January 2026 is already shaping up to be an impeccable month for television, with New Year’s Day setting that tone thanks to the thrilling return of The Night Manager, ITV’s tense new Red Eye and a brand new series of The Traitors (huge episode-one twist included). Next week, kicking off from Monday 5 January, is only set to get better, with some brand new dramas and some returning British favourites. So strap in and set those watch lists, because we’ve got an impressive array of TV recommendations coming your way…
BBC
Lynley
That’s right, the long-awaited new adaptation is finally coming to the BBC this week, with episode one premiering on Monday night. It’s currently got a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviews describing it “gritty and honest, yet surprisingly tender and cozy” (via Lady Geeks Media) and “a worthy successor to The Inspector Lynley Mysteries” (via Collider).
A reimagining of the popular Inspector Lynley mysteries, based on the best-selling novel series by Elizabeth George, the new series will see unconventional detective duo DI Tommy Lynley and DS Barbara Havers as they work together in a passionate pursuit for justice.
Lynley airs on Monday 5 January on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 8.30pm.
ITV
Grantchester
Season 10 of the beloved ITV drama returns to the UK, with Robson Green (DI Geordie Keating) and Rishi Nair (Reverend Alphy Kottaram) reprising their roles.
As we return to Grantchester, Keating and Kottaram will continue to work together to solve crime, while it’s been teased that they’ll also provide support to each other through family struggles and personal secrets…
Grantchester series 10 will premiere on Wednesday 7 January on ITV at 9pm.
Channel 4
Patience
Ella Maisy Purvis will return as Patience Evans, the brilliant case-cracker who uses her skills to help with investigations after previously holding a clerical role in York’s police department. For season two, Patience has a new boss: Detective Frankie Monroe (played by Jessica Hynes).
As they work together on a slew of new cases, we’ve been promised “more twisted and mysterious crimes in spectacular settings…”
Patience season 2 airs on Wednesday 7 January at 9pm on Channel 4.
BBC
Call the Midwife
Fresh off the back of that Christmas two-parter, Call the Midwife fans will be able to settle in for a brand new season on Sunday night.
We already know that some of the themes tackled in the new episodes will include the Women’s Liberation Movement, placenta previa and tuberculosis.
Call the Midwife season 15 starts on Sunday 11 January at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Netflix
His and Hers
This twisty crime drama, which stars Tessa Thompson (Hedda) and The Bear star Jon Bernthal, is a whodunnit at its heart, with two lead characters – field reporter Anna (Thompson) and Detective Jack Harper (played by Bernthal) – each ending up suspecting the other…
His and Hers arrives to Netflix on Thursday 8 January.
Disney+
A Thousand Blows, season 2
The period drama from Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight is back for another season, one year after the first premiered. Set in the world of bare-knuckle boxing in Victorian London, it stars Stephen Graham, Malachi Kirby and Erin Doherty.
Premiering on 9 January on Disney+
The new edition of Living Legends, celebrating music icon Dolly Parton, is here! Buy Dolly at 80 in newsagents or online, priced at just £8.99.
TV Editor, Digital Spy Laura has been watching television for over 30 years and professionally writing about entertainment for almost 10 of those. Â Previously at LOOK and now heading up the TV desk at the UK’s biggest TV and movies site Digital Spy, Laura has helped steer conversations around some of the most popular shows on the box. Laura has appeared on Channel 5 News and radio to talk viewing habits and TV recommendations. Â As well as putting her nerd-level Buffy knowledge to good use during an IRL meet with Sarah Michelle Gellar, Laura also once had afternoon tea with One Direction, has sat around the fire pit of the Love Island villa, spoken to Sir David Attenborough about the world’s oceans and even interviewed Rylan from inside the Big Brother house (housemate status, forever pending).Â