If Christmas is a time for nostalgia and reflection then January is definitely the period for looking forward. So, with that said, we’ve put together our list of must-see shows for 2022. From a few familiar faces to unmissable new dramas, we’ve covered all the bases. Whether you’re grabbing a nice cuppa or you’re honouring your New Year’s Resolution health kick by including smoothies into your diet - sit back, and enjoy!
Trigger Point
Some combinations are just a guaranteed winner: salt and vinegar, cookies and cream and if the six fantastic seasons of Line of Duty are anything to go by - you can add Jed Mercurio and Vicky McClure to that list too. That’s why when we heard that the two were teaming up for a new drama on ITV, our ears immediately pricked up. McClure stars in the new series alongside Adrian Lester in what is sure to be unmissable.
An official date has yet to be announced, but you can bet we’ll be keeping our ears firmly to the ground for this sure-fire classic.
Derry Girls
Lisa McGee’s wonderfully hilarious 90s-set Northern Irish comedy is set to return for a third and final series about the lives of secondary school students Erin, Orla, Clare, Michelle and James. Filming was due to begin in June 2020, but as with many shows, Covid-19 disrupted that schedule. Derry Girls is a coming-of-age nostalgia-fest with characters to love and jokes to spare, in which crushes and friendship fall-outs are dealt with in the same breath as dangerous political turmoil. It’s a winning formula.
And if series one and two are anything to go by - we’re in for another treat. Haven’t seen the first two offerings yet? That’s okay - you can still catch both on All 4.
Killing Eve
Well, well, well - talk about highly-anticipated. Season four of the mega-hit spy thriller was announced back before season three aired, so we’ve known it’s been coming for a while now. The question is: when? As the show films across various European locations, it was hit harder than most by the pandemic restrictions. Whilst filming on the fourth and final run finally began in October 2021, don’t hold your breath for the usual April start date.
We’re not exaggerating when we say it’ll be worth every second of the wait though. Jodie Comer’s depiction of Villanelle had us on the edge of our seats for the past three seasons, so roll on series 4!
Unforgotten
Chris Lang’s much-loved ITV crime drama will return for a fifth - and possibly - final season. Following on from the heartbreaking events of the series four finale . The team will be back investigating another historical case, following clues through a network of seemingly unrelated characters who, by the end, will turn out to be tightly knitted by a shared checkered past. The guest cast has yet to be announced, but expect a good selection of British talent, as ever.
The irreplaceable Nicola Walker will be sorely missed but there’s more than enough talent on both sides of the camera for Unforgotten to still be a hit.
Marriage
We previously mentioned cracking on-screen combos and how’s this for a stellar partnership? Responsible for two of 2021’s most underrated TV performances (in Time and Unforgotten respectively), Sean Bean and Nicola Walker will next star in this drama from Stefan Golaszewski, the creator of sit-coms Him and Her and Mum. They’ll play Ian and Emma, a couple navigating all the ups, downs, insecurities and complexities of a 30-year relationship.
We don’t know too much about what else is in store for this drama, but we know two great British actors when we see them!
🎬 And that’s it for our list of must-see TV for 2022. Have we missed any out? We’d love to hear your choices! Let us know via email, Twitter or Facebook.