What to watch on TV this autumn – and where
There’s a wave of new and returning shows heading to our screens in the coming weeks. Here are our picks
Channel 4
There’s a wave of new and returning shows heading to our screens in the coming weeks. Here are our picks
We may be clinging on to the last few days of summer, but there’s no hiding from the fact that longer nights and chillier temperatures are just around the corner. That translates to loads more cosy evenings in front of the TV.
And this autumn there is an array of shows to keep you entertained. Whether you enjoy a good comedy, love watching celebrities attempting to dance or relish trying to work out the plot twist in a crime drama, there’s something for everyone.
Here we look at eight shows hitting our screens over the next few months.
The comforting autumn ritual returns, but this time with a big change: Nigella Lawson joins Paul Hollywood in the Bake Off tent, replacing the departing Dame Prue Leith – alongside hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding.
Her warmth, wit and love of food should bring a fresh flavour to one of Britain’s most reassuring television traditions as 12 bakers attempt to show off their skills in the kitchen and be crowned the ultimate star baker.
The show is back on Channel 4 next month and new judge Nigella, 66, admits she’s quite nervous about her new role.
“I am a tiny bit frightened, I’d be lying if I didn’t say that. I am very excited, but I take it very seriously,” she says. “The thing about Bake Off is it’s about the programme, which is an institution of national treasure status. It’s about the bakers and I just want to be there and be part of it. I think Bake Off is enduringly popular because it feels like it’s about community, people need that.”
It’s been the staple of autumn TV since 2004 but as Strictly returns for its 24th series, things are looking quite different.
Hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have stepped down and in their place will be Emma Willis, Josh Widdecombe and former pro dancer Johannes Radebe. According to BBC One’s chief content officer Kate Phillip, the trio are “very excited”, adding “Johannes always cries every time you speak to him. I’m hoping they’re happy tears. He’s a lovely, emotional man, Johannes, and I think they were happy tears last week.”
Actors Lacey Turner and Dani Dyer, pet trainer Graeme “The Dogfather” Hall and Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey are among the contestants hoping to lift the Glitterball trophy, which was won by footballer Karen Carney in 2025.
Strictly begins on BBC One on Saturday 26 September.
While it may not have the same recognition as the BBC’s other big-hitting police drama Line Of Duty (which will be returning for its seventh series early next year), there is still a lot of excitement among Blue Lights fans around its fourth outing.
Following frontline police officers in Belfast facing dangerous situations while balancing demanding jobs with complicated personal lives, its strength has always been believable characters and emotional storylines rather than just empty thrills.
Three years into their jobs as response officers, constables Grace, Tommy, and Annie are operating at their limit, facing a new threat on the streets that the police can barely control. A one-off special episode will also answer important questions from the past.
The release date is yet to be confirmed but is likely in the next few weeks.
Alan Carr emotionally admitting he “was and had always been a Traitor” to remaining Faithfuls Nick Mohammed and David Olusoga was one of the TV highlights of 2025 so we can’t wait for the next series of The Celebrity Traitors to begin.
A recent teaser revealed it is coming to BBC One “soon” as Claudia Winkleman welcomes more famous faces to the Scottish castle as friendships are put to the test in the ultimate game of trust.
This year’s contestants include Richard E Grant, Jerry Hall, Michael Sheen, Miranda Hart and Romesh Ranganathan.
Whose shoulder will Claudia tap on as she walks around the table? Will anyone be murdered in plain sight? And can anyone outdo Celia Imrie’s nervous fart? All will be revealed.
Dame Jilly Cooper’s gloriously outrageous world of The Cotswolds in the 1980s is back as we return to Rutshire following the devastating events of the great storm of 1987. Series 2 was broken into two parts with viewers being left on a cliffhanger at the close of the first six episodes (but no spoilers here in case you haven’t caught up yet).
The second six episodes will air on Disney+ in November as the rivalries, romances, ambition and scandal continue to play out.
“Following a shocking turn of events in the sixth episode, the residents of Rutshire are rocked by tragedy, scandal and betrayal as the battle between Venturer and Corinium reaches breaking point,” says a Disney+ spokesperson.
“As Tony Baddingham and Declan O’Hara’s contest for the Cotswolds crown hits a fever pitch, Rupert Campbell-Black is forced to confront his own personal demons.”
Jane Austen’s most famous love story gets a fresh Netflix adaptation, with Emma Corrin as Elizabeth Bennet, Jack Lowden as Mr Darcy and Olivia Colman as Mrs Bennet.
Written by Dolly Alderton, this six-part version promises to bring a familiar story to a new generation while retaining the romance, wit and social observation that help the novel to endure.
It is due to air later this year, and while it will obviously be compared to the 1995 BBC adaptation (who can forget Colin Firth walking out of the lake in his clingy shirt?), it promises to bring a different interpretation to the beloved book.
Corrin, who appeared as Diana, Princess of Wales, in the Netflix series The Crown, says: “Playing Elizabeth Bennet is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. To be able to bring this iconic character to life, alongside Olivia and Jack, with Dolly’s phenomenal scripts, is truly the greatest honour. I can’t wait for a new generation to fall in love with this story all over again.”
Based on writer Elizabeth Day’s acclaimed psychological thriller novel, The Party promises a gripping drama about friendship, privilege, secrets and the devastating cost of loyalty.
Expect lots of twists and turns as Luke Evans and Tom Cullen lead a story centred on a lavish birthday celebration that takes a very dark turn.
Day says, “I am so thrilled to see this wonderful adaptation of my novel, The Party, come to our screens. It’s unbelievably exciting to witness my characters and the imagined world they inhabit evolving into this compelling, new creative iteration. And yes, I’ve already asked to be an extra. Multiple times.”
The Party will air on ITV and STV later this year.
This City Is Ours returns to BBC One for a second series, taking us back into the dangerous world of Liverpool’s criminal underworld.
After the first series left relationships, loyalties and power struggles hanging in the balance, there is plenty of unfinished business to explore.
The new series – which will air in the next couple of months – sees Michael (James Nelson-Joyce) and Diana (Hannah Onslow) head to Spain, but the death of cartel member Ricardo drags them back into danger. Tensions and shifting loyalties also boil over back in Liverpool among the remaining members of the gang following the revelations at the end of series one.
Your chance to win a 7-night cruise for two on board Spirit of the Rhine, worth more than £4,000.
These engrossing novels and fascinating non-fiction picks are the perfect summer escape.
Dr Mark Porter dives into the health issues affecting us all in the new podcast from Saga.
The celebrity historian shares her travel stories and disasters.
The BBC newsreader on running 23 marathons, coping with grief and why she’s still chasing new challenges at 58.
The writer and broadcaster on childhood adventures, Winnie-the-Pooh and the lesson that has guided him.
The TV presenter shares her favourite places and the surprising companion she would love to travel with.
TV’s Dr Hilary Jones on why he wants sweeping reform to modern healthcare.
