BBC Announces New Comedy Drama Ann Droid Starring Sue Johnston And Diane Morgan

Image: BBC

By Jon Donnis

BBC One is set to air Ann Droid, a new comedy series exploring friendship, grief and the growing role of artificial intelligence in everyday life.

The series follows Sue, a grieving widow, and Linda, her outdated care robot who regularly gets things wrong and creates chaos, but ultimately helps Sue rediscover how to enjoy life again.

Set in a world where AI is becoming an increasingly present part of daily life, Ann Droid explores the question of what can truly be replaced and what cannot. The series combines comedy with a more emotional story about an unlikely friendship between a human and a machine.

Sue Johnston stars as Sue, while Diane Morgan plays Linda, a social humanoid robot designed to provide companionship for elderly people while also monitoring their health.

Through their unexpected relationship, Ann Droid examines the connections people form, the challenges of change, and the ways technology can affect human lives.

Ann Droid will air weekly on BBC One from Friday 17 July at 9.30pm, subject to confirmation, and will launch on BBC iPlayer at 6am on the same day.

BBC Announces Evolution, A Journey Through Four Billion Years Of Life On Earth

Image: BBC Studios/Freddie Claire

By Jon Donnis

BBC Studios is set to explore the incredible history of life on Earth with Evolution, a new five-part science series presented by Chris Packham.

The series will reveal how life has transformed over more than four billion years, using the latest scientific discoveries and immersive visual effects to uncover the evolutionary breakthroughs that shaped every living thing found on the planet today.

Rather than following a straightforward timeline, Evolution will take a different approach by focusing each episode on the deep evolutionary story of one iconic modern animal. Through these journeys, the series will explore how survival, chance, innovation and partnerships between species have helped create the extraordinary variety of life we see around us.

The ambitious production has been supported by the work of more than 600 scientists from around the world, who contributed their knowledge and expertise to the storytelling, scripts and visual effects. The series also received guidance from Series Academic Consultant Professor Peter Holland FRS, alongside a long-standing collaboration with The Open University.

At the centre of Evolution are its immersive visual effects sequences, created to take viewers billions of years into the past and introduce the creatures and moments that helped shape the evolution of life on Earth. The production team worked with award-winning VFX producer Moonraker to bring these ancient worlds and their inhabitants to life.

The series features 79 minutes of photoreal visual effects, made up of 242 individual shots. More than 20 different creatures have been recreated through CGI, with a total of 118,629 individual CGI frames used throughout the production.

Evolution is a BBC Studios Science Unit production made in partnership with The Open University.

Channel 4 Heads Below Deck With New E4 Cruise Series

Image: Ch4

By Jon Donnis

Channel 4 is setting sail with a new E4 series exploring life both above and below deck, as Cruising Paradise: Above and Below Deck takes viewers behind the scenes of modern cruise holidays.

The ten-part series comes from Brighton-based production company Crackit TV and will follow a mix of first-time passengers, experienced cruisers, and the young crew members working hard to deliver unforgettable journeys at sea.

Narrated by actor Callum Scott Howells, known for It’s a Sin, the series will provide exclusive access to life aboard contemporary cruise liners, capturing the excitement, challenges and unexpected moments that come with spending a season at sea.

Filmed aboard ships from Princess Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Cruising Paradise: Above and Below Deck will explore the realities of working life for the crew. Alongside the glamorous side of the job, the cameras will also capture demanding shifts, time away from loved ones, and the close friendships formed between colleagues.

Away from their responsibilities, crew members will also share the adventures, relationships and downtime that shape life onboard, including the late-night moments and personal connections that develop while travelling between some of the world’s most spectacular destinations.

The series will also introduce viewers to a selection of passengers discovering the appeal of cruising, from newcomers experiencing their first voyage to seasoned travellers returning to enjoy the unique atmosphere of life at sea.

Cruising Paradise: Above and Below Deck is the latest cruise-focused production from Crackit TV, following Cruising to the Ends of the Earth and Supercruising: Life at Sea for Channel 4.

The series reflects the growing popularity of cruise holidays among younger travellers, offering a look at why life onboard is becoming an increasingly popular choice for those looking for a different kind of getaway.

Cruising Paradise: Above and Below Deck will air soon on E4 and will also be available to stream on Channel 4.

Channel 4 Recommissions Yorkshire by the Sea and Devon & Cornwall

Image: Ch4 Press

By Jon Donnis

Channel 4 has renewed two of its popular regional documentary series, commissioning a second run of Yorkshire by the Sea alongside a sixth series of Devon & Cornwall.

Yorkshire by the Sea will return with five new episodes, continuing its focus on the people and communities who call the Yorkshire coastline home. The series explores life along the dramatic 100-mile stretch of coast that runs through North Yorkshire and East Yorkshire, from Saltburn and Scarborough in the north to Spurn Point in the south.

The programme shines a light on the everyday people who live and work along the coast, highlighting their experiences, challenges and achievements. Through their own stories, viewers will once again meet the workers, business owners and community figures whose efforts help shape life in the region.

The new series will also continue to examine the impact of a rapidly changing coastline. As erosion and climate-related challenges affect local communities, the programme will follow those adapting through new ideas, changing industries and fresh opportunities, while others work to preserve traditional livelihoods and protect the area's wildlife.

Meanwhile, Devon & Cornwall has also been recommissioned for a further five episodes. The long-running series follows daily life across the South West, offering a glimpse into the experiences of local residents including farmers, fishermen, shopkeepers, villagers and those working within the tourism sector.

Known for its relaxed and authentic approach, the programme continues to showcase the people and businesses that help define Devon and Cornwall. Set against some of the UK's most recognisable scenery, the series provides a portrait of the communities that live and work throughout the region.

Both recommissions come from Yorkshire-based production company Air TV, with the two series continuing Channel 4's commitment to telling stories from communities across different parts of the country.

Tea with Judi Dench Returns with Sir Ian McKellen as Special Guest

Image: Sky TV

By Jon Donnis

Sky has confirmed that Tea with Judi Dench will return this summer with a brand-new special featuring one of Britain's most celebrated actors, Sir Ian McKellen.

Produced by Mindhouse, the latest instalment continues the series' focus on conversation, storytelling and friendship, with Dame Judi Dench welcoming her long-time friend to her home for an intimate and revealing discussion. The pair reflect on their remarkable careers both on and off the stage, sharing memories and insights gathered across decades in the entertainment industry.

Their conversation covers a wide range of subjects, from Shakespeare and stage fright to the insecurities that can accompany a life in acting. They also look back on the huge success that came with globally recognised productions such as The Lord of the Rings and James Bond films, discussing both triumphs and setbacks while considering the importance of keeping success and failure in perspective.

Sir Ian also speaks openly about his personal life, including his experience of coming out and his involvement in the campaign against Section 28. During the discussion, he reflects on what he considers one of his greatest regrets, never having shared the truth about himself with his parents.

The return follows the success of the programme's first special, which saw Sir Kenneth Branagh join Dame Judi at her Surrey home. Their conversation, filled with stories from their careers and personal reflections, proved popular with viewers thanks to its warmth, humour and honesty.

With another candid exchange between two much-loved performers, the new special promises more thoughtful conversation, memorable stories and a celebration of friendship between two of Britain's most respected acting talents.

Save Me: Danae Skiadi Heads Into a Town Full of Secrets in New Greek Crime Thriller

Image: Viaplay 

By Jon Donnis

Nordic noir has dominated television for years, but now a new Greek thriller looks ready to drag viewers into something every bit as cold, haunting, and emotionally charged. Save Me arrives in the UK this June carrying a strong reputation after being seen on Netflix Greece, and from the sound of it, this could easily become one of the sleeper crime drama hits of the summer.

Set against the atmospheric backdrop of northern Greece, the series immediately stands out thanks to its moody setting and deeply personal central mystery. Danae Skiadi stars as Nikol, a young woodcarver returning to her hometown of Komotini for her father’s memorial. It is supposed to be a difficult but brief visit home. Instead, events quickly spiral when her younger sister suddenly disappears, forcing Nikol into a desperate search for answers in a town filled with buried secrets and uneasy memories.

What makes Save Me especially intriguing is the way it blends psychological drama with classic crime thriller elements. The missing persons case soon develops into something far darker, with the possibility of a serial killer lurking beneath the surface of an otherwise quiet community. That tension between ordinary daily life and hidden horror always makes for compelling television, and this series seems determined to lean heavily into that unsettling atmosphere.

Elena Mavridou co-stars as a local detective who becomes entangled in the investigation alongside Nikol. From the early details, it sounds like both women are carrying emotional scars of their own, giving the story a strong human core beneath the suspense. Rather than simply focusing on procedural twists, the series appears more interested in trauma, guilt, corruption, and the emotional damage left behind by long hidden truths.

Visually, the setting alone could become one of the show’s biggest strengths. Northern Greece is rarely explored in international television drama, and the rugged landscapes and isolated communities sound perfect for a slow burning noir thriller. There is every chance the location itself becomes a character within the story, adding to the sense of dread and emotional isolation.

Another encouraging sign is the involvement of author Dimitris Simos, whose original novel serves as the basis for the series. Simos also acts as head screenwriter, which often helps preserve the tone and themes that made the source material popular in the first place. Fans of literary crime dramas will likely see that as a major positive going in.

With eight 45 minute episodes, Save Me also looks perfectly structured for weekly viewing. Releasing two episodes every Monday from 22 June should give audiences enough time to absorb the mystery, speculate on suspects, and slowly sink deeper into the show’s dark world rather than simply racing through it all in one sitting.

For viewers who enjoy tense European crime dramas filled with damaged characters, layered mysteries, and oppressive atmosphere, Save Me already feels like one to watch closely. Between its gripping premise, emotionally driven story, and distinctive Greek setting, this could end up being a genuinely memorable addition to the growing world of international noir television.

Available to watch on Viaplay via Prime Video

https://amzn.to/4wY2Vgs

Ambitious new BBC Series Explores the Life and World of Jesus Christ

Will the BBC portray Jesus accurately?

By Jon Donnis

The BBC has commissioned a new four-part series exploring the life of Jesus Christ, aiming to reconstruct his world using historical research, archaeological evidence, and modern production techniques. The series is intended for BBC Television and BBC iPlayer, with a planned broadcast date in 2027.

On paper, the project is framed as a serious attempt to revisit one of history’s most influential figures with fresh academic and visual tools. It will draw on Gospel accounts alongside wider historical sources, placing Jesus within the political, religious and cultural tensions of his time. The production comes from Wonderhood Studios, a company known for large-scale documentary and factual storytelling.

But the announcement also arrives at a time when trust in the BBC is no longer as straightforward as it once was. Public confidence in the broadcaster has been repeatedly questioned in recent years, with debates around bias and editorial judgement continuing to follow many of its major factual projects. That backdrop is likely to shape how this series is received, regardless of its academic intent.

The central question for some viewers will not simply be how Jesus is portrayed, but how the BBC chooses to interpret him. Can a low trust publicly funded broadcaster still be trusted to handle such a culturally and religiously sensitive subject with full neutrality? Or will modern ideological woke framing, seep into the storytelling and shape the narrative in subtle ways?

At this stage, there are no answers, only expectations and suspicion in equal measure. The series has not yet aired, and its tone, framing and balance remain unknown. Whether it becomes a respected reassessment of a pivotal historical figure or another flashpoint in debates over media bias is something that will only become clear once it reaches screens.