Crimson Desert: Release date, pre-orders, trailers and more
When can we expect this open-world prequel?
With every trailer, excitement is growing more and more for the upcoming Crimson Desert release date. A prequel to hit MMO Black Desert Online, the game was first announced back in 2023, and the more we've seen of it, the more promising it looks. Unlike many modern titles, developer Pearl Abyss is eschewing the popular Unreal Engine 5 in favour of their own in-house engine, the incredibly impressive BlackSpace Engine. If you're as excited for Crimson Desert as we are, here's what you need to know about the release date, pre-orders, trailers and more. When is the Crimson Desert release date? Crimson Desert releases on 19th March 2026 for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. This was revealed during last September's Sony State of Play as part of a new trailer. The game was initially scheduled to release in 2024. This was then pushed back, with a trailer at The Game Awards 2024 seemingly confirming a late-2025 release. Of course, we now know that the game was further delayed, so here's hoping that 19th March is the definitive release date. Can I pre-order Crimson Desert? You can pre-order digital versions of the game directly from their respective storefronts: Steam PlayStation Xbox If you're after a physical version, then you can pre-order Crimson Desert from select retailers: UK Amazon – £49.99 Smyths – £49.99 US Amazon – $69.99 Best Buy – $69.99 GameStop – $69.99 Walmart – $69.99 Target – $69.99 Which consoles and platforms can play Crimson Desert? Crimson Desert is releasing on PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC. It was originally meant to release on PS4 and Xbox One, but following a couple of delays, it's moved onto current gen consoles only. We also don't know if a Switch 2 version is on the books, but if it sells well enough, who knows? Crimson Desert gameplay and story details Much like its spiritual predecessor, Crimson Desert is an open-world fantasy RPG. You can explore it on foot or horseback, and you'll have the option to complete quests, fish, chop trees and – we're delighted to say – pet plenty of dogs. The combat looks to be a satisfying combo, block and parry affair, with a variety of interesting enemies (including ones you can climb, à la Shadow of the Colossus). As for the story, we don't know much about that from the trailer. All we know is the game is set in the same universe as Black Desert Online, and we take control of protagonist Macduff as he fights against the forces of evil and confronts his past. Is there a Crimson Desert trailer? There is a trailer, and it's pretty awesome. Check it out below, in all its dog-petting glory: View oEmbed on the source website In late 2025, we got a release date trailer showing off even more of the game: View oEmbed on the source website And last, but not least, January 2026 gave us a huge, 15-minute showcase of the game's gameplay and open world features: View oEmbed on the source website Check out more of our Gaming 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.
UFC 325 live stream and TV: Volkanovski v Lopes 2 UK time, TV and fight card
Your complete guide to UFC 325, including the Volkanovski v Lopes start time, fight card and TV coverage details.
Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes step into the Octagon once again to renew their rivalry at UFC 325 in Sydney, Australia. UFC Featherweight champion Volkanovski is aiming to defend his belt on home soil, nine months on from claiming it against Lopes in Miami. The 37-year-old has been defeated in three of his last five bouts but will hope to put on another winning display against Lopes. Watch UFC on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video Brazilian star Lopes got over his defeat by dispatching Jean Silva in September. He has a big opportunity to claim the title and potentially spark a trilogy fight against his opponent. RadioTimes.com brings you full details of UFC 325, including UK time, TV channel, live stream details and the fight card. When does UFC 325 start in UK time? UFC 325 TV coverage will start at 2am UK time in the early hours of Sunday 1st February 2026 for the main card. The preliminary card is expected to start around 12pm UK time. UFC 325 on TV and live stream UFC 325 will be shown on TNT Sports 1. If you already have BT Broadband, you can add TNT Sports to your existing contract. You can watch TNT Sports with a monthly pass or via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video on a monthly basis without signing up to a contract, but TNT Sports Box Office for this particular fight costs a one-off fee. Regular subscribers can also stream the action on a variety of devices including laptops, smartphones and tablets via the discovery+ app. discovery+ is the new streaming home of TNT Sports, showing events including live Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Premiership Rugby, UFC, Boxing and MotoGP. Learn more here: discoveryplus.com Watch UFC 325 in the US US fans can watch the event live in the US via ESPN+. On its own, ESPN+ costs $11.99 per month or $119.99 per year. UFC 325 will cost an additional $79.99 as it is a PPV event while you can get UFC 325 and a year of ESPN+ for $134.98. You can also combine a Disney Plus subscription with ESPN+ for just $14.99 per month, but the main event will cost extra. UFC 325 fight card Subject to change. Main card – on TNT Sports from 2am Alexander Volkanovski (c) vs Diego Lopes – Featherweight Title Fight Dan Hooker vs Benoît Saint Denis – Lightweight Rafael Fiziev vs Maurício Ruffy – Lightweight Tai Tuivasa vs Tallison Teixeira – Heavyweight Quillan Salkilld vs Jamie Mullarkey – Lightweight Preliminary card – on TNT Sports from 12am Junior Tafa vs Billy Elekana – Light Heavyweight Cameron Rowston vs Cody Brundage – Middleweight Jacob Malkoun vs Torrez Finney – Middleweight Jonathan Micallef vs Oban Elliott – Welterweight Early Preliminary card – not televised in UK but available on UFC Fight Pass Kaan Ofli vs Yi Zha – Featherweight Kim Sang-wook vs Dom Mar Fan – Lightweight Keiichiro Nakamura vs Sebastian Szalay – Featherweight Sulang Rangbo vs Lawrence Lui – Bantamweight Check out more of our Sport 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.
Under Salt Marsh's Jonathan Pryce explains why thriller is "much deeper" than your average murder mystery
"It's weird, I didn't feel like I was reading a murder mystery..."
When the body of a nine-year-old boy is found in a drainage ditch in the remote Welsh town of Morfa Halen, the community is rocked by the harrowing possibility that there's more to Cefin's death than a horrible accident – and that one of their own is probably responsible. And it's a feeling they know all too well following the disappearance of another child, Nessa, who went missing three years ago, the details of which remain unknown. Yet, while Sky Atlantic's Under Salt Marsh is a murder mystery, Jonathan Pryce (The Two Popes, The Crown) who plays Cefin's grandfather Solomon, the patriarch of a local farming family, believes it goes beyond what we anticipate from crime thrillers on the whole. "It's weird, I didn't feel like I was reading a murder mystery. I felt I was reading about a community that was under threat from the environment," he told RadioTimes.com, referencing the once-in-a-generation-storm that's rapidly heading towards the town, putting the investigation, headed up by Detective Eric Bull (Trying's Rafe Spall), at serious risk. "But also, [there's] this ongoing unrest within the community because some of the murders are historical, and the community is already split, and then rent asunder again," added Pryce. "So it's a much deeper story than an obvious murder mystery." Another feather in its cap, according to Pryce, is "the reveal of the murderer... is not straightforward". "I think that's a very good, strong feature of the script. There are no obvious culprits for a long time, and I found that interesting." Starring alongside Pryce and Spall is Yellowstone's Kelly Reilly, who plays detective turned teacher Jackie Ellis, who finds Cefin's body, and is also Nessa's aunt – a case which ultimately cost her her job and her friendship with Bull. "These two characters have so much history, they've gone through something deeply traumatic together," Reilly said of that central dynamic."And I think Jackie, quite honestly, would love to never see him again because it's just too painful. She's not ready to." "He's probably the worst person she could see in this moment because it just brings back all of the trauma of this case that they didn't solve together," she continued. "And so him suddenly showing up at her house after finding the body of this child is like a horror film." That detail was the "most attractive aspect" for Spall, who described their relationship – or lack thereof when we first meet them – as "unconventional". "There isn't that risk of them getting together, but they've got a lot to work out," he expanded. "They have a lot of love for each other and a lot of anger, and as we know there's a very fine line between those two emotions. It makes for a pretty original central duo." Read more: Where was Under Salt Marsh filmed? Who's in the cast of Under Salt Marsh? Under Salt Marsh review: Flood-stricken crime drama continues the rise of Welsh noir The first two episodes of Under Salt Marsh will premiere on Sky Atlantic and NOW on January 30th with a new episode following the next four Fridays. Add Under Salt Marsh 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.
The Traitors winner Stephen Libby confirms he has left his job as he teases what’s in his future
Since its debut in 2022, The Traitors has produced a handful of deserving winners, from Faithfuls who managed to sniff out the Traitors at the very last point to Traitors who pulled the wool over the eyes of their fellow players. And this year was no different. After weeks of brutal banishments and shocking murders, Stephen Libby and Rachel Duffy were crowned the winners and took home £47,875 each. As a result, Stephen has been the talk of the nation, whether it be about his striking outfit choices or his decision to remain faithful to his fellow Traitor. Such has got many people thinking, 'what will he do next?'. Speaking exclusively at the Radio Times Covers Party 2026, Stephen revealed he has left his role as a cyber security consultant and is keen to dive "into something that I'm more passionate about". View Green Video on the source website "It's been very good to me over the years, which is great, but I'm taking a break from work at the moment, just going to put my feet up see what happens," he said. Stephen added: "And then if, in the future, an opportunity presents itself to me that's more exciting than cyber security, I'll grab it with both hands." Fans can only hope that Stephen will move into the fashion world after his iconic outfits kept the nation talking during each and every episode. But, this certainly wasn't something that he had expected while filming the series. "The reaction has been overwhelming, because this is like my day-to-day wardrobe, and so I didn't curate a wardrobe specifically for The Traitors," he told RadioTimes.com. "But I'm just so happy that the response has been positive and the memes have been hilarious. I mean, people are quick with their memes as well, like an episode would finish, and it'd be hundreds of new memes about my jumpsuit or a pink jumper, a green jumper. "And I think what it's shown me is that the bar for men's fashion is quite low because, to me, that's just like my normal clothing. So I'm just really happy that I had a positive response." The Traitors season 1-4 are available to watch on BBC iPlayer now. Check out more of our Entertainment 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.
The Traitors star Faraaz reveals he was left in tears after billionaire's touching gift
Faraaz Noor may not have won The Traitors prize money to take his family on a pilgrimage to Hajj, but the opportunity to do so may come sooner than he thinks. Faraaz was a fan favourite on this year's series, often for his quiet and sometimes incorrect contributions to the roundtable. He made it to the final episode but was ultimately banished by Traitors Stephen and Rachel. Ahead of the final, Faraaz said if he were to win the prize he would "love to be able to spend it on me and my family to make a religious pilgrimage". "To go to Umrah, to go to Hajj, would be really nice. For me to do that for my family would be great. If there's a bit of left over, I wouldn't mind putting a bit away for a new car but treating my family is my main goal." Following the whirlwind of The Traitors, Umar Kamani, the CEO of PrettyLittleThing, shared on X (formerly known as Twitter), that he "would love to send Faraaz from Traitors and his family to Hajj". View oEmbed on the source website Reacting to the news at the Radio Times Covers Party 2026, Faraaz shared that he was "in tears" after seeing the post. "I came back and I was talking to my mum and I was like, I just can't... to Umar, I'm so grateful, Alhamdulillah, I was literally crying my eyes out honestly. I couldn't believe it." View Green Video on the source website While details on whether Faraaz and Umar are in touch are not known, the breakout Traitors star is keen to still make the pilgrimage. He told BBC News: "The love and support I've been getting is unbelievable... Inshallah, one day I'll be able to hopefully take them to Hajj or even complete Umrah. I'm looking forward to that." The Traitors season 1-4 are available to watch on BBC iPlayer now. Check out more of our Entertainment 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.
What time is WWE Royal Rumble 2026 on Netflix in the UK?
British wrestling fans, we have some great news for you...
British wrestling fans are used to sacrificing their body clock for the sake of WWE – but not this weekend. The Royal Rumble arrives into Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday, in a time slot that appeals to UK and European-based fans, meaning more viewers than ever are likely to tune in. The men's Rumble match will feature 30 of the best as they seek to emulate Jey Uso, who triumphed in 2025. Charlotte Flair returns to the women's Rumble in a bid to defend her crown, but can anyone stop either of last year's victors? RadioTimes.com brings you the all the timings for the WWE Royal Rumble in 2026. What time is the WWE Royal Rumble 2026 in the UK? WWE Royal Rumble 2026 will take place on Saturday 31st January 2026. Due to the event taking place in Saudi Arabia, fans in the UK can tune in from a more reasonable time of 6pm UK time. WWE Royal Rumble 2026 match card Check out the match schedule for the WWE Royal Rumble 2026: Men’s Royal Rumble Match Women’s Royal Rumble Match Drew McIntyre v Sami Zayn – WWE Championship AJ Styles v Gunther – Singles Match Check out more of our Sport 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.
How to watch WWE Royal Rumble 2026 on TV and live stream in the UK
Your guide to watching the WWE Royal Rumble in all its glory live in the UK.
You don't have to be a die-hard wrestling fan to know it doesn't get a whole lot bigger or more exciting than the WWE Royal Rumble. The 39th edition of this esteemed event will once again see 30 men and 30 women go head to head in a battle to be the last superstars standing in the ring. Of course, the die-hards have had this date in their calendar for months now, but casual British viewers will find it more accessible than ever to soak up the drama. WWE's Netflix deal means all subscribers can tune in without the need to pay an additional one-off fee, while the location of the event in Saudi Arabia means it will take place at a friendly time for those on the east side of the Atlantic. RadioTimes.com brings you all the details for watching the Royal Rumble 2026 live in the UK. How to watch the WWE Royal Rumble 2026 on TV and live stream WWE Royal Rumble 2026 will take place on Saturday 31st January 2026. Due to the event taking place in Saudi Arabia, fans in the UK can tune in from a more reasonable time of 6pm UK time. The WWE Royal Rumble 2026 will air live on Netflix outside the US. To tune in in the UK, all you need is a Netflix subscription. Sign up for Netflix from £4.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream. The WWE Network has officially partnered up with the streamer, where you can watch every WWE Premium Live Event and new episodes of Raw, SmackDown and NXT. Check out more of our Sport 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.
The Beatles movies first looks see Paul Mescal and co. transform into the Fab Four - but how close do they look?
Harris Dickinson, Joseph Quinn and Barry Keoghan are joining Mescal in Sam Mendes's four-film experience.
We're still more than four years away from The Beatles: A Four-Film Cinema Experience being released, but already excitement is at fever pitch for the star-studded movies. Now, for the first time, we've been given a glimpse of what the central four actors - Paul Mescal, Harris Dickinson, Joseph Quinn and Barry Keoghan - will look like as the Fab Four. The first look comes via the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), which was given exclusive postcards promoting the new films and has hidden them around their campus. They have also posted pictures of them on Instagram. The postcards each feature a picture of one of the stars in character, revealing who they are playing. For instance, Mescal's reads "Paul Mescal is Paul McCartney". You can check them out on Lipa's Instagram page right here. The films, all four of which are being directed by Sam Mendes, will come from the perspective of a different Beatle, and are set to be released on the same day - 7th April 2028. Dickinson will be playing John Lennon, Quinn will be playing George Harrison and Keoghan will be playing Ringo Starr. Other actors set to star across them include Saoirse Ronan as Linda McCartney, James Norton as Brian Epstein, Mia McKenna-Bruce as Maureen Starkey, Anna Sawai as Yoko Ono, Aimee Lou Wood as Pattie Boyd, Harry Lloyd as George Martin and David Morrissey as Jim McCartney. Meanwhile, Leanne Best will play Mimi Smith, Bobby Schofield will play Neil Aspinall, Daniel Hoffmann-Gill will play Mal Evans, Arthur Darvill will play Derek Taylor and Adam Pally will play Allen Klein. With every cast member doing their homework on the history of The Beatles before the release of the new films, star McKenna-Bruce recently admitted that, before filming began, she didn't know any of the quartet. "On [Agatha Christie's] Seven Dials, Martin [Freeman] was asking me to name all the Beatles – I didn't know," she explained. She has since filled the gaps in her music knowledge, adding: "Now, I'm like, 'Oh my God, The Beatles are underrated! This is good!' It's music I'd sit and listen to on the train." The Beatles: A Four-Film Cinema Experience is set to release as a quartet of movies in April 2028. 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.
Outlander season 8 releases "emotional" first-look trailer for final episodes with Claire and Jamie
Prepare for battle – and an emotional farewell.
Fans of Outlander have slowly been trying to prepare for the end of the beloved historical drama for some time now, but the dawn of the final season is almost upon us – and now, we have an emotional trailer that only notches up the excitement for what's to come. With the release date of March having been previously confirmed last year, this trailer gives us a proper look at what's to come and boy, does it look like it's set to break our hearts. While season 7 saw the dawn of the American Revolution and Claire (Caitríona Balfe) and Jamie (Sam Heughan) having to make some drastic decisions, things left on quite the dramatic cliffhanger as they were left questioning whether their first child Faith had actually lived after hearing Fanny sing the same song (from a different time period) that Claire used to. As well as picking up on that major storyline, the trailer transports us back to what makes the series such a fan-favourite and that's by plummeting us once more into the centre of Claire and Jamie's love story. "I have everything I never knew I wanted," Claire tells Jamie in bed, "I hope you've had everything you've had everything you wanted." View oEmbed on the source website We then see them sitting down in a forest with Fanny, holding a locket with Faith's name on it, and all seems right in the world. Continuing on in the same positive vein, we see Brianna (Sophie Skelton) and Roger (Richard Rankin) enjoying some time together, after the tumultuous events of the past season. Brianna's bringing back of the book The Soul of a Rebel by Frank Randall also has repercussions for Jamie, who picks it up and reads it, only to find out that details from the war that are set to unfold. But in another twist, Jamie tells Claire that in the book, it says that he dies. The war is coming and Jamie feels compelled to get involved once again, but Claire urges him not to. Will it be his undoing? You can watch the trailer for yourself below. View oEmbed on the source website It's safe to say that the trailer alone will probably bring a tear to many fans' eyes, not least because it looks as though the war continues to get bloodier, the stakes ever higher, and there will be plenty of heart-wrenching Jamie and Claire moments to be had. The official season 8 synopsis reads: "As season 8 begins, Jamie and Claire soon find the war has followed them home to Fraser’s Ridge, now a thriving settlement that has grown and flourished in their absence. "With new arrivals and changes made during their years away, the Frasers are confronted with the question of what they are willing to sacrifice for the place they call home and, more importantly, what they would sacrifice to stay together." Read more: Ted Lasso star Nick Mohammed reveals hope for Nate amid speculation of a return for season 4 Adjoa Andoh details how Bridgerton’s diversity in front of and behind the camera is "really wonderful" It continues: "While the Frasers keep a united front against outside intruders, family secrets finally coming to light threaten to tear them apart from the inside. Although they’ve left the war for America’s freedom behind, their fight for Fraser’s Ridge has only just begun." As well as the aforementioned main cast, the rest of the returning faces include John Bell as Young Ian, David Berry as Lord John Grey, Charles Vandervaart as William Ransom, Izzy Meikle-Small as Rachel Hunter and Joey Phillips as Denzell Hunter. Eagle-eyed fans will also spot Lauren Lyle in the season 8 trailer, who starred as Marsali Fraser in seasons 3-6. Outlander season 8 will start airing on MGM+ in the UK from Saturday 7th March 2026, and on Starz in the US from Friday 6th March. You can buy Diana Gabaldon's books on Amazon. 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 star says Ginny Holder's exit was a "surprise" – but "these things happen"
It was recently confirmed that Ginny Holder would not be returning for the BBC murder mystery's 15th season.
Death in Paradise fans are well versed in saying goodbye to characters as cast members move on to pastures new, and it was recently confirmed that Ginny Holder would not be returning for season 15. There was already some speculation that police officer Darlene Curtis might be on her way out after she only appeared briefly in last year's Christmas special – and via phone screen – as she was said to be caring for her aunt. And in the season 15 premiere, we're told that she will not be back for the "foreseeable". "Playing Darlene was an absolute gift – saying goodbye has been far more emotional than I ever expected," Holder – who joined in season 7 – wrote on Instagram. "The love and support for Darlene has meant the world to me… you've made this journey unforgettable." Speaking about saying goodbye to their co-star at the Radio Times Covers Party 2026, Shaquille Ali-Yebuah (Officer Sebastian Rose) admitted that her exit was a "surprise", adding: "We miss her. I actually did my first audition with her, and that was my partner in crime in my first season. She's going to be missed." "I don't think you want to say crime," teased Commissioner Selwyn Patterson star Don Warrington, with Ali-Yebuah swiftly correcting himself: "She's my partner in discovery. She was amazing. She's definitely going to be missed." Read more: Death in Paradise spoiler pictures show Selwyn back in action and a Mervin mishap Death in Paradise season 14 teased an exciting Catherine development – but season 15 won't deliver Warrington, who's known Holder "for years", said that it was "sad, it's always sad when you lose somebody". "But these things happen. It's the nature of the business." But while Darlene is no longer around, Sergeant Mattie Fletcher, played by Catherine Garton, has entered the building. View Green Video on the source website "She's my new partner in discovery, she's amazing," added Ali-Yebuah. "Catherine's very talented, and her character adds a different edge to the series. "She's got this new energy that she's brought from the island of Jamaica to Sainte Marie. She's a bit rugged, ready to get dirty for the cause and for the team, so it's going to be very interesting. I think the audience is really going to love her." Officer Sebastian Rose and Detective Sergeant Naomi Thomas (Shantol Jackson) are tasked with helping Mattie settle in her new role, but "with shadows from her past beginning to surface, her arrival may bring more complications than anyone bargained for," reads the official synopsis. Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. Death in Paradise season 15 premieres on 30th January at 9pm on BBC One and BBC 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 TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Best films to watch on TV today, tonight and this week
Whatever your taste, there's a movie on for everyone.
There may be plenty of movies available on streaming platforms and being released weekly in cinemas, but nothing quite beats the feeling of finding a hidden gem while flicking through the TV. With such a raft of options – old and new – to pick from this weekend, it can often feel like a bit of an insurmountable task to find one that really tickles your fancy. But that's where we come in to do the hard work for you, picking out some of the most stellar options available to tune into. This weeks selection includes everything from classic Powell and Pressburger films likes A Matter of Life and Death to iconic gangster flick Scarface and Emerald Fennel's much talked about Saltburn. There's something for everyone and if you're wondering where to find some of the best films on the terrestrial channels this week, we've got you sorted. Read on for an expertly compiled list of the best flicks airing across the next seven days. Friday 30th January Bird - 11pm, BBC Two Coming-of-age drama starring Nykika Adams, Barry Keoghan and Franz Rogowski. Lonely twelve-year-old Bailey lives in a squat with her father Bug and half-brother Hunter. Unhappy when her father decides to remarry and alienated by her mother's abusive boyfriend, Bailey seeks solace in her love of birds. By chance she meets a mysterious man named Bird and agrees to help him find his own mother who disappeared many years ago. Read our full review Get Out - 12:50am, BBC One Oscar-winning horror mystery starring Daniel Kaluuya and Allison Williams. Chris, a young African-American photographer, is understandably anxious when he's invited to stay with his wealthy white girlfriend's parents at their family estate. Admitting she hasn't told them he's black only adds to Chris's apprehension, but mum and dad are warm and welcoming. However, as the weekend unfolds, Chris begins to suspect all is not as it seems. Read our full review The Day Shall Come - 12:55am, Channel 4 Satirical comedy starring Marchánt Davis and Anna Kendrick. Moses al Shabazz is an impoverished preacher who, along with family and followers, brings his particular brand of religion to the Miami projects. Little does he know that he has been targeted to unwittingly help FBI agent Kendra Glack in setting up a false flag operation. Read our full review Saturday 31st January I Know Where I’m Going - 11:05pm, BBC Two Romantic comedy starring Wendy Hiller and Roger Livesey. A headstrong young woman is determined to marry an elderly millionaire, against the wishes of her father. But, marooned on the Isle of Mull en route to her wedding, she meets the local laird and is no longer so sure of her destiny. Read our full review A Matter of Life and Death - 12:40pm, BBC Two Classic romantic fantasy starring David Niven and Kim Hunter. With his plane ablaze, Squadron Leader Peter Carter holds a last radio conversation with an American servicewoman before baling out. Amazingly, he survives, and later meets her and falls in love. But in heaven, a mistake is discovered. Read our full review The Man Who Would Be King - 3:20pm, BBC Two Adventure based on a story by Rudyard Kipling, starring Sean Connery and Michael Caine. In 1880s India, two impoverished former British army soldiers make plans to travel to the remote wilderness of Kafiristan, where they intend to establish themselves as rulers. But their journey is fraught with difficulties. Read our full review Afire - 11pm, BBC Four View Green Video on the source website Drama starring Thomas Schubert and Paula Beer. Struggling to complete his second novel, author Leon accompanies his artist friend on a creative retreat in northern Germany. Arriving at their remote holiday home, both are surprised to find a young woman, Nadja, already staying there. Over the coming days, emotions run wild among the group while ecological disaster brews just a few miles away. Read our full review Censor- 12:30am, Film4 After viewing a strangely familiar video, Enid, a film censor, sets out to solve the mystery of her sister's disappearance. Horror thriller, starring Niamh Algar, Michael Smiley and Nicholas Burns. Read our full review Sunday 1st February A Bridge Too Far - 2:45pm, BBC Two All-star Second World War drama based on a true story, starring Dirk Bogarde, James Caan, Michael Caine and Sean Connery. September 1944: a military operation, in which thousands of Allied troops are parachuted into Holland to secure six bridges leading to Germany, does not go according to plan. A British contingent has orders to secure the last bridge at Arnhem, before moving into the Ruhr area, but their mission soon runs into trouble. Read our full review Jason and the Argonauts - 2:50pm, Film4 Fantasy adventure starring Todd Armstrong and featuring special effects by Ray Harryhausen. Twenty years after his father's death, Jason embarks on a fantastic voyage, fraught with dangers, to find the Golden Fleece that will enable him to reclaim the throne that is rightfully his. Read our full review The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - 6:55pm, Sky Arts Mystery starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. The renowned sleuth tries to prevent his formidable adversary Professor Moriarty from carrying out the crime of the century. Read our full review Scarface - 9pm, Legend Gangster drama starring Al Pacino. Having lied his way into the US from Cuba, two-bit criminal Tony Montana murders a political agitator in order to get a green card. From then on he pursues the American Dream with violent, ruthless efficiency - no matter what the cost. Read our full review Saltburn - 10pm, BBC Two Black comedy thriller starring Barry Keoghan and Jacob Elordi. After shy Oxford University student Oliver crosses paths with rich classmate Felix, the two become unlikely friends and Felix invites Oliver back to Saltburn, his family's sprawling mansion, for the summer. But it soon transpires that this awkward outsider is not quite the harmless loner that he appeared to be. Read our full review Monday 2nd February Le Mans ‘66 - 6pm, Film4 Motor-racing drama based on a true story. In the early 1960s, automobile designer Carroll Shelby is enlisted by Ford Motors to build a car that will beat Ferrari in the annual Le Mans race. Shelby recruits hot-headed Brit Ken Miles as his test driver and the two commence work on a project that proves dangerously underfunded. Will all their efforts come undone during the gruelling 24-hour motoring marathon? Read our full review Under Seige - 9pm, ITV4 Action thriller starring Steven Seagal and Tommy Lee Jones. The Missouri, the US Navy's biggest battleship, is hijacked by ruthless criminals intent on stealing its lucrative nuclear arsenal. Only one man stands in their way - Casey Ryback, ship's cook and former Navy SEAL. Read our full review Shaun the Sheep Movie - 7:30pm, BBC Three The lovable lamb's plans for a fun day off turn into something far more exciting when he's forced to take a trip to the big city to save the farmer, who has lost his memory. Can Shaun and his friends return home safely following their adventure? Animation, featuring the voices of Justin Fletcher, John Sparkes and Omid Djalili. Read our full review Tuesday 3rd February Canyon Passage - 4:35pm, Film4 Western starring Dana Andrews, Brian Donlevy and Susan Hayward. Oregon, 1854: a bank manager's addiction to gambling and his habit of using customers' money to pay off his debts lead to murder. Read our full review Legends of the Fall - 6:45pm, Film4 Epic drama starring Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins and Aidan Quinn. Three brothers, Alfred, Samuel and Tristan, are raised by their ex-cavalry father on a remote ranch near the Montana Rockies. Their lifestyle is irreversibly changed when Samuel brings home his beautiful fiancée, Susannah, and the brothers decide to join the army to fight in the First World War. Read our full review Bones and All - 12:45pm, Film4 View Green Video on the source website Romantic horror drama starring Taylor Russell, Timothée Chalamet and Mark Rylance. Abandoned by her father, teenager Maren, who has cannibalistic tendencies, sets out to locate her birth mother. She is soon joined by fellow "Eater" Lee, with whom she forms a deep bond. But the pair are also being pursued by another fellow cannibal and may be in grave danger. Read our full review Wednesday 4th February Beau is Afraid - 9pm, Film4 Black comedy drama starring Joaquin Phoenix. Beau Wassermann, a deeply anxious middle-aged man, plans to visit his mother but misses his flight. This is just the beginning of his struggles, though, as in short order he has his home invaded, receives some distressing news and is attacked by a serial killer. So begins Beau's bizarre cross-country journey. Read our full review You Only Live Twice - 9pm, ITV4 Spy adventure starring Sean Connery and Donald Pleasence. When international crime syndicate Spectre captures an American spaceship in the hope of starting the Third World War, James Bond is dispatched to Japan to face arch villain Blofeld, the man behind the evil scheme. Read our full review Till - 11:30pm, BBC Two Historical drama based on a true story, starring Danielle Deadwyler and Jalyn Hall. In August 1955, Chicago teenager Emmett Till visits family in Mississippi, where he is kidnapped and lynched by a group of white men. Over the following weeks, Emmett's mother, Mamie, fights tirelessly to show the country what happened to her son, and to pursue justice for his murder. Read our full review Thursday 5th February Moon - 7:10pm, Film4 Science-fiction drama starring Sam Rockwell. Lone mining engineer Sam Bell is cut off from humanity on the far side of the Moon with only a computer for company, but is looking forward to returning to Earth and his family after three long years of solitude. But with only weeks to go before his departure, an accident out on the surface causes Sam to suspect everything is not what it seems. Read our full review In The Line of Fire - 9pm, Legend Thriller starring Clint Eastwood, John Malkovich and Rene Russo. Veteran Secret Service agent Frank Horrigan comes across the apartment of a man obsessed with assassination victims - especially John F Kennedy. Later he is contacted by the man, who boasts of his scheme to murder the current president and seems to have a disturbingly detailed knowledge of Horrigan's past. Read our full review Modern Times - 9:15pm, Sky Arts Comedy starring Charlie Chaplin. A factory worker becomes so unhinged by his menial job that he winds up in hospital. Following his release and a spell in jail, he befriends a young orphan woman and falls in love. Read our full review Friday 6th February Knives Out - 9pm, More4 Murder mystery comedy starring Daniel Craig, Ana de Armas and Chris Evans. "Gentleman detective" Benoit Blanc is summoned to the home of a wealthy author who has been found with his throat slit. As he learns more about the deceased's eccentric family and their likely motives for murder, he forms a bond with the dead man's nurse, Marta, who also has something to hide. Meanwhile, one key question continues to gnaw at Blanc: who actually hired him? Read our full review Hellboy II: The Golden Army - 10:50pm, ITV1 Horror fantasy adventure starring Ron Perlman and Selma Blair. Renegade elf prince Nuada returns from exile determined to end the ancient truce between humans and the people of the mystical realm. But when Nuada arrives in New York to acquire a magical crown that will give him control of the fabled Golden Army, Hellboy and his colleagues in the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense find themselves in a battle to save the world. Read our full review Silver Haze - 11pm, BBC Two Drama starring Vicky Knight and Esmé Creed-Miles. Franky, a hospital nurse, meets and starts dating Florence, who has been admitted following an attempted suicide. Franky, who suffers various troubles and traumas in her own life, finds escape and comfort as she bonds with Florence's family, but the romance between the young women is far from smooth sailing. Read our full review Benedetta - 11:45pm, Film4 Historical drama starring Virginie Efira and Charlotte Rampling. In 17th-century Italy, a young nun experiences disturbing religious visions, causing upheaval in her convent, and her growing sexual relationship with a fellow nun only complicates matters. Read our full review If you have Netflix, we have rounded up the best movies on Netflix and the best series on Netflix to watch now – and Disney Plus viewers can check out our best movies on Disney Plus guide. Got Prime Video? We also have the best movies on Amazon Prime. 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.
When is the Champions League knockout play-off round draw? TV, live stream and pots
Your complete guide to the Champions League draw, including time, pots and how to watch.
After a thrilling final round of League Phase fixtures, attention turns to the knockout stages of the Champions League 2025/26. The top eight teams in the table, including Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Man City, have already secured their spot in the last 16, with the other 16 teams that have made it through set to battle it out to join them over two-legged play-off ties. Watch the Champions League draw live on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video The sides heading for the play-offs have been paired up according to their League Phase position, with the seeded pairs matched up to their equivalent unseeded pair, and already know who they could play in the next round – eg. 12th-place Newcastle have been paired with PSG 11th and will face either Qarabag (22nd) or Monaco (21st). All eyes will be on Switzerland on Friday for the play-off round draw, which will confirm exactly who their opponents are and which side of the draw, Blue or Silver, they will be put into. RadioTimes.com has rounded up all the details for the Champions League knockout play-off round draw. Read more football features: Best players in the world | Best players of all time | Live football on TV today | Premier League TV schedule When is the Champions League draw? The Champions League knockout play-off round draw will be held on Friday 30th January 2026. What time is the Champions League draw? The Champions League draw will begin at 11am UK time and takes place at UEFA's headquarters, the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland. How to watch the Champions League draw You can tune in to watch the draw live on UEFA.com as well as the TNT Sports YouTube channel. The draw will also be broadcast live on TNT Sports 2 from 11am. Watch the Champions League draw live on TNT Sports via discovery+ on Amazon Prime Video Which teams are in the Champions League play-off draw? 9th: Real Madrid 10th: Inter Milan 11th: PSG 12th: Newcastle 13th: Juventus 14th: Atletico Madrid 15th: Atalanta 16th: Bayer Leverkusen 17th: Borussia Dortmund 18th: Olympiakos 19th: Club Brugge 20th: Galatasaray 21st: Monaco 22nd: Qarabag 23rd: Bodo/Glimt 24th: Benfica When is the Champions League knockout play-off round? The first leg fixtures of the Champions League knockout play-off round will be played on either Tuesday 17th February 2026 or Wednesday 18th February 2026. The second leg of the ties will be played a week later, on either Tuesday 24h February 2026 or Wednesday 25th February 2026. Check out more of our Sport 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.
How to get Harry Styles tickets if you missed out on today's queue
There's still a chance to get Harry Styles tickets today.
The day we've all been waiting for has finally arrived as Harry Styles tour tickets go on sale. Styles announced his fourth studio album – Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally – at the start of January with release set for 6th March 2026, marking his first since 2022's Harry's House. Fans speculated that a tour announcement was soon to follow, and they were right. The pop superstar has announced the Together, Together tour, which will see Styles play shows all over the world, including a residency at New York's iconic Madison Square Garden and a massive 12 dates at London's Wembley Stadium. Given the difficulty of getting a ticket to Harry's last tour, Love on Tour, it's no surprise that this latest sale has been another battle. That's where we come in. Here are our top tips for getting your hands on tickets for Harry Styles's 2026 world tour if you missed out on the general sale. Buy Harry Styles hospitality tickets at Seat Unique What are Harry Styles's 2026 Wembley dates? Styles is hosting 12 nights at Wembley this June and July. 12th June 2026 — London, Wembley Stadium 13th June 2026 — London, Wembley Stadium 17th June 2026 — London, Wembley Stadium 19th June 2026 — London, Wembley Stadium 20th June 2026 — London, Wembley Stadium 23rd June 2026 — London, Wembley Stadium 26th June 2026 — London, Wembley Stadium 27th June 2026 — London, Wembley Stadium 29th June 2026 — London, Wembley Stadium 1st July 2026 — London, Wembley Stadium 3rd July 2026 — London, Wembley Stadium 4th July 2026 — London, Wembley Stadium How to buy Harry Styles hospitality tickets today If you miss out on the general sale going live today, then head over to Seat Unique, which has official hospitality packages and VIP tickets available. These packages go on sale at 10am today, Friday 31st January. Opting for hospitality packages is a great way to ensure you’ll get your hands on tickets for high-demand events, as they’re often lower in demand than general access tickets. Plus, their packages include benefits such as premium seating, VIP lounge access and dining. Buy Harry Styles hospitality tickets at Seat Unique We've rounded up more of the best concerts and tour in the UK in 2026, as well as how to get cheap concert tickets.
Mary Berry delivers her verdict on Nigella Lawson joining GBBO in judging role
Former judge Prue Leith has stepped down from the role after nearly a decade on the show.
Former Great British Bake Off judge Dame Mary Berry has shared her verdict on Nigella Lawson joining the cast of the Channel 4 show. Berry served as a judge on the beloved baking competition, alongside baker Paul Hollywood, from the show's inception on the BBC in 2010 until 2016. When it made the switch to Channel 4 in 2017, Berry announced her departure alongside the show's presenters, comedy duo Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins. Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig were then brought in as new co-hosts, while South African-British restaurateur Dame Prue Leith stepped up as the second judge to fill Berry's position. Toksvig later departed and was replaced by Matt Lucas, who Alison Hammond subsequently replaced. Now it has been announced that iconic TV chef Nigella Lawson will be taking over from Leith as she departs the show after nearly a decade. Speaking at the Radio Times Covers Party 2026, Berry shared her verdict on Lawson becoming a judge on the cosy cooking show, declaring that she was "delighted" by the news. "I’ve also recently heard Nigella Lawson is the new Bake Off judge, and I’m absolutely delighted," she said. "It will give Bake Off a wonderful new flavour, and Paul and her will get on like a house on fire." When asked what a great Bake Off judge needs, Berry answered: "The skill to be the judge and to be fair, be kind and encourage everyone to enjoy baking." Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. Leith announced earlier this month that she would be leaving The Great British Bake Off after nine years, saying of the role: "There cannot be a better job in the world." Of Lawson taking up her former position, Leith herself told The Spectator: "[Nigella is] also really nice, mighty glam and seriously bright, sexy and sassy. I’m just glad she wasn’t in the running nine years ago." The Great British Bake Off returns later this year. Add The Great British Bake Off 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 Entertainment 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.
Who is on The Graham Norton Show tonight?
Graham is back with a new cohort of guests this week.
The Graham Norton Show returns tonight with a starry line-up of famous faces from all corners of the entertainment industry. Audiences can, of course, expect hilarious anecdotes, details about the latest movies and TV shows that everyone has been talking about and, as always, a visit to the iconic red chair. So, who's appearing on the show tonight? Here's everything you need to know about The Graham Norton Show's latest set of guests, and when you can watch the episode. Who is on The Graham Norton Show tonight? On Graham Norton's famous red sofa tonight are Halle Berry and Chris Hemsworth, who star alongside one another in new crime thriller Crime 101. Mean Girls and Spotlight star Rachel McAdams will also join the sofa to chat about her darkly comedic survival film Send Help. Top comedian John Bishop also joins the sofa, whose life inspired new Hollywood movie Is This Thing On?. The Graham Norton Show airs on Friday 29th January at 10:40pm on BBC One. Who is the next music act on The Graham Norton Show? Tonight's musical guest is the singer Jessie Ware, who will be performing her new single. Is Graham Norton in the BBC studio? Graham Norton is back on the red sofa in his BBC studio. His famous Big Red Chair will feature, as audience members share their anecdotes with Norton and the celebrity guests, in the hopes of not being tipped over. The Graham Norton Show airs on Friday 29th January at 10:40pm on BBC One. Add The Graham Norton Show 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 Entertainment 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.
Adjoa Andoh details how Bridgerton’s diversity in front of and behind the camera is "really wonderful"
The Bridgerton star spoke to Pass the Mic about the show's diversity on and off the screen.
Since its initial release, Bridgerton has been celebrated for rethinking what many think of as it relates to period dramas. A genre of TV that was often concerned with primarily white leading casts, Bridgerton's arrival on our screens has not only breathed new life into the medium, but has also proven that diversity can be done seamlessly and effectively for any major series. Yerin Ha marks a first for the series though, with her character Sophie Baek being the show's first East Asian lead and opening the doors on another level of joyous representation. While Bridgerton has continued to be a beacon of light for many in terms of onscreen representation, series star Adjoa Andoh also took the opportunity to highlight the behind-the-scenes diversity of the show also. When asked about her hopes for the future of diversity and representation within TV and film, Andoh told RadioTimes.com for Pass the Mic: “We live in the world, don’t we? And it’s lovely to have the world be able to watch themselves on screen. "We all love that, we love to see it – put a baby in front of a mirror and it’s the most fascinating thing ever. I don’t think we ever lose that fascination, whoever you are, from whatever background you are. "To have the range and the multiplicities of the stories, you will have stories that may focus on one demographic more and then another demographic but to have all the stories at a variety of times, it’s great." She added: "At a deepest level, we’re all human beings – we all love, we all get scared, we all need warmth and friendship, all those things and that’s common to all human beings. So to see all human beings in front of the camera and behind the camera is really wonderful.” Since season 1 premiered all the way back in 2020, the period drama has spawned a loyal legion of fans who are dedicated to the stories, its characters and often female-led storytelling. Previously speaking to Radio Times magazine about why casting actors of colour in a period drama is so important, Andoh said: "It has expanded the possibilities of what stories you can tell, how you tell them and who can be in them. It also means you've expanded your audience. "When I stay with family in Ghana, people will charge across the street to me, excited about a costume drama set in Regency England. They identify with it in a different way." Read more: Bridgerton star teases "confronting" season 4 character dynamic between Francesca and Michaela Bridgerton star reveals how season 4 sets up her own leading story: "I’m buzzing to one day do it" However, as a show that has consciously cast a lot of its central characters as people from the global majority, it has come under fire from some critics. Responding to criticisms that the show has gone "woke", Bridgerton creator Shonda Rhimes told a panel during last year's Edinburgh TV Festival that she's "never going to write a show that doesn't include me". In terms of addressing that specific criticism, Rhimes went on to say: "I learned a really long time ago that I don't read things that are written about me or the shows. "And the reason is because if you decide to believe the good things that are written about you, you also are obligated to believe the bad things that are written about you. "So I've decided that none of it matters. It's really important to stay out of that. How people react and take in the show is none of my business." Bridgerton season 4 part 1 premieres on January 29th and Part 2 on February 26th, both on Netflix. Seasons 1-3 are available to watch on Netflix now. You can buy the <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bridgerton-Collection-Inspiration-Netflix-Original/dp/0349430187?tag=radtim0b-21&ascsubtag=radiotimes-2381335" target="_blank" rel="noopener sponsored" data-geniuslink="https://buy.geni.us/Proxy.ashx?TSID=114542&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.uk%2FBridgerton-Collection-Inspiration-Netflix-Original%2Fdp%2F0349430187%3Ftag%3Dradtim0b-21%26ascsubtag%3Dradiotimes-1612614&dtb=1">Bridgerton book series on Amazon. Add Bridgerton 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 from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Emmerdale's Ruby Miligan left shaken by harrowing discovery in early ITVX release
Warning: Contains spoilers for Friday's episode of Emmerdale, which airs at 8pm on ITV1 or can be streamed now on ITVX.
Ruby Miligan (Beth Cordingly) got more than she bargained for when she went searching for answers in today's Emmerdale. It comes following concerns for Anya Berisha (Alia Al-Shabibi), who was enslaved and forced to work by Ray Walters (Joe Absolom) and Celia Daniels (Jaye Griffiths) last year. As viewers will recall, Ruby was one of the first village residents to meet Anya, when she was found in the back of a van trying to escape her captors. She was unaware of Anya's predicament, and believed that she had travelled from her home country as a stowaway. Realising she was unwell, Ruby offered to put her up at The Mill, something which enraged husband Caleb (William Ash). In retaliation, Caleb offered the troubled girl £10,000, which she took and then ran off towards Leeds. Unfortunately, Ray soon caught up with her and brought her to his farm. Within weeks she became seriously ill, and died when they refused to take her to hospital. Vile Ray and Celia ordered that Bear Wolf (Joshua Richards) bury her in Moira Dingle's (Natalie J Robb) land, and her grave was marked by a red ribbon that belonged to her daughter. Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. Earlier this week, Ruby found Bear looking for the ribbon, and began to realise that something terrible might have happened. She reported it to the police, who weren't exactly willing to cooperate with her claims. However, in today's episode, they had no choice to investigate when Ruby and Caleb found the thread tied to a tree, with a mound of disturbed soil beside it. Tents were set up, and Moira was told that they were beginning a search. Despite being questioned about her involvement with Celia, Moira felt she had nothing to hide and continued with her evening. Shortly afterwards, Ruby watched in horror as a body was carried out of the tent. She broke down in Caleb's arms, not wanting to look at the sad discovery. But there was a further twist - something which Caleb thought she should see. A second body emerged, meaning that Anya wasn't the only one who had perished. But who is it? Could it be Celia, who was killed by Ray at the beginning of the month? Read more: 4 Emmerdale spoilers next week: Prison nightmare for Moira Dingle after double murder charge Emmerdale star reveals major prostate cancer storyline for Cain Dingle – and "artistic" special episode Emmerdale finally confirms who killed Ray Walters following epic flashback week in ITVX release Emmerdale flashbacks reveal how Graham Foster was able to return from the dead in ITVX release Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1. Stream on ITVX. Add Emmerdale 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 Soaps 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.
Under Salt Marsh cast: Who stars in the Sky Atlantic crime thriller?
Everything you need to know about the main characters in Under Salt Marsh.
Crime thriller Under Salt Marsh unfolds in the fictional Welsh town of Morfa Halen, where residents are bracing for a once-in-a-generation storm when teacher Jackie Ellis (Yellowstone's Kelly Reilly) finds the body of a nine-year-old boy from her school. Was it a horrible accident – or something far more sinister? The discovery may even be linked to the disappearance of Jackie's niece, Nessa, who went missing a few years earlier while Jackie was working as a detective. Detective Eric Bull (Rafe Spall), who once worked alongside Jackie and investigated Nessa's case, returns to the community he previously failed. But if he's to succeed this time, "Jackie and Bull must reconcile and race to uncover long-buried secrets inside Morfa, before the storm breaks and all the evidence is gone for good". "These two characters have so much history, they've gone through something deeply traumatic together," said Reilly of Jackie and Bull. "And I think Jackie, quite honestly, would love to never see him again because it's just too painful. She's not ready to. Bull is probably the worst person she could see in this moment because it just brings back all of the trauma of this case that they didn't solve together. "And so him suddenly showing up at her house after finding this body of this child is like a horror film." Spall went on to say that the "unconventional" relationship between Jackie and Bull was what attracted him to the role. "There isn't that risk of them getting together, but they've got a lot to work out," he added. "They have a lot of love for each other and a lot of anger, and as we know, there's a very fine line between those two emotions. It makes, I think, for a pretty original central duo." Alongside Reilly and Spall, a number of well-known faces crop up, plus some you might not be familiar with. Read on for a rundown of the main players in Under Salt Marsh. Under Salt Marsh cast Kelly Reilly as Jackie Ellis Rafe Spall as Detective Eric Bull Jonathan Pryce as Solomon Bevan Naomi Yang as DC Jess Deng Harry Lawtey as Dylan Rees Dinita Gohil as Nisha Jones Brian Gleeson as Mac Jones Kimberley Nixon as Shell Hill Mark Stanley as Danny Hill Dino Fetscher as Gareth Evans Rhodri Meilir as Ned Bevan Julian Lewis Jones as Osian Northam Morgan Watkins as Kieran Benbow William Thomas as Owen Ellis Amara Atwal as Nessa Jack Thomas-Humphreys as Cefin Hill Osian Emlyn as James Rees India Mullen as Lydia Taman Janeks Babidorics as August Antonov Dritan Kastrati as Victor Antonov Lizzie Annis as Cara Rees Gwïon Morris Jones as Eddie Bevan Eiry Thomas as Irene Hassan Marilyn Cutts as Carys Northam Martyn Ellis as Jim For more information about the characters and where you've seen the cast before, read on. Kelly Reilly plays Jackie Ellis Who is Jackie Ellis? A former detective turned teacher, Jackie is haunted by the disappearance of her niece Nessa, who went missing three years ago while Jackie was still in the police – a case that ultimately cost her her job. She believes the death of Cefin, the young boy she finds dead, is connected. Where have I seen Kelly Reilly before? She's best known for Yellowstone. Other credits include Flight, Sherlock Holmes (2009), Pride & Prejudice (2005), Brittania, True Detective and Above Suspicion. Rafe Spall plays Eric Bull Who is Eric Bull? A detective leading the investigation into the death of nine-year-old Cefin, Bull also previously worked on Nessa's case. Jackie was once his partner and friend, but the two are no longer on speaking terms. Where have I seen Rafe Spall before? You might have watched him in The Big Short, Life of Pi, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, The Salisbury Poisonings, Trying, Black Mirror and The Ritual. Jonathan Pryce plays Solomon Bevan Who is Solomon Bevan? Cefin's grandfather. Soloman is the patriarch of a big farming family in Morfa Halen. Where have I seen Jonathan Pryce before? His credits include The Two Popes, The Crown, Wolf Hall, Slow Horses, Game of Thrones, Pirates of the Caribbean, Brazil, Evita and Taboo. Naomi Yang plays Jess Deng <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2026/01/Jess-951fca3.jpg" width="8256" height="5504" alt="A woman stands outdoors near a wooden building at sunset. She is wearing a long maroon coat over a blazer and light shirt, with her hands in her pockets. The background shows grassy fields and distant hills, softly blurred, with warm backlighting creating a calm, reflective mood." title="Under Salt Marsh" /> Who is Jess Deng? A DC working alongside Bull, Jess clashes with him during the investigation as she questions whether Jackie should be involved at all. Where have I seen Naomi Yang before? You might recognise her from DI Ray, Wolfe, Nightsleeper, Maternal and Liaison. Harry Lawtey plays Dylan Rees <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2026/01/Dylan-9096f12.jpg" width="7728" height="5152" alt="A young man is seen through a rain-streaked window, looking slightly downward with a serious expression. He is wearing a blue hoodie layered under a brown jacket. The background is blurred, showing a steep rocky hillside and greenery, giving the scene a cool, moody atmosphere." title="Under Salt Marsh" /> Who is Dylan Rees? A construction worker whose nephew is best friends with Cefin. Dylan and Jackie are also hooking up. Where have I seen Harry Lawtey before? He's best known for Industry, Mr Burton and Joker: Folie à Deux. he's also appeared in Magpie Murders and You & Me. Dinita Gohil plays Nisha Jones <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2026/01/nish-40b818d.jpg" width="8256" height="5504" alt="Two women stand outdoors in a cold, rural setting with misty hills in the background. One woman wears a green hooded coat and looks worried as she holds her hood. The other woman wears a dark beanie and a mustard-colored jacket while carrying a baby in a light blue snowsuit secured in a front carrier. The scene feels tense and somber." title="Under Salt Marsh" /> Who is Nisha Jones? Nisha is Jackie's sister-in-law and Nessa's aunt. A fellow teacher, she helped Jackie secure a job at the school after she left the police. Where have I seen Dinita Gohil before? She has appeared in The Sandman, Clink, DI Ray, The Road Trip and Treason, among others. Brian Gleeson plays Mac Jones <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2026/01/Mac-ded3d6f.jpg" width="5823" height="3882" alt="A group of people stand closely together outdoors near a body of water, looking concerned and focused on something off-camera. In the center, a man with glasses wears a dark jacket and has a serious expression. Beside him, a woman in a knit hat holds a baby dressed in a light blue snowsuit in a front carrier. The scene feels tense, with other faces partially visible around them in the foreground and background." title="Under Salt Marsh" /> Who is Mac Jones? Nisha's husband, who is overseeing a major construction project in Morfa Halen. He’s vocal about his love for the town. Where have I seen Brian Gleeson before? Love/Hate, Peaky Blinders, Bad Sisters, Snow White and the Huntsman, Logan Lucky and Assassin's Creed are some of the titles he's appeared in. Kimberley Nixon plays Shell Hill <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2026/01/Shel-5a89c31.jpg" width="8256" height="5504" alt="A young woman sits on an indoor staircase, leaning forward with her hands clasped together. She wears a striped green sweater and jeans, and her expression appears thoughtful and troubled. The hallway is softly lit with warm tones, and the wallpaper beside her has a delicate floral pattern, creating an intimate, quiet atmosphere." title="Under Salt Marsh" /> Who is Shell Hill? Cefin's mum and a member of the Bevan family. Shell doesn’t live on the farm, but in town with her husband and children. Where have I seen Kimberley Nixon before? You might have watched her in Fresh Meat, Cranford, Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging and Wild Child. Mark Stanley plays Danny Hill <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2026/01/Mark-Stanley-0fb7a6f.png" width="1665" height="1110" alt="A close-up shows a man wearing thin-framed glasses, looking off to the side with a concerned or thoughtful expression. He has short, curly dark hair and light facial stubble. The background is softly blurred, suggesting an indoor setting with warm, muted lighting." title="Mark Stanley" /> Who is Danny Hill? Shell's husband and Cefin's dad, he runs the local butchers. Where have I seen Mark Stanley before? His CV includes Happy Valley, Game of Thrones, Trigger Point, Dickensian, White House Farm and more. Dino Fetscher plays Gareth Evans <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2026/01/usm-0be809f.jpg" width="7183" height="4789" alt="A man wearing a dark cap and a rain-soaked jacket stands outside at night during heavy rainfall, speaking intensely to another man whose back is turned to the camera. The scene is dark and dramatic, with water streaming down and a tense atmosphere between the two figures." title="Under Salt Marsh" /> Who is Gareth Evans? He works for the environmental agency and is in town to carry out an assessment. He also has history with Bull. Where have I seen Dino Fetscher before? You might know him from Fool Me Once, Foundation, Gentleman Jack, Humans and Paranoid. Rhodri Meilir plays Ned Bevan <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2026/01/Bevan-78da0f1.jpg" width="6107" height="4071" alt="A man in a worn jacket stands in the middle of a crowd outdoors on a cold day, looking anxious and distracted. People around him wear winter coats and hats, and the blurred background shows a rural road and houses, suggesting a tense gathering in a small community." title="Under Salt Marsh" /> Who is Ned Bevan? One of Solomon's adult sons. He works on the farm. Where have I seen Rhodri Meilir before? In My Skin, Living a Lie and My Family are some of the titles he's appeared in. Julian Lewis Jones plays Osian Northam <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2026/01/Oison-d3ed077.jpg" width="7272" height="4848" alt="An older man with long grey hair and a thick beard sits indoors under warm lighting, wearing a green jacket and looking alarmed or tense. He holds a small object and a cloth in his hands, while a blurred figure stands in the foreground, adding to the scene’s sense of unease and confrontation." title="Under Salt Marsh" /> Who is Osian Northam? He's very passionate about the environment, which can sometimes tip into concerning behaviour. The community considers him a bit odd. Where have I seen Julian Lewis Jones before? His credits include Stella, Where the Heart Is, The Guest and Bregus. Morgan Watkins plays Kieran Benbow <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2026/01/Kieran-070a4af.jpg" width="5834" height="3890" alt="A man with shoulder-length hair wearing a denim jacket sits at a kitchen table, looking tense and confused as he faces another man in the foreground. The setting has bright red tiled walls and cupboards, creating a stark backdrop for the serious conversation." title="Under Salt Marsh" /> Who is Kieran Benbow? He was a suspect when Nessa first disappeared, but the evidence came up short. Where have I seen Morgan Watkins before? Watkins played Norman Pike in BBC drama The Hour and Rottweiler in Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014). William Thomas plays Owen Ellis <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2026/01/dad-22f4762.jpg" width="6090" height="4060" alt="An older man with grey hair, a beard, and round glasses stands indoors, looking off to the side with a worried expression. He wears a brown jacket over a checked shirt and dark sweater. The room is softly lit, with patterned wallpaper and a wall-mounted candle sconce in the background." title="Under Salt Marsh" /> Who is Owen Ellis? Jackie's dad. Where have I seen William Thomas before? You might know him from Mammoth, The One That Got Away, Tree on a Hill, Alys and Torchwood. Additional Under Salt Marsh cast includes: Amara Atwal (Coldwater) plays Nessa - Jackie's niece. Her disappearance remains a mystery. Jack Thomas-Humphreys (Bariau) plays Cefin Hill - Jackie finds his body in a drainage ditch. Osian Emlyn plays James Rees - Cefin's best friend. India Mullen (Red Rock, Normal People) plays Lydia Taman - Jackie's sister and Nessa's mum. The two no longer have a relationship following events that unfolded during the investigation into her daughter's disappearance. Janeks Babidorics (Brassic) plays August Antonov - he works on the Bevan farm and lives in a caravan on site. Dritan Kastrati (MobLand) plays Victor Antonov - August's cousin. Lizzie Annis (The Witcher: Blood Origin) plays Cara Rees - James's mum and Dylan's sister. Gwïon Morris Jones plays Eddie Bevan - one of the younger members of the Bevan clan. Eiry Thomas (Keeping Faith, Out There, The Pact, The Bench) plays Irene Hassan - a pathologist. Marilyn Cutts (Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale) plays Carys Northam - she runs the local pub and guest house. Martyn Ellis (The New Adventures of Robin Hood) plays Jim - he runs the local chippy. Read more: Where was Under Salt Marsh filmed? Under Salt Marsh review: Flood-stricken crime drama continues the rise of Welsh noir Slow Horses' Jonathan Pryce on returning to his Welsh roots with new drama: "I left it physically, but emotionally, I've never left" The first two episodes of Under Salt Marsh will premiere on Sky Atlantic and NOW on January 30th with a new episode following the next four Fridays. Add Under Salt Marsh 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.
The Sky Atlantic crime thriller, starring Kelly Reilly and Rafe Spall, follows a close-knit Welsh community rocked by the discovery of a young boy’s body.
When the body of a nine-year-old boy is uncovered in a drainage ditch in Under Salt Marsh, local teacher Jackie Ellis believes it may be connected to the disappearance of her niece, who hasn't been seen for three years. Jackie was a detective when Nessa went missing – a case which cost her her career and destroyed her friendship with former partner Detective Eric Bull, who returns to the remote Welsh town after failing to solve what happened. But the pair must put their differences aside if they have any hope of uncovering what's really going on in this tight-knit community – especially with a once-in-a-generation storm en route, threatening to wipe out any evidence they find. "With the onslaught of the weather and the epic storm that comes at the end, in the final episode, those environmental forces become huge in the story," creator, writer and director Claire Oakley told RadioTimes.com. "They're inescapable, and there's a lot of focus of, 'What are we going to do?' And how is this community going to survive and help each other through such an onslaught. "They've got this dual pressure: there's the investigation and the sense that somebody amongst them has killed a child, and then there's this onslaught from the sea and from the weather and these outside forces." The town where Under Salt Marsh is set is called Morfa Halen, which is fictional. But the cast and crew did film on location in Wales, in landscapes where the elements play a powerful role in shaping daily life. So, where was it filmed in reality? Find out below. Where was Under Salt Marsh filmed? The series was largely filmed in Barmouth and Fairbourne, in north-west Wales. The cast and crew also spent time in Anglesey and Cardiff, where the team "built a marsh on a set for the big finale," Oakley explained. "But we did shoot out on a lot of real marshes." Harry Lawtey (Dylan Rees, whose nephew James is best friends with murder victim Cefin), added that while "the town in the show is fictional, it was definitely modelled on the place we actually were." "We shot largely on historic marshland – a magnificent place, breathtakingly stunning and kind of mighty really – and it's difficult to be there and not get a sense of nature around you and that playing a part in people's daily lives. "It's part of the fabric of what these communities are and that was something we spoke about a lot with Claire. Everyone in the show has a relationship to the town, and it's a character in their lives, undeniably." "The location is so important to the storyline," continued Naomi Yang (DC Jess Deng), who knew as soon as she read the scripts that "visually, it was going to be so stunning". "So much of it is just drone shots of the area," she said. "It's such a key part of it, it's almost like another character in the series." Because of the distance between Yang's home in London and where they were based – "it was quite remote, about a seven, eight hour journey, door to door" – she decided to stay in Wales for the full five-week block. "And you feel so small because... it's so vast," she said. "You open the door and you've got the sea and the mountains, and there's such an atmosphere and energy about the place. "And we were also filming in winter, so you can't escape your environment, your dynamic with the environment is so much stronger than when I'm living in London. You can kind of just go about your day not really think about that, but you can't help but have a dynamic with where you're living in that place. "It's definitely the most remote place that I've filmed in, and it really seeps into you in a way that it must do for the people of Morfa Halen." It was the salt marshes of north Wales that initially inspired Claire Oakley to write Under Salt Marsh. "They're such amazing places," she told RadioTimes.com. "I just really wanted to find a story that allowed me to look at these places. I've always liked how the Americans mythologise their landscapes and bring this sense of greatness, or they make them feel heroic, in a way. "And I wanted to do that around the landscapes in north Wales, and... that's where the idea of this police investigation came from, that it was going to be really entwined with the landscape so we could look at the plants, at the water, how salty the levels are, to forensically look at this landscape and be in it." Shell Island, in north Wales, near Porthmadog, also provided a key part of the inspiration. "I had this idea of setting a community way out on the end of a causeway," she explained, referencing Shell Island. "There's a campsite at the end of a long causeway. You can only get there on low tide, and it gave me the idea of setting it in a town and to have this long causeway that would cross the salt marsh. "It's a space where, really, we shouldn't be building, we shouldn't have built towns. These salt marshes protect our island from the sea, and they absorb a lot of water. They absorb a lot of carbon, like 10 times more carbon than a forest. And they're very precious environments. But a lot of them have been drained for farming or to build on. And then we make ourselves very vulnerable on the edge of the coast there. "And I love the idea of this community that was precarious and vulnerable. And I love the idea that they have to solve the crime before the evidence might get washed away." Read more: Who's in the cast of Under Salt Marsh? Under Salt Marsh review: Flood-stricken crime drama continues the rise of Welsh noir Slow Horses' Jonathan Pryce on returning to his Welsh roots with new drama: "I left it physically, but emotionally, I've never left" The first two episodes of Under Salt Marsh will premiere on Sky Atlantic and NOW on January 30th with a new episode following the next four Fridays. Add Under Salt Marsh 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.
How to get Parklife tickets as final sale goes live for 2026 Manchester festival
With Calvin Harris, Sammy Virji, Skepta and more. Here's how you can get tickets for Parklife 2026.
The UK’s largest metropolitan festival is back for another year with a line-up as exciting and eclectic as the city it’s set in. Parklife is one of Manchester’s biggest events, with crowds of 80,000 per day coming in to see the all-star acts. With representatives from the world of hip hop, grime, pop, rock, club, and house music, Parklife has become a highlight of festival season. In previous years the event has sold out in less than 48 hours – so now's your chance to be there. This year, the festival's line-up includes performances from Calvin Harris, Sammy Virji, Skepta and Zara Larsson, with more acts to be announced soon. So, whatever your age and music taste, this festival really does have something for everyone. Stick around to find out how you can get tickets. Buy Parklife tickets at Ticketmaster Plus, here's how to get Harry Styles hospitality tickets. Jump to: When is Parklife 2026? How to get Parklife tickets Parklife 2026 line-up How much are Parklife tickets? When and where is Parklife 2026? The festival takes place in Heaton Park in Manchester from 20th to 21st June. Right now, you can buy full weekend and individual day tickets. Here are the dates and tickets you can buy for Parklife: Weekend tickets | 20th-21st Jun Saturday ticket | 20th Jun Sunday ticket | 21st Jun How to get Parklife 2026 tickets General sale goes live at 10am on Friday 30th January. Make sure you read our tips on how to beat the Ticketmaster queue before you head over to the site. Buy Parklife tickets at Ticketmaster What is the Parklife 2026 line-up? Here’s a list of the headline acts announced so far: Calvin Harris Sammy Virji Skepta Zara Larsson Chris Stussy Josh Baker Kettama Nia Archives Marlon Hoffstadt ¥ØU$UK€ ¥UK1MAT$U Rudim3ntal Ewan McVicar Armand Van Helden Andy C Shy FX Dimension Rossi. Bou Silva Bumpa AZYR Prospa How much do Parklife tickets cost? In previous years, Parklife day tickets have started at £79 and £129 for a weekend ticket, so we're expecting a similar cost (or slight increase) this year. Buy Parklife tickets at Ticketmaster Make sure you also check out our full list of best concerts and tours and how to get A$AP Rocky tickets.
How to get NE-YO and Akon tickets as final sale goes live for new Nights Like This UK tour dates
Throwback alert! NE-YO and AKON are teaming up for a new world tour this spring.
Musicians NE-YO and Akon are teaming up this spring for the ultimate night of club anthems, sing-a-longs and noughties throwbacks. The two artists have announced their new Nights Like This world tour, co-headlined and featuring classics like NE-YO's So Sick and Closer and Akon's Smack That and Lonely. The 57-city tour was originally set to play seven dates in the UK and Ireland. Now the duo have announced an additional three dates across London, Manchester and Dublin. Fans will get a taste of the artists' era-defining tunes as well as newer hits like NE-YO's latest album Explanatory. Tickets are going on sale this week so here's what you need to know. Buy NE-YO and AKON tickets at Ticketmaster Buy NE-YO and AKON hospitality tickets at Seat Unique Here's how you can get tickets to see Wolf Alice at Finsbury Park this summer. Plus, here's how to get Harry Styles hospitality tickets. Sponsored by Seat Unique Boost your chances of getting NE-YO and Akon tickets with Seat Unique Attention NE-YO and Akon fans! The iconic noughties duo is returning to the UK in 2026 to play just seven shows in the UK and Ireland. We’re sure that the tour is going to be incredible, but getting your hands on tickets could be tricky, to say the least. That’s where Seat Unique comes in. You can currently buy VIP packages for the Manchester and Birmingham concert dates, which are expected to include benefits such as premium seating, VIP lounge access and dining. Opting for hospitality packages is a great way to ensure you’ll get your hands on tickets for high-demand events, as they’re often lower in demand than general access tickets. Buy NE-YO and Akon hospitality tickets at Seat Unique Jump to: NE-YO and AKON UK and Ireland tour new dates How to buy NE-YO and AKON tour tickets Is there hospitality available for NE-YO and AKON tour? How much do NE-YO and AKON tickets cost? NE-YO and AKON UK and Ireland tour new dates Here are the additional tour dates for NE-YO and Akon's tour: 25th Apr 2026 –Dublin, 3Arena 2nd May 2026 –Manchester, Co-op Live 9th May 2026 – London, The O2 And here are the originally announced tour dates: 24th Apr 2026 – Dublin, 3Arena 27th Apr 2026 – Newcastle upon Tyne, Utilita Arena 28th Apr 2026 – Glasgow, OVO Hydro 30th Apr 2026 – Leeds, First Direct Arena 1st May 2026 – Manchester, Co-op Live 4th May 2026 – Birmingham, Utilita Arena 8th May 2026 – London, The O2 How to buy NE-YO and AKON tour tickets General sale begins at 10am on Friday 30th Jan. Is there hospitality available for NE-YO and AKON tour? Yes! At official hospitality partner Seat Unique you can get VIP tickets to the shows in Birmingham and Manchester. These start from £199 and include premium seating and additional perks like a gourmet meal service, merchandise and fast-track entrance. Buy NE-YO and AKON hospitality tickets at Seat Unique How much do NE-YO and AKON tickets cost? Ticket prices for the OVO Hydro have been revealed as £54.35 to £122.45, so we're expecting similar pricing across the other dates. Make sure you check out our full list of best UK concerts and tours.
Coronation Street's Theo Silverton enacts another cruel move to control Todd Grimshaw in ITVX release
Warning: Contains spoilers for Friday's episode of Coronation Street, which airs at 8.30pm on ITV1 or can be streamed now on ITVX.
Just when Todd Grimshaw (Gareth Pierce) thought his week couldn't get any worse in Coronation Street, vile partner Theo Silverton (James Cartwright) has taken total control of his finances. Earlier this week, Todd buried ex-boyfriend and best mate Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank), who was the only person who knew about the domestic abuse he was facing. The funeral solidified to Todd that there was potentially no way for him to escape - and he still has no idea that Theo played a part in Billy's death by leaving him to perish in a burning minibus. To make matters worse, at the ceremony, Theo delivered a eulogy and used the occasion to make Todd feel even more guilt-ridden. Immediately afterwards, the men clashed, and it became clear that there would be repercussions. In today's episode, a final demand letter from a credit card company arrived at their flat. As viewers will recall, last year, Todd missed an important day at work when Theo purposely put all of his clean shirts in the washing machine. Boss George Shuttleworth (Tony Maudsley) was furious and subsequently fired him, leaving him unemployed for several weeks and financially dependant on Theo during that period. It seems that during this time, he took out a loan to keep things ticking over and has struggled to repay it. Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google. Having opened the letter, Theo was furious and said if they were going to enter married life together, Todd couldn't be building debt in both of their names. An embarrassed Todd promised him that the matter was in hand, but Theo had another idea. Later that night, he suggested that they open a joint back account so that they can both keep tabs on one another's spends, and while they wait for it to be opened, Todd should surrender his bank cards and cut them up. Todd felt that the suggestion was somewhat bold and unnecessary, watching in horror as a pair of scissors drove through the plastic. To make matters worse, Theo then handed him some 'pocket money' to tide him over. Will Todd ever be able to find the strength to bring him down? Read more: 5 Coronation Street spoilers next week: Huge Debbie Webster secret exposed ahead of her sentencing Coronation Street abuser Megan Walsh issues menacing threat to one of her pupils in ITVX release Coronation Street villain Carl Webster eyes up vulnerable local in ITVX release Coronation Street's Summer Spellman attacks innocent local amid her grief for Billy Mayhew in ITVX release Coronation Street airs game-changing Debbie and Carl Webster twist after court appearance in ITVX release Coronation Street airs weeknights at 8.30pm on ITV1 and ITVX. Visit our dedicated Corrie page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Add Coronation Street 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 Soaps 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.
18 period dramas to fill the Bridgerton void after season 4 – including some racy ones
Some of the best (and raciest) period dramas to get stuck into after Bridgerton.
Now that Bridgerton has released a fresh batch of episodes, it'll be no time at all before fans of the Netflix series blitz through watching the first part of season 4. With this recent instalment focusing on the upstairs-downstairs dynamic between Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) and Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha), as well as clearly being inspired by the fairytale of Cinderella, there are plenty of other similarly themed shows out there for fans to enjoy. We now have a month to wait for the rest of season 4 to land on the streamer and so, in an effort to fill the Bridgerton void, our attention has turned to the raft of other period dramas out there to stream and watch. Especially in light of this recent season, Downton Abbey is a natural comparison to make to Bridgerton season 4. There are plenty of episodes to binge-watch in that ITV series alone but there are also the likes of racier dramas like The Buccaneers or Mary & George, as well as historical shows inspired by real-life figures like Victoria or Dickinson. Keen to get a similar Bridgerton fix whilst we wait for more episodes? Read on to find out what series you should be tuning into. The Buccaneers Where to watch: Apple TV At the core of this (not entirely historically accurate) series is the importance of female friendship, making The Buccaneers an equally heartwarming watch as much as it is deliciously dramatic. If you're a fan of Bridgerton, you'll definitely enjoy the essence of this Apple TV series which focuses on a group of American women who head to London in order to find esteemed men to marry. A tale of cultural differences, love and yearning, it plummets us straight into English high society – with impressive outfits, settings and a pop-filled soundtrack to match. Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story Where to watch: Netflix Sure, this series may technically be a part of the Bridgerton universe, but this spin-off deserves its own shoutout in this roundup. While it does focus on the character of Queen Charlotte, who we know to be played by Golda Rosheuvel, this series takes us even further back in time to when she arrives from Germany to the UK to be wed to a mysterious suitor. It's a mutually advantageous partnership but it's clear from their first meeting that the young Queen (played by India Amarteifio) and King George (played by Corey Mylchreest) have a certain spark. Unlike Bridgerton, this series doesn't solely rely on yearning, stolen glances and racy scenes but is all the more sweeter as it is an extended tale of young love. As well as capturing attitudes towards race, mental health and medicine at the time, the series underlines an important backstory for one of Bridgerton's most beloved characters. Sanditon Where to watch: ITVX Rose Williams leads the cast of this British period drama as Charlotte Heywood, a young woman who moves to a fishing village in the hopes of more. Based on an unfinished manuscript by Jane Austen, the series certainly has the air of the classic author as we follow Charlotte on her new journey, meeting new people – and suitors – in the process. Despite initially being cancelled by ITV after its first season, the fans of this series campaigned for its continuation and it worked, a testament to the storytelling and characters at the heart of this tale. Outlander Where to watch: MGM+ If you're a fan of Bridgerton's more risqué scenes then Outlander is an apt follow-up, if you haven't already ventured into the historical series. While towing the line with fantasy also, Outlander centres on the time travelling abilities of Claire (Caitríona Balfe) as she ventures from one time period to another and encounters Jamie (Sam Heughan). One of the most beloved leading TV duos, their chemistry is clearly palpable and as we progress through the now seven seasons, outside forces continue to threaten their union and family. While Bridgerton doesn't quite reach the same dramatic heights as Outlander, if you're a fan of being plummeted into historical periods of time head-first, you've got plenty to dig into with Outlander. Outlander: Blood of my Blood Where to watch: MGM+ We couldn't mention Outlander without also offering up Blood of My Blood as another viable streaming option – and what's better is that if you're not caught up on the original series then it's less of a daunting task with Blood of My Blood, seeing as there's just one season out right now. Having already been renewed for a second outing, this prequel series follows both Claire and Jamie's parents as their parallel love stories unfold across two different timelines and locations. There is a big twist that we won't tell you about but it's safe to say that a double-dose of love, paired with some high-stakes situations and general class expectations of the time makes for quite the satisfying series. Belgravia Where to watch: Prime Video (available to purchase) From the creator of Downton Abbey, Belgravia transports us back to the 19th century into one of London's most affluent areas where class, wealth and status are at the forefront of nigh on everything. Featuring the likes of Philip Glenister, Tamsin Greig, Harriet Walter and Ella Purnell, the series centres on the Trenchard family who are rising up through the middle class and the Bellasis's, who are firmly in the aristocracy. However, when a scandalous secret is uncovered, their lives are entwined with one another's, providing a healthy dose of scandal for viewers at home. Victoria Where to watch: ITVX and Netflix While Bridgerton isn't solely interested in the events of the Royal family, it does venture into high society and aristocracy. So, there are similarities and certainly some differences between Bridgerton and Victoria. However, if you're a fan of period pieces then Victoria will be right up your street, with the series focusing on the Queen's ascension to the throne at the tender age of 18, navigating a male-dominated court. Not only is she managing a country, but she's also balancing her societal duties of the time as a wife and mother, with the complete run of seasons covering the Queen's reign across the ages. Downton Abbey Where to watch: ITVX, Prime Video, Disney Plus This season of Bridgerton more than any other is a perfect comparison to Downton Abbey, with both shows giving us a window into the upstairs-downstairs dynamics at play in any large British household of the time. Where Bridgerton isn't solely focused on that, Downton Abbey transports us to its fictional estate where the aristocratic Crawley family live. Their servants keep the house in order but aren't without their own interpersonal drama. But the series also uses the backdrop of major life events (the sinking of Titanic and the First World War, for example) to paint a picture of how life was for a range of classes at the time. The Gilded Age Where to watch: <a href="https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?id=489797&clickref=radiotimes-2384692&awinmid=70762&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nowtv.com%2Fdeeplink%3FDCMP%3DWA%26deeplinkData%3D%257B%2522providerSeriesId%2522%253A%2522iYEQZ2rcf32XRDw8FssyPb%2522%252C%2522type%2522%253A%2522SERIES%2522%252C%2522action%2522%253A%2522PDP%2522%252C%2522source%2522%253A%2522Media_Actions_Feed_Android_Web_Mobile%2522%257D" target="_blank" rel="sponsored">NOW Another series from Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes, this period drama is set in America in the 1800s as Marian Brook moves to New York after the death of her father. The post-Civil War era that the series is set in forms a backdrop to the drama, which really depicts the expansion of wealth, class and material excess at the time. Marian's just trying to find her feet in the bustling city, with her eyes being opened to a whole new world of possibilities – but nothing is ever certain in this frivolous world of 'new' and 'old' money. Really, if you like the soapy and often dramatic nature of Bridgerton, you'll appreciate the twists that unfold in this glitzy series that doesn't shy away from any of the pomp of the era. My Lady Jane Where to watch: Prime Video Although this Prime Video series has now been cancelled, it's actually the perfect amount of episodes to binge-watch between the episode releases of Bridgerton, if you really think about it. A fantasy spin on the life of book-smart Lady Jane Grey (played by Emily Bader), who is coerced by her mother into marrying Lord Guildford Dudley (Edward Bluemel), this series is a camp reimagining of our protagonist. The series unfolds in the 16th century but goes one step further than many other period dramas by also including humans who can take animal form, providing plenty of added colour to class conversations of the time. Mary & George Where to watch: <a href="https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?id=489797&clickref=radiotimes-2384692&awinmid=70762&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nowtv.com%2Fdeeplink%3FDCMP%3DWA%26deeplinkData%3D%257B%2522providerSeriesId%2522%253A%2522iYEQZ2rcf32Y54NaTHXYYG%2522%252C%2522type%2522%253A%2522SERIES%2522%252C%2522action%2522%253A%2522PDP%2522%252C%2522source%2522%253A%2522Media_Actions_Feed_Android_Web_Mobile%2522%257D" target="_blank" rel="sponsored">NOW If you're after plenty of scandal, sex and backstabbing, look no further than Mary & George, which is inspired by a very real true story and has been written by Killing Eve's DC Moore. Of course, there's plenty of creative licence at play in this series, which follows Mary and George Villiers, a mother and son who stopped at nothing to become one of the most powerful families in 17th century England. Portrayed by Julianne Moore and Nicholas Galitzine, the pair are a formidable leading duo in this series that packs in plenty of wit and humour alongside its jaw-dropping twists. The series also shines a light on a lesser known chapter of British LGBTQ+ and royal history, gloriously doing away with the trauma that can often come from marginalised stories of the time. Poldark Where to watch: Netflix Based on the historical novels by Winston Graham, Poldark centres on the story of American Revolutionary War veteran Ross Poldark (Aidan Turner) as he returns to his Cornish familial estate. Returning to find his father dead, his childhood sweetheart engaged to his cousin and his estate ruined means there's a lot for Poldark to wrap his head around. Thankfully, he enlists the services of maid Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson), with the pair forming a romantic connection. While there are class conflicts and some tragedy to be had in the series, it does nail steamy scenes and yearning much in a similar fashion to Bridgerton. The Law According to Lidia Poët Where to watch: Netflix Telling the tale of the first modern female lawyer in Italy, this period drama takes on a procedural element, making it all the more gripping than your usual meandering series. Matilda De Angelis leads the cast of this Netflix series as the titular character, who was initially suspended from practising law due to her gender. Not only does the series hone in on Poët's fight for equality in her industry, but it also chronicles the various murder cases she investigates while fighting to practice law. Harlots Where to watch: Netflix and U Set in 18th century London when the only possibilities for women's economic advancement were either to be married or work as a prostitute, this series focuses on brothel owner Margaret Wells (played by Samantha Morton). There's plenty to enjoy in this series, not least the fact that it's helmed by a stellar female-led cast that shines a light on the attitudes towards sex work at the time. With a rivalry at its centre (between that of Wells and rival madam Lydia Quigley, played by Lesley Manville), it keeps viewers on their toes and guessing, something that we don't always get in Bridgerton in massive spades. Vanity Fair Where to watch: Prime Video (available to purchase) Before her stint as Eloise Bridgerton, Claudia Jessie was already in the world of period dramas in this adaptation of William Thackeray's novel. Focusing on Becky Sharp (Olivia Cooke), a social climber who is the daughter of an artist and opera singer and uses her feminine wiles to seduce men from the upper classes. A fun and flirty protagonist herself, we also follow Jessie's Amelia, who is Becky's friend and is a touch more naive. It's a fast-moving and smart series, packing in the humour in bounds and at just one season long, really is the perfect series to sit down and get through in one go. Dickinson Where to watch: Apple TV How do you even go about trying to dramatise the life of an author who was famously a recluse and kept much to her self? Well, you do away with the rule book and reimagine her as a pop-loving heroine who railed against the system in order to get her books published. While not entirely far from the truth of the time period and how it was for women at the time, Dickinson certainly isn't the lonely or sad image of a poet that many of us came to understand through the school curriculum. It's definitely not the most accurate series out there but it's a fun time and showcases themes of expression, identity and sexuality that Bridgerton similarly broaches. Lark Rise to Candleford Where to watch: Apple TV This adaptation of Flora Thompson's memoir of her Oxfordshire childhood certainly was a more recent jewel in the period drama crown for the BBC. Although the show did end rather abruptly (but nonetheless on a high), fans enjoyed four seasons of enjoyable TV. Following Laura (Olivia Hallinan) as she makes the move from Lark Rise to her aunt's house in Candleford, Laura's world is opened up a lot more than it was in her small hamlet. While the stakes of this series aren't terribly high, it's still an all-round lovely show that is both an easy watch and warm. Tom Jones A reimagining of Henry Fielding's 1749 novel The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling, this ITV series takes illicit romance and yearning to a new level. At just four episodes long, it'll be easy to binge-watch this series in no time, especially as the series pulls us through the love story between two neighbours from two completely different worlds. While it's clear they have a connection that they want to pursue, the world is against Tom (Solly McLeod) and Sophia's (Sophie Wilde) union, simply because they're from different classes. Taking matters into her own hands, Sophia's aunt, Lady Bellaston (Hannah Waddingham), stops at nothing to destroy their love, which certainly has flecks of Bridgerton about it. Bridgerton season 4 part 1 premieres on January 29th and Part 2 on February 26th, both on Netflix. Seasons 1-3 are available to watch on Netflix now. You can buy the <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bridgerton-Collection-Inspiration-Netflix-Original/dp/0349430187?tag=radtim0b-21&ascsubtag=radiotimes-2381335" target="_blank" rel="noopener sponsored" data-geniuslink="https://buy.geni.us/Proxy.ashx?TSID=114542&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.uk%2FBridgerton-Collection-Inspiration-Netflix-Original%2Fdp%2F0349430187%3Ftag%3Dradtim0b-21%26ascsubtag%3Dradiotimes-1612614&dtb=1">Bridgerton book series on Amazon. Add Bridgerton 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 from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
8 rules for watching TV, films and sport at home – from making second screens work to free movie nights
You've been doing TV wrong this whole time.
Time is tight and none of us have any to waste endlessly scrolling Netflix, scrutinising the TV schedule or – worse – choosing which streamer to trawl in the first place. We've reached TV and movie over-saturation and decision paralysis is rife – but we've got your back. The team of telly experts and film obsessives at Radio Times are the people to turn to if you want to know how to watch better this year, enjoying more and saving yourself countless hours in the process. So we've put together an easy-to-follow guide: 8 rules for doing TV properly in 2026, helping you stop browsing incessantly and start actually watching something great, all while cutting costs at a time when money is as tight as time. Rule 1: Plan your movie nights without paying a penny Patrick Cremona, Senior Film Writer Years at Radio Times: 6 When looking for a film to watch at home, the sheer number of streamers on offer can make things tricky. From mainstream giants like Netflix and Prime Video to more niche, cinephile-focused options such as Mubi and BFI Player, you can soon find yourself forking out a fortune in subscription fees to cover all the bases. But what if I told you it’s actually possible to program a rich and varied film-watching schedule without paying so much as a penny? Free services like BBC iPlayer, ITVX and Channel 4 all have a wealth of great film options, including both permanent collections and a rolling selection of gems that have recently been broadcast on linear TV. If it’s iconic older pictures or recent British gems you’re after, iPlayer is your best bet, while Channel 4’s selection might suit you more if you’re looking for a slice of genre cinema. But in truth, all of these services include interesting combinations of blockbusters, beloved classics from yesteryear, under-seen indies and a fair share of foreign-language titles. What’s not to love! What's worth watching in 2026: iPlayer has recently added some iconic trilogies – including both The Godfather and Back to the Future. Rule 2: Embrace second screens Morgan Jeffery, Digital Editor Years at Radio Times: 6 My top (possibly controversial) tip is that second-screen viewing isn’t always the enemy. It’s simply where we are. Rather than banning phones outright, we should learn when to embrace them. Should we be feeding our attention deficit by doomscrolling throughout a premium drama? Probably not. Is it bleak that filmmakers are reportedly being asked to repeat plot points in dialogue because viewers are distracted? Undoubtedly. But in a fractured streaming landscape, where true appointment TV is increasingly rare, there’s something heartening about the collective buzz that can still exist. That instant rush when a genuinely jaw-dropping moment lands and your WhatsApp lights up. The shared disbelief on social media. The sense that, for a second, everyone is watching the same thing. I enjoyed the finale of The Traitors regardless. But chatting with friends as it unfolded added an extra jolt of interactivity. It won’t work for everything – but used sparingly, second-screening can enhance rather than detract. What's worth watching in 2026: The promise of "Press Gang in Downing Street" from Steven Moffat – as well as a reunion with his Doctor Who colleague Jenna Coleman – means that Channel 4's upcoming Number 10 is top of my must-see drama list. Rule 3: Watch alone! Alexia Skinitis, Head of Editorial Years at Radio Times: 15 I made the mistake of introducing my two little girls to the world of Strictly last year. In theory all of us watching celebrities waltzing and tangoing around the ballroom on a Saturday evening, filled my heart with joy. In reality, they jumped, twirled and skidded across the TV whenever Dave Arch struck up his band and demanded that I watched their moves instead – while I sent apologetic messages to the man who lives in the flat below. I ended up watching it again after they’d gone to bed. With just a Chinese takeaway for company. Bliss. I also love my partner dearly, but… when we sit down to watch a new series together, there are rules. The room has to be pitch black, he doesn’t like me rustling away with a packet of chocolate digestives and apparently my phone screen in his peripheral vision ruins his viewing pleasure. I also dared to watch an episode of The Traitors while he was out one evening and we nearly ended up in couples counselling. So, my best piece of advice? Enjoy your favourite TV series all by yourself. One worth watching in 2026: Scarpetta, 11th March on Prime Video. Rule 4: Always trust a word-of-mouth hit Louise Griffin, Sci-Fi & Fantasy Editor Years at Radio Times: 3 The advertising industry may be worth billions, but a recommendation from a friend? That’s worth much more. The best viewing experiences I’ve ever had have been after suffering a crushing wave of FOMO so heavy it’s actually compelled my body and lifted the TV remote for me. I simply cannot be left out of the conversation and that less-than-attractive trait has led me to some of the best TV I’ve ever seen – The Traitors, Severance and Succession, to name just a few. The TV landscape has changed dramatically over the past few decades, but one thing will always stay the same – if a show is good, people will talk about it. So take those recommendations (especially the ones from your favourite listings magazine!) very seriously. They’re worth their weight in gold. One worth watching in 2026: House of the Dragon season 3 on HBO in the US and Sky Atlantic and NOW in the UK. Rule 5: Watch TV like you listen to music Shem Law, Brand Editor Years at Radio Times: 25 You should watch television the way you listen to music. We don’t just listen to new releases; we return to things we’ve always loved, things that meant something to us at different points in our lives, and things that friends and family recommend. Often one piece of music leads you to another, and television should work the same way. There is an extraordinary amount of great TV made over the past 50 years, much of it I still haven’t seen, and the best part is that so much of it remains available. So don’t dismiss shows just because they aren’t shiny and new: there are gems tucked away on the streaming services, YouTube, BBC Four, and the nostalgia channels tucked away in the upper reaches of your EPG. All best sampled while getting through the week’s ironing. One day I may even finally make it to The Wire or The Sopranos, starching the odd collar as I do... One worth watching in 2026: Here is something new: Netflix's forthcoming Pride and Prejudice. Does the world need yet another version of this Austen perennial? You bet it does. Rule 6: Football exists beyond the Premier League. Watch it. Michael Potts, Sport Editor Years at Radio Times: 7 "NO FOOTBALL AT CHRISTMAS," cried social media doomgrifters. The reality? A calendar quirk meant only one Premier League match would be broadcast on Boxing Day, a traditional festival of football. They failed to acknowledge that all 72 English Football League (EFL) – Championship, League One and League Two – teams had their 36 matches televised live on Sky Sports that day. The Championship might be the best division in world football, striking a perfect balance of quality and unpredictability. Many games are incredibly watchable compared to the hyper-mechanical Premier League. Sky Sports are exclusively showing 1,000 EFL games this season compared to 215 top flight matches. By neglecting to recognise the EFL, fans are paying top dollar for a service, skimming the cream and ignoring too much goodness. One worth watching in 2026: Championship 2025/26 Rule 7: Make the TV schedule your social secretary David Hodges, Reader Services Manager Years at Radio Times: 26 TV must have the right context, not just availability. Scheduled TV gives programmes a sense of occasion – 'a live vision of the world'. Streaming is allowed, but only when it feels special and I can give proper attention to it. Endless on-demand choice without context feels wrong – TV should arrive with a frame around it. I don’t just watch something because it’s popular. The time of day, my emotional state, and the genre have to match. Horror belongs at night, news has its window (even if flexed), and comedy or drama only works when in the mood. I've created my own internal watershed and schedule. If I don’t it can end up in chaos, the choice and responsibility is too overwhelming. Scheduled television gives your viewing habits a sense of occasion and structure – like the BBC is your social secretary! One worth watching in 2026: Beef season 2 on Netflix. Rule 8: Channel-hopping is good, actually Frances Taylor, Previews Editor Years at Radio Times: 10 We should all scroll more while watching TV. I don’t mean in the way second-screen scrolling has become normalised. No, I’m talking about scrolling through the channels, and down into the bowels of the EPG. Like an archaeological dig, there’s all sorts lurking and waiting to be rediscovered. You might stumble across Steptoe and Son on That’s TV, or a 1990s episode of Top of the Pops on U&Eden. And you can’t beat a bit of Bullseye on Challenge. With streaming dominating and dictating how and what we watch, it’s becoming increasingly unlikely to find something by accident. You’ll already have heard about it, been recommended it, read about it. And while that’s great (I’m as hooked on Netflix as the next person – see below) there’s a certain magic in happening upon a curio or forgotten favourite. So every once in a while, pick up the remote as if it were a trowel and get digging – you don’t know what televisual gems you might unearth. One worth watching in 2026: Rivals was one of the most talked-about dramas of autumn 2024, and judging by these first-look images from the second series, the raunchy residents of Rutshire will be getting tongues wagging all over again this year. 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.
Apple TV's Shrinking might be the last sadcom – here's why TV comedy is going through major changes
For years, the so-called 'sadcom' was taking up all the energy in the realm of TV comedy. Now, something's changed.
A day before Apple TV's Shrinking returned to screens for its third season this week, a fourth run of the comedy-drama was announced – a real show of the faith the streamer has in the series. While co-creator Bill Lawrence had long stated that the series was pitched with a three-season arc, it's perhaps unsurprising that it's now going beyond this. Not only has Lawrence already proven his willingness to do so with Ted Lasso's upcoming continuation, but the series has been a monumental success. It's a show that's both remarkably funny and knows how to tug at the heartstrings. It also surely has escaped the notice of few that it's one of two comedies to have been released in recent years specifically centred around the grief of a protagonist following the death of his wife. The first of these was After Life, Ricky Gervais's Netflix hit. In another era, viewers might have balked at the idea that laughs could be found in such a tragic set-up - but not in the era of the 'sadcom'. A sub-genre seemingly birthed in the late 2000s and which dominated the 2010s, the sadcom takes the idea of comedy-drama to extremes. Rather than simply combining moments of pathos and drama with a healthy dose of humour, it specifically centres a story that deals with difficult subject matter, heartache and trauma, and punctuates it with jokes. It's notable that Jason Segel should front a show which as much an example of the form as Shrinking. I would argue that the show which shot him into the fame stratosphere, How I Met Your Mother, was dabbling around in the sadcom waters early. It was never a full-blown sadcom per-se, but with episodes such as Last Words, Symphony of Illumination and The Time Travellers tackling grief, infertility and loneliness, it certainly leaned into the emotion more than most sitcoms that preceded it, and knew how to bring out the waterworks among viewers. And who can forget that divisive final episode, in which the mother the entire series had nominally been about had died prior to the protagonist, Ted, telling his long, protracted story. Since then, sadcoms have been everywhere - series such as The End of the F***ing World, Fleabag, Flowers, This is Going to Hurt, Rain Dogs, Barry, Catastrophe, Undone, Bad Sisters, The Bear, I May Destroy You, Back to Life and my personal favourite, BoJack Horseman, have all tackled difficult, often distressing topics, and hit viewers hard when they're least expecting it, right after a big laugh. In fact, back in 2023, I was close to writing an article on the dominance of the sadcom, how it had displaced the traditional sitcom in a way which felt fairly irreversible. However, even then it felt like something about that diagnosis wasn't quite right, and like a change was just starting to brew. Now, in 2026, I feel confidant to say that that change is here – a trend back towards sitcom and straight comedy seems to be taking place. Shows like The Studio, The Paper and Abbott Elementary are dominating in the US, while British sitcoms like Amandaland and Mandy are riding high. Sadcoms are still around, for sure, but they no longer feel like they're in the ascendancy, while laugh-out-loud comedies are all the rage. All of this means that Shrinking may be one of the last true examples of the sadcom, at least in its dominant era. But why? First, we probably have to look at why sadcoms became so popular and so prevalent in the first place. From a commissioning standpoint, Jon Petrie, Director of BBC Comedy Commissioning, who has now told producers to 'focus on the funny' when pitching, puts it down to the advent of another massive change in the entertainment industry - the arrival of the streaming age. "There was a period where the streamers were in town, and there was lots of talk of co-production," Petrie says, speaking exclusively with Radio Times. "There were lots of co-productions happening. And it was like, 'How can we make our shows feel glossier?' After Fleabag especially, there was a real interest in what was going on in British TV and comedy." So was it a specifically American influence that brought the sadcom to audiences all across the globe, including in the UK? "I think that's definitely got a lot to do with it," Petrie says. "I think also, people always say, 'Write about what you know and talk about those experiences'. And it became this kind of, 'This person on a personal journey and following their experiences with cancer or experiences with adoption' or whatever the story might be, and focus solely on that, rather than a family of characters. "It sort of needed to have a bit more meat to it. And I suppose that's probably the influence of going back all the way to shows like Sopranos and Breaking Bad. "There’s an appetite for comedy drama as globally it’s seen as a safer bet. Sitcom and laugh-out-loud comedy is riskier - it's easier to give a sitcom one star. "You never see a comedy-drama get less that three stars, if you don’t like it you just shrug and switch over. When something announces itself as a sitcom you immediately judge it alongside stuff that has taken a few seasons to establish itself. If you watch a bad comedy you want to throw a brick at the screen!" Comedy-drama is one thing, but sadcoms are often directly attempting to move the audience - to make them think, to make them cry, to switch dramatically from one tone and tempo to another. So why did audiences embrace them so wholeheartedly for a time? For a psychological perspective, I turned to Dr Luke Hodson, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Warwick. "People like to watch sad films," Hodson notes. The research on this goes back decades, actually. There was some work that was done right in the early '90s which they called the 'sad film paradox' of, why do people like to watch things that essentially make them emotional? "Not so long ago, that was investigated again, and the research seems to indicate it's because people like to be moved. So it's not so much the feeling of the emotion. I think that people are certainly attracted to that feeling of, 'I want to feel like I've been moved', and whatever meaning that gives them. So I think when things started to trend towards this mixed media, it's maybe people were craving that." Hodson notes that, particularly in the case of a TV comedy, which often have shorter runtimes than dramas, it's "a nice, controlled way of feeling those things". "If it's in a 30 minute programme where I get to see these things or feel them, it's like a nice parcelled-out way of processing or thinking about those things, and it perhaps stops having to have those bigger questions about how this might be impacting you, he says. "It's quite attractive to have this small block of time that's dedicated to processing these things." So, why might that be changing now? "I think that from a broad level, it seems to reflect the state of the world," Hodson suggests. "So, when things are kind of okay, people are trying to get that sense of movement, and then when the world goes a little bit the opposite way, they don't need that from there anymore - or they're getting that sense of a wider connection to the world from other sources, so they're craving something a bit simpler." This is something Petrie recognises too. While he notes that a big driver of the move away from sadcoms, at least from the BBC's perspective, is that "those days of co-producing feel like they're coming to an end", and that the industry is therefore "returning back to our roots," the mood of the nation, and of the world generally, could be a factor. "Most comedies take two or three years to actually come to fruition from the start of development. I think it's probably fair to say, generally, since the financial crash, and then subsequently, like with Brexit and then Covid, the mood of the national has gradually just got worse, and people generally are feeling less positive with their outlook on life. "I think it's very important for us to carve out a space for laugh out loud, stupid comedy." Of course, even with the built-in delay for development, it doesn't seem that the mood of the nation can account for this move away from sadcoms entirely. Some of the most popular examples of the form, such as Shrinking, were thought up during Covid, one of the most traumatic and disruptive moments in most of our lifetimes. They have also arrived post-then, when the global instability and general social malaise that Hodson and Petrie both mention seems to have particularly taken hold. Petrie suggests that, from an audience perspective, it could just be the case that viewers are becoming skeptical of a phenomenon which has long been the bugbear of those operating in the comedy sector. "Ultimately, I do think audiences get wise to things like The Bear getting nominated and winning the Best Comedy," he says. "I think audiences have started to go, 'Hang on a second. All these things are being called comedies, but they're not funny.' "It always annoys me, personally, as a comedy person. I think comedy is one of the hardest things to do, and people just put comedy on the end of their drama, and then everyone just calls their comedy and tells them they're amazing. I think it sort of degrades how hard it is to make an amazing comedy." Trends in comedy, and in entertainment in general, tend to move with generations. Could there be a generational element towards viewers turning away from the sadcom, particularly the ever-evasive Gen Alpha? Gen Alpha is generally considered to consist of those born in the early to mid 2010s, meaning that all of the global disruption already referenced, and in particular the Covid pandemic, aligned with their most formative years. Could it be that many of them have experienced enough emotional upheaval already, and aren't looking for it in their media? "There's three main reasons, essentially, why humour is part of how humans interact," Hodson says, reflecting on the research surrounding the topic. "The first one is relief – essentially, that we use it to relieve some form of tension, like a steam valve going off. I think from the perspective of, millennial or like Gen Z, maybe humour still has a place there as a relief thing. So kind of intertwining that sadness and happiness or humour and sadness together is to relieve something. "If you're Gen alpha, if you’ve grown up in a world that is very different and very chaotic, and we don't have these periods of calm that we used to have. Maybe they don't need to have that relief anymore, maybe they're seeking it elsewhere? "Another way that we use humour is to process incongruity. We all have an understanding of the way the world should work, and we use humour to make sense of it. There's that old adage of people laughing at a funeral because they don't know how to make sense of it - something has changed, so they use humour to try and make sense of how what they expect from the world is different from what they're getting. "Again, from a Gen Alpha perspective, it seems logical to me that their world isn't as stable. Things have changed so often, so repeatedly, that they don't have that incongruity anymore. They don't need to make sense of it." Of course, Gen Alpha is also made up of true digital natives – they have never experiences a world without social media, and without smart phones and tablets. As TikTok and YouTube vie for individual's attention more and more, that has changed how both they, and indeed we of older generations, have consumed 'content'. "I'm not a developmental psychologist," Hodson notes. "but I keep hearing it in the news, about the TikTok generation, where you're constantly getting this hit of dopamine. And I think that makes sense, at least logically to me, that if you're used to only watching things for 20 seconds, if your attention span’s different, a 30 minute comedy where you need 25 minutes for the laugh to pay off, that's a really different experience, isn't it? So maybe they're not trained for it." It's something Petrie also points to, referring to the 'second screen' phenomenon. It's no secret that broadcasters and streamers are adapting to reflect this behaviour change, which has seen audiences watch a programme while also looking at their phone, laptop or tablet, doing something else. In 2023, writer, director and producer Justine Bateman told The Hollywood Reporter: "I’ve heard from showrunners who are given notes from the streamers that 'This isn’t second screen enough.' Meaning, the viewer’s primary screen is their phone and the laptop and they don’t want anything on your show to distract them from their primary screen because if they get distracted, they might look up, be confused, and go turn it off." Now, Petrie says: "More and more now that we're second screening and we're on devices, and your attention is in demand everywhere you look, I think it's probably harder to keep people's attention with those slower paced comedy-dramas that are sort of dealing with one particular issue. "If you're not really fully focused – sadly, this is the world we live in - if you've got something that's got a high joke rate, then as long as there's a joke coming along every few seconds, you're more likely to probably to stay attuned to it. "I think there’s probably an element where they’re spending a lot more time on YouTube and TikTok, and they're used to swiping the minute they get bored and they want that dopamine hit. "I think another reason it might be swinging back is that when we look at the clips and the shows that do really well for us online, it'll be stuff like Cunk or Amandaland or Motherland or Things You Should Have Done or Smoggie Queens - it's shows where there are just stupid, silly moments that can clip up really well. "Cunk has been an absolutely huge success on TikTok. It hasn't necessarily translated to millions and millions of views on iPlayer, but people just enjoy it in a different way. It's still good for the BBC, and it's still good for BBC comedy and the brand, but I think with a sadcom, you're a bit more limited as to what you can do and where that can go." So if these are all the push factors, explaining why viewers may be turning away from sadcoms, what are some of the pull factors drawing them back to more traditional comedies and sitcoms? In actuality, Petrie notes that the appetite for comedy never really went away, it's just that viewers often need to feel familiar with the characters and the set-up before they really engage with them. This can be difficult to pre-empt when it comes time for renewals, if a show has not performed well in its first outing. "The audience data now is so good and so advanced that you can really get into the weeds of it, and the stuff that people return to again and again are shows like Ghosts and This Country and Amandaland and Motherland, and those shows that you can just watch over and over," he says. "You can watch the same episode again, you can watch your favourite episode, you can dip in and out, and it's just comfort viewing. Obviously, it's the same in the case of Netflix, with the American Office and with Friends and The Big Bang Theory. People return to those shows. We've said for years, that's sort of where we wanted to kind of steer back towards.” Petrie notes that a series like Here We Go, which is approaching its fourth season, needed time to bed in, and is becoming more widely recognised over time. It has always been well-reviewed, but "isn't a must-see show right now at this moment, water cooler type thing". <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/07/here-we-go-cast-2-7baa4cf.jpg" width="3000" height="2000" alt="The cast of Here We Go pose in the kitchen of the Jessop household – they are crowded around the counter and smiling for the camera (L-R) Katherine Parkinson, Jim Howick, Tori Allen-Martin, Tom Basden, Alison Steadman, Mica Ricketts, Freya Parks and Jude Collie" title="here-we-go-cast-2" /> "It's just harder to get those shows press," he says. "And I totally understand why, because from a journalist’s point of view, it's so much easier to write about a story that's led by a particular issue or that sort of feels very pressy. When you're just making a family sitcom, it's hard to know what's the way in, other than talent and someone famous in it. "And that's where we really had to trust that Tom Basden’s a brilliant writer, it has an amazing cast, and that when people find it, and the data backs us up, they keep watching it. When we look at all our audience measurements, we can see what the awareness is within the country and with Here We Go, it just had a very low awareness. So we knew there was plenty of room for it to grow." He also says that from his and the BBC's perspective, they are definitely looking to commission sadcoms less than they were. "That's not to say that we wouldn't ever do one of those sorts of shows, but that would have to sit firmly in the, 'this is to make you laugh more than to make you think' camp," he clarifies. When it comes to harder-hitting, heartbreaking moments, they can still be a beneficial feature, but "you need to earn those moments - they hit hardest when the characters have become loved by the audience and they feel like family". What the BBC are looking for instead is "laugh-out-loud, story of the week, character driven, relatable sitcom", as Petrie believes that people are "craving that sort of comedy where it's people they recognise in worlds they recognise, and just something where you can just switch off and you're not being challenged in any way. "Everything is so grim at the moment that I think our duty is to try and just give people a bit of relief." Interestingly, comedy-drama doesn't seem to have actually gone away at all, but it has changed. As less sadcoms are being produced, more shows which I'm going to uninventively coin drama-comedys have emerged - series which have the format and structure of a drama (one-hour, ongoing storylines), but the lightness of a comedy and a slightly preposterous set-up. Think Ludwig and Death Valley. It's a trend which Petrie is well-aware of, and something he is looking to lean in to more in the coming years. "I think a lot of that is the thinking about the binge-ability," he says of this new trend. "I think basically you want two things. You either want someone to binge watch a whole series and be intrigued by the story and drawn through that, or you want a show with longevity and that quietly goes along, like Here We Go. "We want to make a Ludwig type show or a Death Valley type show, because we believe that the DNA within that means that it can only really come from the comedy side. Because it's a ridiculous premise that if you investigate it too much, it starts to break up, but that's actually not the point of it - the point of it is to serve as a comic vehicle." Where these trends go next, it's hard to say. Petrie believes the next frontier will see comedy commissioners looking more to TikTok and YouTube stars, although only where there is a natural transition to be made to TV. "I think we have to remember what makes us special is that we make television and I think one of the reasons people want to work with us is because they want to make a comedy TV show. "If we are going to move someone across into Telly, it's sort of making sure we do it in a way that feels like we're not just doing it because they're big on YouTube. It’s got to work as a TV show. "I think keeping more of an eye on that, and not abandoning things like the Edinburgh Fringe, but I think it's certainly quite a meritocratic way of finding talent." However, whether sadcom goes away entirely, comes back in force or is reinvented some way is difficult to know. But for now, it seems there are a multitude of reasons why it is somewhat in retreat, whether they be social and contemporaneous, generational, financial or simply an audience losing interest in shedding tears, unless through laughter. Shrinking is set to continue, and long may it do so. But in 2026, the era of the sadcom appears to be coming to a close. Shrinking season 3 will debut on Wednesday 28th January 2026. Seasons 1-2 are available to stream now on Apple TV+. You can sign up to Apple TV+ now. Add Shrinking 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 Comedy 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.
Under Salt Marsh review: Flood-stricken crime drama continues the rise of Welsh noir
A top-tier largely native cast, weather-beaten setting and sense of local community brings a Cymru sensibility to the murder mystery.
Following on from Mudtown, The One That Got Away and Keeping Faith, Under Salt Marsh is the latest Welsh crime drama to take its cues from the woolly jumpers and windswept landscapes of Scandi noir. And it might well be the most noirish of the lot. The original miniseries certainly isn’t the kind of escapist Harlan Coben-esque potboiler you watch to banish the winter blues, that’s for sure. From its 'every parents' worst nightmare' mystery to its flood-drenched, eternally grey aesthetics, this is a whodunit which revels in the bleak. Had its fictional town of Morfa Halen (the Welsh for ‘salt marsh’) been real, then its tourist board would undoubtedly have had cause for complaint. Having made her name with 2019’s Make Up, a blend of kitchen sink realism and psychological horror set entirely within an out-of-season Cornish caravan park, creator Claire Oakley is no stranger to such darkness. But here, she proves she can maintain a palpable sense of unease across six hour-long episodes of TV. Although very much a slow burner, Under Salt Marsh doesn’t waste any time establishing its ominous tone. In fact, distraught primary school teacher Jackie Ellis (Kelly Reilly with a steeliness similar to her display in Yellowstone) discovers the lifeless body of eight-year-old pupil Cefin (Jack Thomas-Humphreys) amid pitch-black marshlands in the opening shot. Is this simply a tragic accident? Or, as one would suspect, is there something more nefarious at play? And why, as revealed in a chilling flashback to earlier that same day, did the young victim continually dream of being chased into water and drowning? As a former detective, Jackie takes it upon herself to find the answers, immediately ingratiating herself further into the case by breaking the news to Cefin’s parents Shell (Kimberley Nixon) and Danny (Mark Stanley) before the police get the chance: it’s one of several harrowing scenes – see the family’s uncontrollable wails while visiting Cefin’s final resting place or Danny’s sudden breakdown at his butcher’s shop – which pack a truly emotional gut punch. Jackie’s interference isn’t appreciated, however, by Eric Bull (Rafe Spall, for some reason adopting a wayward Black Country accent), her former partner-in-crime who’s returned to his old stomping ground to help piece the puzzle together. Things appear to have ended acrimoniously judging by how she deliberately hides from him on first sight. And a heated tete-a-tete later confirms their still-unsolved last case together three years earlier – the disappearance of Jackie’s nine-year-old niece which may or may not be connected to Cefin’s death – left their working relationship damaged beyond repair. “Still no apology,” she queries in disbelief about a betrayal from the man she "trusted with my entire life". As the story patiently unfolds, it becomes clear both parties have other skeletons in their closet too. When not potentially tampering with official police business, Jackie is arranging clandestine meetings with tattooed bad boy Dylan (Harry Lawtey, worlds apart from his disillusioned posh boy in Industry) behind sheds like a naughty schoolgirl. Then there’s the fact she’s encouraged by various locals, including her dad, for “doing so well,” hinting at another problem from her past. Eric, on the other hand, is more of an enigma, although the hostile reception he receives from much of the tight-knit community (“You’ve already destroyed one family”) suggests he left on bad terms. The awkward conversations with slightly familiar face Gareth (Dino Fetscher), an environmental researcher whose knowledge of the area’s rising waters proves invaluable to the investigation, raises questions about his personal life too. Indeed, there’s much more to Under Salt Marsh than its murder. Like recent ITV returnee After the Flood, it reflects upon the small-town impact of climate change, whether Gareth’s attempts to evacuate the area (“you cannot win a war against water”) ahead of a great storm to the stubborn response from the long-time residents determined to stay put. There’s also a paternity dispute which very nearly leads to another tragedy. And while hardly a laugh-a-minute affair, it’s not entirely without a sense of humour either. On heading back to his pub lodgings in waterlogged clothes, Eric is only allowed access by his houseproud landlady when he strips to his vest and pants. Come for the whodunit, stay for the sight of Spall nearly auditioning for Magic Mike. Of course, Under Salt Marsh most compels when it focuses on its two possibly interlinked cases, drawing up an intriguing suspect list which includes everyone from the local conspiracy theorist to the mysterious beekeeper figure sketched by both ill-fated kids. Don’t expect obvious answers: the why, who and how is still as much of a mystery at the end of the second of the two episodes available for review as it is the lengthy cold open. Yet thanks to a first-class cast (Welsh royalty Jonathan Pryce also shows up as Cefan’s grieving grandfather), some immersive, if resolutely desolate, cinematography and a script which allows the characters to feel entirely lived-in, you’ll remain hooked no matter your skills as an amateur armchair sleuth. It might not always look it, but the future of Cymru noir is bright. The first two episodes of Under Salt Marsh will premiere on Sky Atlantic and NOW on January 30th with a new episode following the next four Fridays. Add Under Salt Marsh 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.
The Apprentice spin-off host Angela Scanlon reacts to Lord Sugar’s shock double firing: "I was gutted"
**Warning: Contains spoilers for The Apprentice season 20** The Apprentice returned for a landmark 20th season on BBC One tonight and Lord Alan Sugar certainly didn't hold back. From introducing 20 candidates to sending them to Hong Kong for their very first buying challenge, the business hopefuls were thrown into the deep down – and only 18 remained in the running to become his next business partner. After returning from their first task, like always Lord Sugar asked the project manager and sub team project manager to bring back two people from their team they believed were at fault, before revealing that two people were going to be fired from the process. Unfortunately for Nikki Jetha and Georgina Newton, their time in the process came to a fast end, and over on BBC Two, audiences will be able to hear all about their journey on the show and their thoughts about their firings, as they speak to Angela Scanlon, the host of The Apprentice: Unfinished Business. Ahead of the new companion series launch, RadioTimes.com caught up with Scanlon who admitted that the double firing felt "savage". "They're all flown out to Hong Kong, it's like this big, amazing start to the series, they haven't even gotten to the house and unpacked their bags," Scanlon said. "So I think it's a tough one and I don't think anyone saw it coming. "When Nikki got the got the boot and then he turned his eyes on Georgina! The politest woman in the history of the show, she's singing, she's the ultimate hype girl and so, I was gutted, really." Scanlon explained that Nikki has small children and was really determined to "make her mark early doors" and felt that due to her background as a mortgage broker she'd be "really good at negotiations". "[But] the challenge of finding all of these items in a very foreign city meant that they didn't really get down to negotiation very much, because they were flapping looking for nine items," she continued. "So it felt like she had the skills, she just didn't really get the opportunity to show them, which I think is always the most disappointing thing for a candidate, is if they kind of really knew and believed that they could go further in the process." Scanlon told RadioTimes.com: "They're all kept on their toes from episode 1, but as Baroness Brady says, none of them know, nor does Lord sugar know when he goes into that boardroom what's going to happen. "And he may have an idea based on what feedback Tim and Karren have given, or what he's seen, or the results, but he will ultimately be listening to the people in front and whether they take responsibility or whether their attitude stacks up. And so I think it was a surprise for everybody." Next week, the remaining candidates are tasked with creating a children's story and audiobook but one team's take on toilet humour ends up with a stinky storyline. While the other team tries to stand out from the herd with a zebra-themed tale, but tensions on the team threaten to stop their story in its tracks... The Apprentice: Unfinished Business airs on Thursday 29th January at 10:05pm on BBC Two and iPlayer, with audio available on BBC Sounds. Check out more of our Entertainment 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.
Who left The Apprentice this week? All the eliminated candidates from season 20
**Warning: Contains spoilers for The Apprentice season 20** The Apprentice returned in style tonight as viewers were introduced to a new cohort of candidates, 20 of whom are hoping to become Lord Alan Sugar's next business partner. Tonight's episode transported viewers to Hong Kong as the business hopefuls were sent on a mission to secure nine items at knock-down prices, all under the watchful eye of aides Karren Brady and Tim Campbell. But 20 soon became 18 as Lord Sugar fired two candidates who weren't on their A-game in tonight's challenge. So, who was fired from The Apprentice 2026? Read on to find out more. Who left The Apprentice 2026 this week? Georgina Newton - Week 1 It was a double firing no one was expecting as Lord Sugar told project manager Georgina she was fired. He said: "Georgina, I think you're your own worst enemy. You come in here, you bring two people in and you say they shouldn't be here. And so you leave me with nowhere to go, so Georgina, regretfully you're fired."` Nikki Jetha - Week 1 After plenty of back and forth in the boardroom between the project managers and those who were brought back to the boardroom, it was all down to Lord Sugar's decision. Addressing Nikki, Lord Sugar said: "Yes you put yourself forward as the project manager, very brave, but you were two hours late and you only got one item, and you were the overall project manager... And so it is with regret that you're fired." The Apprentice continues on Thursday 5th February at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer. Add The Apprentice 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 Entertainment 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.
Angela Scanlon shares how new The Apprentice spin-off series will differ from You’re Fired
The broadcaster plans on getting "the real gossip" from the candidates.
The Apprentice is certainly shaking things up for its 20th season – not only are 20 candidates entering the process to celebrate the anniversary, but it will also be paired with a brand-new companion series, Unfinished Business. Earlier this year it was confirmed that Unfinished Business would air in place of You're Fired, with Tom Allen also announcing he was stepping down from hosting duties. The new spin-off show is hosted by broadcaster, podcaster and author Angela Scanlon who will be providing viewers with their fix of the latest boardroom drama, joining the host alongside an array of industry experts and celebrity fans. The series will also feature the first interviews with fired candidates each week. Together with the fired candidate, Scanlon and her panel will dissect all the drama from that week's task, providing fans with in-depth analysis and behind-the-scenes intel. "There's an informality to it that I really love," Scanlon told RadioTimes.com in an exclusive chat. "People are so interested in what goes on behind the scenes [and it's] kind of loosely referencing [The Traitors] Uncloaked as a kind of model, but I love the opportunity to sit down with super fans and with business experts and with the candidates who have just been fired, and actually get the real gossip." Promising proper gossip, Scanlon added that she'll "shake down the fired candidate for the real story". She continued: "I have hosted a chat show before [Angela Scanlon's Ask Me Anything] and unfortunately, I'm quite unfiltered, and so I will ask the question that you want to ask at home and that you maybe think you shouldn't ask." Aside from the obvious changes to the You're Fired format, Scanlon adds that the companion series' "informality" is what sets it apart, telling RadioTimes.com: "It's almost like you've pulled away the fired candidates and [it's] as if we've just watched the show in the living room and then we've nipped out for a cup of tea to dissect it. So I think it's very free-flowing." Read more: Strictly Come Dancing 2025 winner "really wants" to go on Celebrity Traitors for a special reunion The Traitors winner Stephen reveals why he didn't double cross Rachel in final roundtable And Scanlon has ensured the candidates will get the necessary grilling after their episode airs, explaining that her time on the celebrity edition of the show has helped her understand the candidates' experiences more. "I think both in the boardroom setting and also in terms of the time, pressure and legal boundaries that the candidates all face, there are kind of limitations, I suppose, within each of the tasks that we don't always see," she said. "And so I definitely think I'm sympathetic, and I can kind of put an arm around their shoulder. "[But] also prod them gently when they've made ridiculous decisions. But I think some of them will feel like they went out in a blaze of glory and others will be understandably disappointed. So I think it's just knowing what somebody needs in that moment and celebrating their time on the show." The Apprentice: Unfinished Business airs on Thursday 29th January at 10:05pm on BBC and iPlayer, with audio available on BBC Sounds. Check out more of our Entertainment 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 season 15: Release date and latest news
Death in Paradise returns to the BBC for season 15 — and Selwyn Patterson has officially resumed his role as commissioner. And breathe... "Apparently there has been an outcry," Don Warrington previously said of the reaction to the teasing of a potential exit for his character. "It's flattering, and I would be dishonest if I said it wasn't. But it came as a surprise to realise how deeply the characters had got into the consciousness of the public." Fear turned to joy when it was confirmed in the Christmas special that Selwyn would be back doing what he does best: "Gliding around being charming and sort of slightly obtuse," as Kris Marshall previously told RadioTimes.com. However, he's shocked to learn that things haven't stood still while he's been away. Find out what's been happening, plus who'll be joining him and when you can watch season 15 below. Death in Paradise season 15 release date: When will it air? The 15th season of the murder mystery will premiere on Friday 30th January at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Death in Paradise season 15 cast: Who's returning? Don Warrington returns as Selwyn Patterson after deciding to take his job back in last year's Christmas special. He will be joined by Don Gilet's Mervin Wilson, who was all set to head back to London, but is now staying put following a major revelation (more on that in a bit). We'd also expect to see the following faces: Shantol Jackson as Naomi Thomas Shaquille Ali-Yebuah as Sebastian Rose Élizabeth Bourgine as Catherine Bordey Plus, Catherine Garton has joined the cast as new sergeant Mattie Fletcher. She has replaced Ginny Holder, who will not be returning as Darlene Curtis. And Mervin's half-brother Solomon is played by Daniel Ward (Everything Now). There are also several new guest stars, who are guaranteed to shake up proceedings. Familiar faces include Happy Valley favourite Siobhan Finneran and EastEnders' original Vicki Fowler star Scarlett Alice Johnson, who join an impressive line-up that also includes Spooks' Hermione Norris, Gavin & Stacey's Steffan Rhodri and Ghosts co-creator and star Ben Willbond. Rounding out the guest cast for season 15 are: Sarah Hadland (Horrible Histories) Gary Wilmot (Midsomer Murders) Tim McMullan (Shakespeare in Love) Julian Rhind-Tutt (Green Wing) Ace Bhatti (Malpractice) Louis Davison (Vikings: Valhalla) Sean Delaney (Killing Eve) Lizzie Davidson (Such Brave Girls) Kojo Kamara (The Outlaws) Layo-Christina Akinlude (The Stolen Girl) Sandra James-Young (Wild Cherry) Phoebe Sparrow (Downton Abbey) Antonia Bernath (Downton Abbey) Trieve Blackwood-Cambridge (Rematch) What could happen in Death in Paradise season 15? <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2026/01/DIP-Mervin-brother-25f0fb2.jpg" width="4284" height="2856" alt="Two men stand beside an outdoor swimming pool, one shirtless in patterned swim shorts and the other dressed in a short-sleeve shirt and trousers, appearing to talk seriously as people relax on loungers in the foreground and greenery surrounds the pool area." title="EMBARGOED Death in Paradise s15" /> According to the official synopsis: "Whilst attempting to connect with his recently discovered half-brother Solomon (Daniel Ward), Mervin's newfound familial happiness soon turns to frustration as he discovers the pair are not quite as similar as he hoped they might be. "Elsewhere, Commissioner Selwyn Patterson (Don Warrington) is left facing the consequences of his recent absence from the island. After some no-nonsense advice from old friend Catherine Bordey (Elizabeth Bourgine), Selwyn sets out to rebuild trust — though winning back Saint Marie may prove easier said than done." And there's also the addition of new recruit Sergeant Mattie Fletcher (Catherine Garton), who Detective Sergeant Naomi Thomas (Shantol Jackson) and Officer Sebastian Rose (Shaquille Ali-Yebuah) are tasked with looking after. "With shadows from Mattie's past beginning to surface, her arrival may bring more complications than anyone bargained for," continues the synopsis. Death in Paradise is 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.