2015 brought a real mixture of programmes to our TV screens – from edge-of-your-seat, nail biting dramas to laugh out loud comedies and fascinating documentaries. The year saw much loved Peep Show, Downton Abbey and This is England come to an end, and new five-part drama Doctor Foster grab the nation’s attention while reality TV show Hunted brought something new and original with its social experiment.
If you missed any of these shows and struggled to keep up with the conversations at work as a result, here are 10 TV programmes you definitely don’t want to miss in 2016:
- The Hollow Crown: Wars of the Roses (BBC 2)
This year sees the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death and, as part of this, the BBC will be showing the concluding part of their successful adaptation of Shakespeare’s history. The show, which stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Richard III, first aired four years ago.
- The Crown (Netflix)
This drama, which documents the Queen’s life from 1947 to the present day, has been created by Peter Morgan and comes to Netflix this year. At a cost of £100 million, it has become the most expensive ever made. Sixty episodes will be aired across six series, the first series will be shown this year and includes Claire Foy as Princess Elizabeth and Matt Smith as Prince Phillip.
- Doctor Thorne (ITV)
Following the end of Downtown Abbey, Academy Award winning writer Julian Fellowes has adapted this novel by Anthony Trollope. The three-part drama will star Tom Hollander, Rebecca Front and Ian McShane. If the success of Downtown Abbey is anything to go by, this will be a huge hit.
- Obama (BBC Two)
In the year that Obama comes to the end of his presidential career, this four-part series from Norma Percy will assess both his successes and failures.
- The Olympics/Paralympics (BBC/Channel 4)
It may not be in London this year, but we can still support our country and experience the games that unite us as a nation as we cheer on and feel a great sense of pride for our country thanks to the likes of Jessica Ennis, Mo Farah and Greg Rutherford. The Olympics and Paralympics, which both take place in Rio this year, will be on our TV screens this August.
- Attenborough’s 90th (BBC 1)
David Attenborough brings some of the best nature documentaries to our TV screens and allows us to explore the world from the comfort of our sofas as he gives us an insight into the lives of all kinds of animals that we may have never seen or even known about. This year, as Attenborough reaches his 10th decade, the BBC will pay tribute to his knowledge, passion and extraordinary life both in front of and behind the camera.
- Love, Nina (BBC 1)
Nina Stibbe’s award-winning book has been adapted into a five-part original drama series for BBC One and will star Helena Bonham-Carter. It follows a young nanny from Leicester as she finds her feet in 1980’s London.
- Happy Valley (BBC 1)
This captivating British drama returns for a second series this year with Sarah Lancashire back in her role as police sergeant Catherine Cawood.
- Victoria (ITV)
Following her role in Doctor Who, Jenna Coleman is back on our screens in this eight-part drama, which follows the early life of Queen Victoria.
- Top Gear (BBC Two)
As Jeremy Clarkson moves to his new show on Amazon Prime, his rival Chris Evans replaces him on Top Gear this year alongside Sabine Schmitz and Chris Harris.
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