BBC Northern Ireland releases autumn schedule for 2023
Date Posted: August 23, 2023
BBC Northern Ireland has launched its Autumn 2023 schedule with a mix of documentary, drama, entertainment and factual programmes, as well as some returning favourites. Irish dancing, online scamming, the realities of prison life, racing tractors, cookery and seaside drama in Hope Street are all part of the autumn line-up.
Eddie Doyle, BBC Northern Ireland’s Head of Content Commissioning, says: “We have a great selection of fresh and innovative programmes to share this autumn. Our schedule features well-told stories about different aspects of life and showcases the quality of local filmmaking talent. The programmes that we’ve announced today include something for everyone and we’re pleased that all of them will reach a wider UK audience on BBC iPlayer. And much of what we’ve been able to do has benefitted from the support of Northern Ireland Screen and co-commissioning opportunities with BBC network television.”
Jailed: Inside Maghaberry Prison
Following the local and BBC network success of Nolan Inside Hydebank, Stephen Nolan gets unprecedented access to HMP Maghaberry, one of the UK’s most high-security jails. He talks with prisoners in their cells and investigates the pressures facing staff and the prison system. It’s a powerful and revealing watch. Jailed: Inside Maghaberry Prison is a Third Street Studios production for BBC Northern Ireland.
The Year That Rocked Irish Dancing
This observational series follows a group of dedicated and talented young dancers from Northern Ireland and America as they train hard for the biggest competition of their year, the Irish Dancing World Championships 2022 in Belfast. The dancers put in thousands of hours of practice to compete at world level, displaying remarkable athleticism and emotional commitment. Unbeknownst to them, however, an ‘open secret’ lurks just below the surface – something that becomes public when allegations of widespread cheating explode onto the internet.
The Crime I Can’t Forget
This new six-part series by Rare TV and Green Inc for BBC Northern Ireland features retired and serving police detectives who recall some of the standout investigations that shaped their careers. From unexpected discoveries and heart-breaking setbacks, each story makes use of original evidence and archive news reports to give viewers an insight into police investigations and their effect on those involved. The series includes the investigation into the abduction and murder of Jennifer Cardy in 1981; the murder of Paul Gault in 2000; and how police dealt with a bomb threat during Queen Elizabeth II’s state visit to Ireland in 2011.
Instascam: Give Me Back My Face
James, a 29-year-old entrepreneur from Belfast was living the dream – flash clothes, fast cars and fabulous holidays. That was until he started getting messages from random people accusing him of ‘conning’ them out of tens of thousands of pounds. James’ social media accounts had been scraped and his name and face were on hundreds of fake profiles. As he attempts to get his identity back, James discovers a dark and utterly heartless world of organised crime. Instascam – Give Me Back My Face is a co-commission for BBC Northern Ireland and BBC Three by Strident, with support from Northern Ireland Screen.
The Fast And The Farmer-ish
The big wheels are back, and so are the rivalries, as six teams from across the UK battle it out in the ultimate test of tractor driving skill. With a brand new set of super-sized challenges, each of the teams do their very best to steer clear of the dreaded ‘tractor-off’ at the end of each episode, where losing means having to drive out of the competition. Hosted by farmer and YouTuber Tom Pemberton, which team will drive to glory and become the Fast And The Farmer-ish champions? The Fast And The Farmer-ish is a co-commission for BBC Northern Ireland and BBC Three by Alleycats TV, with support from Northern Ireland Screen.
The Long And Short Of It
Following its success on BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle and BBC Sounds, the award-winning series makes its TV debut with presenters Tim McGarry, a six-foot four comedian, and the self-styled ‘vertically challenged’ Orangeman and historian Dr David Hume. Over the course of four 30-minute programmes David and Tim talk about people and events in Irish history from different perspectives. History has rarely been quite so accessible or engaging. And there’s much that’s light-hearted as well as we turn the pages of the past to find much that’s different and new. The programmes are: ‘The Siege of Derry – Was Lundy a traitor?’; ‘Would You Have Voted For The Act Of Union?’; ‘Was the Larne Gun Running Justified?’ and ‘Michael Collins – Hero or Villain?’ The series has been made for BBC Northern Ireland by the Hole in the Wall Gang.
Hope Street
A third series of the popular BBC Daytime, BBC Northern Ireland and BritBox International drama Hope Street will return this autumn with an extended run of 15 episodes. The drama is made by Long Story TV with funding from Northern Ireland Screen.
Chinook: The Cover-Up
Next year marks the 30th anniversary of a devastating helicopter crash that killed a generation of Northern Ireland’s top intelligence personnel. The families of the victims are still searching for answers. This two-part series tells their stories and experiences. It features interviews with a range of experts and seeks to provide a full account of what happened and why some of this story has remained hidden until now. Chinook: The Cover-Up is a Finepoint Films production with funding from Northern Ireland Screen.
Bog Amach
Bog Amach is a six-part series that features people who want to create a better life by moving home. Presenter Emer Mhic an Fhailí takes six couples and families to lovely locations in Donegal, Wexford, Connemara, Derry and Belfast as they search for the perfect place to settle. Bog Amach is produced by Strident for RTÉ and BBC Gaeilge with support from Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcasting Fund (ILBF).
Paula McIntyre’s Hamely Kitchen
Chef Paula McIntyre returns to BBC television with her Hamely Kitchen. In this four-part series, Paula once again celebrates local produce and cooks up mouth-watering traditional recipes with a modern twist. The series is made for BBC Northern Ireland by Clean Slate Television with support from Northern Ireland Screen’s Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund (USBF).
Suzie Lee – Home Cook Hero
Suzie Lee is back with a first-class menu of new recipes to tantalise your taste buds. Suzie will be sharing her tips and tricks for everything from your Christmas turkey to delicious dim sum and perfect pastry. The series is a Waddell Media production for BBC Northern Ireland.
The Blame Game
One of BBC Northern Ireland’s most popular comedies The Blame Game, made by Moondog Productions, is set to return with a selection of guests providing the laughs alongside series regulars Tim McGarry, Colin Murphy, Diona Doherty and Neil Delamere.
Rúin na bPortach
A new series Rúin na bPortach takes a fresh look at the bogs and peatlands of Ireland and throughout the world. Presenter Cormac Ó hÁdhmaill takes us on a journey from the boreal peatlands of Canada to the expansive peat plains of Finland and the beautiful blanket bogs of home. We meet people who are seeing pharmaceutical breakthroughs using our native bog plants, as well as those who care for Scotland’s Red Stag in the peaty uplands of the Outer Hebrides, and discover how changes to the peat industry are affecting people’s way of living. Rúin na bPortach is produced by Below The Radar with support from Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcasting Fund (ILBF).
The latest series of current affairs programmes Nolan Live, The View and Spotlight are also returning this year.
A number of programmes made on location in Northern Ireland, with support from Northern Ireland Screen, are due to hit screens this autumn. The Finish Line, a new BBC Daytime quiz show with Roman Kemp and Sarah Greene, started this week, with gothic thriller The Woman In The Wall led by BAFTA award-winner Ruth Wilson coming soon.
The second series of police drama Blue Lights, horror comedy Wreck and crime drama Showtrial are all being filmed in Northern Ireland. The next series of the BBC Two quiz show Mastermind was also recorded in the BBC’s Blackstaff Studio in Belfast.
