Break Clause Brings Breakups and Flatshares Into Sharp Comic Focus

Images: Ch4 Press

By Jon Donnis

A breakup is messy at the best of times. Add a shared tenancy and nowhere else to go, and things get complicated fast. That awkward, painfully familiar setup sits at the heart of Break Clause, a new six-part comedy from BBC Studios Comedy, written and created by Jess Bray and directed by Alice Snedden.

The series follows Ben and Lil, played by Samuel Bottomley and Lara Ricote, whose relationship has come to an end but whose living situation has not. They are stuck under the same roof, trying to untangle their lives while still sharing the same space. Moving on from your first love is hard enough. Moving out, it turns out, is even harder.

Bottomley, known for How to Have Sex, steps into the role of Ben, with Ricote from Mitchell And Webb Are Not Helping playing Lil. Around them is a packed ensemble that promises plenty of comic friction. John Thomson appears as Alan, Lucy Black as Deb, Catherine Cohen as Jos and Charly Clive as Frances. They are joined by Hammed Animashaun as Paul, Michael Workéyè as Kas, Jessica Knappett as the Vicar, Nathan Foad as Owen, Assa Kanouté as Kira, Jack Shep as Liam, Tamika Bennett as Nic, Jack James Ryan as Jordan and Lucas Jones as Sean.

Behind the camera, the show is steered by Bray's writing and Alice Snedden's direction, with production handled by BBC Studios Comedy in a co-production with Germany's ZDFneo. The project was commissioned for Channel 4 by Charlie Perkins, Head of Comedy, and Laura Riseam, Commissioning Editor.

Executive producers Jess Bray, Mark Freeland, Molly Seymour and Josh Cole represent BBC Studios Comedy, with Laura Mae Harding for ZDFneo, while Olly Cambridge serves as producer. BBC Studios will also oversee global sales, taking the flat share fallout to audiences well beyond the UK.

At its core, Break Clause leans into the small, everyday chaos of modern relationships. Not grand drama, just two people trying to figure out what comes next while still passing each other in the kitchen. It is an idea that feels instantly relatable, and ripe for comedy.

Ricky Wilson Joins Bill Bailey for a Moving New Series of Extraordinary Portraits

L-R: Caroline Pool, Jack Dickson, Nick Elphick, Bill Bailey, Ricky Wilson, Unza Saleem, and Karen Turner (Image: BBC/Chatterbox)

By Jon Donnis

BBC Arts' Extraordinary Portraits with Bill Bailey returns this spring for its fifth series, and this time the line-up at the easel includes an unexpected but fitting addition. Kaiser Chiefs frontman and former art teacher Ricky Wilson steps into the studio as part of Bill Bailey's growing family of artists, bringing his creative roots back into focus for what promises to be another deeply emotional run of episodes.

The announcement arrives alongside a special BBC event in Bradford, marking the broadcaster's partnership with Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture and showcasing the cultural activity still to come this year. After a sold-out exhibition in the city in 2025, the portraits created in the new series will once again be displayed for the public, offering visitors a chance to see the finished works up close and to meet the powerful stories behind them.

The programme's format remains simple but heartfelt. Musician, comedian and lifelong art enthusiast Bill Bailey pairs ordinary people with extraordinary lives with some of the country's most talented portrait artists. Together they create artworks that do more than capture a likeness. The aim is to reveal something deeper, something personal, a snapshot of modern Britain told through paint, sculpture and mixed media.

This year's sitters reflect that spirit. Among them is a civil servant who fought off a terrorist with a narwhal tusk, sisters who made medical history when one gave birth using the other's womb, and a grandmother still competing in Iron Man competitions well into her 80s. The series also follows a survivor of the Post Office scandal who was imprisoned while pregnant, and young brothers living with early-onset frontotemporal dementia who have chosen to embrace life as fully as possible.

Wilson joins an accomplished group of artists that includes award-winning painters Caroline Pool and Karen Turner, sculptor Nick Elphick, multi-media artist Jack Dickson and newcomer Unza Saleem. For Wilson, who previously taught art at Leeds College of Art and Design, the role feels like a natural return to his earlier career, trading the stage lights for a studio lamp and a brush in hand.

Together, they face the same challenge. Not just to paint what they see, but to uncover the emotional weight behind each story and translate it onto canvas. As ever, the results promise to be intimate, thoughtful and quietly powerful, a celebration of everyday people whose lives are anything but ordinary.

Ricky Wilson says: "I was delighted to get the call from Bill and jumped at the chance to join the Extraordinary Portraits family. Art has always been close to my heart, and it's now great to be putting my experience to the test. I'm also really pleased that we're announcing the new series in Bradford. Growing up in West Yorkshire gave me a love of creativity, humour and community, and seeing the city buzzing with culture over the past year has made me prouder than ever. I can't wait for people to see the incredible talent on display."

Bill Bailey says: "It's wonderful to be back on the show and to see our crack team of artists pouring everything they have into the work, and the sitters putting their trust in them and really opening up. The results are extraordinarily powerful and incredibly moving and in this series I think we see what portraiture is really capable of."

Claudia Winkleman Joins Channel 4 for Crufts 2026 Coverage

Image: Ch4 Press

By Jon Donnis

Claudia Winkleman is set to become part of Channel 4's live coverage of Crufts when the world's best known dog show returns on Thursday 5th March. She will join Clare Balding and the established team for four days of broadcasts from Birmingham's NEC, with almost 20 hours of live television spread across Channel 4 and More4 for viewers who never tire of a good tail wag or a proud lap of the ring.

Much of the familiar line up remains in place. Radzi Chinyanganya returns as the show's regular reporter, while Paralympic swimming champion Ellie Simmonds is back for a second year, presenting features, conducting interviews and keeping up with the latest stories from inside the halls. Resident vet Dr Paul Manktelow will again offer practical advice on caring for dogs, and commentary throughout the event will be provided by Jim Rosenthal and Frank Kane.

From Thursday 5th March to Sunday 9th March, coverage will follow the most popular competitions, with top class dogs taking part in breed judging, agility, flyball and Heelwork to Music. The weekend builds towards the much anticipated Best in Show, where the standout dogs compete for the top prize. It is a packed schedule that captures the scale and energy of the biggest dog show in the world.

Winkleman said she absolutely loves dogs and could not think of anywhere else she would rather be. She added that she is excited to join the team and grateful to Channel 4 for the opportunity, joking that her pocket will be full of treats. Balding welcomed her as a fantastic addition, saying she brings fun, curiosity and style, along with a genuine affection for dogs.

Pete Andrews, Head of Sport at Channel 4, described Crufts as an event that holds a special place for viewers and said there is nothing quite like it. He added that it is a thrill to welcome Winkleman to the presenters and to continue celebrating everything about dogs.

Crufts is organised and hosted by The Royal Kennel Club, the UK's largest organisation devoted to dog health, welfare and training. Channel 4 has broadcast the show since 2010. Coverage is produced by Sunset and Vine, with Gary Franses as executive producer and Diana Keen as production manager. Viewers can watch across Channel 4, More4 and Channel 4 Streaming throughout the four day event.

COMPETITION: Win Mystery Road: Origin Series 2 on DVD

Acorn Media International has announced that Mystery Road: Origin Series 2 is set to arrive on DVD and digital on 16 February, following its run on the BBC.

And to celebrate we have a copy of Season 2 on DVD to give away!

Synopsis:

Series two continues to explore the rich and riveting early life of Jay Swan one of ‘Australia’s all-time greatest screen sleuths’ (The Guardian), played by the award-winning Mark Coles Smith. He is joined by a stellar cast including Tuuli Narkle (Territory, All My Friends Are Racist), Clarence Ryan (Territory, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga), Robyn Malcolm (After The Party, The Survivors), Geoff Morrell (The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings of Power, Ice Road: Vengeance) and Nicholas Bell (Elvis, Bay of Fires).

Six months on from the previous series, the young detective is attempting to forge a new life with partner Mary (Narkle) in the fading town of Loch Iris, caring for Mary’s niece, Anya, and awaiting the birth of their first child. It doesn’t take long however, for the majesty of the tall trees in the brooding surrounding forests and the deep lake that shimmers at the edge of town to take on gothic dimensions…

When Jay begins to investigate the disappearance of a young girl and the drowning of a former nun, Loch Iris closes rank around him. As the pieces of the crime start to come together, the detective starts to realise the entire community has been hiding a shadowy past that haunts the town. As the long buried past ripples through to the present and the secret is unearthed, it threatens to tear Jay and Mary apart forever.

With a stunning new location, Mystery Road Origin: Series 2 opens up an immersive visual feast for the eyes set amongst the trees, dams and waterways of Western Australia.

For a captivating combination of rich characters, intricate backstories, powerful themes and scenic Australian landscapes, unearth the secrets of Mystery Road: Origin Series 2, the journey is only just beginning.

Pre-Order from https://amzn.to/4qJ2dPX

Enter now for a chance to win.

What is the name of the charcter played by Mark Coles Smith in Mystery Roads Origin?

Send your name, address and of course the answer to competition365@outlook.com

Quick Terms and conditions

1. Closing date 23-02-26

2. No alternative prize is available

3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.

4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.

5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.

The Miniature Wife Lands on Sky This April

Image: Sky TV

By Jon Donnis

Sky is adding a sharp new comedy drama to its spring line-up, with The Miniature Wife arriving in full on 9 April. All episodes will be available at once on Sky and the streaming service NOW across the UK and Ireland, making it an easy one to settle into in a single sitting.

The series spins a strange and funny twist on married life. Elizabeth Banks plays a woman who is unexpectedly shrunk during a technological mishap, a development that leaves her husband, played by Matthew Macfadyen, reeling. What follows is not gentle domestic chaos but something much sharper. Everyday routines turn into a sly and escalating struggle for control between two people who suddenly feel even more mismatched than before.

Banks, an Emmy nominee, and BAFTA winner Macfadyen lead a busy ensemble. Zoe Lister-Jones, O-T Fagbenle, Sian Clifford and Sofia Rosinsky appear as regulars, while Ronny Chieng, Aasif Mandvi, Rong Fu and Tricia Black take on recurring roles that round out the world around the central couple. It is a cast packed with familiar faces, each adding a different edge to the humour.

The show is based on a short story by Manuel Gonzales and has been created by Jennifer Ames and Steve Turner, who also serve as showrunners and executive producers. Greg Mottola directs episodes one, two, seven and eight, and is also on board as an executive producer. Banks and Macfadyen share producing duties with Michael Aguilar, Suzanne Heathcote, Michael Ellenberg and Lindsey Springer.

Produced by Media Res Studio and distributed by Sony Pictures Television, The Miniature Wife comes to Sky through a deal negotiated by Katie Keenan and Facundo Bailez for Sky UK and Europe. From its offbeat premise to its sharp tone, it looks set to turn a simple marriage story into something far more unpredictable.

Patience Set for Third Series After Strong Ratings Success

Image: Ch4 Press

By Jon Donnis

Channel 4's detective drama Patience is heading back into production for a third series, with Eagle Eye Drama confirming filming will begin in March across Belgium and York. The show, which has steadily built a loyal following, has become the channel's most watched programme of the year so far when both traditional broadcasts and streaming are counted, a sign that its quiet, character driven approach has struck a chord.

The second series opened to an average audience of 4.2 million across a 28 day window on all screens. Its first week big screen share reached 16 per cent, marking an 18 per cent rise compared with the launch of the first series. Those figures helped cement its place as one of Channel 4's standout performers.

The new run will stretch to ten episodes, giving more room for the story to breathe. Ella Maisy Purvis returns as Patience, the autistic criminal records archivist whose sharp instincts continue to aid the City of York Police on complex cases. Jessica Hynes is back as DI Frankie Monroe, once a reluctant partner and now a trusted friend, their earlier clashes giving way to a close working bond.

Series three widens the focus beyond the day job. Patience takes a step forward in her romantic life while also confronting unfinished family matters. She begins to build a relationship with her estranged half sister Joy and starts looking into her father's death, questioning whether the car crash that killed him was truly accidental or something more troubling.

Nathan Welsh, Mark Benton, Adrian Rawlins, Tom Lewis, Ali Ariaie and Liza Sadovy all reprise their roles alongside the central pair. Behind the scenes, Maarten Moerkerke returns to direct, joined by Jan Matthys, with Jen Burnet producing and Jo McGrath and Walter Iuzzolino serving as executive producers.

Polly Scates, Head of Acquisitions at Channel 4, said the series has clearly connected with viewers and that the team is eager to see where Patience's investigations lead next in York. Jo McGrath, Chief Creative Officer at Eagle Eye Drama, noted the show's strong performance in the UK and overseas, pointing to its place as the eighth most streamed programme across all platforms midway through its previous run, and credited the cast and production team for that success.

Originally adapted from the French series Astrid & Raphaëlle, Patience is produced by Eagle Eye Drama, part of ITV Studios, in association with Happy Duck Films and supported by the Belgian Tax Shelter. The new episodes are written by Matt Baker, Amy Shindler and Beth Chalmers. Beta Film handles worldwide distribution, while PBS Distribution holds the North American rights.

Billie Eilish’s Stolen Land Contradiction

By Jon Donnis

Billie Eilish has built a reputation on blunt, slogan friendly activism. When she declared that "no one is illegal on stolen land," the line travelled fast, clipped, quoted and celebrated across social media. It sounded bold and morally certain, the kind of phrase designed to cut through the noise. For a moment, it positioned her as the fearless voice in the room, calling out history and power in one clean sentence.

Then the details caught up. Eilish reportedly owns a multi million dollar mansion in the Los Angeles area, a property sitting on land that historically belonged to the Gabrielino/Tongva Tribe, often described as the original inhabitants of the region. By the same logic she used on stage, that ground is part of the very story she condemns. The idea of "stolen land" stops being theoretical when your own front door is planted on it.

That is where the criticism sharpens. It is easy to speak in sweeping moral language when it costs nothing. It is harder when the principle points straight back at your own lifestyle. Living comfortably in a luxury home while framing the country itself as illegitimate land makes the message feel selective, almost convenient. If the system is fundamentally unjust, then benefiting from it without question looks less like courage and more like performance.

Celebrities often trade in big statements because they travel well. But big statements invite close inspection. In Eilish's case, the contrast between the rhetoric and the reality has turned what should have been a triumphant soundbite into a quiet lesson about hypocrisy. When you claim the moral high ground, people expect you to stand on it properly, not just pose there when the cameras are rolling.