STILL TO COME THIS YEAR IN DRAMA, NEW AND RETURNING TITLES REVEALED

A look at the new and returning drama titles set to air later this year.

 SHETLAND

Alison O’Donnell is bidding farewell to Shetland, the BBC’s acclaimed murder mystery drama. A Silverprint Pictures production, the new series is currently filming in Scotland and will air on BBC iPlayer and BBC One later this year.Alison’s final storyline is part of a thrilling new six-part series of Shetland which centres around an historic murder which will forever change the lives of all those connected in the present day.

 LUDWIG

Picking up from the end of series one, master puzzle-setter John ‘Ludwig’ Taylor (David Mitchell) is now a Crime Scene Consultant, working alongside DCI Russell Carter (Dipo Ola), on ‘impossible’ crimes for the Cambridge Police Authority. No longer having to masquerade as his brother, he’s openly more ‘Ludwig’ than ever - brilliant at solving puzzles but hopeless at everything else.

 RETURN TO PARADISE

DS Mackenzie Clarke (Anna Samson) is back, fresh from having wrecked another of Glenn’s (Tai Hara) weddings and determined never to follow her heart again.

But ignoring her heart won’t be easy.

The arrival of her force-of-nature mother Jillian (Kerry Armstrong) puts Mack's mettle to the ultimate test and there's something undeniable about the raffish charm of the new pathologist Leo (Jacob Collins). And as for Glenn, who has gone away to ‘find himself’, well that's a whole other puzzle for Mack to try and solve ...

 THIS CITY IS OURS

Picking up from where things were left at the end of series one, Michael and Diana have barely arrived in Spain when they are dragged back into the fold to answer questions around Ricardo’s death. Back in Liverpool, tensions continue to bubble amongst the remaining members of the gang. Meanwhile, an old school gangster from Ronnie's era, recently out of prison, wants compensation from the firm.

 ENDLESS NIGHT

It’s 1967 and man-of-many-trades Michael Rogers finds himself working as chauffeur for the enigmatic designer du jour Rudolf Santonix, snatching a glimpse into a glamorous world of outrageous wealth that's far from his own upbringing. Transfixed by Santonix’s latest project, a beautiful house in the English countryside, Mike dreams of meeting the love of his life and taking up residence.

But unbeknownst to Mike, the house that he has set his heart on has a dark past that goes back for centuries. Local legend says that it is haunted by a curse that no one escapes.

 STRIKE

When Sir Colin and Sally Edensor approach Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott, they are desperate to reconnect with their estranged son, Will. The Edensors enlist the detectives to gather evidence to discredit the Universal Humanitarian Church, a religious cult who have indoctrinated Will and siphoned off his trust fund.

Led by the charismatic Jonathan Wace, the church is shielded by a charitable façade, celebrity backers and aggressive lawyers who have silenced critics. To investigate allegations of ill-treatment and abuse, Robin goes undercover at the cult’s secluded Norfolk headquarters, Chapman Farm. At the centre of the church’s twisted mythology is the story of the Drowned Prophet, Daiyu, believed to be divinely reincarnated.

 A TALE OF TWO CITIES

London, 1782. Tensions run high in the war between France and Britain. A young woman, Lucie Manette (Mirren Mack) has her life upended when she receives a message from Paris - her father, assumed dead for almost 20 years, may be alive. The messenger - idealistic French emigré, Charles Darnay (François Civil) - is arrested and charged with treason. Lucie enlists the help of a brilliant but erratic young lawyer, Sydney Carton (Kit Harington), to free Darnay in the hope he will lead her to Paris to track down her father. Lucie’s collision with Darnay and Carton unleashes a powerful and complex love triangle.

 TIME

Set within a Young Offenders Institution, the series will explore the impact of locking up teenagers and the effects on those who look after them. Prison Chaplain Marie-Louise comes to the YOI having lost her faith. When tragedy strikes within the prison, Marie-Louise clashes with veteran officer Bailey, a man in the midst of his own crisis. Bailey knows more about the circumstances that led to this major incident – but will he come clean before the guilt gets too much?

 VIGIL

Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie return as DCI Amy Silva and DI Kirsten Longacre. Their new case takes them to a remote Arctic research station, where a member of a covert British special forces mission has been shot dead. Amy and Kirsten will need to catch the killer and diffuse a potential international confrontation, driven by a land-grab for energy and resources in the changing polar climate, with both their careers and relationship on the line.

 SHERWOOD

Six months on, the third series of Sherwood sees a new family at its heart. The Wood family is the picture of working-class respectability – pillars of the community, volunteers at the local church, with Zoe Wood (Craig), in particular, a passionate campaigner on behalf of her town. Husband Alex Wood (Dempsie) is overseeing construction of the new Gotham housing estate which is being built in the shadows of Sherwood Forest, and where they live with their kids and Zoe’s parents, Irene and Eric Bostall (Johnston and Wight), as the estate’s first residents.

 TRIGGER POINT

Trigger Point returns for a fourth series, starring Vicky McClure who will reprise her role as EXPO Lana Washington. Produced by Jed Mercurio’s HTM Television, the series follows the success of series three that received a special honour when Her Majesty The Queen visited the Trigger Point set and met with the team to mark the start of ITV’s 70th year celebrations last year.

 THE DARK

When the body of a young man is found eerily staged in the idyllic Scottish wilderness, detective Monica Kennedy fears this is just the beginning of a terrifying campaign that will strike the heart of a rural community. As paranoia rises, suspicions and secrets are forced into the light, and the locals start to realise that there is a serial killer hidden amongst them.

With her experience of dealing with the darkest of humanity Monica Kennedy quickly becomes entangled in a heightened game of cat and mouse with a cunning killer. Only she can stop this monster before he claims any more victims. But when her own history creeps up on her, she begins to lose trust in her own judgement. Will it be her own actions that are the biggest risk to herself and her family?

 VAN DER VALK

The return of Van Der Valk sees the Dutch detective and his team solving three more homicides in the city. In the first episode the death of a whistleblower under police protection prior to a court hearing means Van Der Valk and his team are called in to make sure the second witness makes it to court. The situation is complicated by the fact that the protection officer in charge of the first victim is Kalie Tenkers, a former flame of Piet’s. Fair to say there is no love lost between the two, especially when he suggests she might have been involved in the killing…

 PROFESSOR T

Six months on from season three’s devastating finale, dark clouds loom over the team. Consumed by grief, Dan dives headfirst into his work under the supervision of DCI Goswami who struggles to maintain order. The Professor takes up a very unexpected new hobby: avoiding the police at all costs. Dr Helena Goldberg intervenes to help but soon begins to question her own integrity as his therapist.

 THE BLAME

The Blame is centred around DI Emma Crane and DI Tom Radley investigating a tragic murder in the fictional town of Wakestead. They quickly identify their main suspect, but as the case progresses, an unexpected lead comes to light. As Emma and Tom dig deeper, they uncover a web of lies, institutional cover-ups and moral compromise, which forces Emma to question the people closest to her. Part propulsive mystery, part social commentary, part love story, The Blame will tackle big questions around policing and will take an unflinching look at who we can really trust.

 ADULTERY

The provocative love story raises questions about class, grief, and the effects of social media, as it takes the viewer on a rollercoaster story of passion, parenthood and peril, as Tom Kirkman and Beth Brookes embark upon a passionate and intense love affair that threatens to uproot their whole lives. Adultery is naturally authentic and bristling with passion as it focuses upon two ordinary families and messy complications.

 THE PARTY

Raised alone by his working-class mum, Sylvia, played by BAFTA award winning Joanna Scanlan (After Love, Riot Women) Martin wins a scholarship to an elite boarding school, where he first meets Ben. They forge an unbreakable bond, as Ben and the Fitzmaurice’s give Martin the sense of belonging he has always craved. In turn, Martin remains unflinchingly loyal to Ben through even the greatest crises.

Three decades on, Martin is invited to Ben’s lavish birthday party at the Fitzmaurice’s country pile. The news of the Conservative leader’s resignation threatens to derail Ben’s party, as he considers announcing his intention to stand. Martin fears the publicity that Ben’s bid would bring, dredging up the secrets of their past with tragic consequences …

 WINTER

Set in Bristol, the series follows Dr Ethan Winter, one of the most gifted pathologists of his generation, whose exceptional analytical ability and instinct for reading victims make him an invaluable asset to murder investigations. His unorthodox, rule-breaking methods bring him into partnership with DI Lauren Bell (Annabel Scholey – The Sixth Commandment, Rivals, The Split), a meticulous and driven detective. Together, they form a formidable team, combining forensic insight with sharp investigative work to solve complex cases.

THE ONLY SUSPECT

Set in a leafy London suburb, The Only Suspect follows Alex and Beth, a devoted middle-aged couple whose picture-perfect suburban life hides a devastating truth. Moving between the present day and mid-90s Camden - at the height of Cool Britannia - the story opens during the sweltering summer of 1995, when a young man buries a body during a violent storm. Who the victim is, or why they were killed, is a mystery that tantalisingly threads through the narrative as past and present collide.

 ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL

All Creatures Great and Small remains 5’s most successful drama series to date, having reached over 14 million individuals across the first 5 series, and it continues to be the top programme across the channel year after year. 

 FOREVER HOME

An adaptation of the best-selling novel of the same name by award-winning broadcaster, comedian, writer and actor Graham Norton. The six-part series follows the story of a second wife dealing with the memories of the woman who went before her.

When Carol discovers a long-dead body hidden in the basement of her home, the horrific realization is undeniable – she's living with a killer. The story that her husband's first wife ran away never to be seen again now looks like a lie, and the fact he’s insisted on never selling the house suddenly makes sense. But one dark family secret is soon to be replaced by another…

 PLAY FOR TODAY

Each drama will feature familiar faces and deliver a distinctive, unexpected story, exploring a wide range of themes including pressing societal issues.

 THE GAME

In the first series, former detective Huw (Watkins) settles into retirement alongside his wife Alice (Sarker) but never far from his mind is the case he failed to solve – The Ripton Stalker. And when new neighbour, Patrick (Green) moves in and utters the chilling phrase ‘catch you later’ – the sign off the stalker used to taunt Huw, he’s determined he’s finally got his man.

 THE HEIGHTS

Ellen, played by Anna Friel (Marcella, Broken) is happily living in London, a working mum, devoted to her family and fiercely protective of her children. But when her teenage son Lucas, played by newcomer Kit Redding, brings new friend Kieran, played by Conrad Khan (County Lines, Peaky Blinders) home, cracks began to appear in Ellen’s family life. Kieran is rude, reckless and manipulative – leading Lucas astray, wasting his promise.

As Lucas falls deeper under Kieran’s influence, Ellen becomes increasingly desperate to protect him — but a devastating tragedy leaves her consumed by grief, rage and a growing obsession with the truth. Jumping between the past and present day, family secrets and lies unravel in this thrilling new series.

 THE FORSYTES

Series 2 is coming soon to 5 with actors Richard Rankin (Outlander, Rebus), Sarah Alexander (Pennyworth, Jonathan Creek) and Nia Ashi (Bob Marley: One Love) joining the cast which includes Danny Griffin as Jo Forsyte, Tuppence Middleton and Frances Forsyte, Eleanor Tomlinson as Louisa Byrne, Joshua Orpin as Soames Forsyte, Millie Gibson as Irene Forsyte, Francesca Annis as Ann Forsyte, Stephen Moyer as Jolyon Forsyte Sr. and Jack Davenport as James Forsyte. 

 DEATH IN BENIDORM

BAFTA nominated actor John Hannah (The Last of Us, Black Mirror, Four Weddings and a Funeral) stars as Dennis who has swapped the chaos of the UK for a quieter life running a bar in Benidorm. But when tourists start turning up dead, he’s reluctantly drawn back into detective work- egged on by his barmaid Rosa, a crime drama superfan.

With Dennis’s real-world experience and Rosa’s encyclopaedic TV knowledge, each episode sees the duo tackling a new murder in paradise, whilst trying to remain on the right side of the local Spanish cops. Further roles casted include Carolina Bécquer as Rosa, Ariadna Cabrol as Maria and Damian Schedler Cruz as Jesús.

Transmission details will be announced in due course.