First Look at After the Flood Season Two Promises Tension and Intrigue

Image: ITV Press

By Jon Donnis

ITV and BritBox have unveiled the first look images from the highly anticipated second season of After the Flood, giving fans a glimpse of the returning cast and the gripping drama to come. Sophie Rundle reprises her role as Jo Marshall, the newly promoted detective at the heart of the six-part thriller. She is joined by Olivier nominee Lorraine Ashbourne as her mother, Molly Marshall, Nicholas Gleaves as the morally ambiguous Sergeant Phil Mackie, Philip Glenister as Jack Radcliffe, and Matt Stokoe returning as Jo's husband, Pat Holman. The series is written, created, and executive produced by BAFTA-nominated writer and actor Mick Ford and produced by Manchester's Quay Street Productions, part of ITV Studios.

The expanded cast for this season includes Alun Armstrong, Jill Halfpenny, Ian Puleston-Davies, Matthew McNulty, and newcomers such as Anil Desai and Lola Brown. Faye McKeever, George Bukhari, Maui Connock, and Tripti Tripuraneni also return, alongside Jacqueline Boatswain, Leo Flanagan, and Heider Ali. The first-look images capture both the suspense and emotional depth of the series, showing tense confrontations between Sergeant Mackie and Jack Radcliffe, intimate mother-daughter moments between Molly and Jo, and the budding professional partnership between Jo and newcomer DS Sam Bradley as they investigate a new string of murders in Waterside.

Season two picks up with Jo navigating a complex murder investigation against the backdrop of rising moorland fires and the threat of flooding. A body is discovered under unusual circumstances, thrusting Jo into a perilous investigation that intersects with corruption in the town's police force and her own family history. Fans can expect a story that is as personal as it is suspenseful, as Jo operates in secret to expose longstanding wrongdoing.

Ted Returns with a Fresh Run of Chaos on Sky and NOW

Image: Sky TV Press

By Jon Donnis

All episodes of the live action comedic prequel Ted, now heading into its second season, will arrive on Sky and NOW in the UK and Ireland in March. The show continues to dig into the early days of the foul-mouthed bear from the Ted films, dropping us back into the '90s at a point where his fleeting brush with fame has already faded. He has retreated to life in Framingham, Massachusetts with his closest mate, seventeen year old John Bennett, played by Max Burkholder. They live with John's parents, Matty and Susan, played by Scott Grimes and Alanna Ubach, along with cousin Blaire, played by Giorgia Whigham. Ted is still a terrible influence on John, yet his loyalty never really wavers, and he always finds a way to push himself a little too far for the sake of friendship.

Seth MacFarlane, who writes, directs, produces and voices Ted, offered a joint note with fellow EPs, writers and co showrunners Paul Corrigan and Brad Walsh. They say they are excited to share a second batch of episodes that reflect the work of the writers, actors and visual effects artists who bring the bear to life. They describe the eight episodes as filthy, funny and oddly heartfelt, centred on a teenager, his talking teddy bear and a family that barely functions. They even joke that anyone who dislikes the series can seek revenge by letting the episodes run on every device in the house.

Season two sees MacFarlane return as EP, writer, director and co showrunner, working alongside Corrigan and Walsh. Erica Huggins, Alana Kleiman, Jason Clark and Aimee Carlson from Fuzzy Door also serve as EPs. The regular cast remains led by MacFarlane, Burkholder, Ubach, Grimes and Whigham.

The series is produced by UCP, part of Universal Studio Group, along with Fuzzy Door and MRC, and it is distributed by NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution. Katie Keenan and Lucy Criddle acquired the new season for Sky.

Ted will make his return on Sky and NOW in March 2026.

Channel 4 Steps Inside Downing Street with Steven Moffat’s New Drama Number 10

Image: Ch4 Press

By Jon Donnis

Channel 4 is taking viewers deep inside one of the most recognisable homes in the world with Number 10, a new comedy drama from Hartswood Films, part of ITV Studios. Steven Moffat writes the series, marking his first project for the channel after titles like Sherlock, Dracula and Inside Man.

Rafe Spall leads the cast as the Prime Minister. Jenna Coleman appears as the Deputy Chief of Staff, with Katherine Kelly as Chief of Staff. It is a trio set up to carry both the political chaos and the human tangle beneath it.

They are joined by a packed ensemble inside Downing Street. Akshay Khanna, Abigail Lawrie, Laura Haddock, Jing Lusi, Pierro Niel Mee, Rick Warden, Joe Wilkinson, Robyn Cara, Richard Rankin, Rhiannon Clements, Patrick Baladi, Shaun Prendergast, Harry Baxendale, Alex Macqueen, Sid Sagar, Sam Alexander and Emer Kenny all step into the mix. It creates a house full of clashing personalities, sharp ambition and plenty of room for disaster.

The story plays out in a building where the Prime Minister can hide in the attic, a basement cafe keeps everyone fuelled, and the narrow corridors act as a maze of crisis, romance and quiet heartbreak. It is a terrace home with both mice and a nuclear deterrent. It is also a place where something as small as a hangover can tip the world off balance.

The government in the show remains deliberately vague. The problems, though, stay very real. Once everything starts to crumble, it hardly matters who holds the keys. The focus is on the house, the people working and worrying inside it, and the daily oddities of the only address where a lift engineer might share the day with a conspiracy minded barista. And yes, the cat is part of the story too.

Number 10 treats Downing Street as Britain in miniature. It gathers the country's history, its decisions, its frustrations and its flickers of hope under one roof. It looks at how things became so tangled, and hints that the way out might still be found in the same cramped halls.

Channel 4 Confirms Second Series of Mitchell and Webb Are Not Helping

Image: Ch4 Press

By Jon Donnis

Channel 4 has given the green light to a second run of Mitchell and Webb Are Not Helping, following a breakout first series that pulled the iconic duo back into the heart of British sketch comedy. The show is produced by That Mitchell & Webb Company along with Big Talk Studios, the team behind titles like Friday Night Dinner, Back, and Ludwig.

The first series marked David Mitchell and Robert Webb's long-awaited return to Channel 4. It landed with real force, quickly becoming the broadcaster's biggest comedy launch since 2018. The opening episode reached a consolidated 2.3 million viewers across its 28 day window and topped its slot with younger audiences, taking a 29 per cent share among viewers aged sixteen to thirty four.

Its momentum held across the whole run. Using pre-TX through to 28 day figures, the series settled in as Channel 4's third biggest scripted comedy, sitting just behind Friday Night Dinner and Derry Girls.

The show's format helped drive impressive reach online. Channel 4 released full sketches across YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook before, during and after transmission. Those clips have now amassed 25.5 million views in total. The approach also boosted the growth of the new Channel 4 Comedy social accounts, which surged during the rollout.

Across six episodes, Mitchell and Webb worked with a lively ensemble of rising writer performers. Kiell Smith Bynoe, Lara Ricote, Stevie Martin and Krystal Evans all featured, supported by a wider team of established and emerging writers. The renewal signals Channel 4's faith in that blend and sets the stage for another round of sharp, offbeat sketches.

Sky Secures Long-Term Future with the Ladies European Tour

Image: Sky Press

By Jon Donnis

Sky and the Ladies European Tour have agreed a fresh extension to their long-running partnership, keeping Sky Sports and NOW as the exclusive home of the Tour until the end of 2030. The deal covers every event on the schedule, along with the next three Solheim Cups, and takes the relationship into an impressive 30th year.

The renewed agreement confirms that Sky will continue to deliver every moment of live action and extended highlights from both the LET and the Solheim Cup. That includes next year's twentieth edition, set for Bernardus in The Netherlands, which already carries a sense of anticipation.

Sky has held the Solheim Cup rights in the UK and Ireland since 1996, and its coverage has played a clear role in the event's rise. The 2023 contest drew a record peak audience of 734,000 viewers as Team Europe secured a third straight victory. It fits with Sky's wider investment in women's sport, where it remains the leading broadcaster in the UK with seventy percent of all televised women's sport on its channels, from football and cricket to tennis, netball, motorsport and rugby league.

Sky Chief Sports Officer Jonathan Licht said the renewed partnership underlines a long-standing commitment to women's golf at a time when interest is soaring. He reflected on the decades of coverage and the way Europe's triumph in 2023 captured viewers across the country, adding that Sky intends to keep showcasing the biggest names and stories to build the audience even further.

LET Commercial Director Theresa McCann welcomed the continuation of a partnership that has already delivered years of growth. She pointed to a remarkable season that featured Lottie Woad's victory on her professional debut shortly after winning the KPMG Women's Irish Open as an amateur, Mimi Rhodes' three wins on the way to the Rookie of the Year crown, and Shannon Tan becoming the first player from Singapore to secure the LET Order of Merit after a close battle with Rhodes. McCann said the renewed deal will help the Tour shine an even brighter light on its standout talents and the stories driving the sport forward, with the aim of inspiring the next generation.

The extension reinforces Sky's place at the heart of women's golf, while the LET continues to build momentum on and off the course.

Beano Steps Into a New Digital Playground with Comixit!

By Jon Donnis

There is something quite charming about seeing a classic make itself at home in a modern setting. Beano has been part of British childhoods since 1938, so its arrival on Comixit! feels like a natural next chapter. The platform launches to the public today, and it has been built with one clear goal. Give a new generation the fun of reading and making comics in a space that feels lively, safe and easy to dive into.

Comixit! bills itself as the world’s first kids-safe comic platform, and the partnership with Beano sets the tone straight away. The old favourites sit alongside tools that let kids create their own strips, which gives the whole thing an inviting hands-on energy. The app is loaded with comic content, challenges and games, including a December run of 24 Days of Comics. It has already picked up a reputation as a sort of Roblox for comics, mainly because it lets children build and even co-create their own stories.

It suits families rather well. The Christmas break can drag once the excitement settles, so the mix of games, comics and creative prompts offers something to keep everyone occupied. There is a running joke that kids might struggle to reclaim the app from their mums and dads, which says plenty about its appeal. Parents can also relax, since Comixit! keeps things safely moderated. It still counts as screen time, but it nudges children into reading through play, which feels like a smart bit of stealth learning.

Beano is not alone on the platform. Other UK publishers, including Markosia and Mayamada, add to the mix, and there is a solid amount of free content to go with the festive extras arriving through December. The app is available now on the App Store and Google Play with a special introductory price of £1.99, which is a hefty seventy per cent discount running until the end of 2025. Comixit! is aimed at ages seven to twelve, although it would not be surprising if a few nostalgic adults join in as well.

Get it now at www.comixit.app

REVIEW: WWE Thumb Wars Superstars by WOW! Stuff (2025 Kids Toy)

Review by Jon Donnis

The fun kicks in the moment you slide one of these little superstars onto your thumb. It feels daft in the best way. You square up, link hands, and suddenly you are in a miniature ring trying to score a clean pin. WWE Thumb Wars Characters lean on that simple thrill, and it works straight away. No setup. No waiting around. Just quick scraps that get louder and sillier with each round.

The characters themselves are only about an inch and a half tall, yet they have a solid feel to them. They sit firmly in place, which helps every push and counter feel deliberate. Younger players get a subtle boost in coordination, and the pace keeps everyone involved without drifting off. The line up gives you Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens, Bret Hart, Undertaker, and the rare Rey Mysterio, which adds a bit of excitement when kids compare packs.

What really stands out is how easily these matches pop up anywhere. Whether it is at the dinner table while you are waiting for pudding, or the back of a car on a long journey, it is Thumb Wars, so you really can play anywhere.

The Undertaker is nearly as manacing here as in real life!

The storytelling side flows naturally as well. Kids can relive big WrestleMania moments or make up their own championship runs on the spot.

The figures look the part too. The paintwork is clean, and each sculpt actually resembles the superstar it represents, which gives them a collectable feel between matches. They look good lined up, ready for the next challenge.

There are only two real knocks against the set. The fit is tight, so it is clearly made for smaller thumbs. Adults will struggle, which is probably for the best given the intended audience. And with just five characters available, you do find yourself hoping WOW! Stuff expands the roster soon.

Even with those limits, WWE Thumb Wars Characters turn a classic playground game into something fresh and lively. It is quick, cheerful, and full of that playful wrestling spirit. A smart little stocking filler that delivers proper fun the moment someone calls out the three count.

Out Now at Amazon - https://amzn.to/4pT3eof

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