BBC Two

Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy heads to BBC Two and BBC iPlayer

Credit: BBC

The six-part series will follow Academy Award nominee Stanley Tucci as he travels across Italy, learning about and tasting the culinary delights each region has to offer. 

Each episode will see Tucci discover the unique cuisines of a different Italian region or city, highlighting the diversity of Italian cooking and delving into Italy’s culture and history. 

From the creamy carbonara Rome is known for, the simple but delightful pasta alla Norma of Sicily, the luxurious saffron infused risotto of Milan and the best possible pizza in Naples.

The Mind of Herbert Clunkerdunk, a comedy of the absurd

The Mind of Herbert Clunkerdunk is a weird and wonderful place to be, as the first BBC Two series in 2019 demonstrated to the nation. Each of the 15-minute episodes saw comedian Spencer Jones’s alter ego navigate the basic tasks of adulting while distracted by his own imagination as conveyed through surreal sketches and musical mayhem.

Ahead of its second series, last month, an RTS event gave a preview of the action to come – and insight into the psyche of Jones, a Bafta and Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee.

Dylan Moran writes and stars in new comedy series Stuck for BBC Two

Dylan Moran and Morgana Robinson (credit: BBC)

Starring Moran and Morgana Robinson (Intelligence) as Dan and Carla, the darkly funny and occasionally surreal sitcom follows the couple as they find themselves at a crossroads. Dan has recently been made redundant, while Carla is beginning to question whether this is all she can expect from life.

When Carla’s ex-girlfriend Maya re-emerges on the scene, the age gap between Dan and Carla is brought into sharper focus.

Philomena Cunk to return to BBC Two with new series Cunk On Earth

Cunk on Earth will see Cunk (played by comedian Diane Morgan) attempt to demystify human civilisation and discover humankind’s greatest achievements.

Cunk will explore the arts and sciences that have enriched the world from the beginning of recorded history: from great inventions like the wheel to masterpieces of art like the Mona Lisa and mind-altering concepts like enlightenment and nuclear power.

She will also be visiting significant sights and asking experts big questions about society’s progress.

David Baddiel to present documentary on the effects of social media

Credit: BBC

Writer, comedian and self-confessed Twitter addict David Baddiel is exploring the impact social media has on people’s behaviour both on and offline. 

Baddiel recognises that there are positive reasons to use social media such as revolutionising communication, pushing social change forward and highlighting important issues.

However, there are also negatives to these platforms and areas where outrage and angry exchanges dominate.

Chris and Rosie Ramsey to host new comedy entertainment series for BBC Two

Rosie and Chris Ramsey (credit: BBC)

Following on from their award-winning podcast Sh**ged.Married.Annoyed, the side-splittingly honest real life husband and wife will be joined by a celebrity couple each week. Together they will poke fun at life; growing up, relationships, arguments, annoyances, parenting and everything in between, while asking the all-important question: “What’s Your Beef?”

Bringing their unique brand of humour to the six-part series, The Chris & Rosie Ramsey Show promises late-night laughs and a host of regular features with celebrity guests.

BBC Factual announces new Natural History slate

The announcement comes amid the landmark COP26 conference and, said the BBC, will reinforce the broadcaster’s commitment to highlighting the science of life on earth and the state of the natural world.

Asia

In Asia, BBC One visits the biggest continent on Earth to showcase the extraordinary variety of its landscapes and wildlife.

BBC Two acquires new Marie Antoinette drama

The eight-part series was created by Deborah Davis, writer of The Favourite, and tells the story of the young queen who was only 14 years old when she became Dauphine of France upon her marriage to the heir apparent, Louis-Auguste.

Emilia Schüle (Ku’damm 56/63) will play the fearless and feminist queen, while Louise Ironside (The Split), Avril E. Russell (All on a Summer’s Day) and Chloë Moss (Run Sister Run) will join Davis in the writers room.

Between The Covers returns for a third series

Sara Cox (Credit: BBC)

Hosted by Sara Cox, the series once again celebrates the joy of reading and will see a new panel of four famous faces discuss a newly published book each episode.

The books cover a range of genres providing something for everyone and puts exciting new books in the spotlight. 

Each guest will also bring along a book of their own that they love, leading to some lively and funny conversations.