BBC JANAURY SCHEDULE CONFIRMED, NEW AND RETURNING TITLES REVEALED AHEAD OF NEW YEAR

The BBC have confirmed its schedule for the first full week of January 2026, unveiling its January slate of programming.

JANUARY SCHEDULES CONFIRMED

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 The Traitors

Launches New Year's Day, continues 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 8th and 9th January

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

Launches New Year's Day and continues Sunday 4th January

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).

 Would I Lie To You

New series begins Friday 2nd January at 7:30pm

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

New series begins Friday 2nd January at 9:35pm

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

New series begins Monday 5th January at 8:30pm

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

New series begins Tuesday 6th January at 8pm

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

New series begins Tuesday 6th January at 9pm

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. 

 Black Ops

New series begins Thursday 8th January

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

New series begins Friday 9th January

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

New series begins Monday 5th January on BBC Two

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

New series begins Monday 5th January on BBC iPlayer

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

New series begins Wednesday 7th January on BBC Two

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