Possession: Sky Unveils Trailer for Supernatural Thriller Exploring Buried Secrets and Family Legacies

Image: Sky TV

By Jon Donnis

Sky has unveiled the official trailer for Possession, the five-part limited event series formerly titled Inheritance, offering a first look at a supernatural thriller that combines mystery, history and questions of identity across two very different worlds.

Created and written by Karla Crome, known for Something Very Bad is Going to Happen, and directed by Storm Saulter, whose previous work includes Better Mus’ Come and Sprinter, Possession takes audiences between Bristol and Jamaica for a story where a legal battle uncovers secrets that refuse to stay buried.

The series stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Claudia, an ambitious young mixed-race lawyer whose latest case takes her far from home. Travelling to Jamaica, Claudia is tasked with challenging an inheritance claim brought by local man Cudjoe East, played by Sheldon Shepherd, against wealthy white aristocrat Oliver Connaught, portrayed by Jonny Lee Miller.

What initially appears to be a straightforward dispute quickly becomes something far more disturbing when Claudia discovers that the estate at the centre of the case is Hope Hill, the former Connaught family plantation, a place that has appeared repeatedly in her own unsettling nightmares.

As Claudia and Oliver investigate the truth behind the claim, they begin to uncover a connection between the plantation’s violent history and the inequalities that continue to shape the present. The deeper they dig, the more the boundaries between the past and present begin to blur.

Alongside Mbatha-Raw, Miller and Shepherd, the cast also features Bel Powley, adding further depth to a story that looks set to explore themes of inheritance, identity, memory and the lasting impact of historical wrongdoing.

Possession promises to be a tense and atmospheric supernatural thriller, combining a gripping mystery with the culture, landscapes and energy of Jamaica. With its focus on hidden histories and the consequences of secrets passed down through generations, the series aims to deliver a haunting story where the past is never truly forgotten.

All episodes available Thursday 6 August on Sky and streaming service NOW

BBC Acquires Kabul, Powerful Six Part Drama Set During the Fall of Afghanistan

L-R: Amina (Hannah Abdoh) and Nooria (Sara Taheri).

(Image: Domniki Mitropoulou / Cinétévé / 24 25 Films / France Télévisions)

By Jon Donnis

The BBC has acquired Kabul, a six part fictional drama set against the backdrop of the real events of August 2021 in Afghanistan. The series, acquired from Mediawan Rights, will be available on BBC iPlayer from Sunday 2 August and will begin on BBC Four at 9pm on Saturday 15 August.

Produced by 24 25 Films, a Mediawan Company, and Cinétévé in collaboration with the European Alliance, Kabul follows the events surrounding Kabul on 15 August 2021 as American troops withdraw and the Taliban enter the city.

The Nazany family, like many civilians, is forced to flee, fearing retaliation. As the situation becomes increasingly difficult, French police officers, Italian diplomats, German military personnel and American intelligence services must coordinate their efforts to manage the influx of civilians. Alongside the evacuation efforts, the looming threat of an ISIS attack adds further danger to those trying to survive.

The international cast includes Darina Al Joundi (The New Look), Shervin Alenabi (Tehran), Vassilis Koukalani (Kandahar), Hannah Abdoh, Jonathan Zaccaï (Le bureau des legends), Gianmarco Saurino (L’estate piu Calda), Jeanne Goursaud (Pax Massilia) and Eric Dane (Euphoria).

The series is directed by Kasia Adamik (No Escape) and Olga Chajdas (Imago), with the scripts written by Olivier Demangel (Class Act), Thomas Finkielkraut (Baron Noir) and Joey Lavy (The Shift).

Kabul is produced by Fabienne Servan-Schreiber and Charlotte Ortiz at Cinétévé, Matthias Weber and Thibault Gast at 24 25 Films, and executive produced by Sandrine Paquot. Global sales for the series are handled by Mediawan Rights.

Tom Holland to Bring Superworm to Life in CBeebies Bedtime Story

Image: BBC

By Jon Donnis

Spider-Man star Tom Holland is swapping superhero action for a bedtime tale as he joins the line-up of famous faces appearing on CBeebies Bedtime Stories.

The British actor will read Superworm by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, bringing the much-loved story of the heroic and super-stretchy worm to a new audience. The adventure follows Superworm as he uses his abilities to help others, before finding himself in need of rescue when he falls under the control of the villainous Wizard Lizard.

Holland’s appearance comes as he prepares for his latest outing as Spider-Man in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, but his CBeebies role will see him take on a very different kind of hero. Rather than battling villains, he will be helping younger viewers settle down with one of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s popular family stories.

The actor joins a growing list of superhero and supervillain performers who have taken part in the BBC children’s series. Previous readers have included Chris Evans, Idris Elba, Tom Hardy, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston and Jason Momoa.

Tom Holland’s CBeebies Bedtime Story will air on CBeebies on Friday 24 July at 6.50pm. The episode will also be available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

Netflix Expands the Parasyte Universe with New Live Action Series Parasyte: TAMIYA

Image: Netflix

By Jon Donnis

Netflix is expanding its Parasyte universe once again with Parasyte: TAMIYA, a new live action series arriving worldwide in 2027. Following the success of Parasyte: The Grey, the latest instalment moves away from introducing a new conflict and instead explores the perspective of Ryoko Tamiya, a parasite whose understanding of humanity changes over time.

Shioli Kutsuna will star as Tamiya, portraying the character across three different stages of her existence. The series will explore her journey from the original human whose body is taken over, through her early identity as a violent parasite, to a figure who begins questioning whether humans and parasites can exist together.

That shift in perspective places one of Parasyte’s central ideas at the heart of the new series. Rather than focusing only on the battle between two opposing species, Parasyte: TAMIYA examines the possibility that survival may depend on understanding the enemy. Through Tamiya’s eyes, the story explores questions around identity, adaptation and what separates humans from the creatures that imitate them.

The character has a significant history in the original manga by Hitoshi Iwaaki, which was published by Kodansha from 1988 to 1995. After taking over the body of a high school teacher, Tamiya initially behaves like the other parasites, viewing humans as little more than targets. However, her experiences, including observing Shinichi Izumi and Migi, lead her to reconsider the future of her species and whether coexistence could be possible.

The original Parasyte manga has remained popular for more than three decades, selling around 25 million copies across more than 20 countries and regions. Its combination of horror, science fiction and philosophical themes has helped it remain influential, leading to anime adaptations and live action films that have introduced the story to new generations.

Netflix’s previous expansion of the franchise, Parasyte: The Grey, created a new story set in modern day Korea while drawing inspiration from the original manga. The series became a global success after its 2024 release, spending four weeks in Netflix’s Global Top 10 Non-English Shows list and reaching number one in 34 countries.

Parasyte: TAMIYA reunites many of the creative figures behind Parasyte: The Grey and Human Vapor. Yeon Sang-ho developed the series and wrote the script alongside Ryu Yong-jae, while WOWPOINT returns for development and production. Kensaku Kakimoto and Kazuhiro Nakagawa will direct the series.

Yeon Sang-ho has praised Shioli Kutsuna’s performance in the role, highlighting her ability to portray the gradual transformation of a character who begins as something non-human but slowly develops an understanding of humanity and her own existence.

With Ryoko Tamiya taking centre stage, Parasyte: TAMIYA offers a different viewpoint on the conflict that has defined the franchise for decades. The series will stream worldwide exclusively on Netflix in 2027.

Kirstie's Handmade Christmas Returns with Two More Festive Series on Channel 4

Image: Kirstie's Handmade Christmas (credit - Raise The Roof Productions Ltd)

By Jon Donnis

Channel 4 has confirmed that Kirstie's Handmade Christmas will return for not one, but two more festive seasons, with new series commissioned for both 2026 and 2027.

Hosted by property expert and festive crafting enthusiast Kirstie Allsopp, the daytime competition sees talented makers put their creative skills to the test across a variety of seasonal challenges. Each episode focuses on a different craft, with contestants competing for the chance to be crowned the best in their chosen creative discipline.

Produced by Glasgow-based Raise the Roof Productions, this year's five-part series celebrates the joy of handmade Christmas traditions. Competitors will tackle a wide range of festive projects, including Christmas wreaths, homemade Christmas cakes and handcrafted toys, with their finished creations helping to transform Christmas HQ ahead of the series finale.

Filmed in Devon, the series also welcomes expert judges from across the crafting world, who will assess each challenge before selecting a winner in every one-hour episode. Alongside the competition, specialist guests will share practical craft tips and demonstrate some of their favourite homemade techniques, offering viewers plenty of ideas to try for themselves.

Away from the judging table, Kirstie Allsopp will once again inspire audiences with a selection of affordable festive projects that can easily be recreated at home. From simple paper decorations to elegant ornaments and eye-catching mantelpiece displays, the series aims to encourage viewers to add a personal, handcrafted touch to their Christmas celebrations.

With two further series now confirmed, Kirstie's Handmade Christmas looks set to remain a staple of Channel 4's festive daytime schedule, continuing to celebrate creativity, craftsmanship and the enduring appeal of making something special by hand.

Kirstie Allsopp said: “Keep Calm & Think of Christmas. This might sound bonkers but what I’m doing in this boiling hot weather is thinking about hot toddies & cosy knits, because Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas is coming back. We’re already making plans for how we are going to make my favourite show (don’t tell Phil I said that) better than ever.”

Greg Davies Returns for Festive The Cleaner Special Set in the Italian Dolomites

Image: BBC

By Jon Donnis

Greg Davies is back as UK crime scene cleaner Paul ‘Wicky’ Wickstead in The Cleaner In Italy (w/t), a brand new one-off special of the BBC comedy series, which will air on BBC iPlayer and BBC One over the festive period.

Written by and starring Davies (Taskmaster, The Inbetweeners) and produced by SHUK, The Cleaner follows Wicky, a state-certified cleaning technician whose unusual day job involves scrubbing away the grisliest remnants of crime scenes.

The show's first ever hour-long special, which began filming this week, sees Wicky reluctantly join his girlfriend Ruth (Zita Sattar) and her friends Andrew and Andrea (Robert Webb and Tori Allen-Martin) on a hiking holiday in the Italian Dolomites.

When an accident occurs, Wicky is forced to spend the rest of the trip at a remote mountain hotel while Ruth heads off to enjoy the great outdoors. Surrounded by an eccentric hotel manager (Peter Serafinowicz), an array of peculiar guests and a cast of increasingly suspicious staff, Wicky’s boredom soon turns to paranoia.

Additional cast joining the special include Robert Webb (Peep Show, That Mitchell and Webb Look), Peter Serafinowicz (Guardians of the Galaxy, Amandaland), Kevin Eldon (Hot Fuzz, Four Lions), Tori Allen-Martin (Here We Go), Veronica Ferres (Call My Agent Berlin), Zita Sattar (Holby City), Milanka Brooks (Black Mirror) and Dylan Blore (Shetland).

Series one of The Cleaner launched to 5.4 million viewers, making it the second biggest new BBC Comedy series in 2021. All three series of The Cleaner were in the top five most viewed scripted comedies in the UK across the market in their respective years of 2021, 2023 and 2024.

All three series of The Cleaner are available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.

Greg Davies, writer and star of The Cleaner In Italy, says: “I think Wicky has got to the stage in life where he only likes three things: his job, going to the pub and beer. To get the opportunity to force him to go to Italy on a hiking holiday is the perfect opportunity to test his breaking point. I can’t wait to show everyone how horribly wrong a holiday can go…”

Celebrity Hunted Returns With a New Cast Ready to Take on the Ultimate Game of Hide and Seek

Image: Ch4

By Jon Donnis

Celebrity Hunted is back for another thrilling run on Channel 4, once again raising money for Stand Up To Cancer, and the latest line-up promises plenty of entertainment as a fresh group of famous faces attempt to disappear without a trace.

Produced by Shine TV, part of Banijay UK, the factual entertainment thriller sends its celebrity fugitives into hiding across mainland Britain for 14 intense days. With no luxury hotels, no celebrity lifestyle to fall back on and every decision carrying real consequences, the challenge is as much about keeping calm under pressure as it is about staying one step ahead of the Hunters.

This year's celebrity line-up offers an entertaining mix of personalities from television, comedy, reality TV and dance. Strictly Come Dancing professionals Amy Dowden MBE and Carlos Gu will put their teamwork to the test, while Brian Conley joins forces with Lucy Conley. Love Island stars Chris Taylor and Toby Aromolaran also enter the challenge, alongside presenters JJ Chalmers and Sophie Morgan. Property experts and siblings Scarlette and Stuart Douglas bring their family bond into the competition, while comedians Jen Brister and Laura Smyth complete the line-up with what is sure to be plenty of humour, even under pressure.

Standing in their way is Ray Howard and his elite team of Hunters, drawn from policing, military and intelligence backgrounds. Armed with powerful investigative tools including CCTV, ANPR, facial recognition, helicopters, drones, search dogs, cyber investigations and media appeals, they have one goal. Find every fugitive before the clock runs out.

Part of the appeal of Celebrity Hunted has always been seeing familiar faces stripped of the advantages that fame usually brings. Instead of red carpets and television studios, contestants are forced to think on their feet, rely on trusted allies and constantly adapt as the Hunters close in. Every phone call, journey and unexpected encounter has the potential to expose their location.

With a varied celebrity cast and the Hunters once again equipped with an impressive range of resources, the new series looks set to deliver another tense and unpredictable chase. Whether any of the fugitives can evade capture for the full 14 days remains to be seen, but viewers can expect plenty of suspense, clever strategy and dramatic close calls when Celebrity Hunted returns to Channel 4.