The beloved family saga The Waltons is making a long-awaited return to British television, airing on Freeview channel Great TV from Tuesday, January 6, 2026. The series, which originally ran from 1972 to 1981, has been hailed by fans as the 'best show ever' and will be broadcast in its entirety for the first time in a decade.
Set during the Great Depression and Second World War, The Waltons draws from creator Earl Hamner Jr's childhood memories, as detailed in his novel Spencer's Mountain. The show chronicles the trials and triumphs of a tight-knit family living in rural Virginia. All 219 episodes will air, with two consecutive episodes on weekdays and a Sunday omnibus recapping the week's emotional moments.
Great TV marketing director Kate Gartland expressed delight at bringing back the 'iconic piece of TV magic', noting that it offers a new generation the chance to discover why The Waltons remains one of television's most enduring family dramas. The series originally aired on CBS in the US and was first broadcast in the UK on BBC One and BBC Two from 1974 to 1983.
Fans have praised the show on IMDb, with one calling it the 'best show ever' and another describing it as 'a gem of TV production'. The Waltons stars Ralph Waite, Richard Thomas, and Michael Learned, and is known for its iconic 'Good night' sign-off at the end of nearly every episode.
