Top Five Must-Watch BBC TV Series of 2026

BBC series may be less likely to become instant smash hits than Netflix, HBO or Disney productions, but the network’s projects keep delivering stellar acting, compelling stories and sharp wit.

In 2026, the BBC will release a fresh batch of shows to tempt fans of various genres, from thrillers and espionage stories to period pieces and comedies. Beloved stars such as Tom Hiddleston and Kit Harrington will once again appear on the small screen, spreading their particular brand of British charm all over the world.

Here are five BBC series worth looking out for in the coming year.

Don’t forget, you can watch any of these shows on BBC iPlayer once they’ve aired. If you’re outside of the country, that’s not a problem. We’ve got a step-by-step guide to watching iPlayer from the US and other countries.

The Night Manager (Season 2)

Releases: 1 January 2026

In 2016, Tom Hiddleston was at the top of his game. After playing Loki in the MCU, a vampire in Jim Jarmusch’s Only Lovers Left Alive, and a gothic villain in Guillermo del Toro’s Crimson Peak, it was speculated that he could become the next James Bond. He did indeed play a spy – but one from the imagination of John le Carré, not Ian Fleming.

Although The Night Manager is low-key compared to the wild adventures of 007, it has a certain Bond-like charm. While Slow Horses offers a more down-to-earth, often grotesque take on spies and spy craft, The Night Manager features bold crimes, big money, beautiful women, and glamorous locations.

Despite the appreciation from viewers and critics alike, it took 10 years for the series to return for season 2. Le Carré, who died in 2020, didn’t write a sequel to his book, so the new episodes are based entirely on the work of screenwriter David Farr. This time, Hiddleston’s Jonathan Pine, now living as Matthew Ellis, sets off to Colombia to take down the successor to Richard Roper’s arms-dealing empire.

Where to watch

UK: BBC iPlayer / BBC One
US: Amazon Prime Video

A Tale of Two Cities

Releases: 2026

If you’re wondering what Kit Harrington has been up to these days (apart from hanging around as an entitled aristocrat/tech bro in the brilliant Industry, which is also returning to the BBC this January), here’s the answer: he’s about to do a far, far better thing than he has ever done.

Set over 20 years, A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens explores the brutal realities of 18th-century London and Paris, covering the outbreak of the French Revolution. In the BBC series based on the novel, Harrington stars as Sydney Carton, a hard-drinking, cynical lawyer caught in a love triangle with the beautiful Lucie Manette and reformed aristocrat Charles Darnay.

It’s been some time since the last adaptation of A Tale of Two Cities, so I hope for a brave vision that delivers dazzling acting, moving drama and gorgeous costumes. Plus, of course, class conflict, rebellion and everything related to the French Revolution – one of the most fascinating periods in European history, but relatively rarely explored by cinema and television.

Where to watch

UK: BBC iPlayer / BBC One
US: MGM+

Honey

Releases: 2026

If, like me, you think that the best spy stories are slow burners, resembling a chess match rather than an MMA fight, Honey may be your cup of tea.

BBC

The series takes you to East Berlin in the early 1980s, where the MI6 agent Marta is undercover. The young spy, surrounded by enemies, finds herself caught in a love triangle with the cunning Friedrich Bauman, the new Head of Counter Espionage for the Stasi, and the arrogant CIA agent, Aaron Neeland.

The mind behind the series is Emma Moran, creator of Extraordinary, a wild comedic series with an unusual take on the superhero genre. So, in Honey, you should expect to find not only a violent espionage story, but also crazy plot twists, rude humour and – according to Moran – a steamy love story.

Where to watch

UK: BBC iPlayer / BBC One
US: TBC

Half Man

Releases: 2026

In 2024, Baby Reindeer was a smash, unexpected hit on Netflix, exploring themes of stalking and sexual violence towards men. Two years later, Richard Gadd, the mind behind Baby Reindeer, makes a comeback with a new series where he shares the screen with Jamie Bell.

Set in the vibrant city of Glasgow, the show revolves around two siblings, Ruben (played by Gadd) and Niall (portrayed by Bell), who reconnect after a long separation at the latter’s wedding. The reunion and the ensuing outburst of emotions mark the beginning of a narrative that delves into the brothers’ history, tracing back to the 1980s.

Apart from the captivating performances by Gadd and Bell, the series guarantees a rollercoaster of emotions and a profound exploration of Glasgow’s evolution over four decades.

Where to watch:

UK: Available on BBC iPlayer and BBC One
US: Stream on HBO Max

The Other Bennet Sister

Scheduled for release in 2026, this adaptation breathes new life into Jane Austen’s timeless classics. While Netflix prepares to unveil a fresh take on Pride and Prejudice, the BBC is gearing up for a retelling of this beloved tale.

“The Other Bennet Sister” is based on Janice Hadlow’s novel, which shines a spotlight on Mary, the most reserved and perhaps least favored Bennet sister. Traditionally depicted as a plain and scholarly spinster in Austen’s work, Mary’s character undergoes a transformation in Hadlow’s narrative.

The upcoming series offers a unique perspective by recounting the events of Pride and Prejudice through Mary’s eyes. Following Lizzie and Darcy’s wedding, Mary embarks on a journey of her own, leaving her familiar surroundings to work as a governess in the Gardiner household.

Where to watch:

UK: Available on BBC iPlayer and BBC One
US: Stream on BritBox

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