BBC FEBRUARY PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHTS, NEW AND RETURNING TITLES REVEALED

The new and returning programming airing across the BBC this February revealed.

THE APPRENTICE

The hit show returns for its landmark 20th series and to mark the occasion, there will be 20 candidates looking to impress Lord Sugar and secure his £250,000 investment in their business plan as well his priceless mentorship. And to kick things off in style, for the first time ever, Lord Sugar’s boardroom will move to Hong Kong after the candidates complete a task in one of the world’s most vibrant trading hubs.

DRAGONS' DEN

The BBC’s long-running hit returns for its 23rd series, with heavyweight investors Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman, and Steven Bartlett all back in the Den to strike deals and uncover the next big idea. Joining them this season is footballing icon and entrepreneur Gary Neville, alongside an exciting line-up of guest Dragons: music mogul and rapper Tinie Tempah, REFY CEO and serial entrepreneur Jenna Meek, and Tropic Skincare powerhouse Susie Ma.

MASTERCHEF: THE PROFESSIONALS

Matt Tebbutt is to be a judge for the next series of MasterChef: The Professionals alongside Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The three judges will also be joined by a variety of exciting guest judges in the first stage of the competition. With their own experience and food backgrounds helping to oversee the Skills Tests, the guest judge in each Heat will add another element of surprise for the professional chefs walking through the MasterChef kitchen doors for the very first time.

DEATH IN PARADISE

As DI Mervin Wilson (Don Gilet) continues to adjust to life in Saint Marie, he and the police team must face a myriad of baffling cases. 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. 

Returning Commissioner Selwyn Patterson (Don Warrington) confronts the impact of his recent period of absence, and after some tough love from old friend, Catherine Bordey (Elizabeth Bourgine), he’s determined to win back the trust of the island.

THE WALSH SISTERS

The series revolves around characters from five of the novels by Marian Keyes, one of the most successful Irish novelists of all time, including international bestsellers Rachel’s Holiday and Anybody Out There. Set in their Dublin hometown, The Walsh Sisters follows the lives of Anna, Rachel, Maggie, Claire and Helen as they navigate the peaks and troughs of their late 20s and 30s.

This is a sisterhood full of in-jokes, hand-me-down resentments and more than a few old wounds. But their DNA, history and shared love of power ballads keep the Walsh sisters together in the face of heartbreak, grief, addiction and parenthood.

SMALL PROPHETS

New comedy created, written and directed by BAFTA-winning Mackenzie Crook. The six-part series is a comic tale of eccentric Michael Sleep (Pearce Quigley) who, since his darling Clea disappeared seven years ago, has lived a very ordinary life. He eats Shreddies, works in a DIY store, visits dad Brian (Sir Michael Palin) and hopes for Clea to return.

That is just the way it is, until one day dad Brian shares an old recipe involving rainwater, horse manure and more than a little alchemy. With recipe in hand, Michael sets out (albeit with some scepticism) to create Homunculi - magical prophesying spirits that can predict the future - in the hope they have the answer to his burning question, ‘will I ever see Clea again?’.

DINOSAUR

Following the success of its debut season, the heartfelt and hilarious series will see the return of the original cast alongside Ashley, including Kat Ronney, David Carlyle, Lorn Macdonald, Danny Ashok, Sally Howitt, Greg Hemphill, Sabrina Sandhu, Ben Rufus Green, Jim Kitson and Martine Brown.

Joining the Dinosaur world for series two is a fresh new love interest for Nina, played by Hyoie O'Grady (Stay Close, Sherlock & Daughter). This new arrival promises to shake things up and bring even more laughs – and surprises – to Nina’s already eventful world.

THE BAFTA FILM AWARDS

After hosting the 2025 BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises for the first time, Alan Cumming will helm the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards. Taking place once again at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall in London, the ceremony is one of the biggest nights celebrating the year’s best films and the remarkable talent on and off screen who bring them to life.

Transmission details will be announced in due course.