Banijay Entertainment Unveils Extensive 2026 London TV Screenings Lineup
Banijay Entertainment is preparing to showcase a comprehensive and diverse range of programming at the 2026 London TV Screenings, highlighted by two compelling U.K. dramas and a timely soccer reality series, “Football Island.” The showcase will return to BAFTA 195 Piccadilly on Wednesday, February 25, with dedicated AM and PM sessions designed to facilitate efficient networking and deal-making. This year’s presentation promises a robust selection of content catering to a global audience.
Highlighting Scripted Excellence: "Falling" and "A Woman of Substance"
The lineup features significant attention on premium scripted content, particularly works from acclaimed creators. Jack Thorne, known for his thoughtful and often deeply moving writing – exemplified by the Series Mania top prize winner “The Virtues” – is currently generating buzz with Netflix securing U.S. rights to “Lord of the Flies.” His latest project, “Falling,” a romantic drama starring Keeley Hawes and Paapa Essiedu, explores the complexities of love and faith for a nun and a Catholic priest, respectively. Alongside this, Banijay presents a fresh adaptation of Barbara Taylor Bradford’s globally renowned novel, “A Woman of Substance.” The novel has sold over 30 million copies worldwide, and a 1984 Channel 4 mini-series captivated 13.8 million viewers, marking the channel’s largest audience ever. Brenda Blethyn takes on the iconic role previously portrayed by Debra Kerr in this reimagining, which reunites the creative team behind “The Buccaneers.”
Returning Favorites and New Acquisitions
Beyond these flagship dramas, Banijay will also feature returning seasons of established hits, including “Wallander” and “Half Man,” alongside a broader selection of premium scripted plays. The company’s catalog extends to include popular series like “Peaky Blinders,” which is slated to return with two six-part series produced by Kudos and Garrison Drama for BBC iPlayer and BBC One in the U.K., and Netflix globally. International productions, such as Sweden’s psychological mystery drama “My Brother” from Filmlance – recently selected for the main competition at Series Mania, Europe’s largest TV festival – further enrich the offering.
Expanding into Formats and Reality Entertainment
A significant portion of Banijay Entertainment’s showcase will focus on formats and reality entertainment, with the company announcing two new initiatives on February 16. This includes acquiring compelling third-party titles and scaling up key formats to leverage the company’s international reach. Notably, “Football Island,” a survival sports format featuring soccer legends, will return to London, coinciding with the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This format, initially unveiled at last year’s London TV Screenings and commissioned by Videoland, combines the universal appeal of soccer with the high-stakes drama of a survival competition.
New Format Launches and Reimagined Hits
Further expanding its offerings, Banijay is launching two new formats: “How Old Is Your Brain?” a primetime quiz show for France’s M6 from DMLS TV, and “Staying Alive,” a music competition from Endemol Shine Germany for ProSieben and Joyn. The showcase will also highlight reimagined format hits and traveling formats such as the high-stakes social experiment “Fear Factor: House of Fear,” hosted by Johnny Knoxville, the Emmy-winning “Shaolin Heroes,” and the influencer-driven adventure “Mission Unknown.”
“The London TV Screenings provides an ideal platform to showcase the breadth and scale of our catalogue,” stated Cathy Payne, CEO of Banijay Rights. “This year’s lineup reflects the continued global demand for premium storytelling, with standout U.K. dramas alongside proven returning titles that resonate with buyers worldwide. We eagerly anticipate welcoming partners back to BAFTA 195 Piccadilly for another exclusive event.” James Townley, Chief Content Officer, Development, and Lucas Green, Chief Content Officer, Operations at Banijay Entertainment, added, “We’re raising the bar at London TV Screenings, focusing on formats that evolve, travel, and resonate across networks, platforms, and territories – a testament to the creativity and originality of our global teams.”
A Deeper Dive into Banijay’s Key Offerings
Scripted Highlights:
- “Falling”: This romantic drama explores the complex relationship between a nun and a Catholic priest, starring Keeley Hawes and Paapa Essiedu. Produced by Joe Donaldson and directed by Peter Hoar, it showcases Jack Thorne’s signature ability to find the extraordinary in the ordinary.
- “Half Man”: Making a significant impact at Mipcom and destined for an HBO U.S. release, this series from “Baby Reindeer” creator-star Richard Gadd examines masculinity and change in a dynamic city.
- “Open Water”: An adaptation of Caleb Azumah Nelson’s acclaimed novel, this series explores the burgeoning relationship between a photographer and a dancer.
- “These Sacred Vows”: A darkly comedic Irish wedding drama featuring Tom Vaughan-Lawlor and Justine Mitchell.
- “Two Years Later”: An Australian romantic dramedy set in Brisbane, starring Brenton Thwaites and Phoebe Tonkin.
- “Wallander”: A modern Swedish-language reboot of the iconic crime series, starring Gustaf Skarsgård, follows the troubled detective across three films.
Factual and Format Standouts:
- “America’s Toughest Jails”: A gripping documentary series from Lucky 8.
- “Eva Longoria: Searching for France”: A CNN Original series exploring French cuisine with Eva Longoria.
- “Mission To Space: With Francis Bourgeois”: A Channel 4 series following social media star Francis Bourgeois through astronaut training.
- “Superbowl Champions”: An Emmy-winning documentary collection from NFL Films and Banijay Americas.
- “Wild Reckoning With Bear Grylls”: A BBC One series where Bear Grylls helps resolve conflicts in the Welsh wilderness.
- “100 Knives”: A high-pressure cooking competition from Mastiff Sweden and Bunim/Murray Productions.
- “Football Island”: A groundbreaking sports reality survival format combining soccer and survival elements.
- “How Old Is Your Brain?”: A primetime quiz show testing cognitive abilities.
- “Staying Alive”: A music competition featuring performances of iconic songs.