British viewers should prepare for a packed year of must-see television, as the BBC unveils a formidable slate of new and returning dramas set to dominate iPlayer in 2026. From the hotly anticipated return of a slick spy thriller to bold literary adaptations and buzzy new series from acclaimed creators, the broadcaster is ensuring there will be no shortage of water-cooler moments.
Returning Favourites and Fresh Literary Takes
The headline act is undoubtedly the return of The Night Manager. Eight years on, Tom Hiddleston reprises his role as Jonathan Pine, who is dragged back into the perilous world of espionage and global crime. With old foes and new dangers on the horizon, Pine must navigate a landscape where trust is a rare commodity. Fans won't have to wait long, as the second season arrives on BBC iPlayer on New Year's Day 2026.
Literature provides rich inspiration elsewhere. A landmark, faithful television adaptation of William Golding's Lord of the Flies will explore the brutal descent into chaos for a group of stranded schoolboys. In a reimagining of a classic, The Other Bennet Sister puts the often-overlooked Mary Bennet (Ella Bruccoleri) from Pride and Prejudice centre stage for her own journey of love and self-discovery.
New Dramas from Top Talent
The 2026 roster is bolstered by exciting projects from major names. Richard Gadd (Baby Reindeer) stars alongside Jamie Bell in Half Man, an intense drama tracing the volatile, decades-spanning relationship between two estranged 'brothers'. Meanwhile, the beloved novels of Marian Keyes come to life in The Walsh Sisters, a warm and chaotic saga following five very different siblings navigating life's messiest challenges.
Sporting drama gets a prestigious treatment in Dear England, with Joseph Fiennes portraying Gareth Southgate's mission to transform the England men's football team's fortunes and mentality. The corporate world of Industry also returns for a fourth season, testing the bond between Harper (Myha'la) and Yasmin (Marisa Abela) as a flashy new fintech rival enters the fray.
Crime, Thrills, and Emotional Depth
Crime fans have much to anticipate. The beloved Lynley novels are rebooted with Leo Suter and Sofia Barclay as the aristocratic DI Tommy Lynley and DS Barbara Havers. The Split Up spins off into Manchester's elite divorce law scene, while The Cage sees Sheridan Smith and Michael Socha as casino employees in a deadly bind after crossing a gangster.
Other notable entries include The Rapture, a psychological thriller starring Ruth Madeley and India Amarteifio, and Waiting For The Out, featuring Josh Finan as a philosopher teaching in a men's prison. For those seeking powerful human stories, Babies follows a couple (Siobhán Cullen and Paapa Essiedu) grappling with pregnancy loss, and Two Weeks in August sees a Greek holiday fracture under the weight of secrets.
With such a diverse and high-calibre lineup, the BBC is poised to make 2026 a year where logging off from iPlayer becomes an increasingly difficult task for audiences across the UK.
