Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2026 Line-Up Revealed

By Jon Donnis

Zara Larsson, Louis Tomlinson, Lola Young, Nothing But Thieves and a host of other artists will take to the stage at Radio 1's Big Weekend 2026, set to electrify Herrington Country Park in Sunderland. The festival will run from Friday 22 to Sunday 24 May, with Saturday 23 May hosting the newly announced line-up. Alongside Larsson, Tomlinson, Young and Nothing But Thieves, fans can also catch performances from Ellie Goulding, James Blake, Skye Newman, Rachel Chinouriri, MUNA, Erin LeCount, Mitski, Florence Road and Wasia Project.

Friday 22 May will feature Main Stage headliners Fatboy Slim and Sonny Fodera, as well as a variety of other artists already confirmed. Over the three days, Radio 1 expects more than 100,000 music fans to descend on Sunderland for the festival, making it one of the UK's biggest live music events of the year.

Radio 1's Big Weekend continues to be a highlight of the live music calendar, bringing together rising stars and established acts for a weekend of unforgettable performances in one of the UK's most iconic outdoor venues.

The line-up for Saturday 23 May (in alphabetical order):

Radio 1 Main Stage

Charlie Hedges

Dean McCullough

Ellie Goulding

Jeremiah Asiamah

Lola Young

Louis Tomlinson

Maia Beth

Melvin Odoom

Nat O'Leary

Nothing But Thieves

Rickie Haywood-Williams

Skye Newman

Vicky Hawkesworth

Zara Larsson

Radio 1 New Music Stage

Erin LeCount

Florence Road

James Blake

Mitski

MUNA

Rachel Chinouriri

Sarah Story

Wasia Project

Tickets for Saturday 23 May and Sunday 24 May will be available from 5pm on Wednesday 11 March and General Admission tickets will cost £44.50 (£40.00 + £4.50 booking fee). For more information, please go to www.bbc.co.uk/backstage/bigweekend

I, Jack Wright Returns for a Second Series on BBC

Image BBC Press

By Jon Donnis

The BBC has confirmed it has acquired both the first and second series of the six-part murder mystery I, Jack Wright, written by Chris Lang, known for Unforgotten, Innocent, The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe. Series one is scheduled to air later this year on BBC iPlayer and BBC One, while BritBox will continue to stream both series in North America. The announcement coincides with the start of production on series two.

Produced by Federation Stories for UKTV and YLE, series one features a star-studded ensemble led by Nikki Amuka-Bird, John Simm, Trevor Eve, Harry Lloyd, Ruby Ashbourne Serkis, Daniel Rigby, Gemma Jones, Zoë Tapper, Niamh Cusack, Rakhee Thakrar, Percelle Ascott, James Fleet, and Lena Kaur. Series two will see the return of key cast members including Nikki Amuka-Bird as Sally Wright, John Simm as Gray Wright, Ruby Ashbourne Serkis as Emily Wright, Daniel Rigby as John Wright, and Harry Lloyd as DCI Morgan, with Tom Austen and Zora Bishop joining the lineup for the new series.

Series two picks up with the Wright family still reeling from the death of patriarch Jack, only to be confronted with the arrest of a family member for his murder. Questions swirl over whether the police have the right suspect, complicated further by inheritance disputes, a new family member, two new wills, and three new bodies. The series promises an explosive continuation of the twisted world of the Wright family, starring Nikki Amuka-Bird and John Simm, and is directed by Jon East with Kingsley Hoskins producing. Polly Williams, Chris Lang, and Nickie Sault serve as executive producers.

Series one centres on the apparent suicide of businessman Jack Wright, whose death unleashes a storm of suspicion, greed, and family rivalry. As the family scrambles over his estate, a determined police detective unearths secrets that shock even the closest relatives. Sue Deeks, Head of Scripted Pre-buy Acquisitions at the BBC, described it as "a terrific family thriller, full of enjoyable performances with really clever twists." Polly Williams added that Chris Lang has created an unforgettable, unpredictable family, ensuring audiences will be moved, appalled, and surprised.

The series is distributed worldwide by Federation International, which has secured deals including ABC in Australia, HBO Max in France, NPO in the Netherlands, Nova in Greece, Movistar in Spain, RTS in Switzerland, PCCW in Hong Kong, YES in Israel, and Sky in New Zealand. Series one previously aired on U&alibi and BritBox in 2025, and pre-sales included BritBox, SVT, RUV, NRK, DR, YLE, and RBTF. Series two promises to continue the gripping, darkly comic story of one of television's most compelling fictional families.

The Dyers’ Caravan Park Returns to Sky for a Second Series

Image: Sky TV Press

By Jon Donnis

Sky is heading back to the caravan park with Danny Dyer and his daughter Dani, as The Dyers' Caravan Park has officially been renewed for a second series. The news follows the debut of the first run of the programme last week, which quickly found a strong audience and has already become the most successful Sky Original unscripted entertainment launch in the past five years.

The series centres on the pair as they manage Priory Hill and Nutts Farm, a busy caravan park that brings its own mix of challenges, surprises and everyday chaos. With the site reopening its gates again, Danny and Dani return determined to push things further, arriving with larger plans and the same hands on attitude that defined the first series.

Life at the park rarely slows down. Expectations from visitors remain high, problems can appear without warning, and the responsibility of keeping everything running smoothly is a constant pressure. The new series continues to follow the father and daughter team as they deal with those realities while trying to grow the park and keep guests coming back.

Part of the charm of the show comes from the relaxed chemistry between Danny and Dani, along with the lively mix of real life personalities who pass through the park. The programme blends humour, warmth and the everyday unpredictability of running a British holiday destination.

As the next chapter begins, The Dyers' Caravan Park once again pulls into view, offering a closer look at the work and determination that goes into keeping the spirit of the great British holiday alive.

Danny Dyer said: "We can't believe the love you've all shown to our Caravan site. So, we're coming back. Roll on the Summer of all Summers"

Dani Dyer said: "Coming back for Series 2 of Dyer's Caravan Park feels so special. Thank you for all the love and support it honestly means everything. We're so ready for another season of fun, chaos and a bit of Dyer madness" 

BBC World Service Brings Witness History to Life with AI Animation

Image: BBC Press

By Jon Donnis

The BBC World Service is experimenting with a new way of presenting its journalism, announcing that the long running programme Witness History will be adapted into a series of animated videos created with generative AI technology. The project represents the first time the BBC World Service has used this approach, as it looks for fresh methods to present its storytelling to audiences around the world.

Five recent episodes of Witness History are being turned into animated adaptations. The first of these, The World's First Labradoodle, has already been released on the BBC World Service YouTube channel. It will be followed by animated versions of Brazil's Biggest Bank Heist, Ramesses II's 'Mummy Makeover', The Discovery of Lord Sipan in Peru, and Arrested for Playing Football in Brazil.

The aim of the project is to expand the reach of Witness History by transforming its well known audio storytelling into a visual format. By pairing animation with the original recordings, the BBC hopes to give these stories a new life while making them more accessible to viewers who may not usually encounter the programme in audio form.

Fred Durman, Head of Business Development at BBC World Service, described the initiative as an opportunity to revive existing material in a new way. He said the use of generative AI allows the organisation to give its original programming a second life and connect with audiences through a different style of presentation.

Anna Doble, Digital Editor at BBC World Service, explained that the team is exploring how AI tools can help bring the programme's stories to life visually. She said the organisation is interested to see how new viewers respond to this approach as the episodes begin reaching wider audiences.

Animator Guang Jin Yeo of 1UpMedia, who worked on the project, said the goal was to create animation that complements the original audio without losing the careful storytelling that defines Witness History. He added that generative AI makes it possible to open up the BBC World Service archive of narrative audio for viewers who might never have discovered these stories otherwise.

The first animated episode, Witness History: The World's First Labradoodle, is already available to watch, while the remaining adaptations will follow as the project continues. Alongside the new videos, Witness History remains available as a weekday programme on BBC World Service English and as a podcast through BBC Sounds and other BBC podcast platforms.

Star City: A New Perspective on the Space Race

Image: Rhys Ifans in "Star City," Apple TV Press

By Jon Donnis

Apple TV is about to return to the world of For All Mankind, but this time the story takes a very different direction. The new drama Star City expands that alternate history universe and shifts the focus behind the Iron Curtain, offering a look at the Soviet side of the space race. After seeing the first details and cast announcements, it already feels like the kind of series that could deepen the mythology of that world while telling a tense story of its own.

The eight episode series will launch globally on Apple TV on Friday 29 May with the first two episodes arriving together. From that point, new instalments will follow weekly every Friday until the finale on 10 July.

Star City is described as a propulsive paranoid thriller, and the premise alone is enough to spark curiosity. The story revisits the key turning point in the alternate history timeline where the Soviet Union becomes the first nation to land a man on the moon. Instead of watching events unfold from the American side, the series looks inward at the Soviet programme itself. It follows the cosmonauts who trained for the mission, the engineers responsible for making the impossible possible, and the intelligence officers working quietly within the programme. All of them are bound together by risk, secrecy, and the drive to push humanity further into space.

The cast is impressive and packed with familiar faces from recent television. Rhys Ifans leads the ensemble, joined by Anna Maxwell Martin, Agnes O'Casey, Alice Englert, Solly McLeod, Adam Nagaitis, Ruby Ashbourne Serkis, Josef Davies and Priya Kansara. With actors known for work in shows such as House of the Dragon, Motherland, Chernobyl, Andor and Bridgerton, the line up suggests a strong character driven drama rather than a spectacle alone.

Behind the camera, the creative team adds even more reason for excitement. Star City is created by Ben Nedivi, Matt Wolpert and Ronald D. Moore, the same minds who helped shape the acclaimed world of For All Mankind. Wolpert and Nedivi serve as showrunners, while Moore executive produces alongside Maril Davis of Tall Ship Productions. Andrew Chambliss and Steve Oster also join the executive producing team. The series is produced for Apple TV by Sony Pictures Television.

What makes Star City particularly intriguing is the shift in perspective. For All Mankind explored an alternate version of history where the space race continued to escalate, but it largely centred on the American side of the rivalry. This new series promises to reveal the people and pressures behind the Soviet programme, opening the door to a side of that world we have only glimpsed before.

For anyone who enjoys tense political storytelling mixed with the ambition of space exploration, this looks like a fascinating addition to the For All Mankind universe. With its Cold War backdrop, a cast full of strong performers, and a story rooted in secrecy and scientific daring, Star City already feels like one of those shows that will be difficult to ignore once it begins. The countdown to May suddenly seems a lot longer.

Doctor Foster to Return for Final Chapter

Image: BBC Press

By Jon Donnis

The BBC has confirmed that Doctor Foster will return for a third and final series, bringing Gemma Foster's story to a close. Created and written by Mike Bartlett, the new five part run will see Suranne Jones step back into her multi award winning role as Gemma, alongside Bertie Carvel as Simon and Tom Taylor as Tom. Produced by Drama Republic for BBC iPlayer and BBC One, filming is set to begin later this spring.

It has been ten years since Gemma uncovered her husband Simon's affair and set in motion a calculated act of revenge. The consequences were severe, culminating in her 15 year old son Tom vanishing. In the new series, Gemma remains a GP and still lives in the same house, yet she stands on the edge of change. She has met someone new and is preparing to remarry. As the wedding approaches and loved ones gather, old secrets begin to surface, threatening her happiness and her standing in the community. Determined to shield those closest to her and uncover who is intent on causing harm, Gemma is once again forced to confront the past and decide whether justice can finally be served.

Reflecting on her return, Suranne Jones said the timing felt right. She explained that distance from the first two series was needed, as was the chance for Tom to return as an adult with his own questions. For her, this chapter centres on accountability and whether it is ever truly possible to cut ties with the damage that lingers. She described working again with Mike Bartlett and the Drama Republic team as exciting, and said she is eager to begin filming.

Mike Bartlett said he had long hoped to complete Gemma's story, describing it as the tale of a woman seeking fairness in an unfair world. He noted that the themes feel as relevant now as when Gemma first found a single blonde hair on a scarf. He also spoke of the pleasure of reuniting with Drama Republic, Tom Taylor, Bertie Carvel and Suranne Jones to revisit Parminster, where secrets and betrayals still simmer.

Roanna Benn and Jude Liknaitzky of Drama Republic said they are thrilled to bring the finale to screen, praising the gripping scripts and the chance to see Gemma and Simon face each other again after a decade. Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, called it a privilege to welcome the show back after almost ten years, crediting the writing, production team and cast for the impact of the first two series.

When it first aired in 2015 and 2017, Doctor Foster became a major hit in the UK, with close to ten million viewers tuning in for the series two finale. It also received widespread critical acclaim and National Television Awards for both runs, while Suranne Jones won a BAFTA for her performance as Gemma Foster.

Filming will take place in and around Hertfordshire. The first two series are currently available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

Industry to End with Fifth and Final Season

Image: BBC Press

By Jon Donnis

Industry will return for a fifth season, which has now been confirmed as the show's last. The critically acclaimed drama from Bad Wolf is set to close the book on its story after one more chapter, bringing a sharp, high pressure world to its natural conclusion.

Created by Mickey Down and Konrad Kay, the series wraps up its eight-episode fourth season on BBC iPlayer and BBC One on Monday 1 March 2026. Over the years it has built a reputation for its unsparing look at ambition, loyalty and the cost of success. That tension has only intensified in its latest run.

Season four throws Harper, played by Myha'la, and Yasmin, played by Marisa Abela, into a high stakes and globe spanning cat and mouse chase when a flashy fintech sensation storms into London. As Yasmin steers her complicated relationship with tech founder Sir Henry Muck, portrayed by Kit Harington, Harper finds herself caught in the orbit of the mysterious executive Whitney Halberstram, played by Max Minghella. Under the strain of money, influence and the need to come out on top, their already tangled friendship begins to buckle and flare.

Industry is created, written and executive produced by Mickey Down and Konrad Kay. It is a Bad Wolf production for HBO and the BBC. Executive producers include Jane Tranter, Kate Crowther and Ryan Rasmussen for Bad Wolf, Kathleen McCaffrey for Little Gems, and Rebecca Ferguson for the BBC. Directors across the series include Mickey Down and Konrad Kay, Michelle Savill and Luke Snellin, with writing credits shared by Down, Kay and Joseph Charlton.