This Spring and Summer, BBC BRIT (DStv Channel 120) invites South African audiences to enjoy a season of premium British entertainment featuring acclaimed dramas, beloved detective series, world-famous entertainment formats and some of television’s most recognisable personalities.
From solving murders alongside all manner of amateur and professional detectives to debating Dragons’ Den pitches, uncovering celebrity identities on The Masked Singer and celebrating South African success on one of the world’s biggest entertainment shows, BBC BRIT’s latest line-up has been curated to bring audiences together through shared viewing moments and conversation-starting television.
Leading the season are returning favourites including Beyond Paradise, Death Valley, The Brokenwood Mysteries, Would I Lie To You?, Dragons’ Den, The Masked Singer and Strictly Come Dancing, alongside new acquisitions A Taste For Murder, The Art Detectives, Murder Before Evensong and Benidorm is Murder.
Pierre Cloete, vice-president for Africa at BBC Studios, said: “This season showcases everything audiences love about BBC BRIT-from compelling mysteries and much-loved entertainment formats to standout talent and fresh new acquisitions. Whether viewers are solving crimes in Death Valley, debating a Dragons’ Den pitch or celebrating Johannes Radebe’s success on Strictly Come Dancing, there are plenty of opportunities to come together and enjoy great television. We’re excited to bring such a strong mix of returning favourites and new titles to audiences across South Africa.”
The Home of Fresh Mystery and Crime Drama
One of BBC BRIT’s most popular drama brands returns as Beyond Paradise follows Detective Inspector Humphrey Goodman (Kris Marshall – Love Actually) and Martha (Sally Bretton – Not Going Out) as they continue their lives in the picturesque coastal town of Shipton Abbott. Alongside a fresh collection of baffling investigations, the second season explores the couple’s ongoing journey towards building a family. [View the press pack here]
Also returning is Death Valley, starring BAFTA and Emmy Award winner Timothy Spall (Harry Potter) and RTS Cymru Award winner Gwyneth Keyworth. The second series reunites retired television detective John Chapel and Detective Inspector Janie Mallowan as they tackle a new set of mysteries across Wales, from suspicious deaths in coastal villages to murders within unusual communities and competitive sporting circles. [View the press pack here]
The much-loved New Zealand detective drama The Brokenwood Mysteries continues with further investigations in the seemingly tranquil town of Brokenwood, where Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Shepherd (Neill Rea) and Detective Kristin Sims (Fern Sutherland) uncover the truth behind a series of increasingly unusual crimes.
Later in the season, audiences can revisit Stratford-upon-Avon with Shakespeare & Hathaway, as private investigators Luella Shakespeare (Jo Joyner) and Frank Hathaway (Mark Benton) return to tackle fresh cases in the long-running light crime favourite.
BBC BRIT will also introduce viewers to four major new mystery acquisitions.
Based on the bestselling novels by The Reverend Richard Coles (Strictly Come Dancing), Murder Before Evensong stars Matthew Lewis (Harry Potter), Amanda Redman (New Tricks), Amit Shah and Tamzin Outhwaite (EastEnders). Set in 1980s England, the drama follows Canon Daniel Clement as he becomes embroiled in a murder investigation that threatens to shake his parish and community.
Meanwhile, Benidorm is Murder stars John Hannah (Four Weddings and a Funeral, The Mummy) as a former detective who relocates to Spain in search of a quieter life, only to find himself investigating a series of murders alongside an unlikely crime-solving partner.
New acquisition A Taste For Murder stars Warren Brown (The Responder, Trigger Point, Ten Pound Poms) and Downton Abbey favourite Phyllis Logan in a fresh six-part mystery set against the spectacular backdrop of Capri. Blending classic Italian cuisine with compelling crime-solving, the series follows renowned chef Drea Mendel as she becomes drawn into a murder investigation following the discovery of a body at a prestigious culinary school. Combining sun-soaked escapism, memorable characters and an intriguing mystery at its heart, A Taste For Murder offers a distinctive new addition to BBC BRIT’s growing collection of light crime dramas
Also joining the line-up is The Art Detectives, starring Stephen Moyer (True Blood) and Nina Singh (Virdee). Set within a specialist Heritage Crime Unit, the series follows detectives investigating murders, thefts and forgeries linked to priceless works of art, antiques and cultural treasures. Combining intriguing mysteries with fascinating insights into the worlds of art, history and antiquities, the series brings a fresh perspective to the crime drama landscape.
Entertainment’s Biggest Talking Points
Alongside its drama slate, BBC BRIT continues to bring audiences some of the UK’s most popular entertainment formats.
Comedy panel show Would I Lie To You? returns for a new season hosted by Rob Brydon, alongside team captains David Mitchell and Lee Mack. Celebrity guests share extraordinary stories, leaving their opponents to determine whether they are telling the truth or spinning elaborate lies.
The mystery continues in a very different form with the return of The Masked Singer, as celebrity contestants conceal their identities behind elaborate costumes while audiences and panellists attempt to uncover who is beneath the mask. Familiar faces including Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross, Mo Gilligan, Maya Jama and host Joel Dommett return for another season of surprises and speculation.
The Chase also returns to weekday schedules, giving families and friends another reason to play along from home as contestants take on television’s most formidable quiz opponents.
Dragons Return to the Den
Business and entrepreneurship take centre stage with Dragons’ Den returning for its 23rd season.
Industry heavyweights Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman and Steven Bartlett return to evaluate ambitious business pitches and seek out the next major success story. Joining them throughout the season are guest Dragons including football icon Gary Neville, entrepreneur Susie Ma, music entrepreneur Tinie Tempah and business leader Jenna Meek. [View the press pack here]
A Proud South African Moment
One of the highlights of the season will be the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.
South African star Johannes Radebe returns to the world-famous entertainment show in a new presenting role, continuing his remarkable journey from professional dancer to one of TV’s most recognisable personalities. Audiences can also look forward to the return of judge Motsi Mabuse, another familiar face with strong ties to South Africa.
BBC BRIT Spring/Summer 2026 Schedule
- The Brokenwood Mysteries S9–11 – From 23 July
- Beyond Paradise S2 – From 27 July
- Would I Lie To You? S12 – From 29 July
- The Masked Singer S7 – From 2 August
- The Chase S17 – From 31 August
- Death Valley S2 – From September
- Dragons’ Den S23 – From 18 September
- A Taste For Murder S1 – From 22 September
- Shakespeare & Hathaway S6 – From 19 October
- The Art Detectives S1 – From 3 November
- Strictly Come Dancing S24 – Coming Soon
- Murder Before Evensong S1 – Coming Soon
-
Benidorm is Murder S1 – Coming Soon