Comedy

Avenue 5

Veep in space starring Hugh Laurie? Yes please! This new sci-fi comedy from the mind of Armando Iannucci – and his first new one since his multiawarding winning political satire – looks set to be epic. Laurie plays a space cruise ship captain as his vessel suffers a malfunction and goes wildly off-course.

When can I watch it and on what channel?

Avenue 5 will air on Sky One/HD (CH 109/110) on Wednesday 22 January.

Afternoon

Iain Morris and Damon Beesley, the guys behind The Inbetweeners, are back with a hugely anticipated new comedy – the first they’ve written together since the smash-hit series and films. Following three young footballers from a fictional Premier League team, it sounds like their famous show’s spiritual successor.

When can I watch it and on what channel?

Afternoon will air on BBC Two HD (CH 102) with a transmission date TBC.

Breeders

There is a lot of buzz around this one already… Starring Martin Freeman and Daisy Haggard, whose comedy Back To Life was one of the stand-out hits of 2019, Breeders exposes the paradox of parenting, where blissful love and frustrated rage are two sides of the same coin.

When can I watch it and on what channel?

Breeders will air on Sky One/HD (CH 109/110) with a transmission date TBC.

This Is Going To Hurt

Chances are you’ve either read former junior doctor Adam Kay’s bestselling memoir, or you’ve been heavily recommended it by every human on Earth. Kay is adapting his hilarious book into an eight-part series chronicling his experiences working in the NHS. Expect this to be as smart and as successful as the book.

When can I watch it and on what channel?

This Is Going To Hurt will air on BBC Two HD (CH 102) with a transmission date TBC.

Hitmen

Imagine if the former hosts of The Great British Bake Off were contract killers. Well, Hitmen is as close to that show as we’ll ever get (well, until Noel and Sandi lose their rag during biscuit week...). Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc play best pals who kill for a living – or try to – and the show follows the hapless duo as they carry out their deadly hits in a less than professional manner.

When can I watch it and on what channel?

Hitmen will air on Sky One/HD (CH 109/110) with a transmission date TBC.

Feel Good

Written by and starring Mae Martin, this semi-autobiographical series follows recovering addict Mae as she tries to control her addictive behaviours and intense romanticism. Life gets further complicated by her new girlfriend (Fresh Meat’s Charlotte Ritchie). Lisa Kudrow plays Mae’s mum. IT’S RUDDY PHOEBE FROM FRIENDS, PEOPLE!

When can I watch it and on what channel?

Feel Good will air on E4/HD (CH 106/145) with a transmission date TBC.

New Alan Partridge series

Not too much is known about what’s next for Steve Coogan’s much-loved comedy creation following the brilliant This Time With Alan Partridge. But the writers have teased that it will take the form of a motor travelogue series following Alan as drives across Britain. Back of the net!

When can I watch it and on what channel?

The new Alan Partridge series’ channel and transmission date are TBC.

Code 404

Set in the Special Investigations Unit of the Metropolitan Police, this revolves around two detective inspectors played by Daniel Mays and Stephen Graham (Line Of Duty fans will have let out a little squeal at that). Two of the nation’s best dramatic actors getting to flex their comedy chops? We are absolutely in!

When can I watch it and on what channel?

Code 404 will air on Sky One/HD (CH 109/110) with a transmission date TBC.

Lady Parts

It started as a Channel 4 “comedy blap” in 2018 and – as a music comedy following an all-female Muslim punk band – has one of the all-time great elevator pitches. It’s written and directed by Nida Manzoor, and we’d have to be very, very lazy to point out that this anarchic comedy has the potential to be 2020’s Derry Girls. Then again…

When can I watch it and on what channel?

Lady Parts will air on Channel 4/HD (CH 104/141) with a transmission date TBC.

Starstruck

Created by, written by and starring 2018 Edinburgh Comedy Award winner Rose Matafeo, Starstruck follows a millennial juggling all of life’s challenges… and dealing with the complications of accidentally sleeping with a film star. As the original home of Fleabag, BBC Three definitely has form for producing instant-classic comedy about young women.

When can I watch it and on what channel?

Starstruck will premiere on BBC iPlayer and then air on BBC Two HD (CH 102) with a transmission date TBC.

Intelligence

David Schwimmer is one of the great comic actors, so Friends fans (and telly fans in general) will be delighted to see him in this workplace comedy set in the UK’s Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ). According to the programme synopsis, it’s a “weedier, geekier, more bureaucratic version of MI5 and M16”.

When can I watch it and on what channel?

Intelligence will air on Sky One/HD (CH 109/110) with a transmission date TBC.

King Gary

Created by the Virgin Media BAFTA-winning team behind Murder In Successville, this follows Gary (Tom Davis) and his missus Terri (Laura Checkley) as they – according to the official synopsis – “bowl through family life in suburbia”. The excellent supporting cast includes Romesh Ranganathan, Doctor Who’s Camille Coduri and The Fast Show’s Simon Day.

When can I watch it and on what channel?

King Gary will air on BBC One HD (CH 101/108) with a transmission date TBC.

MAXXX

This is an interesting one. Writer and star O-T Fagbenle (The Handmaid’s Tale) plays Maxxx, a former boyband star turned drug-shamed tabloid laughing stock trying to make a comeback. But when everyone thinks you’re a loser – including your famous popstar ex-girlfriend – the journey back to the top isn’t easy.

When can I watch it and on what channel?

MAXXX will air on E4/HD (CH 106/145) with a transmission date TBC.

Two Weeks To Live

Gaby Hull wrote the incredible ITV series Cheat, and now she’s back with a comedy series about strange young misfit Kim (Game Of Thrones star Maisie Williams), whose father died in murky circumstances. When she tries to honour his memory, it sets in motion a series of events that puts her life in danger.

When can I watch it and on what channel?

Two Weeks To Live will air on Sky One/HD (CH 109/110) with a transmission date TBC.

Mister Winner

Spencer Jones (Upstart Crow) is the somewhat ironically named Leslie Winner, who despite the best intentions is forever finding himself in disastrous situations. Eagle-eyed viewers will say, “Hang on, this isn’t new – I’ve seen it!” That’s because its pilot was broadcast as part of the Comedy Playhouse in 2019.

When can I watch it and on what channel?

Mister Winner will air on BBC Two HD (CH 102) with a transmission date TBC.

Alma’s Not Normal

Following a successful New On Two comedy pilot (the same birthplace as the genius Famalam), this is a full series of the Bolton-based comedy about Alma Nuthall (Sophie Willan, also the show’s writer) and her family of “unruly women”. It’s supremely funny while dealing with class, sexuality, mental health and substance abuse.

When can I watch it and on what channel?

Alma’s Not Normal will air on BBC Two HD (CH 102) with a transmission date TBC.

The Ballad Of Kylie Jenner’s Old Face

This stand-up special from Jayde Adams – based on her sell-out, critically acclaimed Edinburgh Festival Fringe show of the same name – explores what it means to be a feminist in 2019. Described as “a heady cocktail of jokes, purpose and passion”, this special showcases Adams’ impeccable talents.

When can I watch it and on what channel?

The Ballad Of Kylie Jenner’s Old Face will air on Amazon Prime Video with a transmission date TBC.

Semi-Detached

After a one-off pilot as part of BBC Two’s New On Two, this has returned for a full series following perennial loser Stuart (Lee Mack, Not Going Out) as his life goes down the pan in a suburban cul-de-sac. Each half an hour episode plays out in real-time – a bit like 24… but also absolutely nothing like 24.

When can I watch it and on what channel?

Semi-Detached will air on BBC Two HD (CH 102) with a transmission date TBC.

Click here to return to the very best Drama coming up in 2020.

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