Channel 4

Sandi Toksvig to return with a second series of Extraordinary Escapes

Toksvig will once again travel across the country on more extraordinary adventures with some of the nation’s funniest and interesting women.

The six-part series and Christmas special will show viewers some of the most beautiful, wildest and one-of-a-kind stays that suit every budget, with plenty of laughs along the way. 

To kick off the series, Toksvig will explore Devon with stand-up comedian and author Sarah Millican.

Channel 4 and HBO commission debut series from Booker Prize-winner Marlon James

The six-part crime noir follows the police detective Millie-Jean Black, who is forced to quit Scotland Yard and move back to Jamaica.

Upon her return, she begins working missing persons cases for the Jamaican force. She soon picks up an investigation that works its way from downtown Kingston all the way up to the plantations of the post-colonial elite.

When the case goes global, it propels her back to the UK where soon everyone is out to get Millie Black.

Amelia Dimoldenberg to makeover stars in Celebrity Rebrand

Credit: Channel 4

The satirical comedy series will see Channel 4 ask comedian, creator and star of Chicken Shop Date, Amelia Dimoldenberg, to help change the public perception of some of their biggest stars by giving them a total rebrand. 

The six-part series will see the celebrity guests undertake a series of unexpected brand exercises to help them connect to a wider audience, but to the celebrities’ horror, they unfortunately backfire. 

Drama offers big break

Writer Samantha O’Rourke and director Nadira Amrani are the creative duo behind Mincemeat, one of three half-hour films in series three of Channel 4’s On the Edge anthology.

On the Edge, which has been developed in conjunction with the 4Stories new-talent initiative, offers new writers and directors the opportunity to work with BlackLight Television executives Philip Trethowan and Ben Bickerton.

Channel 4 drama blows whistle on crime

Iuzzolino, who introduced an RTS London event in October, said: “It is one of the very few shows I’ve bought off-script.” In Witch Hunt, an accountant (Ida Waage, played by Westworld actor Ingrid Bolsø Berdal) blows the whistle on corruption, but finds herself subjected to harassment and false accusations.

Series creators and writers Anna Bache-Wiig and Siv Rajendram Eliassen were inspired by the true story of a whistleblower in Norway.

Channel 4 announces Jon Richardson and Lucy Beaumont to host a Christmas sleepover

Jon Richardson and Lucy Beaumont (credit: Channel 4/Amy Brammall)

Lucy and Jon will be joined by some of their closest comedy mates to eat, drink and get very merry during the post-Christmas, pre-New Year lull. Joining the pair to enjoy a festive feast will be fellow comedians Roisin Conaty, Romesh Ranganathan and Rob Beckett. With a few surprise guests along the way, the gang will reflect on the highs and lows of 2021, with misbehaviour and chaos sure to ensue in a rollicking, boozy knees-up.

Taskmaster reveals the series 13 line-up

Credit: Channel 4

Five new comedians will enter the Taskmaster house in an attempt to impress while doing the most ridiculous and crafty tasks on TV.

Created by Alex Horne, Horne often finds himself in the shadow of the overlord and Taskmaster himself Greg Davies. 

Series 13 contestants include stand-up, actor and author Ardal O’Hanlon, comedian Bridget Christie, stand-up comedian and TV host Chris Ramsey, comedian and presenter Judi Love and comedian, actress and podcaster Sophie Duker.