STILL TO COME THIS YEAR IN DRAMA, NEW AND RETURNING TITLES REVEALED

A look ahead to the new and returning drama titles due to air later this year...

The Hack

Autumn, ITV1

Set between 2002 and 2012, the phone-hacking drama deftly interweaves two real life stories, the work of investigative journalist Nick Davies, played by David Tennant, who uncovered evidence of phone hacking at the News of the World, and running parallel, the story of the investigation into the unsolved murder of private investigator Daniel Morgan, led by former Met Police Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Cook, played by Robert Carlyle. 

Riot Women

BBC One

Brand-new drama from the multi-BAFTA award-winning writer Sally Wainwright. In Riot Women we dive headfirst into the world of five women who come together to create a makeshift punk-rock band in order to enter a local talent contest but, in writing their first original song, soon discover that they have a lot to say - and this is their way to say it.

As they juggle demanding jobs, grown-up children, complicated parents, husbands who’ve buggered off, and disastrous dates and relationships, the band becomes a catalyst for change in their lives, and it’s going to make them question everything.

Wild Cherry

BBC One

Meet Lorna (Carmen Ejogo), a self-made, successful, mixed black businesswoman from North West London who has worked hard to be where she is – and best friend Juliet (Eve Best), a woman born into the privileged gated community they both call home. Daughters Grace (Imogen Faires) and Allegra (Amelia May) are BFFs and live a life other teenagers can only dream of. A safe haven for the superrich and their little darlings, Richford Lake is a place where bad things never happen…

The Guest

BBC One

The Guest (4x60) is an addictive, fast-paced story that centres on the toxic and beguiling relationship between a successful business owner, Fran, and her employee, Ria. Ria has never had the time or opportunity to think about what she might actually want from the world. So, when she starts cleaning for Fran, she’s intoxicated by this confident and self-assured woman who encourages her to take control of her life and, when Ria flourishes, an intense friendship is forged.

Babies

BBC One

The six-part series is a warm and touching drama which explores the delicate tightrope of love and loss in a young couple's desire to become parents. Lisa (Cullen) and Stephen (Essiedu) are dealing with the painful struggle of pregnancy loss while life continues around them. However, despite facing dark times of grief and loneliness, they are finding their way through it with a burning sense of hope, humour, and love, realising the strength of their relationship, which will ultimately bring them closer than ever.

The Bombing Of Pan Am 103

BBC One

Forthcoming drama based on the true story of the bombing of a passenger flight over the small Scottish town of Lockerbie in 1988 and the quest to bring the perpetrators to justice. On 21 December 1988, flight Pan Am 103 was en route from Heathrow to JFK when a bomb exploded in its hold over Lockerbie, killing 270 people, including 43 British citizens and 190 Americans. It was the worst ever terror attack on British soil and the first major act of terrorism against US citizens.

The Night Manager

BBC One

Tom Hiddleston (Loki, The Essex Serpent) will reprise his iconic role as Jonathan Pine. The Night Manager will once again be written by series creator David Farr. BAFTA winner Georgi Banks-Davies (I Hate Suzie, Paper Girls) is attached to direct all six episodes of series two. Stephen Garrett will return to lead the production of the series. Hugh Laurie (All The Light We Cannot See, VEEP) will be an executive producer on the upcoming series. The Night Manager will pick up with Jonathan Pine eight years after the explosive finale of season one.

Malpractice

May, ITV1

 The second series of the critically acclaimed medical thriller. When on-call psych consultant Dr James Ford (Tom Hughes) finds himself caught between an anxious new mother’s postnatal check-up and the sectioning of a psychotic patient, no-one can predict the tragic outcome.

Code Of Silence

May, ITV1

an impressive supporting cast including Kieron Moore, Charlotte Ritchie, and Andrew Buchan. Code of Silence is a gripping crime drama created by Catherine Moulton (Baptiste, Then You Run, Hijack), who drew on her own experiences with lip-reading and hearing loss to craft this unique and compelling series that is brought to life by lead director Diarmuid Goggins (Kin, Black Cab, Witness No. 3)

What It Feels Like For A Girl

BBC Three

Coming-of-age drama, inspired by the acclaimed memoir of the same name by the award-winning writer and journalist Paris Lees. It's a new millennium - Madonna, Moloko and Basement Jaxx top the charts, and there's a whole world to explore. But teenager Byron is stuck in a small working-class town that hasn’t been the same since the coal mine shut in the 80s. Sick of mam, sick of dad, sick of being beaten up for "talkin' like a poof". Sick of everyone shuffling about like the living dead, going on about kitchens they're too skint to do up and marriages they're too scared to leave. Byron needs to get away, and doesn't care how.

Lord Of The Flies

BBC One

Jack Thorne adaptation of Lord of the Flies, the story of a group of young schoolchildren who find themselves stranded on a tropical island with no adults, following a deadly plane crash. In an attempt to remain civil, the boys organise themselves, led by Ralph and supported by the group’s intellectual, Piggy. But Jack, who is in charge of signal fire duty, is more interested in hunting and vying for leadership and soon begins to draw other boys away from the order of the group and, ultimately, from hope to tragedy.

Ridley

Summer, ITV1

Ridley returns for a second series to solve more crimes. In series two of ITV’s detective drama, Adrian Dunbar returns to the title role to solve more crimes. The retired detective turned police consultant resumes his partnership with former protégée DI Carol Farman, played by Bronagh Waugh (The Suspect, Unforgotten, The Fall), who is now in charge of investigations

Karen Pirie

Summer, ITV1

In the turmoil of 1984, when young heiress to the Grant oil fortune Catriona Grant is kidnapped at gunpoint with her young son, it’s assumed that the motivation is political. The huge investigation creates an uncontrollable press storm… but when the culprits unexpectedly fall silent, the case runs cold. Cat and Adam are never seen again.

The War Between The War And The Sea

BBC One

The first Doctor Who spin-off series between the BBC and Disney+ is created by Doctor Who Showrunner and Executive Producer Russell T Davies, who has written the series with Executive Producer Pete McTighe. When a fearsome and ancient species emerges from the ocean, dramatically revealing themselves to humanity, an international crisis is triggered. With the entire population at risk, UNIT step into action as the land and sea wage war.

The Gold

BBC One

Following the conviction of some of those involved in the theft and handling of the Brink’s-Mat gold, the police (Hugh Bonneville, Charlotte Spencer, Emun Elliot) realised that those criminals only ever had half of it. Series two explores what happened to the other half, and the criminal fortune it created.

As the police investigation continues, it becomes a tense, high-stakes journey into international money laundering and organised crime, while the police embark on dramatic manhunts as they desperately try to solve the longest and most expensive investigation in the history of the Metropolitan Police.

I Fought The Law

TBC, ITV1

Starring Sheridan Smith, the heart-breaking, real-life story of a mother’s love, courage and determination to change the Double Jeopardy Law, and see her daughter’s murderer brought to justice. The series recounts how tenacious mother of three, Ann Ming, battled for 15 years so that her daughter’s murderer could finally face justice, having been controversially acquitted following two mistrials.

Professor T

ITV1

Set against the stunning backdrop of one of the world’s most prestigious educational institutions, Cambridge University, the third season will see Professor T banged up in prison and with his career on the line he is forced to make a momentous decision.

The Couple Next Door

Channel 4

Brilliant heart surgeon Charlotte Roberts (Annabel Scholey) and her husband, consultant anaesthetist Jacob (Sam Palladio) are a high-flying busy married couple. But things soon turn upside down when their mysterious new hospital colleague Mia (Aggy K Adams) rents out the house next door.

The Undeclared War

Channel 4

Simon Pegg (Mission Impossible, Star Trek) returns as Danny Patrick, Director of Operations at GCHQ (U.K.’s Government Communications Headquarters). Set in 2024, The Undeclared War returns with a fresh wave of tension and drama as the elite Malware Department at GCHQ grapples with the aftermath of a devastating Russian cyber-attack. Just when it seems the UK has gained the upper hand, Danny and the team uncover a far more dangerous threat. 

Transmission details for all the titles mentioned above will be confirmed in due course.