BritBox Australia has unveiled an expansive 2026 programming slate, pairing a heavy schedule of new and returning British drama with a limited-time subscription discount designed to entice Australian viewers at the start of the year.
The streaming service has confirmed a wide-ranging lineup spanning crime, thrillers, period drama and comedy, reinforcing its strategy of positioning BritBox as a dedicated home for British television in Australia. The announcement also coincides with a January promotional offer that significantly reduces the cost of an annual subscription for new and returning customers.
A packed slate of new British drama
Among the headline new titles set to arrive on BritBox Australia in 2026 is The Guest, a psychological thriller starring Eve Myles, which premieres in January 2026. The series follows cleaner Ria Powell, whose life is upended after she is drawn into the glamorous but unsettling world of a wealthy stranger.
Also debuting in February 2026 is I Am Ruth, the latest instalment in the I Am… anthology. The feature-length drama stars Kate Winslet as a mother struggling to reconnect with her teenage daughter amid the pressures of the online world, alongside her real-life daughter Mia Threapleton.
Further new exclusives include The Woman in the Wall, led by Ruth Wilson, which centres on a woman who wakes to find a dead body in her home, and The Revenge Club, starring Martin Compston and Douglas Henshall, which follows members of a divorce support group whose quest for payback escalates into something far more dangerous.
Another addition to the lineup is The Rumour, featuring Joanne Whalley and Rachel Shenton, set in a seaside town where a single piece of gossip triggers paranoia and fear within a close-knit community.
Returning favourites and long-running franchises
Alongside the new premieres, BritBox Australia has confirmed a strong lineup of returning series, many of them long-running staples of British television. These include new seasons of Call the Midwife, Silent Witness, Shetland, Death in Paradise, Beyond Paradise and Father Brown, all continuing as exclusive premieres on the platform in Australia.
Other returning titles scheduled for 2026 include Professor T, Death Valley, After the Flood and The Hardacres, with each series set to deepen existing storylines established in earlier seasons.
The service has also confirmed that Casualty, now in its 40th season, continues its run on BritBox, alongside additional returning comedies such as Here We Go.
Line of Duty to return
One of the most notable announcements is the return of Line of Duty, with the seventh season of Jed Mercurio’s police drama due to commence filming in 2026. BritBox Australia has confirmed the series will stream exclusively on the service locally, with Adrian Dunbar, Vicky McClure and Martin Compston reprising their roles as Ted Hastings, Kate Fleming and Steve Arnott.
New arrivals to the platform
The 2026 slate also includes series new to BritBox, such as Ludwig, starring David Mitchell and Anna Maxwell-Martin, following its debut on the BBC, and the final season of Vera, with Brenda Blethyn returning for her last run as DCI Vera Stanhope.
Additional titles joining the platform include Marble Hall Murders, the latest adaptation from Anthony Horowitz’s Susan Ryeland novels, and further seasons of Grace, All Creatures Great and Small, Sister Boniface Mysteries and Shakespeare & Hathaway.
BritBox positions 2026 as a step forward
Sarah Kenny, Head of Content and Editorial, BritBox & BBC Branded Services ANZ, said the service was building on recent momentum with its upcoming slate.
“Following a successful year, we are thrilled to take things to the next level with this unmissable 2026 collection.
With a mix of exciting new exclusives, returning favourites, and expertly curated channels, BritBox continues to offer Australian audiences the very best in British television.
Our expanded platform ensures there’s something for everyone, making it easier than ever to discover, enjoy, and get lost in world-class British storytelling.”
January pricing offer
Coinciding with the content announcement, BritBox Australia has launched a January subscription promotion. From 15 January 2026 until 29 January 2026, new and returning customers can access a 12-month annual subscription for $75, reduced from the standard $139.99.
According to the company, the offer applies across the BritBox website as well as Apple and Google devices, with no promotional code required. The discounted plan does not include a free trial and will automatically renew at the standard annual price unless cancelled before the end of the billing period.
With a broad 2026 content lineup anchored by high-profile dramas and established franchises, and a limited-time price cut aimed at the New Year streaming reset, BritBox Australia is making a clear push to attract and retain subscribers.
What about the future of Doctor Who? Given that the Disney+ contract is set to expire in the near future, it seems like a natural opportunity for other platforms to step in and reclaim the broadcasting rights to this beloved series. I would have thought that BritBox and ABC would be particularly well-suited and ideal platforms to resume their rights to Doctor Who, allowing them to showcase both the classic episodes from the show’s extensive historical archive as well as the newer, modern episodes that have captivated audiences in recent years. These platforms have previously demonstrated their commitment to British programming and quality science fiction content, making them logical choices for the series’ next home. The transition could provide fans with more comprehensive access to the entire Doctor Who universe, spanning decades of adventures through time and space.
Hi Michael – really fair question. The BBC have been suspiciously quiet over the future of Doctor Who post the Disney era. I suspect the series might be done unless they are willing to invest significantly to, essentially, reboot it *again*.