Megan Nisbet

Professor T returns to ITV1 on August 19 for its fourth season, two years after the previous series. Ben Miller reprises his role as eccentric Cambridge criminologist Jasper Tempest, whose story resumes after DS Lisa Donckers was killed in a hit-and-run and Jasper was left burdened by guilt. The new season adds Zoe Wanamaker as Jasper's aunt Zelda, while the series continues to build on its Anglo-Belgian production and international popularity.

The second season of BBC detective comedy-drama Ludwig adds Mark Bonnar, Sian Clifford, Ben Ashenden and Rumi Sutton as regular cast members. Bonnar plays newspaper editor Gareth Fisher, Clifford portrays local MP Joanne Kemper, Ashenden plays DC Ethan Cole and Sutton plays DC Caitlin Sullivan. David Mitchell and Anna Maxwell Martin return as John “Ludwig” Taylor and Lucy Betts-Taylor, while Stephen Merchant guest stars as snooker champion Danny Sloan. The new series follows John as a crime scene consultant investigating impossible crimes while continuing to search for his missing twin brother, James. It premieres on BBC One on August 20, 2026, with the first three episodes also available on iPlayer.

BBC One has confirmed that the second season of the detective comedy-drama Ludwig will premiere on August 20 at 9pm, with its first three episodes also released on BBC iPlayer. David Mitchell returns as puzzle-setter John ‘Ludwig’ Taylor, working with DCI Russell Carter to solve difficult crimes while continuing to search for his missing twin brother. Anna Maxwell Martin reprises her role as Lucy, and Stephen Merchant joins the cast. A new trailer features missing detectives, murders and high-level cover-ups.

The BBC is ending its five-part psychological thriller The Rapture, adapted from Liz Jensen’s novel, after its final episode on 9 August. The series follows psychologist Gabrielle Fox and Bethany Krall, a teenager accused of murdering her mother who claims to foresee disasters. It will be replaced in the BBC schedule by live coverage of the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham from 10 to 16 August, broadcast across BBC One, BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds and BBC Sport’s digital platforms.

Episode two of Channel 5’s cosy crime drama Benidorm Is Murder, titled “Die Laughing,” features Denise Welch as Ziggy, the owner of Benidorm Palace, and Alistair McGowan as faded 1990s game-show star Vince Starky. The episode follows a murder at the Laughter Lounge after Vince arrives with his younger wife amid failed comeback dates and Ziggy’s financial troubles. Dennis investigates the death with reluctant support from DS María Hernandez, while Rosa traces the club’s guests and staff as old grudges, money problems and hidden secrets emerge.

Channel 4 has confirmed that Celebrity Hunted will replace the second season of The Undeclared War in its schedule after the cyber-thriller concludes with a double bill on August 5. The celebrity edition of Hunted, made by Shine TV in support of Stand Up To Cancer, features pairs including Amy Dowden and Carlos Gu, Brian and Lucy Conley, and Chris Taylor and Toby Aromolaran. Contestants will be pursued across the UK by specialist hunters using surveillance technology, helicopters, drones, search dogs and cyber investigations.

Channel 5 has acquired Walker, the 2021 reboot of Walker, Texas Ranger starring Jared Padalecki, Lindsey Morgan and Molly Hagan. The four-season crime drama follows widowed Texas Ranger Cordell Walker as he returns to Austin, reconnects with his family and investigates the suspicious death of his wife. The series is streaming on My5 with weekly season drops and has received positive viewer reactions for its blend of action, family drama and emotional depth.

John Hannah stars as retired ex-detective Dennis Govan in Channel 5's new cosy-crime drama Benidorm Is Murder, in which his character investigates tourist deaths alongside aspiring actress Rosa, played by Carolina Bécquer. The article reviews Hannah's many detective and other screen roles, including A Touch of Cloth, Rebus, The Mummy and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and profiles his 20-year marriage to actress Joanna Roth. The couple met at the National Theatre, married in 1996 and have 22-year-old twins, Gabriel and Astrid. Roth visited Hannah during filming in Benidorm, where the dialogue-heavy series was produced.

Carolina Bécquer plays Rosa, an energetic aspiring actress who becomes the sidekick of John Hannah’s burnt-out ex-detective Dennis Govan in Channel 5’s Benidorm is Murder. The role is Bécquer’s first major television part, following an appearance in the film 8 Years. Writer Ian Jarvis and Hannah praise her performance, bilingual dialogue, and chemistry with Hannah, while Bécquer discusses her acting background and immediate connection with the character.

Benidorm Is Murder is a six-part Channel 5 cosy-crime drama starring John Hannah as Dennis Govan, a retired Scottish police officer who investigates murders in Benidorm with aspiring actress Rosa, played by Carolina Bécquer. The series begins on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at 9 p.m., with episodes airing weekly through September 3. The plot combines standalone murder mysteries with a deeper storyline involving Dennis’s troubled past and a murder for which he becomes the prime suspect.

Channel 5’s new cosy-crime series Benidorm Is Murder follows burned-out former police officer Dennis Govan, played by John Hannah, and aspiring actress Rosa, played by Carolina Bécquer, as they investigate murders in Benidorm. The ensemble includes Ariadna Cabrol, Brian Bovell, Damian Schedler Cruz and Eva van der Gucht, while guest stars Tamzin Outhwaite, Alistair McGowan and Denise Welch play prominent supporting roles. The series was written by Ian Jarvis and begins on Channel 5 on July 30 at 9pm.

Channel 5 will replace The Crow Girl with Benidorm is Murder after the final episode airs on July 29. The new cosy-crime thriller, written by Ian Jarvis of Death in Paradise, stars John Hannah as a burned-out former police officer hiding in a failing Benidorm pub and Carolina Bécquer as the aspiring actress who disrupts his life. The Crow Girl, starring Eve Myles and Dougray Scott, originally launched on Paramount+ in January 2025 before moving to Channel 5.

Alastair Mackenzie joins the third season of BBC Scotland's Granite Harbour as Richard Loughty, a seemingly charitable landowner whose darker side emerges when trouble develops on his estate. The role reunites him with Monarch of the Glen co-star Dawn Steele. The article reviews Mackenzie's television, film, theatre and production work, as well as his marriage to Line of Duty actor Susan Vidler and their two children. Mackenzie also praises Scotland's thriving but heavily booked film and television industry and says he was drawn to the new role by its mystery and darker undertones.

Granite Harbour returns for a third season with Dawn Steele, Romario Simpson and Hannah Donaldson reprising their roles. The season consists of three hour-long episodes following a murder investigation involving a missing teenage café worker, a prominent estate and the local traveller community. BBC Scotland begins airing the series on July 23, 2026, BBC One follows on July 24, and all three episodes are available on BBC iPlayer from July 23.

The BBC’s television adaptation of Liz Jensen’s 2009 novel The Rapture follows psychologist Gabs Fox and teenage psychiatric patient Bethany Krall, who claims to predict disasters after being imprisoned for murdering her mother. The series retains the novel’s focus on climate change, corruption, mental health and the relationship between the two women, but makes a major structural change: instead of building toward a large-scale disaster such as a tidal wave, it centers on an emotional and internal disaster and an investigation into a possible miscarriage of justice. Writers and cast members describe the adaptation as a contemporary version that remains faithful to the book while addressing current social and environmental concerns.

A six-part BBC One drama, I, Jack Wright, originally aired on U&Alibi in 2025, is being rebroadcast with episodes scheduled across mid-July. The series, written by Chris Lang and featuring a prominent ensemble cast, follows the suspicious death of businessman Jack Wright and the ensuing family conflicts and investigation. A second season is already in production with returning cast members and new additions, though no release date has been announced. BBC One and BBC iPlayer begin airing the first season on July 12 at 9:15pm.

The article outlines the filming locations of the BBC murder mystery series I, Jack Wright, noting that it was primarily shot around Greater London and Hertfordshire, with key sites including North Mymms Park, Bovingdon Airfield, and locations in Hackney and Richmond. Originally debuting on U&Alibi in 2025, the series has been acquired by the BBC, which will air the first season and produce a second. Writer Chris Lang describes the stylistic approach to pivotal scenes, including the will reading that drives the story. The series begins airing on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on July 12 at 9:15pm.

The article outlines the full cast of the BBC murder mystery series I, Jack Wright, highlighting key actors and the characters they portray. It provides background on the show's origins, its strong reviews, and details about the roles played by Nikki Amuka-Bird, John Simm, Gemma Jones, Trevor Eve, Daniel Rigby and Ruby Ashbourne Serkis. Additional cast members are listed, and the series’ premise is described as a family-centered whodunnit sparked by the suspicious death of businessman Jack Wright.

The article provides details about the BBC’s upcoming broadcast of the drama series I, Jack Wright, originally aired on U&Alibi. It outlines the premiere schedule, full cast list, and filming locations in London, Paris, and Hertfordshire. The six‑episode murder mystery, written by Chris Lang, follows the investigation into the suspicious death of businessman Jack Wright and the turmoil within his family.

BBC One is set to air the drama I, Jack Wright, a six‑part murder mystery written by Chris Lang and previously released on U&Alibi. The series, starring Nikki Amuka-Bird and John Simm, follows a wealthy family unraveling after the apparent suicide of patriarch Jack Wright. Viewers have praised the show as faultless and suspenseful, and it currently holds a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. BBC One will broadcast the first two episodes on July 12 at 9:15pm, with a second series already in production.

Channel 5 is re-airing the 2021 thriller Lie With Me, starring Charlie Brooks, Brett Tucker and Phoebe Roberts, with all four episodes broadcasting across consecutive nights. Filmed in Melbourne, the series follows a couple hiring a nanny whose presence leads to escalating tension, and it received strong viewer reviews during its original run. It also later streamed in the US under the title With Intent.

Channel 5 is rerunning its 2021 thriller mini‑series Lie With Me, starring Charlie Brooks and Brett Tucker, replacing last week’s rerun of Riptide. Created by Jason Herbison, the show earned strong viewer reviews for its twists and performances. Lie With Me airs again starting July 6 at 9pm.

Channel 5 is re-releasing the 2007 psychological thriller Meadowlands, retitled Cape Wrath, featuring David Morrissey, Lucy Cohu, Felicity Jones and Tom Hardy in an early role. The series follows the Brogan family in witness protection as they confront hidden dangers in a seemingly idyllic community. Filmed in Kent, the one‑season drama originally drew mixed reviews but developed a cult appeal, with some viewers comparing it to Twin Peaks and The Prisoner. All episodes will be available to stream on Channel 5 from July 2.

ITV is releasing season four of the acclaimed drama The Affair on ITVX on July 5, following the platform’s addition of the first three seasons in March. The series, originally aired on Showtime and starring Dominic West, Ruth Wilson, Maura Tierney and Joshua Jackson, explores the emotional and psychological fallout of an affair and the crime connecting the characters. Fans have praised the show’s writing, performances and storytelling, with some calling it the best TV drama ever. ITVX has acquired all five seasons, with the final season scheduled for release in 2027.

The article outlines the broadcast schedule for the four‑part psychological thriller Riptide as it returns to Channel 5, airing over consecutive nights from June 29 to July 2. It highlights the show's cast, premise, and its original 2022 release, noting its popularity and providing a synopsis for the second episode.

Jo Joyner returns to screens as the lead in Channel 5’s thriller Riptide, a four-part drama about a woman whose husband mysteriously disappears. The article highlights Joyner’s extensive television career and reveals details about her personal life, including her marriage to drama teacher and former actor Neil Madden. Joyner explains that filming in Australia offered a rare opportunity to reunite with extended family, which influenced her decision to take the role.

Cast members of the Channel 5 series Riptide highlight its filming locations across Melbourne and Victoria, praising the ocean‑side house and diverse local landscapes. Actors describe the challenging but striking weather conditions and speak warmly about their experiences filming in Australia. Some scenes were also shot at Network 10’s studios in Nunawading. The series returns to Channel 5 on June 29.

Channel 5 will rebroadcast the four-part psychological thriller Riptide starting June 29 at 9pm, with episodes airing on consecutive nights and available on My5. Originally shown in 2022, the series follows Alison Weston after her husband disappears during a morning surf. The article outlines the full cast, including Jo Joyner, Ciarán Griffiths, Peter O’Brien and David Berry, and confirms the episode count and viewing details.

BBC One is reairing Death in Paradise Series 11, episode 2, featuring DI Neville Parker and a range of guest stars. Tamzin Outhwaite, Jason Done, Oscar Morgan, Simon Lenagan and Faith Alabi appear in roles connected to a murder investigation at a family-run golf club. The article highlights each actor’s character and notable career roles, noting the episode’s original 2022 broadcast and renewed fan interest following cast changes in recent years.

Little Disasters, a six-part Channel 5 psychological thriller based on Sarah Vaughan’s novel, concludes with a finale revealing the truth behind baby Betsey’s injury. Despite strong viewer reception, no second season has been announced by Paramount+, as the story is adapted from a standalone novel. Diane Kruger noted she did not expect a continuation but would consider returning if presented with a compelling script.

The ending of the Channel 5 drama Little Disasters reveals that Rob accidentally caused Betsey’s injury after entering Jess’s home while she briefly left her children alone, leading to a police investigation and emotional strain on the friends involved. Frankie witnessed the incident and kept quiet due to Rob’s threats, contributing to Jess’s inconsistent account. The case is ultimately closed, and the families reunite without Rob. The adaptation differs from Sarah Vaughan’s novel, where Charlotte is responsible for the accident. Vaughan explained that producers changed the culprit due to concerns about plausibility in the book’s version.

Channel 4 has confirmed a second season of A Woman of Substance, starring Brenda Blethyn and Jessica Reynolds, following its status as the channel’s most‑watched drama in five years. Filming will begin in Yorkshire, continuing the story of Emma Harte through the 1920s and 1970s as she faces ambition, loss and family conflict. Key figures from Channel 4 and The Barbara Taylor Bradford Trust praised the drama’s success, with the new season set to include eight hour‑long episodes written by Katherine Jakeways and Roanne Bardsley.

ITV has added all four seasons of the Canadian legal drama Family Law to ITVX, following its final season’s Canadian release in early 2026. The series, starring Victor Garber and Jewel Staite, follows a dysfunctional family working together in a law firm and has received strong critical and audience ratings. Fans praised its emotional depth, character development and humour, expressing hope for additional episodes despite the series having concluded. All episodes are now available to stream for free on ITVX.

Viewers praise the second season of The Hardacres and call for Channel 5 to commission a third, though no renewal has been announced. The article highlights cast additions, plot developments for the upcoming finale, and strong fan engagement as the series concludes its season.

ITV is adding The Shannara Chronicles to ITVX on July 12, bringing both seasons of the fantasy series to the platform. Adapted from Terry Brooks’ Shannara novels, the show features a story set in the Four Lands after civilisation’s collapse and includes a notable cast led by Austin Butler. Despite its cancellation after two seasons, the series maintains strong fan approval, with reviewers praising its visuals, performances and faithfulness to the books.

Harlan Coben’s first true‑crime television series, Final Twist, arrives in full on ITVX after its initial CBS broadcast in the United States. The five‑episode series explores real murders and high‑profile cases using interviews and archival materials, marking a shift from Coben’s fictional adaptations, several of which continue to stream on Netflix. Renewed for a second season, the series debuts in the UK on June 16.

A six‑part ITV drama titled The Dark, adapted from GR Halliday’s crime novel From the Shadows, follows DI Monica Kennedy as she tracks a serial killer across Scotland. Starring Laura Donnelly and Mark Rowley, the series premieres in July after filming around Glasgow. ITV released a trailer and confirmed streaming on ITVX and STV Player, while the author and production team expressed enthusiasm for the adaptation.

Channel 5’s psychological thriller Little Disasters, adapted from Sarah Vaughan’s novel, began airing on June 14 with strong viewer reactions. The six‑episode series follows four mothers whose friendship unravels after a child’s unexplained injury triggers an investigation. The first three episodes air consecutively from June 14 to 16, with the final three airing from June 21 to 23. The drama explores strained relationships, unfolding secrets and escalating tensions as the truth behind the incident emerges.

Season six of the detective drama Grace introduces a new set of guest actors for the episode Capture You Dead. Alongside returning leads John Simm, Richie Campbell and Zoë Tapper, the episode features Peter De Jersey, Robert Lonsdale, Amir Wilson, Lucy Speed and Michelle Greenidge in key roles, with additional appearances from Rachelle Diedericks, Dylan Corbett-Bader and several other supporting actors. The series continues its Sunday broadcast on ITV.

Guest stars for Beyond Paradise season 4, episode 2 include Raquel Cassidy, Tristan Sturrock and Colin McFarlane, joining the main cast led by Kris Marshall and Sally Bretton. The article outlines the actors’ previous notable roles and introduces additional guest performers appearing in the episode, which airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Channel 5 will conclude season 3 of The Teacher on April 2 after its four‑episode run and will replace it with a new three‑part factual series, China with Ben Fogle, airing April 6–8. The broadcaster also announced an upcoming five‑part thriller, Missed Call, starring Joanna Scanlan and Robert Lindsay, set in a French village and centered on a mother searching for her missing daughter.

Victoria Hamilton stars in season 3 of Channel 5’s The Teacher while maintaining a long-established acting career that includes major roles in The Crown, Lark Rise to Candleford, Doctor Foster and Unforgotten. Her husband, actor Mark Bazeley, has also built a notable career, recently appearing in Netflix’s Run Away and BBC’s Riot Women, along with roles in Broadchurch, Home Fires and multiple films. The article highlights both actors’ extensive credits as The Teacher continues on Channel 5.

Season 3 of The Teacher has premiered on Channel 5 with Victoria Hamilton leading the cast. The four‑episode series airs across consecutive nights from March 30 to April 2 and is also available on My5. The story follows Helen Simpson as she becomes entangled in conflict with student Cressida Bancroft, uncovering troubling aspects of her past while facing mounting personal pressure.