New British TV Series for 2022: BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Sky Dramas, Britbox & More - Den of Geek

This Is Going To Hurt (February)

Everybody should read Adam Kay's excruciating but brilliant and moving memoir of his time as a junior doctor, then they should immediately buy a copy for a friend. The BBC Two adaptation, written by Kay (he left medicine for comedy writing years ago) and starring Ben Whishaw and Ambika Mod, is even better than the book and a must-see (though perhaps not if you're due to give birth in the near future).  

Tom Jones (tbc)

Praise for 2018's Vanity Fair adaptation, scheduled opposite Bodyguard in 2018, was drowned out somewhat by the hit political thriller, but there was plenty of it, and deservingly so. Good news then, that ITV has brought screenwriter Gwyneth Hughes back to tackle another classic novel – Henry Fielding's 1749 book Tom Jones. Filming started in November 2021 in Northern Ireland, with a cast including Ted Lasso's Hannah Waddingham alongside leads Solly McLeod and Sophie Wilde (pictured above).

Trigger Point (January)

Line of Duty's Vicky McClure plays bomb disposal expert Lana Washington in this new ITV thriller from the Jed Mercurio stable. Written by Daniel Brierley and executive produced by Mercurio, it's the story of a front-line bomb disposal pro whose squad is pushed to the limits tackling a terrorist threat to London. Read our reviews here.

Wahala (tbc)

This BBC series, described as "Big Little Lies meets Girlfriends meets Peckham" is adapted from Nikki May's as-yet-unpublished novel of the same name. It's about Simi, Ronke and Boo, three 30-something Anglo-Nigerian women living in London whose friendship is shaken by the arrival of the beautiful, charismatic Isobel, with tragic consequences.

We Are Not Alone (tbc)

Laurence Rickard and Ben Willbond of Ghosts and Horrible Histories fame have written a two hour sci-fi comedy special that's coming to Dave in 2022. It's set in a post alien-invasion world and "explores the culture clash between humankind and its new alien masters, who are trying to make sense of a confusing planet," according to the official announcement. The cast, featuring Taskmaster favourite Mike Wozniak, the brilliant Ellie White and Vicki Pepperdine, Rob Delaney and loads of great names, is pictured above.

White Stork (tbc)

Formerly known as Spadehead, White Stork is a 10-episode political drama coming to Netflix courtesy of Eleven, the British production compnay behind Sex Education. Tom Hiddleston (The Avengers, The Night Manager – pictured above) stars as James Cooper, whose secret past is unearthed when he's vetted in preparation for a parliamentary election. It was creted by Jericho and Meadowlands' Christopher Dunlop, with Taboo's Kristoffer Nyholm directing.

Witchfinder (tbc)

On its way to BBC Two from the writer-directors of the excellent This Time With Alan Partridge is historical comedy The Witchfinder. Set in 1647, it's the story of a failing witchfinder played by Tim Key (stand-up, poet, actor, Side Kick Simon from loads of Alan Partridge shows and most importantly, Taskmaster task consultant), on a horseback road-trip through East Anglia with his latest captee, played by Daisy May Cooper (writer-creator of This Country, the brilliant Kerry Mucklowe on screen and people's champion of Taskmaster series 10). Six half-hour episodes will air on BBC Two. 

Why Didn't They Ask Evans? (tbc)

Hugh Laurie (pictured above in BBC political drama Roadkill) has adapted Agatha Christie's 1934 novel as a Britbox original. It's the story of a vicar's son and socialite duo played by Will Poulter and Lucy Boynton, who become amateur detectives and set out to solve a crime when they discover a dying man asking the titular question. Production began in June 2021, with a very fine British comedy cast, and the adaptation is due to air exclusively on Britbox in Spring 2022.

Catch up on the new British TV shows that aired in 2021 here.