film was heartwarming, Sadiq says, admitting: "I feel like it got a much bigger response than I was anticipating." Working on the documentary "was way more than a job", adding that "it became a massive responsibility, one I'm really proud that I was able to handle". Whilst directing it has continued to put her further into the industry spotlight, Sadiq wastes no time in underlining the true importance of the production – saying that she's just glad the affected community of Grenfell has had this kind of recognition. In the aftermath of the film's release, Sadiq has done the screening circuit, having had various companies (within the housing industry also) reaching out and wanting to include it in journals, talks and in schools. "I wasn't expecting it to affect people in the industry the way it has done, but I'm glad it has done because I feel like when you get to work on documentaries where you can actually see real change taking place afterwards, it's quite rare," she says. When it came to sitting down and thinking about what route the documentary would take, Sadiq says that she simply wanted it to be balanced. "I wanted to – in a condensed and digestible way – show people what happened, those who might not know the story," she shares. <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/11/251025BAFTABREAKTHROUGHCOMPBENCHR3-3fbf91d.jpg" width="19833" height="5111" alt="Owen Tooth, Ellis Howard, Pinny Grylls, Jodie-Simone Howe, Laura Carreira, Nathaniel Price, Matthew Gurney, Marie-Elena Dyche, Vivian Eguridu, Kyle Banks, Mark Choi, Alderney Middleton, Nathalie Pitters, Stanley Baxton, Megumi Inman, Olaide Sadiq, Cara Ellison, Stephanie Taylor and Sally Beaumont for BAFTA Breakthrough UK 2025-2026." title="BAFTA Breakthrough UK 2025 Photoshoot" /> "I think there's an assumption everyone knows the story, but not actually everyone – even from my family – knew it to the extent that it was shown on the documentary. So that's one aim. But then also to make people angry. I feel like there's a lot to the story that makes me angry and this is someone who didn't live in the building and didn't come from that community." That feeling of anger that Sadiq gets when thinking about what unfolded on the night of 14th June 2017 was exactly what she wanted people to feel when watching the documentary. "I wanted there to be some sort of anger in the film but not a forced anger, one that people might just feel from hearing people's stories and seeing what people had to deal with. So that was definitely one of the very early aims, but to have revelations in it too." She adds: "I basically wanted to, first and foremost, honour the victims of Grenfell, but then tell their stories in a way that would enlighten people, would inform people but also make people angry. I thought the combination of that would naturally then – hopefully – lead to conversations where people think about change, people think about impact. We think about what they can do differently, what they did wrong. "There was lots of different aims and hopes that folded into one project in the end, but it wasn't as clear as 'I just wanted this to be spoken about and have some impact'. That's not something you definitely know is going to happen. That depends on what you've put together and how people feel about it. I wanted the impact to be a byproduct of what the aims were." While it's now eight years on from the night that claimed 72 victims, Grenfell remains a pertinent issue, not least because nobody has ever been charged over the national tragedy. But also due to the looming reality of the tower itself being taken down. Sadiq may have stepped up to the job of being the director of Grenfell: Uncovered but with that role must come a certain expectation from viewers, I suggest. Stepping into a position of authority around any topic would naturally feel daunting for anyone, but it's a fact that Sadiq has taken in her stride. "I think the weight of responsibility following Grenfell: Uncovered has been difficult, but I don't mind it. I don't mind being seen in that way. I also have to manage people's expectations that I'm not a fire expert, I'm not a housing expert, I'm not a planning expert either, I'm not a regulation expert. "There's so much about Grenfell I learned along the way before ever working on it, but also whilst working on it. There's still a lot for all of us to still learn about it. So I recognise that I become someone who people will come to with these issues or these stories," she says. When the documentary was released back in June, Sadiq went from hardly ever really using LinkedIn to it being a platform that was exploding for her, with hundreds of messages flooding her inbox. A couple of people from the industry used LinkedIn to message her, but that steady stream of messages came from people all over, sharing their own personal stories. Whether it was telling Sadiq of a fire that happened in the '70s or regulation issues they were having with the council about their buildings, Sadiq said she felt "a responsibility to ensure that eventually I responded to everyone". "I didn't want to be someone who's worked on something that has now had the impact that we wanted it to have, but then ignore the impact," she says. Prior to working on Grenfell: Uncovered, Sadiq had made a name for herself as a producer in the TV industry, having worked on productions like Ambulance, 999: What’s Your Emergency, Ibiza Weekender, The Final: Attack on Wembley and Boybands Forever, as well as episodes of the Louis Theroux Interviews… series. "I realised as a first-time director that everything matters," she tells me. While Sadiq has always known that the story and people matter the most in documentary-making, she wasn't aware of just how much aspects like music, graphics and a location can be vital to a production. Having worked on documentaries about a range of topics, Sadiq says her mixed career background has led her to have a varied mindset when it comes to tackling different problems. "I feel like lots of different experiences I've had in the past came to the forefront of Grenfell: Uncovered. I'd worked on emergency programmes and blue light shows which are extremely traumatic and have a lot of compliance issues, a lot of sensitive filming, sensitive contributors. I felt like I'd done that a lot in the past and I was very comfortable with revisiting that space because I knew what it involved." Her work in the past involved "filming with institutions, politicians, or companies and individuals that are quite hard to access or engage with", so it all proved to be invaluable experience when it came to conducting Grenfell: Uncovered interviews with survivors, the bereaved and even former prime minister Theresa May. View oEmbed on the source website Sadiq continues to honour the people at the heart of the story in her work, it's clear. But in a TV landscape that often feels as though it may be regressing in terms of the stories and people it platforms, how do you remain committed to ethical, character-driven storytelling? It's all about sticking to her guns and personal morals, she tells me. "I have to see a purpose with the project and if I struggle to see the purpose then maybe that's answered my question a little bit. I feel like obviously, in this true crime space especially, a lot is being made. There are a lot of opinions about true crime and I understand people feel like it might be gratuitous, or it might feel like, 'Why are you just revisiting something dark?' "I feel like there can be purpose to revisiting something dark when you think about the bigger picture, you think about the wider impact. Some people call Grenfell: Uncovered a true crime. To this point, we can't say it's a crime yet because there haven't been any criminal charges." She continues: "But the proof was in the pudding of why we went back because there was still a story to be told, there's still people who want their voices to be heard. I feel like as long as that feels like it's central to any project where there's a genuine purpose for the people involved and for the story platform, then I think that's how I stay committed to doing it. I'm not afraid to speak up and speak out on things I'm not sure about; ask questions, raise concerns. I think that's how I stay committed." Sadiq says that funnily enough, she was asked a few years ago about the possibility of directing. At the time, Sadiq thinks she wasn't even a producer yet and she'd been asked what she'd want to make a documentary about one day. "I said that I would love to make something that has a very big social impact, maybe something about Grenfell. It was a passing conversation but that was probably one of the few things that I had a clear answer for because most of the time, I have no idea what I'm doing," she smiles. Coming off a directorial debut like Grenfell: Uncovered must also come with its own set of challenges, I offer, especially in regards to taking on the 'right next role'. "It's been really hard," she admits. "Actually, navigating afterwards has been hard because there's been so many comments and questions about what's next. I think there's an expectation of, 'Oh, that's the thing you do now – you do these big social justice stories'." Her CV is a testament to the range of topics, stories and people she's interested in shining a light on, which continues to make Sadiq open-minded about what's to come next. "I don't really want to be pigeonholed into doing one thing and it's very easy for that to happen. Why does that have to be my one thing? I can do loads of things. But I'm trying not to overthink the next step as much," she says. More often than ever before, factual and fictional continue to bleed into one another in the TV realm, with factual dramas becoming regular hits for broadcasters and streamers alike. So, could Sadiq envision a future that includes a step over to the world of scripted television perhaps? "I've always loved scripted, it's what I watch the most. When I was younger, I used to do a lot of creative writing, used to write lots of stories. I definitely felt like that's somewhere I'd be interested in going. I think that documentary was more of a natural calling to me and I think over time, especially when you work in documentaries and factual programmes, you do think, 'Oh, this could be a really good drama'." Sadiq recalls various screenings of Grenfell: Uncovered where viewers told her that it was a very hard watch, with some saying the documentary felt akin to a gut punch. "I feel like there's something quite unique about factual drama... documenting something without overwhelming people in the same way that documentaries sometimes can," she says. We speak about the way that Netflix's Toxic Town shone a light on a real-life scandal that many people didn't know anything about prior to watching. It was a series that lingered with Sadiq and prompted her to get into a research wormhole of her own about the Corby toxic waste case. Drama can still have a similar impact to a documentary, Sadiq says, and if things were to align in that way in the future, it's a genre that she'd love to try working in. As for the industry itself, I can imagine that the "weight of responsibility" that Sadiq experienced with Grenfell: Uncovered also filtered into the decision-making that went into ensuring there was ample diversity behind the scenes of the production as well. "I think when I first started in TV, I was very aware of the lack of diversity, not just with race but also with class. I always felt like once I got to a position where I could have that influence, I wanted to make sure I was using that privilege that I had. I feel like it's really hard with television, particularly. It's an issue that people just don't always like to embrace that exists," she states. "I definitely felt like with Grenfell, there was an expectation from other people in the industry that, 'Oh, you've got make sure that everyone you hire is Black'. I feel like that isn't always the goal, because also, it's not realistic. I think I'm very realistic. I'm not an executive producer, I'm not a commissioner. Those are the roles that hold, I think, the most power in the industry. "I wanted to make sure that I saw different faces, different backgrounds, different cultures within my team because I feel like it has to reflect not just what we're making, but also reflect who's going to watch it. I feel sometimes it gets forgotten that we're not making TV for our peers, we're making it for the general public." She adds: "We come from all walks of life, all creeds, all colours, all races. I feel like if the industry becomes more in tune with that, I think it will definitely benefit the projects that we end up seeing. I did feel when stepping into a director role, I also had a responsibility to ensure that I was practising what I preach." In terms of those conversations around the intersections of race and class within the TV industry, Sadiq isn't sure whether the tides are changing. Like many can attest to in various industries, there was a real spike in 2020 but Sadiq has noticed a decline in recent years. "I don't think people want to be put in roles and feeling like they're just ticking a box, that's really important to say. I feel like sometimes people think, 'Just put them somewhere!' and then you've done your job. I don't think people want to feel that way because people do feel it – I know when I've been called about something because I'm Black. I don't want to be called about something just because I'm Black, I also want to be called because you think I'm good enough for the job." Sadiq says that over the years, she's had to be strict with herself and passed on opportunities that she felt she was only being approached for in a box-ticking capacity. "I just want people to have a shared care about the direction that the industry is going in when it comes to diversity in all its forms. I don't always think people are ready to have that conversation or want to have that conversation, but I feel like it's an important conversation to have. If everyone comes from the same background, has the same interests, has had the same schooling, lives in the same area of London, whatever it may be, you're just going to keep getting the same output." Having just spent the past half-hour aware of the fact that Sadiq is being seen as a beacon of information for everything Grenfell-related, it feels slightly redundant to wrap up our interview asking about how we continue the conversation around the national tragedy after the release of the documentary. Sadiq tells me of a friend who, just the other week, had watched the film and asked her the exact same thing. "What can I do?" is the question left at the forefront of many people's minds after watching and it's a good question to ask, the director reassures me. "What I've taken from being in that community and meeting all those people is what they want is for people to not stop talking about Grenfell. It's a community that is worried that their story is being erased long before any justice has been delivered and they're feeling that, in a very literal sense, with the building being demolished," Sadiq tells me. "They feel like once people can't see it anymore, they're going to forget about it. They feel like people only talk about it once a year, sometimes twice a year. I think what people can do is keep reading up about it, keep being engaged with it, keep resharing what they're putting out, keep engaging with the community, keep going to silent walks, keep showing up for the story." She adds: "If we say we care, then we have to show we care. I think that's what people can do at the very bare minimum – that's something that the victims, the bereaved and the wider community would be very grateful for." Grenfell: Uncovered is streaming now on Netflix. Sign up for Netflix from £5.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream. Check out more of our Documentaries coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Industry season 4 drops electric teaser as release window confirmed
It's time to return to the heady world of finance.
Harper, Yasmin and the gang return along with a slew of new faces in the first teaser trailer for Industry season 4. The hit BBC/HBO co-production's moody promo unveils not only a first look at the cast of new characters, but also gives us a sneak peek into some of the significant drama to come. As well as Harper (Myha’la) seemingly living out a brand new, successful chapter of her career, things continue to be complicated for Yasmin (Marisa Abela) as she navigates a new life as the wife of Sir Henry Muck (Kit Harington). In the trailer, which unfolds to the sound of Nina Simone’s Lilac Wine, we see Muck about to drive off in his vintage convertible car with Yasmin by his side, but nursing a bloody hand. Although season 3 appeared to show Yasmin turning her back on the world of finance altogether, it may not be quite that easy, as we see her come face-to-face with Harper once again. It wouldn't be an instalment of Industry without its fair share of secrets, sex, arguments, boardroom tension and chain smoking – all of which appear to be in plentiful supply in the new trailer. You can watch it for yourself below. View oEmbed on the source website Along with the teaser, HBO has announced that the new season will be released in the US on Sunday 11th January at 9pm. However, a UK release date is yet to be revealed – though the BBC has also confirmed a January 2026 release window. All episodes of Industry season landed in October 2024, coming two months after the US, which premiered the third season in August that same year – but it appears fans won't have as long to wait for season 4. The new trailer also gives us a look into the world of new character Whitney Halberstram, who is played by The Handmaid's Tale star Max Minghella. He remains a mystery so far – how does he get swept up into the high-stakes world of the series? We'll just have to wait and see. Read more: Hijack writer's "gripping" new thriller casts Torchwood star opposite David Morrissey Red Eye season 2 releases explosive first look trailer as Line of Duty icon joins thriller Other new faces for the fourth season include Kiernan Shipka, Jack Farthing, Toheeb Jimoh, Amy James-Kelly, Kal Penn, Charlie Heaton and Claire Forlani. Marisa Abela, Myha'la, Ken Leung, Sagar Radia, Miriam Petche and Kit Harington all reprise their roles, with plenty clearly in store for their characters. The official synopsis for Industry season 4 reads: “At the top of their game and living the lives they set out to have as Pierpoint grads, Harper (Myha’la) and Yasmin (Marisa Abela) are drawn into a high-stakes, globetrotting cat-and-mouse game when a splashy fintech darling bursts onto the London scene. "As Yasmin navigates her relationship with tech founder Sir Henry Muck (Kit Harington) and Harper is pulled into the orbit of enigmatic executive Whitney Halberstram (Max Minghella), their twisted friendship begins to warp and ignite under the pressure of money, power and the desire to be on top.” Industry is on BBC iPlayer in the UK. The drama airs on HBO in the US. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Hijack season 2: Release date, cast and latest news
The Apple TV+ thriller has captivated viewers, but could there be another season?
*Warning: This article contains spoilers for Hijack season 1.* It's the Apple TV action thriller that kept us guessing and worrying about whether or not the plane would actually land safely, but Hijack certainly delivered in the drama stakes when it premiered two years ago. It seems like an age ago since we saw Idris Elba helm the series as expert negotiator Sam Nelson but Sam is finally back – and this time it looks as though things are unfolding on the German underground system. A date announcement teaser for the highly anticipated second instalment was released just last month, providing fans with their first look at the action to come and it looks as though Sam is set to face another crisis on a moving vehicle. The synopsis teases that its "commuters are taken hostage, while authorities scramble to save hundreds of lives. Sam Nelson (Elba) is at the heart of the crisis on board, where one wrong decision could spell disaster". The first season was a hit for the streamer, with Elba even bagging an Emmy award nomination for his leading performance in the series. We now have a confirmed release date for season 2 also, as well as a batch of first-look images which are dotted throughout this article. But just when will the new season of Hijack land on our screens? Read on to find out. Hijack season 2 release date The second season of Hijack is confirmed to premiere on Apple TV globally on Wednesday 14th January 2026 with the first two episodes. As is usually the case for Apple TV shows, new episodes will then be released weekly, with the finale set for 25th February 2026. The series was renewed in January 2024, with executive producer and star Idris Elba saying at the time: “I was floored by the overwhelming audience response after season one. It’s top secret what new situation unfolds for Sam Nelson but I can assure you we will bring the high octane back!" Prior to the renewal announcement, Elba had floated the possibility of returning for more but stressed the importance of returning for the right story. He told Variety previously: "What would be the acceptable scenario that he comes back? Because we’ve thought about this and obviously Apple have gone, 'Well, we really love the show.' And I think, you know, Rotten Tomatoes is at 92% at the moment, which is a good sign, but it’s kind of like — he’s not a cop — what would be the acceptable Sam Nelson return? And if I’m honest, I’m not sure." He added: "I’d like that, but I just don’t want to put him on another hijack. I’m open to that character coming back. I think if people were compelled to like the character, then I’m in." Hijack cast: Who will return and who joins for season 2? It wouldn't quite be Hijack without Idris Elba leading the cast and Elba will once again be leading the new series. Elba isn't the only familiar face returning as Christine Adams reprises her role as Sam's estranged wife Marsha Smith-Nelson, Max Beesley as her partner DI Daniel O'Farrel and Archie Panjabi as as DCI Zahra Gahfoor. As for new cast members, those include Toby Jones (Mr Bates vs The Post Office), Clare-Hope Ashitey (Top Boy), Christian Näthe (Ballon), Lisa Vicari (Django), Karima McAdams (Dune: Prophecy) and Christiane Paul (Counterpart). The confirmed returning cast for Hijack season 2 are as follows: Idris Elba as Sam Nelson Christine Adams as Marsha Smith-Nelson Max Beesley as DI Daniel O'Farrel Archie Panjabi as DCI Zahra Gahfoor Toby Jones as TBC Clare-Hope Ashitey as TBC Christian Näthe as TBC Lisa Vicari as TBC Karima McAdams as TBC Christiane Paul as TBC Hijack season 2 plot: What will happen? While we do have an official trailer for season 2 and a synopsis, we're still none the wiser as to how exactly Sam finds himself in yet another hijack situation. We do know that it's set to unfold on the Berlin underground system but as for who's responsible, why Sam finds himself in Germany and everything in between, we'll just have to wait and see. Elba had previously admitted that if he was to return to do another instalment of the series, it can't just follow the same format as season 1. It makes a lot of sense because if Sam was to fall victim of yet another plane hijacking, fans may be a little confused. But what could Sam do in season 2? Well, speaking to TV Insider, Elba said: “Look, I’m going to be honest here. I’d like to see Sam come back, but I just don’t want to see another Hijack. "It’s got to be clever, and we can see him make decisions that are impossible to make. And I think that’s going to be fun for the audience, but it has to be the right setup. So who knows? If the audience really wants it, it’s going to happen.” We did see Sam eventually make it out of the plane after a tense confrontation with lead hijacker Stuart but as for what Sam could be walking out to, it remains to be seen. We're sure after helping in the takedown of the hijackers, Sam would likely be commended by the home secretary and foreign secretary but would he turn to government work? As for his personal life, the hijack could very well bring him and his estranged wife Marsha closer but that could spell some tricky dynamics between Sam and Daniel. And could Sam be facing a future looking over his shoulder after Stuart gets imprisoned? Quite possibly, as it's clear the OCG member wanted to exact some kind of revenge on Sam after the death of his brother. We're sure with the Cheapside Firm deal being usurped by a change of plan, it could spell trouble for Sam as he was the most prominent passenger on the plane trying to take them down. Is there a trailer for Hijack season 2? Not quite! However, you can watch the date announcement teaser below, which also reveals a first look at Hijack season 2. View oEmbed on the source website Hijack season 1 is available to stream on Apple TV, sign up now with a 7-day free trial. Add Hijack to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Tulsa King season 4 release date speculation and latest news
Is the Sylvester Stallone drama returning for more?
Paramount Plus drama Tulsa King has now completed its third season, with the final episode laying the groundwork for more episodes. Well, it's a good thing then that the series has already been renewed for a fourth season – but there seems to be plenty of changes afoot behind-the-scenes of the Taylor Sheridan drama. It's already been announced that season 3 showrunner Dave Erickson is exiting the show, with Erickson also stepping down from showrunner duties on spin-off series NOLA King to primarily focus on helming Mayor of Kingstown. It's also recently been revealed that 26 crew members of Tulsa King‘s 600-member crew have been asked not to return for season 4. According to Deadline, "most, if not all, are expected to be replaced". But when will the fourth season of Tulsa King be released? Read on to find out everything we know so far. Will there be a Tulsa King season 4? Yes! Tulsa King was renewed for a fourth season back in September ahead of season 3's premiere. The renewal news was a natural next step for the drama, especially seeing as the season 2 premiere went on to be Paramount Plus’s most watched global premiere at the time, with 21.1 million viewers for the first episode. Tulsa King season 4 release date speculation As for a season 4 release date, one has not yet been announced. Seeing as the seasons of Tulsa King have stuck to the regular pattern of being released each year, we would anticipate a September 2026 release for season 4. We'd imagine that even with some drastic changes going on behind the scenes of the production, it has only stuck to its quick turnaround and so, wouldn't imagine that there will be any delays in the pipeline. However, with the release of NOLA King yet to also be confirmed, we could imagine that the two series will need to work around each other in terms of scheduling. It could perhaps be the case that NOLA King may be released first, with Tulsa King season 4 set to come soon after but it remains to be seen. Tulsa King season 4 cast: Who will star? Sylvester Stallone previously signed a contract confirming his leading role in both seasons 3 and 4 so we can expect the leading man to return. As for other faces returning to the cast for the fourth season, we'd expect plenty of returning faces but as of now, nothing has been confirmed. Meanwhile, Boardwalk Empire star Gretchen Mol has been cast in the new series regular role of a Tulsa politician named Amanda Clark, according to Deadline. The Tulsa King cast we'd expect to return for season 4 is as follows. Sylvester Stallone as Dwight 'The General' Manfredi Martin Starr as Bodhi Jay Will as Tyson Annabella Sciorra as Joanne Neal McDonough as Cal Thresher Robert Patrick as Jeremiah Dunmire Beau Knapp as Cole Dunmire Bella Heathcote as Cleo Montagu Chris Caldovino as Goodie McKenna Quigley Harrington Mike "Cash Flo" Walden Kevin Pollak as Special Agent Musso Vincent Piazza as Vince Frank Grillo as Bill Bevilaqua Michael Beach as Mark James Russo as Ray Renzetti Garrett Hedlund as Mitch Keller Dana Delany as Margaret Devereaux What could happen in Tulsa King season 4? Season 3 of Tulsa King saw Dwight's empire continuing to expand, with his pool of enemies only growing wider. Of course, that also meant threats being made to his crew which put everyone in a more precarious position than ever. The Dunmires only continued to be a thorn in Dwight's side, with Jeremiah – the head of the Dixie mafia – becoming the main problem and squaring up to Dwight in more ways than one. As for how that may manifest in a fourth season of Tulsa King, we can anticipate that the season will either continue dealing with the tensions between Dwight and the Dunmires or, like with previous seasons, see the mafia captain facing some new adversaries entirely. Is there a trailer for Tulsa King season 4? No! Seeing as production for Tulsa King season 4 has just kicked off, there aren't any trailers to enjoy just yet. However, you can rewatch the trailer for season 3 below. View oEmbed on the source website Tulsa King is available to stream on Paramount+ - sign up for Paramount Plus+. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Line of Duty could be entering its #MeToo era – but let's hope it doesn't waste the opportunity
Shining a light on sexual predators within positions of power is eerily topical for Line of Duty. Will the BBC drama pull it off?
This article contains mentions of sexual assault, which some readers may find distressing. After months (well really, years now) of speculation about the future of Line of Duty, fans were able to breathe a collective sigh of relief this week when season 7 was finally announced. It was the jewel in the BBC drama crown after all, so why wouldn't we be seeing more of AC-12? Not only were we all treated to the confirmation of the series return and leading cast news, we were also given an insight into what twisted road of corruption we'll all be going down. The BBC's description for season 7 teases a rebrand for AC-12, with anti-corruption work having "never been more difficult". Nevertheless, we're set to see Steve (Martin Compston), Kate (Vicky McClure) and Ted (Adrian Dunbar) tackle "their most sensitive case so far". The synopsis states that the season will be concerned with "charismatic" new character Detective Inspector Dominic Gough, who has won plaudits for multiple takedowns of organised crime, but stands "accused of abusing his position of trust to act as a sexual predator." It adds: "But is Gough’s case a deliberate distraction from a bigger threat still operating in the shadows?" While the nation attempts to remember their shared season 6 finale disappointment, wonders just how Jed Mercurio will rectify the H anticlimax, and speculates about which starry name may or may not step into the role as Gough, my mind couldn't help but turn to recent headlines. With Line of Duty seemingly stepping into its #MeToo era, we could be getting a season of television that is not only as gripping as its previous instalments – but could be its most topical yet, if it knows what to do with such sensitive subject matter. Equally, it could be the season that may be the most difficult to watch for many survivors at home. You don't have to scroll far to find a news report about a police officer abusing their position of power – and when it comes to doing so for sexual gain, there are a slew of recent cases that are the substance of any stomach-churning storyline. At the time of writing, disgraced former Met Police officer David Carrick's name is emblazoned on several news outlets once again, having just been handed another life sentence. On Wednesday 19th November, the serial rapist was found guilty of sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl in the '80s when he was 14 and raping a former partner 20 years later. He had already been serving 36 life sentences (with a minimum of 32 years), having admitted to 71 offences of sexual violence committed over a 17-year period. Just the other month, many were left shocked after secret BBC Panorama filming exposed evidence of misogyny and racism inside the Metropolitan Police. The footage, which was taken of officers at Charing Cross police station, contained sexualised comments and racist views about immigrants and Muslims. Last month also saw a misconduct hearing held for a former anti-corruption officer with Warwickshire Police, who had used his position for sexual gain and had started a relationship with a vulnerable woman, whom he had initially met when he arrested her as a teenager. There's also the gross misconduct case of a former Staffordshire Police officer who was found to have exchanged sexually suggestive messages with a witness, and allegedly established an inappropriate sexual relationship with a vulnerable woman after he "placed his phone number in her bra". Sadly, this is just a hyper-focused snapshot of the news cycle as it relates to recent reports of misconduct within UK policing. I could very much continue to go on about the real-world headlines that continue to make many people (including myself) simply despair, but let's turn our attention back to Line of Duty. Rather sadly, for the aforementioned reasons, the seventh season could actually be coming out at the best possible time. While DI Dominic Gough will be investigated by our trusty trio, it stands to reason whether or not he will actually be guilty of his crimes, of course. We know the way of this series by now, not only does it throw up all kinds of twists but it has also only delved further into this wider H conspiracy. Could an innocent Gough have simply gotten on the wrong side of one of his colleagues or perhaps, angered an OCG? It's always a possibility that he could be framed for crimes he hasn't committed. But in an ideal world of topical TV, Mercurio and his team would pen scripts that not only shine an important light on the eerie parallels to real life institutional failures, but could also prioritise the narratives of victims and those affected too. Placing the stories of victims at the forefront of the storyline would be a powerful move for the primetime series, allowing a window into the full-scale impact of such devastation. Sexual assault and rape (which could be crimes that Gough stands accused of committing) should never just be thrown in as a plot device for a high-stakes drama. Crucially, Line of Duty can't just centre Gough here but could really give a voice to those often left unheard. Gough, a senior ranking police officer, could very well be handed his just desserts alongside the ongoing corruption storylines that underpin Line of Duty, which would, I think, make for an inspired and well-rounded storyline. But perhaps these are simply the TV dreams of one angry writer (me) hoping to see justice served, even fictionally, on one of the country's most popular dramas. Mercurio has certainly proven that he has the chops to bring the meatiest, edge-of-your-seat storylines to life, but whether he'll be brave enough to take the opportunity and run with the plethora of unfortunate inspiration at his fingertips, we'll just have to wait and see. Line of Duty seasons 1-6 are available to stream on BBC iPlayer. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Squid Game's American spin-off with esteemed Hollywood director gets massive production update
It seems as though the rumoured series is actually a-go.
After the surprise Cate Blanchett cameo at the end of Squid Game's third and final season, questions remained about the future of the series and whether or not it'll be expanding its TV universe in any way. The long-rumoured American spin-off of the series seemed more in sight than ever but again, without any real confirmation from series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk or rumoured spin-off director David Fincher, it just seemed to be nothing more than an exciting prospect. Well now, it's time to get a whole lot more excited as it seems as though the series actually is happening. While Netflix has not confirmed the news, eagle-eyed fans have spotted a major production update and title of the new series, which appears to be called Squid Game: America for now. The show has now been listed on the Film and Television Industry Alliance website not only revealing its name, but also seemingly confirming that production is set to kick off in Los Angeles on 26th February 2026. Production details don't appear to be confirmed just yet, but it lists Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk as a producer alongside David Fincher, Zeus Zamani and Rhett Giles. It also lists Matilda the Musical writer Dennis Kelly as the show's writer, as well as Cate Blanchett as part of the cast. The listing also includes a project summary, which reads: "A US version of the Korean hit series, the spin-off is set in the same world but we get to see how the games are handled in America." Of course, it doesn't really reveal anything that fans hadn't already been speculating and would be, as imagined, just an American version of the original series. In terms of how American culture, politics and social issues may intersect within the games themselves, we'll just have to wait and see. But if it's anything like the original, it won't only be bloody games and backstabbing that'll take place, but a larger conversation about wealth and privilege too. When quizzed after the release of the Squid Game season 3 finale about Blanchett's role possibly setting up a US version of the show, Dong-hyuk told Variety: "Actually no, not at all. It’s not related to that. "All I wanted to have was just an impactful ending, and that’s all that was to it. Honestly, I haven’t heard officially from Netflix about David Fincher creating a “Squid Game.” I have heard the rumours of course, though. But again, it was just the ending that I wanted for season 3." Read more: Reacher season 4 finally gets major production update after "addictive" series praised by author Lee Child Iconic '90s sci-fi confirmed for "extraordinary" revival with new series on Prime Video Also talking about envisioning Blanchett for that final scene, he said: "That scene was in my mind towards the end of my writing process for the script. I did want to think a little more about who to bring onto the scene. "I knew I wanted to have a woman recruiter, because I thought it would be something different and a little more impactful. Because it’s just one line and it’s a moment that you get to see this person, I wanted someone who had the charisma that could dominate the screen in an instant. "I’ve always been a big fan of Cate Blanchett and all of my producers are as well. They really wanted her. As for offering the role to the particular actor, that happened after we began shooting." As for whether the new American spin-off may feature any of the original show's characters (like The Frontman, played by Lee Byung-hun), we'll just have to wait and see. Squid Game season 3 is available to stream on Netflix now. Sign up for Netflix from £5.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Line of Duty season 7 finally confirmed by the BBC
At long last, Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar are back!
After months of speculation, it's now been officially announced that Line of Duty will return for season 7 – with all the main cast reprising their leading roles. While the rumour mill has certainly been churning as of late with reports of filming and casting, the BBC has now announced that Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar are all reprising their roles for a seventh instalment of the beloved BBC crime drama. As of now, a release date has not been confirmed but we do know that filming will kick off in Belfast in spring 2026, with further casting set to be announced in due course. The official synopsis for the new episodes reads: "In series 7, AC-12 has been disbanded and rebranded the Inspectorate of Police Standards. Anticorruption work has never been more difficult and in this challenging climate Steve Arnott (Martin Compston), Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure) and Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar) are assigned their most sensitive case so far. "Detective Inspector Dominic Gough, a charismatic officer winning plaudits for a string of takedowns of organised crime, is accused of abusing his position of trust to act as a sexual predator. But is Gough’s case a deliberate distraction from a bigger threat still operating in the shadows?" On the announcement of the series return, creator, writer and executive producer Jed Mercurio said: “Everyone involved in Line of Duty feels enormous gratitude to the show’s fans. We’re privileged to have had so many of you follow the ups and downs of AC-12 over six previous seasons and we couldn’t be more delighted to be returning for a seventh. "Corruption in this country is supposed to have come to an end while Line of Duty was off air so I’ve been forced to use my imagination.” Series co-lead Compston added: “Line of Duty has been a job of a lifetime. Not only in terms of the show's success but the people I’ve had the opportunity to work with I now call some of my closest friends. I can’t wait to pull the waistcoat on again and get the team back together.” Similarly, McClure said in a statement: “It goes without saying I’m so excited Line of Duty is back! Can’t wait to work with Jed, Martin and Adrian again. Belfast, we’ll see you soon!” Dunbar also added: “As we count down the AC12 days of Christmas what a joy it is to know that the Three Amigos will be back filming together next year. Delighted with the news and looking forward to those mercurial twists and turns.” Just last month, McClure had played down rumours of a return to AC-12, telling Radio Times magazine that she didn't "have any updates, I’m afraid", regarding the future of Line of Duty. "I don’t want to give anyone any false hope," she explained. "We’ve all been very clear that we’d absolutely love to do another series." Read more: What should we expect from Line of Duty season 7? I have some questions It was strongly suggested that Line of Duty would be making a return after Dunbar previously claimed that the BBC drama was ready to return for filming next year. He told The Times: “We’re really excited about getting our hands on a Line of Duty script, to see what happens to us. Jed is writing. We’ve talked to the BBC. “It is down to the BBC to make an announcement, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed that next year we’ll be working on a new series. No doubt Jed will think of some interesting twists and turns.” Just a few months prior, it had been reported that the schedules of Dunbar, Compston and McClure had been lined up to film new episodes, with filming reportedly set to kick off in January 2026. Speaking about season 7 now that it's been confirmed, Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama adds: “Line of Duty is beloved by audiences and critics alike and its amazing ratings are a true testament to the success of Jed’s writing, the work from the brilliant team at World Productions and the entire cast and crew. "I’m so pleased that after four long years Line of Duty will be back filming soon and can’t wait for BBC viewers to be back on the edge of their seats.” Watch Line of Duty stars Gregory Piper and Nigel Boyle discuss a potential Line of Duty season 7 at the Radio Times Covers Party back in 2022 below: View Green Video on the source website Line of Duty seasons 1-6 are available to stream on BBC iPlayer. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.