PICKS OF THE MONTH: FEBRUARY 2026, WHAT TO WATCH THIS MONTH

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.

 BRITAIN'S GOT TALENT

Ant & Dec will lead the nation through a new round of unforgettable auditions as performers showcase their talents in the hope of reaching the live semi-finals, and winning over the four individual judges: Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, and returning judge KSI.

 CELEBRITY SABOTAGE

Joel Dommett, Judi Love, Sam Thompson and GK Barry - alongside a whole host of celebrities - get ready to shock the nation in a brand-new ITV entertainment reality game show. Celebrity Sabotage is a new entertainment reality game show that will see Joel, Judi, Sam and GK team up to playfully sabotage unsuspecting con testants.

Their mission? To complete daring and funny stunts in order to win a secret cash prize for the participants! Each week our gang of celebrity saboteurs will be joined by a new guest sab oteur including Jill Scott MBE, Fay Ripley, Olivia Attwood, Jo Brand, Guz Khan and Harry Redknapp who will join in on all the action and cause even more mischief and mayhem.

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 chefwalking through the MasterChef kitchen doors for the very first time.

 THE SUMMIT

Hosted by Ben Shephard, 14 strangers from all walks of life will face the daunting challenge of climbing a mountain in the breathtaking, rugged Alps of New Zealand’s South Island. They will also face the ultimate test of strategy and resilience as they compete for a share of a potential £200,000 cash prize.

With 14 days to reach the summit, and an equal share of the prize fund in their backpacks, the contestants will have to navigate treacherous terrain, wild conditions and overcome extraordinary challenges - set by the mysterious Mountain’s Keeper – that block their path to the peak.

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.

 THE JONATHAN ROSS SHOW

The Jonathan Ross Show returns to ITV with another stellar line-up of celebrity guests ready to delve into the hottest news in movies, music, sports, comedy and the wider world of entertainment. Back for its 23rd series, each episode brings a captivating blend of exclusive behind-the-scenes stories, shock revelations and laugh-out-loud anecdotes.

 BETRAYAL

The four-part series is set against the backdrop of MI5, and explores the fragile, tangled web of human relationships, where loyalty and deception collide. At the heart of the story is John Hughes (Shaun Evans), a mid-career MI5 officer navigating a rapidly evolving intelligence landscape while struggling to keep his personal life intact.

Acting on a hunch, John meets a British-Iranian man with links to the Stockport gangland who claims to have intelligence about an imminent plot on UK soil. When the encounter takes an unexpected turn, John finds himself under internal investigation, facing scrutiny from his superiors, including Simone Grant (Nikki Amuka-Bird), while his partner Claire (Romola Garai) grapples with the secrecy that defines his world.

 THE LADY

To be confirmed

The compelling story of the Duchess of York’s former aide and convicted murderer, Jane Andrews, has been commissioned as a four-part drama, entitled The Lady. Based upon true events surrounding Andrews’ story, the partly fictionalised drama will be produced by multi award-winning independent production company, Left Bank Pictures, a Sony Pictures Television Company, producers of the acclaimed series The Crown.

SECRET GENIUS

This six-part series will see people from each of the four regions of the UK come to take part in immersive and ambitious challenges that will test all aspects of their brain power. Celebrating all things cerebral, Alan Carr and Susie Dent will explain the tasks and games -no matter how complex and mind-bending- and encourage viewers to play along and find out if they too have what it takes to be a genius. 

 GOGGLEBOX

From the Saturday night juggernauts and the week’s big soaps, to documentaries and gritty drama, the Gogglebox households offer witty, insightful, feisty and sometimes emotional critiques of the week’s popular and topical TV shows. Their reviews could also be interrupted by breaking news stories and controversial TV events – subjects the outspoken households certainly won’t be shying away from.

 THE LAST LEG

The show sees the return of the all-encompassing question: Is It Ok? Viewers at home and the live studio audience will be encouraged to ask this question about anything from the week, without fear of judgement. Once again, the three hosts will attempt to step into the minefield of sometimes difficult and delicate areas and answer the questions with their own unique insight.

Transmission details will be announced in due course.