New TV shows coming this month

01 September 2026

By Sophie Nye

New month, new TV obsession? You're in the right place. From gripping crime dramas and laugh-out-loud comedies to celebrity competitions and fascinating documentaries, we've rounded up the biggest new TV shows coming to BBC, ITV, Channel 4, 5 and U this August.

Keep scrolling for all the latest series, returning favourites and hidden gems heading to your screen.

BBC | ITV and STV | Channel 4 | 5 | U

New on BBC and iPlayer

Celebrity Traitors (Series 2)

Coming soon to BBC One and BBC iPlayer

Contestants gather beneath a "Celebrity Traitors Arrivals" sign, holding boards featuring the names of the show's celebrity cast. The promotional image is styled like an airport arrivals area and hints at the mystery and deception of the series.

The castle is back!! The cloaks are ready. And trust issues are practically guaranteed. Hosted by Claudia Winkleman, Celebrity Traitors welcomes a seriously impressive line-up including Bella Ramsey (The Last of Us, Time), James Acaster (Taskmaster, Off Menu), Joe Lycett (Late Night Lycett, The Lycett Arms), Maya Jama (Love Island), Miranda Hart (Miranda) and Richard E. Grant (The Outlaws, The Other Bennet Sister) to name a few! One thing's certain: not everyone is telling the truth.

The Split Up

BBC One and BBC iPlayer

A younger and older woman dancing against a colourful disco like background with red and yellow lights

Based on The Split, this new six-part legal drama is set within the world of Manchester’s high-net-worth divorce circuit. The Split Up centres on Kishan Law – a powerhouse British South Asian family firm, and the go-to for the city’s elite. The fast-rising star of Kishan Law is Aria Kishan (Ritu Arya), set to step up and take the mantle from her father Dhruv (Sanjeev Bhaskar). However, the death of her mother has cast a new light over these plans for Dhruv, who has begun to wonder if his daughter can, or should, take on this responsibility alone.

Blue Lights (Series 4)

Coming soon to BBC One and BBC iPlayer

Four police officers in uniform walk down a station corridor, with the central group framed beneath bright overhead lights. The cast stand in formation wearing protective vests and police equipment, creating a tense and dramatic crime drama image.

If you're only adding one crime drama to your watchlist this month, make it Blue Lights. The acclaimed Belfast-set series returns with Siân Brooke (The Undeclared War, Trying) as Grace Ellis, Martin McCann (Trespasses, Hostage) as Stevie Neil, Katherine Devlin (The Day of the Jackal, Vikings) as Annie Conlon and Nathan Braniff back as Tommy Foster. Expect high-stakes policing, emotional punches and some of the best character-led storytelling on TV!

Ru Paul's Drag Race UK (Series 8)

Coming soon to BBC Three and BBC iPlayer

Hello, hello, hello... a brand-new season is sashaying onto our screens! Twelve fierce queens are entering the Werk Room ready to serve charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent in equal measure. From jaw-dropping runway looks to iconic lip-sync battles, the race for the crown, £25,000 cash prize and the title of the UK's Next Drag Race Superstar is officially on.

Strictly Come Dancing (Series 23)

BBC One and BBC iPlayer, from Saturday 19th September

Three presenters pose against a purple backdrop while holding colourful disco balls. The bright studio image captures the sparkle and glamour associated with the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom.

Is it even autumn until Strictly is back on our screens? A fresh batch of celebrities are heading to the ballroom, including EastEnders star Lacey Turner, Love Island favourite Dani Dyer, football legend Shaun Wright-Phillips and Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly presenter Graeme Hall. Add dazzling routines, glitterball dreams and a brand-new presenting line-up, and you've got all the ingredients for another unforgettable season.

Strictly Come Dancing 2026 hosts Johannes Radebe, Josh Widdicombe and Emma Willis

Colin From Accounts (Series 3)

Watch on BBC iPlayer, from Monday 7th September

Two people sit on a rooftop garden alongside a small dog fitted with a mobility cart. A suburban skyline and warm evening light create a relaxed backdrop for the comedy-drama's lead characters.

The brilliantly awkward Aussie rom-com returns for its third and final season and we finally have the UK release date! Created by and starring real-life couple Patrick Brammall and Harriet Dyer, Colin From Accounts follows Gordon and Ashley's chaotic relationship after an unexpected encounter involving a car, a dog and a life-changing connection. Funny, heartfelt and endlessly charming, we're already preparing to say an emotional goodbye.

If Colin From Accounts has you craving more Australian TV, we've rounded up the Aussie dramas you need on your watchlist.

Vigil (Season 3)

Stream now on BBC iPlayer

Vigil thriller series image of two investigators crossing a frozen Arctic landscape with rifles, set against dramatic snow-capped mountains and reflecting themes of mystery, suspense and survival.

Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie are BACK for another tense, twist-filled season of Vigil. After tackling deadly conspiracies in previous seasons, the pair face yet another high-pressure investigation where danger lurks around every corner. Honestly, we’re already preparing for the stress levels!

What’s new on ITV and ITVX (STV and STV Player in Scotland)

The Box

Watch on ITV1 and STV, from Saturday 5th September

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Ever wondered what would happen if you locked celebrities in giant yellow boxes and sent them off into the unknown? Well, ITV has done exactly that. Hosted by Gary Lineker, The Box sees ten famous faces dropped into mystery locations across the UK, where they're faced with a mix of bizarre, brain-teasing and physically demanding challenges. The catch? They receive almost no instructions, so figuring out what on earth is going on is half the battle. Expect chaos, laughs and plentyyy of surprises, with contestants including Dragons' Den star Sara Davies and comedian Ellie Taylor (Ted Lasso, Strictly Come Dancing, 8 Out of 10 Cats).

The Blame

Watch on ITV1, ITVX and STV Player this September

Promotional cast image for a crime drama showing a group of detectives and police officers standing outside Wakestead Police Station at night. Two lead characters stand in the foreground, while the wider team gathers on the station steps behind them, illuminated by blue and red police lights.

Looking for your next Happy Valley-style obsession? The Blame might be it!! When a teenage skater is murdered, a complex investigation begins to unravel dark secrets both inside and outside the police force. As the case deepens, detectives find themselves forced to scrutinise their own team. Based on Charlotte Langley's novel, the gripping drama stars Michelle Keegan (Our Girl, Fool Me Once) alongside Douglas Booth (Loving Vincent, The Sandman).

Big Brother (Series 23)

Watch on ITV2 and ITVX, from Sunday 13th September

The original social experiment is backkk! A fresh group of housemates will enter the famous Big Brother house, but with game-changing twists, dramatic live evictions and surprise nominations around every corner, everything can change in an instant. Whether you're here for the alliances, the arguments or the iconic diary room moments, this series promises plenty to talk about.

Want to know what's in store? Read our Big Brother deep dive here.

What’s new on Channel 4

The Great British Bake Off (Series 17)

Watch on Channel 4, from Tuesday 22nd September

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On your marks, get set... bake! A brand-new batch of bakers are stepping into the famous white tent, and this year there's a major new arrival as food icon Nigella Lawson joins the judging panel. Expect showstoppers, soggy bottoms, Hollywood handshakes and plenty of cake envy from the sofa.

Taskmaster (Series 22)

Watch on Channel 4, from Thursday 3rd September

Two suited figures pose between classical stone columns against a bright sky backdrop. One stands with a raised hand while a bunch of grapes hangs from a decorative hook, reflecting the show's surreal and comedic style.

What's the best way to transport a coconut? How many balloons can you fit in a wheelbarrow? And why is Greg Davies already disappointed? The BAFTA-winning comedy favourite returns with a fresh batch of famous faces taking on ridiculous challenges dreamed up by little Alex Horne. Expect chaos, creativity and a healthy dose of Greg's legendary put-downs.

Apocalypse

Coming soon to Channel 4

Could you survive if the modern world suddenly stopped working? This ambitious new social experiment drops a group of strangers into an abandoned town and challenges them to live for 28 days without electricity, heating or running water. As supplies run low and tensions rise, the real question is whether they'll pull together... or fall apart?

The Lycett Arms

Watch on Channel 4, from Friday 4th September

A person in a patterned suit sits at a pub booth with a pint of beer on the table. Bright orange shoes, colourful clothing and the traditional pub setting create a playful and quirky promotional image.

Joe Lycett is opening a pub. Sort of. The comedian is on a mission to get his licence to serve alcohol and launch The Lycett Arms, a one-of-a-kind pub that's only open for one hour a week. Part chat show, part comedy night and part pub lock-in, expect celebrity guests, big laughs and plenty of pints along the way.

What’s new on 5

The Game (Series 2)

Watch on 5 from 9pm on the 1st September

Copilot said: Alt text: Two men sit across from each other in a stark interview room, leaning over a metal table under bright overhead lights. The tense promotional image for The Game features a police-style interrogation setting, with the show's title displayed alongside the tagline: "How do you catch a killer who has already been caught?"

Thought that ending left a few questions unanswered? So did we. The Game is officially back for a second series, with Jason Watkins and Robson Green returning to continue their gripping cat-and-mouse battle. Picking up a year after the shocking events of series one, retired detective Huw Miller once again finds himself drawn into the orbit of sinister killer Patrick Harbottle.

What's new on U

The Chelsea Detective (Series 4)

Coming this month to U and U&Drama

A man and a woman stood in the middle of a Chelsea street staring into the camera, Promotional image for Chelsea Detective

Chelsea's sharpest detective is back on the case! Series 4 sees DI Max Arnold, played by Adrian Scarborough (Gavin & Stacey), investigating a fresh batch of murders hidden among the picture-perfect streets of one of London's most exclusive neighbourhoods. While unravelling complex crimes, Max must also navigate the twists and turns of his personal life.

Looking for a bigger TV to watch all your favourite shows on? We've got youuuu! And if you want even more suggestions of what to watch, check out the new shows coming later this year!

Written by Sophie Nye