Race Against the Tide Begins Filming on St Andrews' West Sands Beach

Image: BBC Press

By Jon Donnis

BBC Scotland's latest competitive reality series, Race Against the Tide, has officially started filming in the scenic coastal town of St Andrews. Set against the striking West Sands Beach, the show promises a unique blend of creativity, tension and natural drama as teams of sand sculptors face off against the clock and the tide.

At the heart of the series are seven teams made up of both amateur and professional sand artists. Their challenge is simple in concept but brutally difficult in execution: create an awe-inspiring sculpture before the sea claims their canvas. As the tide creeps in, each team must race to complete their design under pressure, knowing only one will make it through to the end. One team will be eliminated in each episode.

Presiding over the chaos is BAFTA-winning comedian Iain Stirling, who acts as both host and commentator. His familiar humour will guide viewers through each episode, adding levity to a competition where every minute and every grain of sand counts. Stirling commented on the experience of filming in Scotland, saying, "It's very rare I get to spend a day on a sunny beach and it's even rarer when that beach is in Scotland, so I am absolutely buzzing to be in St Andrews to kick off filming for Race Against the Tide. When else do you get a chance to combine crazy impressive sand art and the ever-looming threat of the tide washing it away?"

Judging duties are handled by artist Sadie Clayton and renowned sand sculptor Jamie Wardley. They are tasked with selecting the strongest sculpture in each episode before the ocean wipes it away. Their expertise brings a serious artistic edge to a format that otherwise teeters between performance art and natural spectacle.

The show is being produced by Tern TV in partnership with BBC Scotland. Catherine Catton, Head of Commissioning for Factual Entertainment and Events, sees the show as an accessible way to inspire audiences to reconnect with nature and creativity. "Whether you live near a beach or simply take the kids to the sand pit at the local park, the epic sand sculptures in this series are sure to inspire families everywhere to get out in nature and give it a go."

BBC Scotland's Louise Thornton adds, "Against a background of a stunning Scottish seascape, this series will make a splash. Viewers will lap up the combination of artistry, jeopardy and fun."

Tern's Executive Producer Harry Bell highlights the sustainability angle, calling it "the green reality show." He sees Race Against the Tide as a way to celebrate both the fragility and power of nature while showcasing an often underappreciated art form.

With a charismatic host, breathtaking coastal visuals and a fresh take on reality competition, Race Against the Tide looks set to bring something different to UK screens. The tide may be the real villain of the show, but the creativity and passion of the sculptors promise to leave a lasting impression long after the waves have come and gone.

Viaplay’s Chaos Premieres in the UK – A Smart, Sharp Danish Drama with a Twist of Romance

 

Image provided by Aim Publicity

By Jon Donnis

Viaplay introduces Chaos, a new Danish comedy drama centred on love, life decisions and the pressures of fame. Set to premiere exclusively in the UK on Monday, 19 May, the eight-part series brings a mix of romance and personal upheaval, with a setting that recalls the tone of The Morning Show.

Lise is Denmark's most beloved breakfast TV presenter. Her life appears secure, but she is confronted with a life-altering choice when she meets Johannes, a cheerful, carefree man living a quiet existence by the Danish coast in a van. Their worlds could not be more different. Lise's career is high-profile and carefully managed, while Johannes has chosen simplicity and freedom.

As their connection grows, Lise starts to question her current path. Her marriage to co-host Martin has lost its spark, and the idea of giving it all up for a new beginning begins to feel less impossible. Caught between safety and spontaneity, she must decide whether to protect the life she knows or take a leap towards something entirely new.

The story unfolds around a struggling morning show, where behind-the-scenes tensions and falling ratings mirror Lise's personal doubts. The series blends romance and reflection, offering humour and emotional depth while prompting viewers to reflect on their own life choices.

Chaos was created by Johanna Runevad (All and Eva) and directed by Lars Kaalund (Rita). The cast includes Katrine Greis-Rosenthal (A Fortunate Man, A Taste of Hunger), Hadi Ka-Koush (The Bridge, Follow the Money), Jacob Lohmann (The Promised Land, Darkness: Those Who Kill), and Amanda Collin (Raised by Wolves, A Horrible Woman).

The series runs for eight episodes of 30 minutes each and is presented in Danish with English subtitles.

First Look at The Iris Affair: Niamh Algar and Tom Hollander Star in Neil Cross Thriller for Sky

 

 

Images: Sky TV Press

By Jon Donnis

Sky has unveiled the first-look images for The Iris Affair, a high-stakes chase thriller from Luther creator Neil Cross. Previously titled Iris, the eight-part series stars Niamh Algar (Mary & George, The Virtues) as brilliant puzzle-solver Iris Nixon and Tom Hollander (The White Lotus, Feud: Capote vs. The Swans) as Cameron Beck, a charismatic but morally murky entrepreneur. Directed by Terry McDonough (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul) and Sarah O'Gorman (A Gentleman in Moscow, The Witcher), the show promises a visually arresting and tense ride through Italy.

Set against sun-drenched European backdrops, The Iris Affair pits two sharp minds against one another in a gripping battle of wits. After Iris cracks a series of complex online puzzles, she finds herself face-to-face with Beck in a Florentine piazza. He offers her a mysterious job involving a powerful piece of top-secret technology. Intrigued, she agrees. But after discovering its deadly potential, she steals the activation journal and goes off-grid.

What unfolds is a kinetic game of cat and mouse, stretching from a secluded Sardinian cabin to the heart of Rome. As Cameron races to recover the stolen journal, Iris must stay ahead in a world where trust is elusive and the consequences are lethal.

Joining Algar and Hollander is a strong supporting cast that includes Kristofer Hivju (Game of Thrones), Harry Lloyd (Arcane), Meréana Tomlinson (The Trials), Sacha Dhawan (Doctor Who), Maya Sansa (Dormant Beauty), Peter Sullivan (Poldark), Debi Mazar (Younger), Marco Leonardi (Anime Nere), Angela Bruce (Silver Haze) and Lorenzo De Moor (A Simple Favor 2).

Produced by Sky Studios and Fremantle, the show was filmed on location in Italy with production services from Wildside. Executive producers include Adrian Sturges for Sky Studios, Neil Cross, Terry McDonough, Jenni Sherwood and Dante Di Loreto for Fremantle. Susan E. Connolly and Ian Scott McCullough have also contributed as writers on the series.

The Iris Affair will air later this year on Sky and streaming service NOW in the UK, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Fremantle is managing the series' international distribution.

Pushers: Rosie Jones Turns the System Inside Out

By Jon Donnis

Channel 4 is set to make a bold statement with Pushers, a gritty, subversive comedy from the minds of Rosie Jones and Peter Fellows. Based on an award-winning Comedy Blap and starring Jones in her first ever sitcom role, the series launches next month and promises to turn every expectation on its head.

Rosie Jones plays Emily, a sharp, highly educated woman with cerebral palsy who finds herself navigating life after her state benefits are slashed and her job is taken away. With nothing left to lose and everything to prove, Emily embarks on a path few would expect. She builds a drugs empire from the shadows, using the very prejudices people project onto her as the perfect camouflage. Overlooked, patronised, and underestimated her whole life, she flips the script on a system that ignores her, and exploits the cracks in it for profit.

Backed by powerhouse producers Merman Television and 2LE Media, Pushers blends cutting satire with street-smart humour and a lead character who refuses to play by anyone's rules. The series is not afraid to skewer the hypocrisies of the benefits system while delivering a fresh kind of criminal anti-hero, one rarely seen on British screens.

Joining Jones is a solid ensemble cast. Ryan McParland brings emotional grounding as Ewen, while Jon Furlong, Lynn Hunter, and Clive Russell add complexity and heart to Emily's world. Rhiannon Clements, Ruben Reuter, Libby Mai, Trevor Dwyer-Lynch, and more round out a dynamic group of characters who orbit Emily's unlikely ascent from redundancy to rebellion.

Pushers is more than just a comedy, it is a fearless look at power, perception, and the freedom that comes when you are no longer willing to be invisible. Channel 4 continues its tradition of taking risks on distinctive voices, and this one looks ready to spark conversation.

'This City is Ours' Renewed for Second Series After Breakout Success on BBC iPlayer

Image: BBC/Left Bank Pictures/James Stack

By Jon Donnis

The critically acclaimed Liverpool-set crime drama This City is Ours will return for a second series on BBC iPlayer and BBC One, following the success of its debut run.

Created by Stephen Butchard and produced by Left Bank Pictures, the show follows Michael (James Nelson-Joyce) and Diana (Hannah Onslow), whose relationship is tested by the collapse of Michael's criminal empire. With Sean Bean co-starring as Ronnie, the drama explores betrayal, ambition and gang warfare after a key drug shipment disappears.

The first series has proved a major hit, attracting over 6.6 million viewers for its opening episode and becoming the BBC's most watched new drama of the year so far. It also sparked a viral moment thanks to the Phelan family's memorable line-dance to "House of Bamboo".

Viewers have raced ahead on BBC iPlayer, with nearly 3 million streaming the finale before its BBC One airing on Sunday 11 May.

Stephen Butchard expressed gratitude for the audience's investment, calling the opportunity to continue the story a "gift". Left Bank Pictures' Sian McWilliams teased more betrayals and unfinished business ahead.

Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, praised the show's "classy" delivery and strong audience response, confirming the new series will delve deeper into the Phelans' criminal underworld.

Series two will comprise eight episodes and continue to be written by Butchard. It will be executive produced by Andy Harries, Rebecca Hodgson and Sian McWilliams for Left Bank Pictures, with international distribution by Sony Pictures Television.

Series one of This City is Ours is available to stream in full on BBC iPlayer. Further updates on series two are expected soon.

BBC Commissions New Agatha Christie Adaptation Endless Night

Image: The Christie Archive Trust via BBC Press

By Jon Donnis

The BBC and BritBox International have greenlit a new three-part adaptation of Agatha Christie's Endless Night, adapted by Sarah Phelps and produced by Mammoth Screen and Agatha Christie Limited.

Set in 1967, the psychological thriller follows Michael Rogers, a working-class drifter who dreams of living in a luxury countryside home designed by the eccentric Rudolf Santonix. When he meets heiress Ellie, the two marry and move into the house—rumoured to be cursed. As disturbing events unfold, the young couple begin to question if the legend is real or if something more sinister is at play.

Blending gothic mystery and doomed romance, Endless Night is the sixth Christie novel Phelps has adapted for the BBC, following hits like And Then There Were None and The Witness for the Prosecution. She describes this story as "a chilling tale of love, sex, deceit and death."

Executive producers include James Prichard for Agatha Christie Limited, Rebecca Durbin and Damien Timmer for Mammoth Screen, and Robert Schildhouse for BritBox. Filming is due to begin later this year, with casting to be announced. The series will stream on BBC iPlayer and BritBox in North America.

Suzie Lee Simplifies Fine Dining in New BBC Series

Image credit: Waddell Media

By Jon Donnis

Suzie Lee returns to BBC iPlayer and BBC Northern Ireland in Suzie Lee's Great Food Made Simple, a six-part series where she explores the kitchens of top Northern Irish chefs. Unlike her previous shows, this time Suzie observes culinary experts crafting their signature dishes.

Inspired by these professional techniques, Suzie then develops achievable and affordable home-cooked versions. She visits six chefs, each offering unique insights. In Londonderry, Phelim O'Hagan's French-influenced local cuisine inspires Suzie's take on nut butter and sticky toffee pudding. County Down sees Suzie learn from John and Louise Mathers, adapting their smoked eel and baked cheesecake into mackerel salad and a no-cook peach pudding.

Fermanagh's John Roche's cured black bacon and Belfast's Naz Rahman's Bangladeshi dishes, including lamb chops and biryani, lead to Suzie's lamb skewers with naan and Chinese doughnuts. Michelin-starred Alex Green in Dundrum inspires Suzie's simplified steak dish, while Lisburn's Stevie Higginson's Korean chicken and chocolate fondant prompt her crispy cauliflower and a dark chocolate dessert.

Suzie Lee's Great Food Made Simple offers a look into fine dining, made accessible for home cooks.

 * Platform: BBC iPlayer and BBC One Northern Ireland

 * Release Date: Friday 16 May

 * Production Company: Waddell Media