From juicy celeb documentaries to binge-worthy dramas and the return of cult classics – our top TV shows of 2023

WE were treated to a fabulous feast of telly in 2022 but the next 12 months look likely to be even better.

From juicy celeb documentaries to a heap of bingeworthy dramas – and not to mention the returns of cult Nineties game-show Gladiators and Big Brother – there are plenty of treats to look forward to.

So handsets at the ready, as Hayley Minn and Thea Jacobs talk you through some of the top shows to look out for in 2023.

Tune in or miss out . . .

Drama

NOLLY (ITV, February): When a show is created by Russell T Davies and stars Helena Bonham Carter, it’s going to be good.

With this three-parter, Davies hopes to match the success of 2021 Channel 4 drama It’s A Sin, about London’s gay scene in the Eighties.

Nolly dramatises the story of actress Noele Gordon’s fall from grace, including her shock sacking from ITV soap Crossroads 40 years ago.

BEST INTERESTS (BBC1, TBC): Jack Thorne, the mastermind behind hard-hitting Covid drama Help for Channel 4 and 2016’s National Treasure on the same channel, brings his latest offering to BBC1.

Starring Sharon Horgan and Michael Sheen, this four-parter tells the heartbreaking story of two parents fighting to keep their sick daughter alive, against medical advice.

TEN POUND POMS (BBC1, TBC): Former Corrie bombshell Michelle Keegan stars in this drama set just after World War Two.

She plays one of a group of Brits – known Down Under as Poms – who migrated to Australia in the 1940s for just £10, all looking for a better life.

THIS TOWN (BBC1, TBC): From Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, This Town is a thriller set in the Midlands in the early Eighties, just as ska music was booming and uniting black, white and Asian teens.

It opens in 1981, during “a moment of huge social tensions and unrest”, according to the Beeb.

Stars Downton Abbey’s Michelle Dockery and Marcella’s Nicholas Pinnock.

BEYOND PARADISE (ITV, TBC): Death In Paradise has become a much-loved crime-comedy drama since it began in 2011.

And this year the detective series gets its first spin-off, bringing back Love Actually star Kris Marshall as DI Humphrey Goodman, as well as Sally Bretton as Martha Lloyd.

Documentaries

SUPER LEAGUE: THE WAR FOR FOOTBALL (Apple TV+, January 13): Remember that bizarre time when a group of top European sides tried to break away to form their own super- league?

This new four-parter dives into those bonkers days, and claims to have unprecedented access to league presidents, club owners, and the architects of the doomed project.

DAVID BECKHAM (Netflix, title and release TBC): He’s been one of the most famous footballers on the planet, and here for the first time Becks lets fans behind the scenes of his glamorous life.

The series includes interviews with family and friends, plus previously unseen interviews and footage from his personal archive.

OUR PLANET II (Netflix, TBC): National treasure Sir David Attenborough is back with his stunning Our Planet series.

With the help of his Emmy-winning camera team, the nature guru will deliver more incredible footage from around the world, and unravel the mysteries of how and why animals migrate.

AT HOME WITH THE FURYS (Netflix, TBC): Gypsy King Tyson Fury has invited Netflix into his home for a fly-on-the-wall series following him, wife Paris Fury and their six children.

The series originally planned to explore the heavy-weight boxing champ’s return to family life after retiring from the ring – but the slugger has backtracked on that plan, so we’ll have to wait and see what happens.

ROBBIE WILLIAMS (Netflix, title and release TBC): Angels rocker Robbie is the latest superstar to team up with streaming giant Netflix to spill the beans on his life and fame.

He will look back at his incredible career – including his Take That days – for this revealing series, and open up about his struggles with addiction and mental health.

WAGATHA CHRISTIE (Disney+, title and release TBC): Sparked by a now infamous tweet, this sensational spat between two Wags had us gripped when it went to court last year.

Now Coleen Rooney will speak for the first time in detail about her battle with rival Rebekah Vardy, whom she accused of leaking stories about her to the Press.

Streaming bingers

THE RIG (Amazon Prime, January 6): Line Of Duty star Martin Compston takes up the title role in this dark new series.

Set on an oil rig off the coast of Scotland, all hell breaks loose when it is engulfed by thick fog and hit by a series of tremors which cut off communication.

After a serious accident, suspicion grows and the crew begins asking questions about what’s really going on.

Game of Thrones’ Iain Glen also stars.

QUEEN CHARLOTTE: A BRIDGERTON STORY (Netflix, TBC): Period drama Bridgerton is one of Netflix’s biggest hits, and the streaming site is cashing in with this first spin-off.

Queen Charlotte, played by Golda Rosheuvel, is a prequel to Bridgerton and charts the much-loved royal character’s rise to power, and her romance with King George.

Glamorous Arsema Thomas plays the younger version of Lady Danbury, the character made famous by Adjoa Andoh.

THE CROWN (Netflix, TBC): The royal drama’s final run is set to be its most controversial.

Starring Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth II, it will cover the death of Princess Di (played by Aussie beauty Elizabeth Debicki), Tony Blair’s relationship with Her Majesty and Prince William’s early relationship with Kate Middleton.

MY LADY JANE (Prime Video, TBC): Lady Jane Grey was the Queen of England for just nine days in 1553.

This comedy-drama, with an all-star cast featuring Dominic Cooper, Rob Brydon and Jim Broadbent, reimagines what happened during that reign.

My Lady Jane has been described as a “sharp-tongued, warm-hearted story full of romance, adventure and fantasy”.

HEARTSTOPPER 2 (Netflix, TBC): Last year viewers fell head over heels for this tale of two teenage boys Charlie, an introvert, and Nick, a rugby lad, falling in love.

The series was inspired by a graphic novel, and now the sequel is being adapted to continue the sweet coming-of-age story.

Kit Connor, Joe Locke and Yasmin Finney are all confirmed to be returning while Olivia Colman is expected to reprise her role as Nick’s mother.

Reality

WINTER LOVE ISLAND (ITV2, January): After a brief hiatus, Love Island is returning, with new host Maya Jama taking over from Laura Whitmore, and a cast of glamorous singletons.

The winter series will be filmed in Cape Town, South Africa.

CELEBRITY SAS: WHO DARES WINS (Channel 4, January): It seems the Aussie jungle wasn’t enough of a challenge for shamed MP Matt Hancock, as he’s now testing his mettle in SAS: Who Dares Wins.

The new series, fronted by hardman Mark “Billy” Billingham, takes place in the Vietnamese jungle and sees the likes of ex-Towie star James Argent, Love Islander Teddy Soares and Liberty X singer Michelle Heaton doing their best to impress.

ALAN MUST WIN (E4, January): This new eight-parter sees a group of larger- than-life characters compete against each other to become the most popular.

But there’s a twist, as unbeknown to them, a team of celebs are battling behind the scenes to fix the game so the group’s underdog – dubbed Alan – wins.

THE APPRENTICE (BBC1, January): Lord Sugar gets down to business again as the show returns for its 17th run.

The latest wannabe entrepreneurs compete for a £250,000 investment in their business idea.

This year they include a glam hair salon owner, a lad who runs a theatre school in Glasgow, and a sweets firm boss and Instagram influencer.

Expect the usual shameless self-promotion, cringe one-liners and Karren Brady eye-rolls.

CLARKSON’S FARM (Prime Video, February): Sun columnist Jeremy Clarkson’s series became a surprise smash last year.

Now he and Diddly Squat Farm’s colourful cast of characters Kaleb, Gerald, Lisa and Cheerful Charlie are back for a second helping, alongside some new animals.

BIG BROTHER (ITV2, autumn): The Eighties hit is finally back after years of clamour from fans.

Originally on Channel 4 before moving to Channel 5, it birthed many of our most-loved TV stars, including This Morning favourites Alison Hammond and Josie Gibson.

Gameshows

CHEAT (Netflix, TBC): EastEnders star Danny Dyer turns quiz host for this brand-new show.

The actor will be joined by comedian and Strictly Come Dancing star Ellie Taylor for the series, where the audience plays to win £50,000 by answering questions.

The twist? You can still win if you don’t know the answer – by cheating.

SURVIVOR (BBC1, TBC): It was cancelled after two series in 2002, but the brutal survival show is back.

Based on the international reality franchise of the same name, the challenge sees 20 people dumped on a desert island and divided into two tribes to compete in a series of tasks.

Think Big Brother meets The Island With Bear Grylls.

It’s proven a hit worldwide so hopefully this 16-parter will deliver the goods.

GLADIATORS (BBC1, TBC): Gladiators, we’re ready!

The show where beefcake men and super-fit women battle it out to prove who’s the most athletic is returning.

Sun columnist Ulrika Jonsson hosted the all-action ITV show in the Nineties but the new line-up has yet to be confirmed.

SQUID GAME: THE CHALLENGE (Netflix, TBC): Grisly Squid Game was a smash last year, with viewers shocked and enthralled by the twists and turns of the deadly challenges.

Now Netflix has developed a real-life version for fans to play, which sees 16 people dropped on a tropical island.

Half of them have keys to a dream villa, while the other half have to survive in the woods and compete in daily challenges to earn their place in the lush pad.

As each new resident arrives, an existing one is booted out into the woods.

Only the occupants of the villa have a chance to take home the cash prize.

THE CHALLENGE UK (Channel 5, TBC): Former Towie star Mark Wright’s first TV presenting gig since returning to the UK is hosting our version of The Challenge.

It’s the first time the show – popular in the US – is being made with British contenders.

Filmed in Argentina, it sees 16 reality stars including Curtis and AJ Pritchard, Nathan Henry and James Lock compete against each other in a series of extreme challenges.