Say hello to some familiar faces in 2021, as your TV favourites head back to your screen
By Virgin TV Edit
There’s no doubt about it: 2021 is already looking fit to burst with loads of the biggest shows returning to the box.
From unmissable dramas to thigh-slapping comedy comebacks, read on to discover what’s heading to your screen once more over the next 12 months – and where you can watch them on Virgin TV.
Line Of Duty, series 6
Coming in 2021, BBC One HD (CH 101/108)
Now this is one we really can’t wait for. Expect more twists and turns than ever before, as Jed Mercurio’s hugely popular cop drama returns for series 6. We want answers!
Bulletproof: South Africa
Wednesday 20 January, Sky One/HD (CH 110/109)
Cop duo Ashley Walters and Noel Clarke swap London for South Africa, as they hunt down a kidnapped girl in this new three-parter.
The Bay, series 2
Coming in early 2021, ITV HD (CH 103/113)
DI Lisa Armstrong (Morven Christie) is back on the beat, this time investigating a brand new case around the picturesque Morecambe Bay.
Vera, series 11
Coming in 2021, ITV HD (CH 103/113)
Northumberland-based criminals, beware! Following the success of series 10, our Vera (Brenda Blethyn) is out cracking cases once more in a new series of the hit crime drama.
NCIS, season 18
Coming in 2021, FOX/HD (CH 157/199)
Get your fix of forensic drama, as the legendary police procedural dusts off its magnifying glass for a new season in 2021.
Taboo, series 2
Coming in 2021, BBC One HD (CH 101/108)
It’s hard to believe this dark period drama first hit our screens in 2017. Series 2 is set to follow the enigmatic James Delaney (Tom Hardy) as he explores strange new worlds…
Supergirl, season 6
Coming in 2021, Sky One/HD (CH 110/109)
Is this really the end? We’re afraid so. The superhero drama’s sixth season will be its last. Still, here’s hoping it goes out with a bang.
Temple, series 2
Coming in 2021, Sky One/HD (CH 110/109)
Mark Strong has his work cut out in series 2 of the medical crime drama about a doctor who operates an illegal clinic in the depths of the London underground.
COBRA, series 2
Coming in 2021, Sky One/HD (CH 110/109)
After steering the country towards stability last time out, the Prime Minister (Robert Carlyle) is thrown off course when an assassination on British soil causes chaos, in the new series of the political thriller.
The Simpsons, season 32
Coming in 2021, Sky One/HD (CH 110/109)
Still going strong after all these years, the iconic US animated comedy will be on our screens for season 32 – yes, that’s season 32 – in 2021.
Blue Bloods, season 11
Coming in 2021, Sky Witness/HD (CH 112/111)
The streets of New York had better watch out, because the Reagans are back to clean up the streets of the Big Apple in this compelling cop drama. Starring Donnie Wahlberg, Tom Selleck, and Tom Selleck’s moustache.
Sex Education, season 3
Coming in 2021, Netflix
Jason Isaacs is among the new cast members joining Asa Butterfield and Gillian Anderson in the next series of the raunchy comedy drama. Is it hot in here, or is it just us?
The Flash, season 7
Coming in 2021, Sky One/HD (CH 110/109)
Blink and you’ll miss him. The world’s fastest superhero leads his team into another season of the US drama. Rumours suggest this could be his last outing…
A Discovery Of Witches, season 2
From Friday 8 January, Sky One/HD (CH 110/109)
Part-time witch Diana (Teresa Palmer) and mysterious vampire Matthew (Matthew Goode) join forces once more in this fantasy drama based on Deborah Harkness’ All Souls book series. Steven Cree (Outlander, Maleficent) and James Purefoy (The Following, Altered Carbon) are among the new cast members this time around.
Breeders, series 2
Coming in early 2021, Sky One/HD (CH 110/109)
Martin Freeman and Daisy Haggard are back as a pair of beleaguered parents in the hilarious comedy series co-created by Freeman, Chris Addison (The Thick Of It) and Simon Blackwell (Peep Show).
Code 404, series 2
Coming in early 2021, Sky One/HD (CH 110/109)
After being brought back to life with AI in series 1, DI Major (Daniel Mays) finds his life in a mess this time around. Not only is his relationship with DI Carver (Stephen Graham) on the ropes, but tech issues are forcing him to act even stranger than usual…
Intelligence, series 2
Coming in 2021, Sky One/HD (CH 110/109)
Odd couple David Schwimmer and Nick Mohammed are back to thwart a nuclear disaster in the return of the comedy series. Should be fine…
Death In Paradise, series 10
Coming in early 2021, BBC One HD (CH 101/108)
Come for the crime drama, stay for the gorgeous scenery. Ralf Little features once again as DI Neville Parker, plus fan favourite DS Camille Bordey (Sara Martins) returns, as the show celebrates its tenth anniversary.
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, series 2
Coming in 2021, BBC Three
After the roaring success of series 1, it’s time to restart the search. Mama Ru will be joined by judges Michelle Visage, Graham Norton and Alan Carr, plus expect some star names to stop by for a spot of guest-judging. It’s going to be fabulous.
Cobra Kai, season 3
Coming in 2021, Netflix
This Karate Kid spin-off about the adult lives of Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) and Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) has been a smash hit on Netflix, so get ready for its big return in 2021.
Snowpiercer, season 2
Coming in 2021, Netflix
Based on the film of the same name, this smart thriller about a train that houses humanity’s survivors after the world is decimated returns. All aboard!
American Gods, season 3
Coming in early 2021, Prime Video
Ye Gods! The eye-popping adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s fantasy novel returns with Shadow Moon (Ricky Whittle) trying to evade the New Gods by moving to Wisconsin. As you do.
Prodigal Son, series 2
Coming in 2021, Sky One/HD (CH 110/109)
Malcolm Bright (Tom Payne, The Walking Dead) learns that murder runs deeper in his family than first thought in the return of the gripping psychological thriller that also features Michael Sheen.
Brassic, series 3
Coming in 2021, Sky One/HD (CH 110/109)
What next for the unruly gang in this BAFTA-nominated comedy drama? With Vinnie (Joe Gilgun) having been arrested after the theft of an entire wedding reception, your guess is as good as ours.
Back, series 2
Coming in 2021, Channel 4 HD (CH 104/141)
Back is back! David Mitchell and Robert Webb reprise their roles as warring sort-of-brothers in a new series of the hilarious sitcom from Simon Blackwell (Peep Show, The Thick of It).
Derry Girls, series 3
Coming in 2021, Channel 4 HD (CH 104/141)
Is it the last ever series of the hilarious coming-of-age sitcom? Though a film is thought to be in the pipeline, unconfirmed rumours continue to swirl that this could be the final small-screen bow for the girls.
Riverdale, season 5
Coming early 2021, Netflix
Jumping seven years into the future, prepare yourselves for even more strange goings-on involving Archie and the gang in season 5 of Netflix’s stylish teen drama.
Baptiste, series 2
Coming in 2021, BBC One HD (CH 101/108)
Following a huge bombshell at the end of series 1, a damaged Baptiste (Tcheky Karyo) heads to Budapest to look for the missing family of a British ambassador. You just know it’s going to be dark.
Innocent, series 2
Coming in 2021, ITV HD (CH 103/113)
In this gripping new story, Katherine Kelly plays Sally Wright, a teacher who must fight to prove her innocence after a pupil she is accused of having an affair with is found dead. With a previously clean criminal record, could she really be capable of his horrific death?
Unforgotten, series 4
Coming in 2021, ITV HD (CH 103/113)
DCI Cassie Stuart (Nicola Walker) and DI Sunny Khan (Sanjeev Bhaskar) are back to solve more cold cases in the fourth series of ITV’s gripping detective drama. Episode 1 starts with the discovery of a dismembered football fan, who may have been kept in a freezer for 30 years. Lovely.
Fargo, season 4
Coming in 2021, Netflix
Focusing on a Black crime syndicate escaping the Jim Crow South, the latest chapter of the darkly comic anthology series stars Chris Rock, Jessie Buckley, Ben Whishaw and Jason Schwartzman.
McMafia, series 2
Coming in 2021, BBC One HD (CH 101)
The first series of the stylish crime drama starring James Norton had us hooked in 2018. Plot details are sketchy right now, but we know it will be back on our screens in 2021.
The Good Fight, season 4
Coming in 2021, More4/HD (CH 147/195)
Diane Lockhart (Christine Baranski) and her legal eagles are ready to battle it out with the rich and powerful once more in the US drama with a sharp satirical edge.
Russian Doll, season 2
Coming in 2021, Netflix
Enjoyed the first season of Netflix’s quirky drama about a woman (Natasha Lyonne) who repeated the day of her death again and again? Then you’ll be pleased to know it’s coming back.
SEAL Team, season 4
Coming in 2021, Sky One/HD (CH 110/109)
David Boreanaz leads the SEALs into another set of dangerous missions around the world in the high-octane US drama. Let’s do this!
Young Sheldon, season 4
Coming in 2021, E4/HD (CH 106/145)
He’s smart, he’s sassy and he’s here for a new series of intellectual high jinks. Just don’t get on his wrong side, because he will bear a grudge.
How to watch Netflix with Virgin TV
If you have a TiVo® box or Virgin TV V6 box, powered by TiVo®:
Press home on your remote
Select Apps & Games
Select All Apps
Select Netflix
If you’re already a Netflix subscriber, you can also access the app through Search & Discover or by pressing Red on channel 204. Just sign in with your existing login and start watching. And you’ll only have to log in the first time you use it.
If you’re new to Netflix, then you’ll need to subscribe to use the app. The easiest way to do this is by going to netflix.com/virginmedia. You can also subscribe using the Netflix app in Apps & Games.
How to watch Amazon Prime Video with Virgin TV
Prime Video is available to all Virgin TV customers with a V6 box, powered by TiVo®, and a subscription to the service. Simply sign up to Amazon Prime Video via their website, and you can log in on the box. And because Prime Video is fully integrated into TiVo®, you can search without even going into the app. Just select Search & Discover from the Home menu and type in the name of the show or movie you’re after.
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TV channels: Channels, content and features available depend on your chosen package. Channel line-ups and content are subject to change at any time and to regional variations.
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Image credit: Line Of Duty @ BBC / World Productions / Ed Miller