London TV Screenings 2026: The Shows Generating Buzz
The London TV Screenings, taking place next week, are set to showcase a diverse range of new television content to a record 43 distribution businesses and thousands of buyers.1 From dramas and comedies to entertainment formats and documentaries, here’s a look at some of the titles generating the most anticipation.
Drama Takes Center Stage
Anna Pigeon (Cineflix Rights)
Based on Nevada Barr’s popular novels, Anna Pigeon follows a former city dweller turned park ranger, played by Tracy Spiridakos (Chicago PD). The series centers on her investigations into crimes occurring within national park grounds.1 Paulina Alexis (Reservation Dogs) and Ronnie Rowe (Star Trek: Discovery) also star, alongside Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica) and Kim Coates (Sons of Anarchy). The series is a co-commission between Bell Media (Canada) and Versant’s USA Network, marking the first partnership between the two.
The Cage (Fremantle)
Created by Tony Schumacher (The Responder), The Cage is a six-part BBC drama starring Sheridan Smith and Michael Socha. The series follows two casino workers who discover each other’s secret side hustles – amateur heists – and are forced into an uneasy alliance as they attempt one final, high-stakes gamble.1 Filmed in Liverpool and Manchester, the show comes from Element Pictures, Fremantle’s production house known for hits like Poor Things and Normal People.
Dustfall (Federation Studios)
Dustfall, an ABC Australia drama, is drawing comparisons to Top of the Lake.1 Starring Anna Torv (Newsreader), the series follows a detective investigating the death of an 18-year-vintage in a cane field. The cast also includes Juliet Stevenson (Truly, Madly, Deeply), Zoe Phillips (Eden) and Bert LaBonté (Colin From Accounts). A BBC deal is already in place, and Federation Studios hopes to build on its success in the English-speaking content market.
Army of Shadows (Studiocanal)
Inspired by Jean-Pierre Melville’s 1969 film and Joseph Kessel’s book, this drama, a co-production between Channel 4 (UK) and Canal+ (France), is set in a near-future Britain facing authoritarian rule.1 The story centers on an ex-soldier, a novelist, and a journalist who form an underground resistance network. The series has received blessings from the Melville family and the Kessel estate.
Beyond Scripted: Reality and Documentary
The Neighbourhood (ITV Studios)
Hosted by Graham Norton, The Neighbourhood is a new reality gameshow where households compete in challenges to win prizes while navigating the dynamics of street life.1 ITV Studios is hoping this show will turn into the next big hit in the constructed-reality genre.
The Hunt (Seven.One.Studios)
This high-stakes survival series, already commissioned by Channel 4 (UK) and Joyn (Germany), pits predators against prey in a vast forest.1 Contestants compete for a cash prize, with roles reversing as the game progresses.
Beyond The Silk Road (Blue Ant Rights)
This one-off documentary reunites Dominic West and Clarke Peters, stars of HBO’s The Wire, as they embark on a horseback journey along the Silk Road in Kyrgyzstan.1 The documentary explores the historic trade routes and features age-old rituals and sports.
Returning Favorites and Natural Wonders
Blue Planet III (BBC Studios)
The highly anticipated third installment of the Blue Planet series will utilize the latest camera technology and scientific discoveries to reveal new wonders of the oceans.1 The six-episode co-production between the BBC and BBC America will focus on various marine environments, with the final episode addressing ocean exploration and conservation. It remains unconfirmed whether David Attenborough will return as narrator.
Wallander (Banijay Rights)
A new Swedish-language adaptation of Henning Mankell’s detective novels is set to premiere, starring Gustaf Skarsgård (Oppenheimer, Vikings) as Kurt Wallander.1 This adaptation promises a deeper exploration of the iconic character’s personal struggles.
Other Titles Generating Interest
Maya (All3Media International)
Starring Daisy Haggard and Bella Ramsey, Maya is a psychological thriller about a single mother and her teenage daughter who enter witness protection and assume new identities in rural Scotland.1
Girl Climber (Dogwoof)
This documentary follows elite mountaineer Emily Harrington as she attempts to conquer Yosemite’s El Capitan in under 24 hours, with cinematography from Alex Honnold (of Netflix’s Skyscraper Live).1
The London TV Screenings continue to be a crucial event for the television industry, with NBCUniversal now viewing it as comparable in importance to the LA Screenings.2 The event provides a platform for distribution businesses to showcase their latest content to a global audience of buyers.
1 Deadline