TV and Culture Guide: What to Watch, Read and Listen to Kick Start 2026
Forget the January blues, this is what you'll want to stay in for
The Traitors
Keeping us guessing every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, The Traitors is back with a twist. Let the lies begin. Catch up on BBC iPlayer.
The Night Manager
The Night Manager is back with a new series, nine years since the last one aired, staring Tom Hiddleston and Olivia Colman. Binge-watch on BBC iPlayer now to catch up on this spy thriller that has everyone hooked.
The Masked Singer
Following its Christmas special is a brand-new series of The Masked Singer. There’s more unmasking than ever before, but can you guess which celeb is hiding behind theirs? Watch now on ITVX.
Robson Green's Weekend Escapes
He's back! Series four of Robson Green's Weekend Escapes returned to the BBC and iPlayer on 5th January and he's once again sharing his love of the North with famous faces and his friends and family. We'll follow him on his journeys with Reverend Richard Coles, JJ Chalmers, Gail Porter, Steph Houghton, Chris Kamara and Jo Joyner amongst others.
Waterloo Road
Steph Haydock (Geordie actress Denise Welch) goes back to school as Waterloo Road returns to screens. Expect drama, topical issues and bad behaviour on the BBC.
Patience
Airing on Channel 4 is season two of crime drama Patience set in York. Based on French drama Astrid et Raphaëlle, the series tells the story of a young woman with autism who works in the criminal records department for ‘City of York Police’. She’s back on the case.
We Loved
THE LIFE EXPERIMENT
Jess Kitching
I’m not normally a fan of love stories – but this isn’t your standard love story. The two involved in this new novel from Bradford’s Jess Kitching have entered an experiment that predicts when they will die. Along the way they each discover that life is worth living (to the fullest) and it’s never worth settling for anything that doesn’t make you happy – so it’s certainly worth taking a leaf from this book. The reasons behind this experiment are poignant. Chapter by chapter, with the characters’ journeys being told through surveys and feelings, Jess proves nothing ever goes smoothly. A comforting page-turner, it’s Matt Haig meets David Nicholls.
Faye Dixon, Arts Editor
REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
Richard Yates
In my quest to catch up on modern classics I stumbled upon this quietly tense tale of suburban life in the ‘60s. On paper, Frank and April Wheeler are the perfect couple – young, smart and idealistic. But as the monotonous boredom of real life settles in, each tries to escape in their own way as their slice of the American Dream begins to unravel. Call me morbid, but I love a tragedy, and as our characters become increasingly desperate and disconnected the violent turn of the book becomes an inevitability.
Neave Herridge, Food Editor
On Our List
A DAUGHTER’S LOVE
Nancy Revell
In the dramatic final instalment in The Cuthford Manor trilogy, publishing 29th January, we follow Lucy whose wealthy estranged mother has died unexpectedly. Disowned by her family after marrying for love, when her father begs for forgiveness she’s overjoyed. But can she trust that he’s truly mended his ways? Born and raised in Sunderland, Nancy (aka Amanda) has a number of cosy historical fiction novels under her belt including the bestselling and much-loved Shipyard Girls series.
LOVE DIGITALLY
Melanie Taylor
Her debut novel, and the first in a romantic comedy series, this is the perfect new read for fans of Paige Toon and Beth O’Leary. We follow childhood sweethearts Erin and Josh who are preparing to get married, but haven’t seen each other in person in 20 years. With one now based in New Zealand and the other in Yorkshire, can their love really overcome the distance? Melanie Taylor, based in Yorkshire, takes inspiration from the world around her including her hometown of Holmfirth. A self-proclaimed romance nerd, this is the first in a three-part romance series set in the fictional village of Stubbin Bridge.
With Heaven On Top
9th January
Zach Bryan
The sixth studio album by American country singer-songwriter Zach Bryan follows the release of tickets for his tour this summer. We can’t wait to have tracks Bowery (with Kings of Leon) and Madeline on repeat.
Visions
16th January
Alice Merton
British-based German-Canadian singer-songwriter Alice Merton is back with with her third studio album, Visions. We love her debut single No Roots and can’t wait to hear her new music.
How Did I Get Here?
23rd January
Louis Tomlinson
How Did I Get Here? is the upcoming third studio album by singer-songwriter and One Direction star Louis Tomlinson. The first single is Lemonade which was released in September last year.
