Sherwood: Everything we know about the new BBC crime drama

The Bodyguard, Bloodlands, Doctor Foster, Normal People – it's fair to say we're a nation who love a good TV drama, especially when the BBC are behind the camera. But what about new 2021 BBC dramas coming out this year and beyond?

Well it looks like it's going to be another stellar year for BBC drama. Not only has filming for the book adaption of Sally Rooney's Conversations With Friends and the final series of Killing Eve officially begun — meaning we won't have too long to wait until they hit screens — but one of our other favourite books is also getting the small screen treatment. Plus, the BBC have just released a behind-the-scenes pic of their big 2022 drama Sherwood — based on real-life murders and starring Liar's Joanne Froggatt.

From Swedish crime thrillers to Irish noirs and the return of old favourites, we've rounded up the best TV drama from the BBC in 2021 and 2022. Find out more about each show now below and prepare to never leave your sofa again...

Hot off the heels of The Serpent and Line of Duty, comes another brilliant-looking BBC crime drama, this time inspired by two real-life Nottinghamshire murders and the subsequent man hunt of Robert Boyer and Terry Rodgers in 2004.

The new series will star Liar's Joanne Froggatt, David Morrissey, Robert Glenister, Philip Jackson, and Lorraine Ashbourne and — despite being based on true events — will be a fictional dramatic portrayal.

Release date: TBC on BBC One

A brand new six-part gripping psychological drama is headed to screens later this year, starring The Crown's Erin O'Doherty (Princess Anne), Roadkill's Pippa Bennett-Warner and is written and created by Sex Education director Alice Seabright.

The story revolves around Becky, a young woman living with her mum and working as a temp, who spends her time comparing her life to those on Instagram — particularly a girl named Chloe.

The BBC synopsis says: 'Becky obsessively watches her seemingly flawless life through social media. But when Chloe dies suddenly, Becky’s need to find out how and why leads her to assume a new identity and engineer a ‘chance’ meeting with Chloe’s best friend, Livia, and infiltrate Chloe's group of close-knit friends.

'Through her alter-ego Sasha, Becky becomes a powerful, transgressive heroine; a popular, well-connected ‘someone’ with a life, and loves, that are far more exciting and addictive than the ‘no-one’ she is as Becky. However, the pretence soon obscures and conflates reality, and Becky risks losing herself completely in the game she is playing.'

Filming has officially started for the series, so we hope this means it'll be headed to screens later this year. When it does it'll premiere on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK and will be available on Prime Video internationally.

Release date: TBC on BBC Two

Adam Kay's bestselling diary documenting life as a junior doctor at an NHS hospital is coming to the BBC later this year, and we've just had a first glimpse of Ben Whishaw (Skyfall, Paddington) in the lead role.

Readers fell for Kay's honest, funny and unflinching description of what life is really like for the 1.4m people working on the frontline of the NHS every day.

And they'll be pleased to know Adam's behind the seven-episode BBC Two adaptation, saying: 'It’s been a huge privilege to have my diaries reach so many readers and it’s been absolutely humbling to see their reaction. I’m beyond delighted to now be able to share my story with a far wider audience and make the viewers of BBC Two laugh, cry and vomit.'

We can't wait!

Release date: TBC on BBC One

A brand new conspiracy thriller is headed to screens soon, based on the real-life events of the 2009 'Climategate' affair, starring Jason Watkins (The Crown) and Victoria Hamilton (Doctor Foster) as Professor Philip Jones and his devoted wife Ruth.

Jones — Director of Climate Research at the University of East Anglia — finds himself caught in the eye of an international media storm, after his emails and computer files get hacked by climate change deniers, who use the stolen data to argue that global warming is actually a scientific conspiracy and that data has been hidden and manipulated.

The official BBC synopsis reads: 'With time running out against an unseen enemy, The Trick looks at the potentially devastating consequences to humanity from climate change denial; how a media storm undermined public confidence in the science and how the concept of ‘truth’ took a back seat causing us to lose a decade of action.

'The film also charts the unjustified persecution of Phil Jones, his wife Ruth’s support of her husband and the fight for the ultimate exoneration of himself and the science.'

Although no exact details have been given on when the one-part drama will hit screens, filming is due to start soon, so we're hoping it won't be too long.

Release date: Late 2021 on BBC One

A brand new gripping — and very timely — thriller is headed to the BBC soon, adapted from Jo Bloom's bestselling novel of the same name, by Him & Her actress and writer Sarah Solemani.

The four-part thriller tells the story of young Jewish Woman Vivien Epstein (played by newcomer Agnes O’Casey), who leaves her comfortable life in Manchester to stand up to the growing neo-Nazi movement in post-war Britain.

'When Vivien discovers her missing boyfriend Jack (Tom Varley) has been badly injured, she infiltrates a neo-Nazi movement that's becoming increasingly prominent in East London, risking everything for her beliefs and for the man she loves,' according to the BBC.

Writer Sarah Solemani adds that: 'Britain’s relationship with fascism is closer and more alive than we like to think. Luckily, so is our rich heritage of fighting it. Jo Bloom’s gripping book revealed a darker side of sixties London and the staggering contribution the Jewish community made in the battle against racism.'

Release date: TBC on BBC Two

A six-part crime drama is coming to the BBC, starring Martin Freeman as urgent response officer Chris and Adelayo Adedayo (Some Girls) as his partner.

The show takes place over a series of night shifts in Liverpool, in which Chris battles crisis after crisis — both physical and moral. As he tries to train up his rookie partner, Adedayo, the pair must find a way to navigate the relentless nature of their shifts whilst trying to understand each other.

Written by first-time author Tony Schumacher, the series is based on the former policeman's real-life experiences as an officer on the beat in the city, whilst struggling with his own mental health.

The project is currently filming as we speak, so whilst we have no firm release date yet, we're hoping we'll get to see it before the end of the year!

Release date: TBC

Along with all the other BBC commissions mentioned below, the network also announced that another BBC production was in the works with the award-winning creator of I May Destroy You, Michael Coel.

While we don't have any specific details just yet, Piers Wenger, head of BBC drama commissioning, said earlier this week that another project is in the works with the 'unequalled' star and that 'more news about that to follow in due course.'

Since then, Wenger has gone on to reveal more details in an interview with Deadline, about what Coel's upcoming BBC series might entail and links it might have to her previous projects:

'It’s truly in Michaela’s head and it’s not for me to second guess that too much at this point. It’s at relatively early stages, but I wanted to let the fans of I May Destroy You know that there is a new show coming along.'

Adding: 'What relationship that show will have with the original series, [is for Michaela to decide]. There’s a relationship between Chewing Gum and I May Destroy You. There’s a through line to her thinking. I suspect there may be elements [of I May Destroy You] but it’s really too early to say anything specific.'

We could not be more excited to see what the star has in store for us next...

Release date: TBC

Award-winning journalist and author Dolly Alderton is adapting her bestselling memoir to the small screen.

Described as 'an unflinching account of surviving your 20s,' the semi-fictionalised screen adaption will follow best friends Maggie and Birdy, who move to London to live the high life. However, things don't exactly go as planned, when Birdy gets a steady boyfriend — leaving Maggie single and without her co-pilot.

Described by the BBC as 'a generous, funny, warm-hearted and uplifting Sex & The City for Millennials,' the same themes of the memoir will run throughout — 'bad dates and squalid flat-shares, heartaches and humiliations, and, most importantly, unbreakable female friendships.'

Dolly, who will serve as co-executive producer on the project, said: 'It’s a messy, boisterous, joyful, romantic comedy about two best female friends from childhood and what happens when they move in to their first London house share and the first phase of adulthood. I cannot stress enough how thrilled I am that it is being made by Working Title and the BBC.'

No news yet on when filming will begin or a possible release date, but keep your eyes peeled!

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Release date: TBC

From the mind of Candice Carty-Williams (pictured here), author of bestselling novel Queenie, comes this story of what happens when fame collides with family.

The official synopsis reads: 'Bosco Champion. The golden boy of the Champion family and a UK rap sensation before he was jailed is home from prison, and he’s ready to dominate the music industry once more.

'Since she can remember, his younger sister Vita has been his personal assistant, running around after him, getting him out of trouble and hiding his various misdemeanours. But when Vita’s own talent is discovered by Bosco’s rival, Belly, she steps out of her brother's shadow to become a performer in her own right, setting the Champion siblings against one another in their quest to both reach the top spot in the charts, and to be the star of the family.

'Even their parents, soundman turned radio DJ Beres and nineties R&B one hit wonder Aria, can’t stop Bosco and Vita from splitting the Champion family down the middle as they go head to head in a very public and messy battle. In fact, it might be in their best interests to keep Bosco and Vita apart…'

Described by Carty-Williams as a 'love letter to the Black British music scene', we can't wait to watch this new BBC drama.

Release date: TBC

Shane Meadows — creator of This Is England — is turning his hand to his first ever BBC period drama in adapting Benjamin Myers classic novel based on the true story of the Yorkshire Cragg Vale Coiners, and fictionalising it for the small screen.

The BBC say: 'Set against the backdrop of the coming industrial revolution in eighteenth century Yorkshire, the compelling drama follows the enigmatic David Hartley, as he assembles a gang of weavers and land-workers to embark upon a revolutionary criminal enterprise that will capsize the economy and become the biggest fraud in British history.'

Catch up now on BBC iPlayer

When we heard that Jimmy McGovern (who wrote Accused and Cracker) was back with a three-part BBC prison drama starring Line of Duty's Stephen Graham and Game of Thrones' Sean Bean, we knew it would be compelling viewing. But, almost two days after the first episode aired, viewers were still talking about the premiere on social media.

The plot follows first-time offender and former school headmaster Mark Cobden (Bean) who is serving a four-year sentence for drink driving. He is consumed by guilt while inside the prison. On the other side of the story is prison officer Eric McNally (Graham) who struggles to cope when his son is sent to another correctional unit.

McGovern is known for his dark and unflinching storylines – and Time is no different. But, just like McGovern's other dramas and films, fans have praised the show (and the duo's acting) for being 'powerful' and 'true to life' if 'stressful' and 'difficult' to watch.

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Release date: TBC

From the mind of Stefan Golaszewski (pictured here), the two-time BAFTA-winning writer-director responsible for hit comedy Him & Her comes a brand new 4-part drama about a couple who need each other.

The show will intimately examine the fears, frustrations and salvation of what makes up a marriage, and ultimately shows the comfort that can only be found in true togetherness.

Release date: TBC

Inspired by her 2019 book Skint Estate, author Cash Carraway is adapting the wild tale of trying to escape life trapped below the poverty line to the small screen — and it's been announced that the BBC drama will star none other than This Country's Daisy May Cooper, who the author describes as 'brilliant.'

Carraway says: 'The show is about a brash yet intelligent working-class single mum who not only lives in extreme inner-city poverty but a state of ridicule and humiliation as she attempts to improve her life.

'She’s immoral and shocking and purposefully vile, and swaggerous and quite amazing really – but obviously I would say that as it’s inspired by my life... It isn't a woeful tale of poverty porn, it's a love story in the detritus between a mother and her daughter.... A woman who refuses to hand over her spirit regardless of how hard it’s kicked in.'

She hopes Cooper will bring her signature 'warmth and humour' to the performance of a woman 'that says "f-you" to the expectations of how women perceived to be at the bottom of society are expected to behave.'

Release date: TBC

Soon-to-be a published novel, Wahala, by Nikki May, is being adapted to screen by BAFTA-nominated Rocks writer Theresa Ikoko (pictured here).

The story will follow three thirty-something Anglo-Nigerian friends living in London, trying to navigate a world that 'mixes roast dinners with jollof rice.'

The official BBC synopsis says: 'Simi, Ronke and Boo have been best friends for years, sharing every aspect of their careers, family lives and relationships with one another. But when the beautiful, charismatic and super wealthy Isobel infiltrates their friendship group, mounting tensions, unravelling bonds and unearthed secrets have shocking and tragic consequences.'

Ikoko has described the series as 'Big Little Lies meets Girlfriends meets Peckham!' She also adds that it will be a great celebration of Nigerian British culture, for which she proudly bears the flag.

Release date: Late 2021 on BBC One

Fans of The Missing and Liar, listen up! The same production company has been commissioned by the BBC and HBO Max to start production on a brand new six-part thriller set in the Australian Outback starring none other than Jamie Dornan. With the first on-set pictures being released last week.

The official synopsis reads: ‘In the glowing red heart of the Australian outback, a British man is pursued by a vast tank truck trying to drive him off the road. An epic cat and mouse chase unfolds and The Man later wakes in hospital, hurt, but somehow alive. Except he has no idea who he is. With merciless figures from his past pursuing him, The Man’s search for answers propels him through the vast and unforgiving outback.’

Also starring Daniella Macdonald (of Dumplin’ and Ladybird fame) as probationary constable Helen Chambers, Line Of Duty’s Shalom Brune-Franklin as waitress Luci, and Hollywood heavyweight Hugo Weaving as the high profile detective inspector on the case. We can't wait to watch this!

Release date: Late 2021 TBC

Emily Blunt is set to star in an upcoming Western drama from the BBC — and from the sounds of things, it's going to be brilliant.

The six-part series has been described as a 'high-octane epic Western' by the broadcaster, with the official synopsis reading:

'Set in the mythic mid-American landscape in the year of 1890, The English follows Cornelia Locke (Emily Blunt), an Englishwoman who arrives into the new and wild landscape of the West to wreak revenge on the man she sees as responsible for the death of her son.

'Upon meeting Eli Whipp (Chaske Spencer), an ex-cavalry scout and member of the Pawnee Nation by birth, they join together and discover a shared history which must be defeated at all costs, if either of them are to survive.'

Filming has just started in Spain so it looks like this might hit screens later this year if all goes to plan!

Release date: Late 2021 on BBC One

Just when you thought your days of gripping crime drama were behind you, another brilliant BBC thriller gets announced.

In fact, the brains behind LOD and Bodyguard are producing Vigil, so you know it's going to be good. Add in the fact that it's got a stellar cast — in the form of Doctor Foster's Suranne Jones and Game of Thrones' Rose Leslie — and we're hooked already.

The six-part thriller will see Jones take the lead as DCI Amy Silva, who, along with DS Kirsten Longacre (Leslie), is tasked with getting to the bottom of the mysterious disappearance of a Scottish fishing trawler and a death on-board Trident nuclear submarine HMS Vigil. When it's clear a conspiracy is at play, this leads the police into conflict with the Navy and the British security services.

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Release date: Coming soon in 2021 on BBC Three

The creative masterminds behind Normal People are developing Sally Rooney's first novel, Conversations with Friends, for the BBC.

The exciting cast line-up was announced earlier this year (more on that below). Now the BBC has confirmed that filming has officially begun, meaning we won't have too long to wait until we can get our fix.

Jemima Kirke (aka Jessa from Girls — pictured above) will take the role of Melissa in the adaption, while Joe Alwyn (The Favourite) will play Nick, following up with newcomer Alison Oliver as Frances and American Honey star Sasha Lane as Bobbi.

Just like Normal People, Conversations with Friends is also set in Dublin and explores the nuances and complexities of relationships, although the two books are not related at all. The plot follows the four main characters – Frances, Bobbi, Nick and Melissa – as their lives and loves become intertwined with devastating results.

Acclaimed Room director Lenny Abrahamson — who also co-directed Normal People — will be at the helm of the production again; which will consist of 12 half-hour episodes.

Release date: TBC on BBC One

A topical workplace drama — inspired by the Harvey Weinstein scandal and the subsequent #MeToo movement — is coming to BBC One.

The four-part series is described as a 'thriller about sexual politics in the modern workplace' and sees Shameless star Maxine Peake take the lead role as Sam — the head of a family-run company in the north west of England who is resistant to criticism and change. Meanwhile new HR boss Maya arrives and is intent on dismantling the 'old-fashioned lad culture' within the company.

The BBC is yet to reveal the show’s air date and further details about the supporting cast, but it's safe to say — we're already very excited...

Release date: TBC on BBC One

If Behind Her Eyes and The Stranger have proved anything, it's that we all love nothing more than a psychological thriller — even more so when it's based on a bestselling book.

The book in question is of the same name and was written by author JP Delaney (who will also write and executive produce the upcoming 4-part series). It's centred on the story of Jane; a woman who stumbles upon the 'rental opportunity of a lifetime' — as long as she abides by her new landlord's rules.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw (The Morning Show) will play Jane, with David Oyelowo (Les Miserablés and Selma) starring as Edward Monkford — the 'enigmatic architect' who takes Jane into his ultra-minimalist home, known as ‘One Folgate Street.'

The official synopsis says: 'Jane starts to feel the house changing her in unexpected ways, but when she makes the shocking discovery that her predecessor Emma died in the house, she’s forced to confront unnerving similarities.

'As the two women’s timelines interweave, Jane begins to question if her fate will be the same as the girl before…'

If that's not enough to have you hooked, Lisa Brühlmann (Killing Eve) will be directing behind the scenes.

No release date has been announced yet, so watch this space!

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Release date: 2022 on BBC One

Fans of Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh rejoice! Killing Eve season 4 has been officially confirmed.

BBC America — who sadly also announced that this will be the last season in the groundbreaking series — have shared that we can expect Villanelle and Eve Polastri to be back on our screens in 2022, with filming scheduled to begin this summer.

Even more excitingly, Sex Education’s Laura Neal will be helming the script this time around — following in the footsteps of previous writers Suzanne Heathcote, Emerald Fennell and Phoebe Waller-Bridge — bringing some of the brilliant writing we’ve come to love on the hit Netflix show.

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Release date: TBC on BBC Two

Colin Farrell, Jack O'Connell and Stephen Graham star in this hard-hitting BBC drama, based on Ian McGuire's novel of the same name.

O'Connell plays disgraced ex-army surgeon Patrick Sumner, who signs up to be the ship doctor on a whaling expedition to the Arctic, and is joined on board by amoral killer and harpooner Henry Drax (played by Colin Farrell).

As Sumner struggles to escape the demons of his past, he grapples with survival amongst the harsh Arctic wasteland.

Release date 2021 on BBC One

Filming officially began in Birmingham on BBC One’s adaptation of Kit de Waal’s award-winning debut novel My Name is Leon — with the full cast announced back in March.

Malachi Kirby (Small Axe, Devils & Black Mirror), Monica Dolan (A Very English Scandal), Olivia Williams (The Father) and Sir Lenny Henry have joined the cast along with newcomer Cole Martin taking the lead in his first ever TV role.

Set in 1980s Britain, this one-off TV movie written by Shola Amoo, tells the uplifting – and incredibly moving – story of nine-year-old Leon; a mixed-race boy who fights to keep his family together as his single-parent mother suffers a devastating breakdown and he gets separated from his brother, as they're both forced into care.

Set against the backdrop of the race riots in the 1980s, the tale is told through Leon’s eyes as we follow his journey — full of energy and hopefulness despite the hardships he encounters — and witness the touching relationship between him and his foster carer Maureen.

Release date: 2021 on BBC One

Following on from the success of Hugh Grant's turn as disgraced MP Jeremy Thorpe in A Very English Scandal, the anthology series now moves on to focus on the messy 1963 divorce of Margaret Campbell, the Duchess of Argyll, from her second husband.

The new script is being penned by Agatha Christie writer Sarah Phelps.

Release date: Late 2021 on BBC One

With filming delayed due to Covid-19, the screening date for this new season of the BBC period drama has been pushed back.

Written by Sally Wainwright, the BBC drama is based on the extraordinary life of the 'first modern lesbian' Anne Lister, played by Suranne Jones.

The season finale saw Lister and her lover Ann Walker making their commitments to each other in an unofficial ceremony and fans are excited for season 2 to pick up where it left off.

Release date: 2021 on BBC Two

Adam Kay's bestselling memoir is set to be turned into an 8-part TV series by the BBC, starring Ben Whishaw (Paddington and Skyfall), and produced by Kay himself, who, after giving up life as a doctor, aptly turned his hand to comedy and screenwriting.

Written as a diary-like insight to Kay’s life on the NHS frontline, we’re given a glimpse into the excruciatingly long and unrelenting hours put in by a junior doctor.

'Kay’s diaries, scribbled in secret after endless days, sleepless nights and missed weekends, tell the unvarnished truth of life as a doctor working in Obstetrics and Gynaecology,' say the BBC.

Release date: TBC BBC Three

Nicôle Lecky’s first original six-part drama Superhoe is based on her one woman show of the same name. Following 24 year-old Sasha Clayton (Lecky) who dreams of being a singer and rapper, but spends most of her time in her bedroom smoking weed and stalking her ex-boyfriend on Instagram.

Catch up now on BBC iPlayer

When Call the Midwife first launched in 2012, no-one could have predicted what a roaring success it would be, now nine years later and it's currently onto its tenth season.

Set in the East End of London, the show follows the trials and tribulations of a bunch of midwives working in in the 50s and 60s — welcoming new lives into the world, whilst trying to cope with the changing times around them.

This newest season — which is made up of 7 episodes — saw stars Helen George and Jenny Agutter return — and is set in 1966, during the World Cup.

The final episode of the latest series aired last Sunday. It was followed by a 10th anniversary special featuring past and present members of the cast and crew, as well as backstage footage and interviews.

Catch up now on BBC iPlayer

Lily James stars in this BBC adaption of Nancy Mitford's classic novel of the same name — and after airing its finale last Sunday, is now available to catch up in full on BBC iPlayer.

The three-part period comedy-drama was adapted to the small screen by Emily Mortimer (who also stars in the series) and follows headstrong cousins Linda (Lily James) and Fanny, who travel across Europe between the two world wars, in the pursuit of finding perfect husbands.

The Affair's Dominic West plays Linda's father and Fleabag's Andrew Scott delights in the role of aristocratic neighbour Lord Merlin.

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Catch up now on BBC iPlayer

A brand new shocking crime thriller landed on screens last week and everyone's been calling it 'the Welsh Big Little Lies' with its similar 'whodunnit' vibes — a body in the woods, a group of friends with dark secrets...

The official synopsis reads: 'When a young brewery boss is found dead, a chain of events is triggered that draws four of his employees – Anna, Nancy, Louie, and Cat – into a fragile pact of silence, bound by a secret that will change their lives forever.

Catch up now on BBC iPlayer

One of BBC's longest running and most successful police dramas — Line of Duty revolves around AC-12 (the anti-corruption unit) — intent on uncovering bent coppers within the force, dodgy dealings and all kinds of police corruption.

Notoriously not afraid of killing off main characters for the good of the storyline or showing bloody murders on screen, it's brought years of suspense, drama and plot twists to our living rooms — as well as providing a myriad of fan theories delving into the show's hidden meanings and code words.

It's also made huge stars out of its cast, like Martin Compton, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar.

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Catch up now on BBC iPlayer

Hot off the heels of intense Irish noir Bloodlands, came another gripping BBC drama — this time set in the frozen depths of the Arctic, and executive produced by none other than Ridley Scott (Blade Runner, American Gangster).

Frozen and isolated at the end of the earth, this chilling, fictionalised account of Captain Sir John Franklin’s lost expedition sees the Royal Navy crew battle the harsh elements, whilst being stalked by a murderous presence. It stars Jared Harris, Tobias Menzies and Ciarán Hinds.

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Catch up now on BBC iPlayer

Bloodlands follows James Nesbitt as Northern Irish police detective Tom Brannick — who's on the hunt for an assassin after connecting a suicide note from a car pulled from the bottom of the loch with an infamous cold case he's been assigned to.

Nesbitt leads an all-star cast including Top Boy's Lisa Dwan, Cracker's Lorcan Cranitch, Being Human's Charlene McKenna and Derry Girls and Game of Thrones' Ian McElhinney.

The producer of Bodyguard and Line of Duty is behind this cat and mouse crime drama, and it had us hooked.

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