BBC DRAMA AND COMEDY AUTUMN PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHTS REVEALED

The new and returning drama and comedy titles airing this Autumn on the BBC revealed.

The Night Manager

Series 2

Tom Hiddleston (Loki, The Essex Serpent) will reprise his iconic role as Jonathan Pine. The Night Manager will once again be written by series creator David Farr. BAFTA winner Georgi Banks-Davies (I Hate Suzie, Paper Girls) is attached to direct all six episodes of series two. Stephen Garrett will return to lead the production of the series. Hugh Laurie (All The Light We Cannot See, VEEP) will be an executive producer on the upcoming series.

Riot Women

New Series

From Sally Wainwright, we dive headfirst into the world of five women who come together to create a makeshift punk-rock band in order to enter a local talent contest but, in writing their first original song, soon discover that they have a lot to say - and this is their way to say it.

As they juggle demanding jobs, grown-up children, complicated parents, husbands who’ve buggered off, and disastrous dates and relationships, the band becomes a catalyst for change in their lives, and it’s going to make them question everything.

Wild Cherry

New Series

Meet Lorna (Carmen Ejogo), a self-made, successful, mixed black businesswoman from North West London who has worked hard to be where she is – and best friend Juliet (Eve Best), a woman born into the privileged gated community they both call home. Daughters Grace (Imogen Faires) and Allegra (Amelia May) are BFFs and live a life other teenagers can only dream of. A safe haven for the superrich and their little darlings, Richford Lake is a place where bad things never happen…

The Guest

New Series

The Guest (4x60) is an addictive, fast-paced story that centres on the toxic and beguiling relationship between a successful business owner, Fran, and her employee, Ria. Ria has never had the time or opportunity to think about what she might actually want from the world. So, when she starts cleaning for Fran, she’s intoxicated by this confident and self-assured woman who encourages her to take control of her life and, when Ria flourishes, an intense friendship is forged.

We Go Again

New Series

We Go Again is an irreverent portrait of black working-class teenage life. A coming-of-age story of sorts. The first times, the f*ck-ups, and the excruciating desire to be more grown up than you’re ready to be. It’s a celebration of black joy, of council estates, and corner shops. Of working-class living and working-class dreams. It is human and tender, with a thumping great heart.

Lynley

New Series

Tommy Lynley is a brilliant police detective but an outsider in the force – simply by virtue of his aristocratic upbringing. He is paired with Barbara Havers, a sergeant with a maverick attitude and a working-class background. With seemingly nothing in common and against all odds, the mismatched duo of Lynley and Havers become a formidable team, bonded by their desire to see justice done.

Shetland

Series 10

Originally based on award-winning novels by crime writer Ann Cleeves, the new series sees Calder and Tosh travel to the isolated hamlet of Lunniswick to investigate the sinister killing of an elderly woman. The team discover that the body of the retired social worker has been out in the elements for a number of days. The case will see Tosh and Calder excavate the victim’s life, past and present, as well as the lives of those who knew her. They soon begin to uncover dark secrets and terrible deeds at the heart of this closeknit community.

Waterloo Road

Series 16

Jon Richardson joins Lindsey Coulson, who will continue in her role as Dame Stella Drake, Waterloo Road’s new head, and Jason Merrells, who reprised his role as Jack Rimmer as a guest in the most recent series and will return as a regular main cast member in the next series.

King And Conqueror

New Series

King & Conqueror is the story of a clash that defined the future of a country – and a continent – for a thousand years, the roots of which stretch back decades and extend out through a pair of interconnected family dynasties, struggling for power across two countries and a raging sea. Harold of Wessex and William of Normandy were two men destined to meet at the Battle of Hastings in 1066; two allies with no design on the British throne, who found themselves forced by circumstance and personal obsession into a war for possession of its crown.

Film Club

New Series

Every Thursday. 9pm. Tom and Evie watch a film together in her garage. Evie lovingly decorates the space to match the film of the week - from a yellow brick road for The Wizard of Oz to a space craft for Alien. It's magical. They’re there for the love of the movies. Or at least, that’s what they tell themselves.

In reality, Tom is madly in love with Evie. What he doesn’t know is that Evie is in love with him too. But when Tom accepts a job at the other end of the country, their happily ever after comes under threat. He's leaving in six weeks. That means Evie has six film clubs left to tell Tom how she feels, or risk losing him forever.

How Are You? with Alan Partridge

New Series

In his new documentary series - ‘And Did Those Feet… with Alan Partridge’ - we follow the beloved and, to be fair, revered broadcaster as he reintegrates into life in Britain after a year working in Saudi Arabia. But what begins as a documentary about homecoming soon morphs into something more personal as Alan realises that the happiness he thought he’d feel at being back in Norwich just hasn’t materialised. Something’s missing.

We follow Alan as he sets off on a quest to understand his funk and to share what he learns with the nation. And if he ends up being seen as a mental health champion for the middle-aged, who’s also a good fit to present other issues-led documentary strands, so be it.

The War Between The Land And The Sea

New Series

When a fearsome and ancient species emerges from the ocean, dramatically revealing themselves to humanity, an international crisis is triggered. With the entire population at risk, UNIT step into action as the land and sea wage war.

We Might Regret This

Series 2

Tensions rise as they navigate the high-stress world of wedding prep, further complicated by Freya’s agents, The Olivias (Emma Sidi and Hanako Footman), who enlist the couple in a wedding-themed content creation campaign focused on disability inclusion.

Abe is also forced to confront his complicated history with Jo (Elena Saurel), as well as his own trust issues, after unexpectedly finding Jo and Freya together. As Freya and Jo’s connection rekindles, it becomes clear that Abe will need to come to terms with the past—and find a way to at least accept, if not fully embrace, the person who plays such a vital role in Freya’s life and wellbeing.

Transmission details will be announced in due course.