Television enthusiasts across the UK – and frankly anyone seeking refuge from the current chilly evenings – have ample reason to stay indoors, as ITV has unveiled a formidable lineup of brand-new dramas set to premiere over the coming months and into 2026. Building on a stellar previous year with acclaimed series like I Fought the Law and Playing Nice, the broadcaster is significantly raising the bar with a slate featuring returning fan favourites and compelling narratives.
Betrayal: A Tense Espionage Thriller
Kicking off the schedule is Betrayal, premiering on Sunday, 8th February. This high-stakes espionage thriller stars Shaun Evans as John Hughes, a mid-career MI5 intelligence officer. His world unravels after an unofficial meeting with a British-Iranian informant, who claims knowledge of an imminent terror attack, spirals into chaos. Placed under internal investigation and fighting to clear his name, Hughes sees his marriage to Claire, portrayed by Romola Garai, strain under the burden of secrecy. As suspicions mount, he forms a precarious alliance with replacement operative Mehreen Askari-Evans, played by Zahra Ahmadi, while becoming convinced the true threat lies closer to home than anyone suspects. A must-watch for fans of series like Slow Horses.
The Lady: A Gripping True-Crime Drama
Arriving in Spring 2026, The Lady comes from Left Bank Pictures, the producers behind The Crown. This drama chronicles the astonishing rise and fall of Jane Andrews, a working-class woman who secured the role of dresser to the Duchess of York at Buckingham Palace. Mia McKenna-Bruce stars as Andrews, who navigates Britain's elite circles before losing her position after nine years. Reeling from this, she embarks on a turbulent romance with charismatic businessman Thomas Cressman, played by Ed Speleers, which fractures with disastrous consequences. The series features Natalie Dormer as Sarah Ferguson, alongside a stellar supporting cast including Laura Aikman and Claire Skinner.
Gone: A Chilling Psychological Thriller
Also slated for Spring 2026 is Gone, a dark psychological thriller led by David Morrissey. He portrays Michael Polly, the respected headmaster of a prestigious private school near Bristol, a man defined by order and control. His life shatters when his wife Sarah vanishes, making him the prime suspect. Enter determined detective Annie Cassidy, played by Eve Myles, who engages in a tense cat-and-mouse game to unravel his composed facade. As their daughter Alana, a teacher at the school portrayed by Emma Appleton, is drawn into the turmoil, long-buried secrets emerge in this atmospheric series guaranteed to keep viewers guessing.
The Blame: A Tense Investigative Drama
Premiering in Autumn 2026, The Blame stars Michelle Keegan as DI Emma Crane, investigating a brutal murder that rocks the quiet town of Wakestead. What begins as a seemingly straightforward case soon fractures when a new lead undermines everything Crane and her colleague DI Tom Radley, played by Douglas Booth, believe. The probe exposes institutional failings and forces Crane into an agonising conflict between professional duty and personal loyalty. With producers from hits like Fool Me Once, expect clever red herrings and satisfying twists.
The Party: A Glossy Political Drama
Another Autumn 2026 release, The Party, is a glossy political drama adapted from Elizabeth Day's bestselling novel. Luke Evans stars as journalist Martin Gilmour, whose lifelong friendship with charismatic Conservative politician Ben Fitzmaurice, played by Tom Cullen, fractures over one explosive night. Their bond, forged at an elite boarding school, is tested when Martin attends Ben's lavish birthday party at his family estate, just as leadership rumours swirl, threatening to unleash devastating secrets.
Secret Service: A Slick Espionage Thriller
Secret Service, also arriving in Autumn 2026, features Gemma Arterton as Kate Henderson, a senior MI6 officer heading the Russia Desk while maintaining a facade as a civil servant, wife, and mother. When a covert operation suggests a prominent British politician may be a Russian puppet, Kate races to uncover the truth, a mission complicated by a brutal murder that thrusts her team into the spotlight. Amid mounting suspicion and political tensions, she must navigate foreign interference and shifting loyalties while protecting her family.
Adultery: A Provocative Relationship Drama
Scheduled for Autumn 2026, Adultery is a provocative drama from BAFTA-winning writer Danny Brocklehurst, starring Dominic Cooper and Romola Garai. Cooper plays Tom Kirkman, whose teenage daughter Jess is in a passionate first love with classmate Ollie. When Tom meets Ollie's mother, Beth, portrayed by Garai, an intense connection forms. As desire blurs boundaries and secrecy tightens, their reckless affair spirals into danger, mirroring their children's tumultuous relationship.
Believe Me: A Powerful True-Life Drama
Rounding out the Autumn 2026 slate is Believe Me, a powerful true-life drama starring Daniel Mays as convicted sex offender John Worboys. The series focuses on the women who fought to expose him, played by Aimée-Ffion Edwards, Miriam Petche, and Aasiya Shah, detailing their harrowing assaults after being drugged by Worboys, a licensed London taxi driver. It charts the Metropolitan Police's mishandling of their complaints, which left them feeling dismissed, and their resilience as they join solicitor Harriet Wistrich to seek justice under the Human Rights Act.
