Following the recent release of Stranger Things on Netflix and the final episode of Pluribus on Apple TV, there is certainly not a shortage of programmes to be bingeing during this festive period.
The new season of Traitors on BBC is also fast approaching on New Year’s Day along with series two of The Night Manager.
But if you’re in the mood for an ‘absolutely brilliant’ detective drama, there’s another TV show to add to your list for this new year.
After first premiering on Channel 4 on January 8, 2025, Patience is returning for a second season on January 7, 2026.
The British drama series stars Laura Fraser as Detective Inspector Bea Metcalf and Ella Maisy Purvis as Patience Evans, an autistic police archivist whose skills prove crucial to solving complex cases.
Adapted from the Franco-Belgian series Astrid et Raphaëlle, the series has received high praise, with columdillon writing on IMDb: ‘This has to be one of the best detective shows I have seen in years, story line catches you and pulls you in.’
‘I have watched all 6 episodes and am now sitting praying for more. So prepare to be begging for more.’
Toenang also added: ‘As a person with autism, I enjoyed this show very much. The way Patience is portrayed as someone on the spectrum is so well done.
‘It made me shed some tears, which is rare for me. Her emotions and reactions are very recognizable for me, but of course not all. Every person with ASD is different.’
TV shows to binge in 2026
Here are just some of the shows Metro’s TV Editor Sabrina Barr has collated as her top picks for next year…
- The Other Bennet Sister
- How to Get to Heaven from Belfast
- Outlander season 8
- Young Sherlock
- The Night Manager season 2
- Bridgerton season 4
- A Thousand Blows season 2
- Half Man
- Rivals season 2
Set in York, only a small number of scenes were filmed there for location accuracy, with most of the production taking place in Belgium in 2024.
Filming for the second series was completed in May 2025 ahead of its broadcast date for January.
Currently, the show boasts an 88% score from critics and 77% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes.
The show’s imminent release will follow on from Channel 4’s star-studded Christmas special, Finding Father Christmas, which won fans over with its ‘comedic chaos’.
Airing on Christmas Eve, the story follows a 16-year-old boy (Lenny Rush) who goes on a quest to prove his widowed dad (James Buckley) wrong and that actually Father Christmas does exist’, using the power of physics.
Starring Stephen Fry as himself, Greg Davies as the elusive Santa, as well as Hannah Fry, Asim Chaudhry, Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock and Rochenda Sandall, the festive special was hailed for its heartwarming storyline.
‘I actually really enjoyed Finding Father Christmas on Channel 4. Always found James Buckley to be really great and funny but I loved all the other cast members too but it was just lighthearted and fun,’ X user Sarah Collins wrote.
Patience is now available to stream on Channel 4.
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