BBC Two

BBC Factual confirms new Louis Theroux series Forbidden America

Louis Theroux (credit: BBC)

Looking at the impact of social media and the internet in some of the most controversial corners of American entertainment, Forbidden America will see Theroux travel the length and breadth of the United States meeting an assortment of content creators.

From promoters of far-right views to self-destructive performers, and in some cases alleged predators, Theroux will explore the motivations driving the performers whose work involves promoting and enacting the most risqué, immoral and illegal behaviour.

First look image revealed for the new series of Inside No. 9

Credit: BBC

The six-part BBC Two series will feature stand-alone stories every episode and will explore Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton’s world of the extraordinary and macabre. 

This series will feature Daniel Mays (Line of Duty), Jason Isaacs (The OA), Sophie Okonedo (Britannia), Jessica Hynes (There She Goes), Diane Morgan (Mandy), Daisy Haggard (Back To Life), Annette Badland (EastEnders), Siobhan Redmond (The Replacement) and Ron Cook (The Salisbury Poisonings).

Joe Lycett to present UK’s largest ever live life drawing masterclass for BBC Two

Following the success of the programmes in 2020, with 30,000 viewers sending in their artworks from home, this new two-hour special will be broadcast live across BBC Two and BBC Four from English Heritage’s Wrest Park in Bedfordshire.

Life models will disrobe and assume poses inspired by great works of art for the amateur artists on set, and those at home, to draw.

Nish Kumar to host Late Night Mash for Dave

Late Night Mash will continue from where The Mash Report left off, which satirised the week’s news for four series on BBC Two.

Re-joining Kumar to tackle the topical are the main cast of comedians from the original series, including Rachel Parris, Ellie Taylor, Geoff Norcott and Steve N. Allen.

The team will tear into headlines and viral moments for eight brand new episodes, from which the best moments will be compiled for a special ninth episode.

Ruth Madeley to star in new drama on the disabled civil rights movement

To mark the passing of the Disability Discrimination Act, the film will tell the true story of the activists who waged an unstoppable campaign for disabled civil rights in Britain.

Madeley said: “To have the opportunity to play such an incredibly powerful character and tell such an important story is honestly a dream, especially within the context of disabled, deaf and neuro-diverse history.

BBC Two releases new images of Stephen Graham and Colin Farrell in The North Water

The gallery includes photos of Colin Farrell as Henry Drax, Jack O’Connell as Patrick Sumner, Stephen Graham as Captain Brownlee and Tom Courtenay as Baxter. The series also stars Peter Mullan, Sam Spruell and Roland Møller.

Set in Hull and the ice floes of the Arctic in the 1850s, most of the location shooting took place in the Arctic, with cast and crew sailing as far as 81 degrees north, which is claimed to be the furthest point north any television drama has ever been filmed.

The Misinvestigations of Romesh Ranganathan among the BBC’s new factual entertainment slate

Head of Commissioning, Popular Factual and Entertainment, Catherine Catton, commented: "The new commissions I’m announcing today demonstrate the strength of the department, with three new series that celebrate and engage with contemporary British life in a timely and relevant way.

"Factual entertainment at the BBC is all about bringing viewers joy and pleasure, and I hope that these new shows continue to do just that.”

BBC Two commissions new cooking series from Dame Mary Berry

Mary Berry: Love To Cook is a six-part, half-hour series which sees Berry visit fellow foodies to hear their stories, aiming to ignite the same passion for producing and cooking food in viewers.

Berry will also share her favourite, flavourful dishes for beginners or experts, a small budget or a big crowd, using primarily UK produce.

BBC Books will publish the accompanying book to the series.

All That Glitters to return for a second series with host Katherine Ryan

The first series pitted eight jewellers against each other for a six-part competition over six weeks.

Contestants both designed and created jewellery to brief in a specially built workshop in Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter.

Each episode presented them with two challenges: The Best Seller and The Bespoke, making pieces for the mass market and custom pieces for clients.

The final saw 24-year-old diamond mounter Hugo Johnson take home the series one crown.

James McAvoy and Sharon Horgan to star in lockdown drama Together

James McAvoy and Sharon Horgan (credit: BBC)

The poignant love story follows a husband and wife struggling to keep their relationship alive through the harsh reality of lockdown.

Directed by Stephen Daldry (The Crown), the film traces a British couple from the first days of the Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020 until the present day. Both hilarious and heart-breaking, the couple are forced to re-evaluate themselves and their relationship amid a global tragedy.