BBC JANUARY 2026 PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHTS, NEW AND RETURNING TITLES REVEALED

The BBC have revealed their January 2026 programming highlights.

 The Traitors

Claudia Winkleman hosts the ultimate reality game of trust and treachery with new twists and new players. Time to take to the edge of your seat once more as 22 people from across the UK descend on a Scottish castle to win up to £120k. Let the mind games begin.

 The Night Manager

Jonathan Pine (Tom Hiddleston) thought he’d buried his past. Now living as Alex Goodwin - a low-level MI6 officer running a quiet surveillance unit in London - his life is comfortingly uneventful. Then one night a chance sighting of an old Roper mercenary prompts a call to action and leads Pine to a violent encounter with a new player: Colombian businessman Teddy Dos Santos (Diego Calva).

 Gladiators

The wait is over, Gladiators is back tougher. Bradley and Barney Walsh kick off a brand-new series of the iconic competition which sees the return of Sabre, Legend, Nitro, Diamond, Phantom, Athena, Cyclone, Hammer, Bionic, Fire, Giant, Dynamite, Viper, Electro, Apollo, Comet, Steel and Fury as they face a fresh crop of gritty Contenders in five brutal events before going head-to-head in the gruelling Eliminator.

 Michael McIntyre's Big Show

Expect more big laughs, big stars and big surprises as Michael McIntyre’s Big Show returns to BBC One and iPlayer for its ninth series. Filmed in front of a live audience, the entertainment extravaganza will be packed with superstar guests, incredible musical performances and a few extra surprises.

 Would I Lie To You

Rob Brydon is back in the host’s chair for the award-winning comedy panel show, with Lee Mack and David Mitchell returning as the lightning-quick team captains.

Each week, a stellar cast of celebrity guests reveal extraordinary stories about themselves. But are they telling the truth, or are they making it all up

 Amanda & Alan's Greek Job

Besties Amanda Holden and Alan Carr have packed their boiler suits once again, raring to spend a summer on the idyllic Ionian island of Corfu. Having bagged a slightly smaller property this time, they have high hopes for an easier ride, but their dreams of lounging by the beach are soon shattered as they discover a big fat Greek renovation lies ahead.

 Lynley

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.

 Inside The Factory

Paddy is joining fellow presenters Cherry Healey and historian Ruth Goodman for this tenth run of the series. They explore the science and innovation behind some of the products, and uncover some incredible hidden stories behind their invention.

 Waterloo Road

When the school experiences a teacher shortage in the next series, Miss Haydock is called in as a supply teacher. Although teaching may still not be her strong suit, Steph knows exactly how to handle the chaos. 

 Can You Keep A Secret

Dawn French plays widow Debbie Fendon - granny, lawn bowler, tinpot dictator - who will stop at nothing to make sure her family’s protected. Unfortunately, most of the time the person they really need protecting from is her. When her hermit-like husband William (Mark Heap - Friday Night Dinner, Green Wing) unexpectedly dies, she makes an outlandish decision that will put the family under more pressure than ever before.

Because Debbie isn’t actually a widow and William didn’t really die – he was just mistakenly declared dead and the two retirees found themselves staring down the barrel of an opportunity too good to pass up. Just a few months hiding out in the loft waiting for the life insurance to pay out and then they can live out their golden years in peace.

 Black Ops

Series two kicks off with Dom and Kay now working for MI5. They may be in the world of espionage, but their jobs are decidedly unglamorous – not everyone can be James Bond, someone has to do the admin. All that changes when Dom meets a charismatic spy called Steve, offering the promise of more exciting, classified work. Dom and Kay soon find themselves embroiled in an escapade that tests their wits, their friendship, and their love of carnival to the limits. 

 Father Brown

Following the jubilant wedding celebrations at the end of series 12, the new Mr and Mrs Sullivan settle into married life and a new home, with Isabel thrilled to be welcomed into the Policeman’s Wives Society. Meanwhile, Brenda goes on a journey of self-empowerment as she covers the role of Parish Secretary and learns to drive with the help of Sergeant Goodfellow.

 Lucy Worsley Victorian Murder Club

In this gripping new historical crime series, Lucy Worsley takes on the case of a forgotten Victorian serial killer who was never caught.  Dubbed the Thames Torso Murderer, and operating at the same time as Jack the Ripper, this killer’s hallmark was to dismember the bodies of his female victims and scatter the body parts in and near London’s Thames River.

 Banjo & Ro's Grand Island Hotel

Banjo Beale and husband Ro take on their biggest design project – turning a derelict mansion on the remote Isle of Ulva in Scotland into a stunning boutique hotel. Together, Banjo and Ro hope to transform the fortunes of the crumbling house and the island community.

 Digging For Britain

During six exciting episodes, Professor Alice Roberts and her team of experts uncover some of the most remarkable finds the series has ever featured.