Call the Midwife icon’s “heartbreaking” and thrilling” BBC drama confirms release date

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BBC has announced that Jessica Raine, known for her role in Call the Midwife, will star in a new drama called Two Weeks in August. The eight-episode series, which the BBC describes as sensual and captivating, will premiere on BBC One on Saturday, May 23rd.

The new drama series follows Zoe and her family and friends as they embark on a memorable vacation. Set in beautiful Greece, the story centers around a woman hoping to find happiness again while on holiday with those she loves.

This seemingly perfect getaway takes a dark turn when a secret kiss sparks a series of events. Zoe gives in to her hidden desires, and what was meant to be a relaxing vacation becomes a time of consequences for a group of people who are unwilling to face reality and mature.

As the story unfolds, the situation becomes increasingly dangerous. Once the group realizes they’re stranded, they start to blame each other when life-threatening challenges arise. Is Zoe the cause of all the trouble, or are more powerful, perhaps even mythical, forces at work? After all, they are in Greece, a land steeped in ancient mythology…

Catherine Shepherd, the show’s creator, told Deadline she hoped viewers would connect with the characters’ relationships, finding them to be a realistic mix of funny, sad, exciting, beautiful, silly, and emotionally moving – just like real human connections.

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I’m so excited to see who’s joining Raine in this new series! It’s awesome that Damien Molony, who I loved in Bergerac, is going to be part of it. And Nicholas Pinnock, Leila Farzad, Antonia Thomas, and Hugh Skinner too – what a fantastic cast! I can’t wait to see them all together.

Shepherd hinted at a story deeply focused on its characters and explained how she developed them. She spent a week working with a clinical psychologist, meticulously building family histories and exploring the motivations and personalities of each character.

I found it fascinating and it truly helped me create believable characters. By the time I started writing the scripts, I understood them so well that I could almost predict their actions in any situation – it was a really exciting process.

Raine shared that a central theme of the show will be how viewers react to Zoe, particularly her choices and their resulting impact. She emphasized that the series will explore the repercussions of Zoe’s actions as she pursues her goals.

It’s surprisingly radical when a woman prioritizes her own needs and doesn’t feel pressured to give up everything for others. I believe many women will connect with that message, and that’s why it will resonate with audiences.

Two Weeks in August will debut on Saturday 23 May on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Seriously, if you’re like me and spend way too much time trying to figure out where to watch your favorite shows and movies, you HAVE to check out their Streaming Guide. It lays everything out super clearly, so you can stop endlessly scrolling and start watching!

The latest issue of Living Legends, a special collector’s edition about the royal family, is now available! You can purchase The Royals at newsstands or online.

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2026-05-14 12:49