Many fantastic British TV shows are scheduled to air later this year, including both popular returning series and fresh adaptations of beloved books. It’s now easier than ever for people around the world to enjoy British television thanks to streaming services like BritBox and PBS, which offer huge collections of engaging stories. Plus, major streamers such as Netflix and Disney+ are investing more in creating and sharing non-American content.
The rest of the year promises captivating murder mysteries, a fresh take on a classic Jane Austen story, and the return of a beloved historical drama from Disney+ and Hulu – with an escalating rivalry between popular British countryside shows. Keep an eye out for major stars like Theo James, David Tennant, Olivia Colman, and Mark Gatiss, as they appear on screen between now and the holidays. And yes, there’s even a special Christmas episode to look forward to!
The Gentlemen Season 2
Premieres September 3 on Netflix
The second season of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix series, The Gentlemen, arrives September 3rd, over two years after its first season. Continuing the story inspired by Ritchie’s film, the show dives into the world of drug dealing in the UK and focuses on an aristocratic family struggling to stay afloat. Known for Ritchie’s witty dialogue, great music, and exciting plots, The Gentlemen is a wildly entertaining Netflix original, starring Theo James and Kaya Scodelario in standout roles.
Season two of The Gentlemen moves from the English countryside to the beautiful Italian lakes. However, with Ritchie still leading the show, it will retain its distinctively British feel as James’ character, the hesitant Duke of Halstead, and Scodelario’s Susie Glass continue building their unusual partnership and expanding their marijuana business. All eight episodes premiere on Netflix on Thursday, September 3rd.
Marble Hall Murders
Premieres September 6 on PBS Masterpiece
With Marble Hall Murders, the popular BBC and PBS series based on Anthony Horowitz’s Susan Ryeland Mysteries novels comes to a conclusion. Lesley Manville returns as book editor Susan Ryeland, alongside Tim McMullan as detective Atticus Pünd. This third installment, following the acclaimed Magpie Murders and Moonflower Murders, continues the tradition of intricate, layered mysteries.
Susan finds herself caught up in a murder investigation connected to a new book in the Atticus Pünd mystery series, and quickly becomes a suspect. The story unfolds on two fronts: Susan’s real-life investigation and the plot of the book itself, where Atticus travels to the beautiful Greek island of Corfu to solve the murder of a wealthy woman, Lady Margaret Chalfont. Marble Hall Murders will be a six-part series, airing weekly on PBS Masterpiece every Thursday, beginning September 6th.
Agatha Christie’s Tommy & Tuppence
Premieres September 15 on BritBox
BritBox is launching a fresh take on Agatha Christie in under two months with what promises to be a uniquely modern adaptation. While many of her stories have been brought to the screen, this British series will be the first to set Christie’s mysteries in present-day London. Expect cell phones and relatable relationship drama alongside the classic sleuthing as amateur detectives Tommy (Josh Dylan) and Tuppence (Antonia Thomas) navigate both new careers and budding romance.
The new trailer for Tommy & Tuppence, starring Imelda Staunton, hints at a lively and stylish adaptation of Agatha Christie’s popular detective duo. It’s been 11 years since the last Tommy & Tuppence series (Partners in Crime in 2015), so fans are eager for this return. The show will have six episodes, released weekly starting September 15th.
Pride and Prejudice
Premieres Fall 2026 on Netflix
Every generation needs its own adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, and now it’s Netflix’s take on the classic story. This new version, created with BBC Studios’ Lookout Point, boasts a fantastic cast and brings viewers back to the lively world of the Bennet family. It focuses on the compelling romance between the strong-willed Elizabeth “Lizzie” Bennet (played by Emma Corrin) and the reserved Mr. Darcy (Jack Lowden).
Any new adaptation of Pride and Prejudice faces a tough challenge, especially when compared to the popular 1995 BBC miniseries (with its iconic lake scene featuring Colin Firth) and the 2005 film starring Keira Knightley and Matthew McFadyen – remember that memorable hand flex? The upcoming Netflix series boasts a strong cast including Emma Corrin, Jack Lowden, Olivia Colman as Mrs. Bennet, Rufus Sewell as Mr. Bennet, Louis Partridge as Mr. Wickham, and Fiona Shaw as Lady Catherine De Bourg. It will be six hour-long episodes released between late September and December.
Rivals Season 2, Part 2
Premieres November 2026 on Disney+ & Hulu
Disney+’s Rivals is a thrilling and steamy period drama set in the 1980s, inspired by the popular Rutshire Chronicles novels by the late Jilly Cooper. The series boasts a fantastic British cast, featuring well-known actors like David Tennant, Danny Dyer, and Katherine Parkinson, alongside standout performances from Nafessa Williams, Aidan Turner, Alex Hassell, and Bella Maclean. It’s a remarkably well-done adaptation of the beloved books.
The second season will have twelve episodes, which is fantastic news compared to the eight episodes of season one. However, making fans wait at least four months after that shocking cliffhanger feels cruel! It was a truly unforgettable twist. This delay raises questions about Tony Baddingham’s future with the show. The remaining episodes will premiere on Disney+ and Hulu in November, though we don’t have a specific date just yet.
The Other Bennet Sister Christmas Special
Premieres December 2026 on BritBox
If you’re looking for a delightful surprise, check out The Other Bennet Sister, one of the best shows of 2026! This series, based on Janice Hadlow’s popular sequel to Pride and Prejudice, follows Mary Bennet (played by Ella Bruccoleri) as she embarks on a heartwarming and romantic journey in London and further afield. It’s an inspiring story brought to life with a truly charming performance from Bruccoleri. You can stream the entire season now on BritBox.
The hit 10-part series brought five times more new subscribers to BritBox in its first five weeks than any other show. It was also the biggest launch of a new drama in the UK since May 2025, making it no surprise that a three-episode Christmas special is coming this December. Fans are excited to see Mary Bennet and her chosen family again during the holidays.
Bookish Season 2
Premieres August 2026 on U&Alibi in the UK | US Release TBD on PBS
Mark Gatiss, known for co-creating the popular BBC series Sherlock, has now created his own compelling detective character. In Bookish, he stars as Gabriel Book, an antiquarian bookseller in post-World War II London who secretly helps the police solve crimes. The show was so well-received that U&Alibi ordered a second season before the first even aired, and it’s currently earning rave reviews with a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The second season of Bookish is set to launch in the UK this August (a US release date hasn’t been announced yet). This season, Book and his friends will tackle more challenging cases that take them beyond their familiar London neighborhood, including a murder mystery set during Christmas in a charming German town. Fans of Sherlock will be excited to see Rupert Graves, who played Inspector Lestrade, guest star in the new episodes.
Ludwig Season 2
Premieres August 2026 on BBC One in the UK | US Release TBD on BritBox
As a big fan of British comedy, I was thrilled to see how well Ludwig did – it really smashed records for both the BBC and BritBox! It’s got David Mitchell, who is hilarious, and Anna Maxwell Martin, who’s just brilliant in everything she does. The show centers around John Taylor, played by Mitchell, a genius puzzle maker who pretends to be his detective twin brother, James, to figure out what happened to him. While he doesn’t actually find James by the end of the first season, it all leads to John landing an official job as a Crime Scene Consultant, which I thought was a fantastic twist.
Season two of Ludwig will feature six brand new mysteries, along with the ongoing search for James. John and Lucy (Maxwell Martin) are cooking up a clever new plan to find him, but they’ll face challenges figuring out what happened and who to believe. The season premieres on BBC One and BBC iPlayer this August, and will be available on BritBox at a later date.
Blue Lights Season 4
Premieres Fall 2026 on BBC One in the UK | US Release TBD on BritBox
The critically acclaimed police drama Blue Lights is coming back for a fourth season on BBC One this fall. Fans in the UK can expect more suspense and action, and while BritBox hasn’t announced a release date for North America yet, the new season likely won’t be far behind – the wait was only about two months after the UK release last season. This season will also feature a special flashback episode bringing back Richard Dormer as the popular police officer Gerry Cliff, who tragically died in season one.
The upcoming season follows constables Grace Ellis, Annie Conlin, and Tommy Foster, who have been working as street patrol officers in Belfast for three years. A major focus will be the trial surrounding Gerry’s murder, which will reveal a shocking truth that threatens both the police and Belfast’s criminal underworld. This season promises to be the most intense and gripping yet, and is set to be a standout on British television.
2026-07-26 15:40