Against all odds, BBC Three is returning to our TV screens next week and we can only just about contain our excitement.
In February 2016 we all mourned the loss of BBC Three and its 10pm Eastenders catch-up episode. We longed for its return and endless reruns of Snog Marry Avoid? and Gavin & Stacey, for its gritty comedy and British charm. The channel moved online and quickly became a hub where young adults could binge through their favourite shows at a click of a button and has gone on to create some of the best TV shows around. So why have they decided to bring it back as a broadcast channel after a six year hiatus?
They originally axed the channel due to funding and budget cuts within the BBC but promised to move the channel forward in new ways and enter the online world. Up until now, we’ve been able to rewatch all of our old favourites from the channel’s heydays on iPlayer, as well as binge our way through their new and exciting offerings.
With the introduction of online streaming and the enormity that it’s become, the channel’s success grew and grew, becoming home to the likes of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag and the award-winning spy thriller, Killing Eve. Due to the success and seal of approval from Ofcom, the BBC has decided to bring back the channel.
BBC Three, available on Freeview, Sky, Virgin and Freesat, returns to our TV screens from Tuesday 1st February, from 7pm.
There is one catch it seems. So far, there haven’t been a huge lot of announcements in terms of new shows. Expect a lot of repeats and reruns of their successful online shows, as well as the return of the Eastenders omnibus on Saturday and Sunday nights.
Excitingly however, the return will be bringing a new show called RuPaul’s Drag Race: U.K. Versus The World. This new release will see members of RuPaul’s Drag Race Royalty compete once again but for the title of Drag Race Superstar.
They’ve also announced a new series documentary, Santa Claus the Serial Killer. It’s a series where journalist Mobeen Azhar deep dives into the case of a serial killer in Toronto. And they’ve also revealed another show called Flight Club, a 10-part series that the working crew of Loganair.
Those not able to catch up with the shows as they run on the new channel, you can still catch-up with everything on iPlayer like normal.
Excited? Here are some of BBC Three’s shows we’re still obsessing over…
Killing Eve
Killing Eve, the BBC hit comedy-cum-phychologial-thriller, continues to steal the hearts of the nation three seasons later. The show sees Jodie Comer play assassin Villanelle, and Eve Polanski, played by Sandra Oh, on a three season adventure of what can only be described as a funny, suspenseful and risque show, documenting the lives of two individuals who are equally as obsessed with one another.
This Country
Witty and outright hilarious, This Country follows cousins Kerry (Daisy May) and Kurtan (Charlie Cooper) and their life in a small Cotswold village. Follow the pair as they go about their rather mundane lives in a funny fashion, from hitting up the scarecrow festival to getting into trouble with the locals.
Normal People
Fall in love with Marianne and Connell’s love story in this special adaptation of Sally Rooney’s novel, Normal People. The show follows two teens living in a small Irish town, but come from a different background. Their story blossoms as they go through school and college at Trinity College.
Fleabag
Binge through the foul-mouthed show that follows Phoebe Waller-Bridge star as a woman who can’t seem to catch a break. Through wit and humour, the show breaks the fourth-wall and leaves you feeling a little better about your own life.
Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens
Just watched Shang-Chi? See Awkwafina doing what she does best, making people laugh in her show, Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens. See her as she navigates her 20s living in Queens.
Starstruck
Follow Jessie (Rose Matafeo) as she juggles adult life and relationships while living with her bestie in East London. She happens to go home with a pretty major celeb after a night out but doesn’t realise until it’s too late.
BBC Three returns on Tuesday 1st February, 7pm
