‘The Night Manager,’ ‘Doctor Who’ and 26 More BBC Shows Airing in 2025

As a long-time enthusiast of British television, I must say that the upcoming lineup for 2025 is nothing short of a dream come true! The richness and diversity of these shows, from the thrilling mysteries to the heartwarming dramas, promise an exciting journey through the lives of characters that feel as real as our own neighbors.

2025 looks stacked with gaming goodness for me! BBC’s just dropped a sneak peek at their TV lineup, giving us gamers a tantalizing taste of what’s to come!

Next year, a lineup of 28 shows is set to debut, featuring some fresh offerings as well as some recurring favorites. Among them, Tom Hiddleston’s return in The Night Manager, Ncuti Gatwa gracing the screens for the 15th installment of Doctor Who, a period drama based on Jane Austen’s works starring Keeley Hawes and Rose Leslie, and the second season of SAS Rogue Heroes, picking up from where the first season left off with its nail-biting cliffhanger.

Among the offerings is a show about the Pan Am flight bombing in Lockerbie, Scotland, along with a fresh take on an Agatha Christie mystery and the most recent work by BAFTA-winning Sally Wainwright.

Peruse the following list from The Hollywood Reporter, which features 28 TV series set to air on the BBC in the coming year. At this time, specific launch dates for each show remain undisclosed.

SAS Rogue Heroes (Season 2)

Produced by Steven Knight (known for Peaky Blinders) under Kudos, a Banijay U.K. company, the second season finds us reunited with the troops in the spring of 1943. After David Stirling’s (portrayed by Connor Swindells) capture, Paddy Mayne assumes command of the SAS. As focus shifts from the North African struggle to mainland Europe, there are doubts about the regiment’s future due to GHQ’s decisions. Matters become more complicated with the arrival of a second unit and fresh recruits, making life tough for the soldiers.

Starting from 6 a.m. London time on January 1st, all episodes on BBC iPlayer are accessible, and starting from 9 p.m., they can be found on BBC One. In the U.S., the second season of SAS Rogue Heroes will be streamable on Amazon Prime Video.

Miss Austen

In a creative twist, the story by Miss Austen revolves around the enigma of literary history, when Cassandra Austen infamously destroyed Jane Austen’s letters. This tale is then reshaped into an engaging and poignant narrative about sisterly affection, introducing Cassandra as a fresh Austen protagonist. Starring Keeley Hawes, Rose Leslie, Alfred Enoch, and others.

Coming to BBC iPlayer, BBC One and in the U.S. on Masterpiece in May 2025.

King and Conqueror

Experiencing the gripping tale of King and Conqueror, I find myself immersed in the fateful encounter that shaped the course of a nation and a continent for an entire millennium. As James Norton portrays Harold of Wessex, and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau embodies William of Normandy, we witness two individuals, initially with no ambition for the British throne, who are thrust into a conflict over its possession due to unforeseen circumstances and personal passion.

King and Conqueror will be available to watch on CBS in the U.S.

Towards Zero

Catching a peek at myself as Lady Tressilian, alongside Matthew Rhys’ Inspector Leach and tennis sensation Nevile Strange, portrayed by Oliver Jackson-Cohen, in the first glimpses of Agatha Christie’s Towards Zero. Here we are with the two women who share his life – ex-wife Audrey (Ella Lily Hyland) and new love interest Kay (Mimi Keene), as we indulge in coastal vistas, heated summer gatherings, and a thrilling visit to Wimbledon Centre Court.

Amidst lingering issues from their past romantic relationship, complicated by Neville’s recent marriage, emotions are running heated. To make matters even more complex, there’s a long-standing companion for an elderly lady, a secretive butler to a wealthy man, a disgruntled cousin in exile, a senior family attorney, a curious orphan, and a cunning French impostor. All these elements create a toxic atmosphere that seems destined for violence. A weary detective must rekindle his drive to unravel the intricate knot of jealousy, dishonesty, and dysfunction. Will he manage to crack the case before another life is claimed?

Towards Zero will air on the BBC and Britbox.

Virdee

In a chilling turn of events, when a murderer abducts the beloved son of a city’s police chief and threatens the peace of the entire metropolis, Harry (Staz Nair) finds himself in a precarious situation. He recognizes that he might require the assistance of his brother-in-law Riaz (Vikash Bhai), a powerful drug lord who controls the largest cartel within the county. Forged by necessity into an unholy alliance, Harry is faced with a difficult decision: prioritize self and family or uphold the safety of the city. It’s impossible to accomplish both.

Coming to BBC iPlayer and BBC One early 2025.

The Gold (Season 2)

After some individuals connected to the Brink’s-Mat gold heist were found guilty, the investigating officers (Hugh Bonneville, Charlotte Spencer, Emun Elliot) discovered that the criminals had only stolen half of the gold. The second season focuses on the fate of the remaining gold and the vast fortune it generated. As the probe deepens, it unfolds into a gripping tale of international money laundering and organized crime. Meanwhile, the officers are on a thrilling but risky pursuit as they strive to unravel the longest and most costly investigation ever undertaken by the Metropolitan Police.

Season two of The Gold will air on the BBC in the U.K. and PBS in the U.S.

Boarders (Season 2)

The series revolves around five gifted, urban African-American youths who win scholarships to the esteemed St. Gilbert’s, a British boarding school, which turns out to be a clever publicity stunt to enhance the school’s image. As they strive to seize every opportunity amidst these circumstances, season two introduces a new chapter for St. Gilbert’s, with headmaster Bernard being suspended following a student uprising. In his absence, Carol Watlington-Geese, who is not only the new acting headmistress but also Rupert’s mother – Jaheim’s adversary – takes charge and aims to expel them from the school.

Season two of Boarders will air on the BBC and on Tubi for those in the U.S.

Riot Women

The series Riot Woman, by the multiple BAFTA-winning Sally Wainwright, focuses on five women of a certain age who form an impromptu punk-rock band with a joke-of-the-town label. As they prepare for a talent competition, they unexpectedly find that they have much more to express than they thought possible, and this becomes their platform for self-expression.

Joanna Scanlan (“After Love”, “The Thick of It”), Rosalie Craig (“Moonflower Murders”, “Serpent Queen”), Tamsin Greig (“Sexy Beast”, “The Completely Made Up Adventures of Dick Turpin”), Lorraine Ashbourne (“Sherwood”, “Alma’s Not Normal”) and Amelia Bullmore (“The Buccaneers”, “Vienna Blood”) will take on the main roles, with Joanna as Beth, Rosalie as Kitty, Tamsin as Holly, Lorraine as Jess, and Amelia as Yvonne in the production.

The series titled “Riot Women” is set to appear on both the BBC and BBC iPlayer sometime next year. Meanwhile, the show will be broadcasted on BritBox in the United States and Canada.

The Night Manager (Season 2)

The acclaimed, worldwide sensation drama series The Night Manager is set to come back for two fresh seasons, with the next episode airing on BBC iPlayer and BBC One in 2025. In the upcoming season of The Night Manager, our beloved spy character Jonathan Pine (Tom Hiddleston) will reappear eight years following the thrilling end of the first season. Actress Olivia Colman and Alistair Petrie are also slated to return.

The Night Manager will air on Prime Video for those outside the U.K.

Dope Girls

1918 marks the conclusion of World War I. Amidst the jubilation of the Armistice in London, British men who had been at war anticipate reintegrating into society, resuming their former lives — yet a generation of women, now more assertive due to newfound empowerment, refuse to merely return to domestic duties.

Lockerbie

Back in December 1988, I was glued to the news as Flight Pan Am 103 journeyed from Heathrow to JFK. Tragically, a bomb detonated in its cargo hold over the quaint Scottish town of Lockerbie, claiming the lives of 270 souls, among them 43 British citizens and 190 Americans. This was the darkest terror strike ever on British soil and marked the first major attack on U.S. citizens. The series “Lockerbie” will delve into the transatlantic investigation following this catastrophe, shedding light on its heart-wrenching impact on the town and the families who endured the unimaginable loss of their loved ones.

The cast includes Connor Swindells (SAS Rogue Heroes, Sex Education), Patrick J. Adams (Suits, A League of Their Own), Merritt Wever (Unbelievable, Godless), Peter Mullan (Ozark, Payback), Tony Curran (Mary & George, Mayflies) and Eddie Marsan (Ridley Road, The Pact).

Lockerbie will be available on Netflix in 2025.

Reunion

The story Reunion revolves around Brennan (Matthew Gurney), a man trapped in limbo, torn between two realms – the hearing world that doesn’t quite accept him and the deaf community that rejects his differences. In this solitude, Brennan’s most significant bond is with his long-lost daughter, whom he hasn’t met for more than ten years due to his incarceration.

Untitled Jimmy McGovern project

Located and produced in Liverpool, this fictional drama revolves around the Mitchell clan as they grapple with the heart-wrenching consequences following an act of abuse within their family. The story unfolds as a family member, who’d served time for this crime, is recently out of prison.

The City is Ours

As a seasoned gamer, I’ve just dived into an immersive narrative titled “This City is Ours.” In this gripping tale, I find myself in the shoes of Michael, a man who’s spent his entire adult life entangled in the underworld, serving my long-time buddy and crime boss, Ronnie. However, with whispers of Ronnie’s impending retirement echoing through our ranks, I too am starting to envision a life beyond the chaos.

We Go Again (w/t)

A candid depiction of the lives of black teenagers from the working class, “We Go Again” is essentially a coming-of-age narrative. It captures the initial experiences; the mistakes made, and the intense longing to mature faster than one’s current state or perhaps feeling prepared for more adult responsibilities. This story is a tribute to black happiness; to housing estates and neighborhood stores, to everyday working-class existence and aspirations of a better future.

Film Club

This Friday evening at 7pm, it’s Film Club Week 198. For Evie (played by Aimee Lou Wood), who hasn’t stepped out of her home in half a year due to a setback, this gathering is an escape. It offers her a weekly opportunity to transform the garage into any world the movie demands and spend some undisturbed hours with Noa (Nabhaan Rizwan) – her best friend and one of the few companions still visiting. However, tonight things are different. Noa has exciting news: a promising job is relocating him to the opposite side of the country, which means their shared tradition is coming to an end. To make matters more complicated, Evie finds herself juggling these changes while dealing with the quirks of her family home and living with her devoted single mother Suz (Suranne Jones), her sister Izzie (Liv Hill), and boyfriend-turned-occasionally-housemate Josh (Adam Long).

Marie Antoinette (Season 2)

At their peak, Marie Antoinette and Louis found themselves grappling with an unparalleled financial predicament. The persistent assaults from Provence and Chartres against them intensified the animosity among the nobles. Meanwhile, the infamous Diamond Necklace Affair threatened disastrous outcomes. From Versailles to the Palais-Royal, the rumblings of unrest grew louder.

Season two of Marie Antoinette will be available on PBS for viewers in the States.

Lynley

Tommy Lynley (portrayed by Leo Suter) is exceptionally skilled as a police detective, yet he finds himself an outsider within the force due to his aristocratic upbringing. He’s partnered with Barbara Havers (Sofia Barclay), a sergeant known for her rebellious spirit and humble, working-class background. Despite appearing to have little in common, and defying all expectations, this unlikely pair, Lynley and Havers, develop into an effective team, united by their shared commitment to upholding justice.

Wild Cherry

The story revolves around Lorna (played by Carmen Ejogo), a self-made, accomplished black entrepreneur from South London who has strived to reach her current status, and her longtime friend Juliet (Eve Best), a woman born into the affluent Richford Estate community they both reside in. Their daughters, Grace (Imogen Faires) and Allegra (Amelia May), are also close friends and enjoy a lifestyle many teenagers can only fantasize about within this secure haven for the wealthy and their offspring. However, this tranquil sanctuary for the rich and their cherished children is shattered when Grace and Allegra become entangled in a startling scandal at their prestigious private school.

Silent Witness (Season 28)

In the latest installment of the British crime drama, the story commences with a perplexing enigma: the demise of an elderly lady discovered within a cave sparks questions about what could motivate someone to commit such a heinous act against someone so defenseless.

All seasons of Silent Witness are on Prime Video and Britbox.

Waterloo Road (Season 15)

Previously holding the top spot on Ofsted rankings, Dame Stella (Lindsey Coulson) unexpectedly fell from grace when her blunt remarks about parental incompetence spread online. However, her steadfast work ethic, strong moral principles, and no-nonsense attitude make her an ideal fit to revitalize Waterloo Road. As Stella begins her tenure at the school, she encounters growing disorder among the students, a result of the previous term’s events. Feeling out of sync with the school’s contemporary pastoral approach, she often finds herself at odds with it.

Stella appears to prioritize the students’ well-being; however, as time passes, it becomes apparent that her private life may interfere with her work. This could leave spectators questioning if there are secrets she’s keeping hidden.

Seasons of Waterloo Road are available to watch on Prime Video.

Casualty (Season 39)

The long-running prime-time medical drama, titled ‘Casualty’, is produced by BBC Studios Drama for both BBC iPlayer and BBC One. This series takes place in the fictional Holby City Hospital, primarily focusing on the personnel and patients within the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department.

You can watch all seasons of Casualty on Prime Video in the U.S.

Shetland (Season 9)

The crime drama series set in Shetland, featuring actress Ashley Jensen (known for her role in Ugly Betty) and Alison O’Donnell, is due to come back with a fresh season in the year 2025.

Shetland will air on the BBC, BritBox, and Prime Video.

Doctor Who (Season 15)

Russell T. Davies is back in the world of Doctor Who for season 15, featuring breakout star Ncuti Gatwa from Sex Education. This upcoming holiday special will last an hour and, as it reunites, the Fifteenth Doctor, writer Steven Moffat, and showrunner Davies, also stars Nicola Coughlan from Bridgerton.

You can watch Doctor Who on Disney+ in the U.S.

EastEnders 40th Anniversary

In honor of its 40th anniversary, the long-running London-based soap opera “EastEnders” is airing a live episode, but with an exciting twist: viewers will get to decide the resolution for one particular plot line.

Death in Paradise (Season 14)

In 2024, Don Gilet will star in a full-length Christmas special. The following year, in 2025, he will take the lead role in the new season of Death In Paradise. His character, Detective Inspector Mervin Wilson, is portrayed as someone who hails from London and isn’t particularly thrilled with his new home on the picturesque island of Saint Marie.

You can watch Death in Paradise on the BBC and Britbox.

Beyond Paradise (Season 3)

Throughout the series, the Shipton Abbott police force persistently solve a variety of perplexing and enigmatic cases – such as a death during a murder-mystery performance on a steam train, a local fisherman vanishing at sea, and a psychic foretelling an arson incident – to keep their station operational for the time being.

In the upcoming third installment, Kris Marshall will be back in his role as DI Humphrey Goodman, joined by Sally Bretton as Martha Lloyd, Zahra Ahmadi as DS Esther Williams, Dylan Llewellyn as PC Kelby Hartford, Barbara Flynn as Anne Lloyd, Felicity Montagu as Margo Martins, Jade Harrison as CS Charlie Woods, and Melina Sinadinou as Zoe Williams. Additionally, Jamie Bamber will once again take on the charismatic Archie Hughes, a character who has returned after his departure from Shipton Abbott at the end of series one.

You can watch Beyond Paradise on the BBC and Britbox.

Call The Midwife (Season 14)

Next year, you’ll see the return of the midwives on your screens. This beloved medical series tells a touching story set in London’s struggling East End during the 1950s and 1960s, focusing on a team of midwives as they bring new lives into the world and support their community through changing times.

Call the Midwife season 14 will air on PBS and Netflix in the U.S.

2024-12-27 17:26