The BBC has once again thrown its hat into the ring with two highly anticipated drama series, both set to grace screens in 2026: the poignant comedy-drama Ann Droid and the high-stakes legal spinoff The Split Up. With first-look previews and trailers released on June 12, 2026, viewers are getting a tantalizing glimpse of what’s to come from these ambitious new offerings. Each series promises a unique blend of humor, heart, and family intrigue, but with very different takes on modern life and relationships.
Starting with Ann Droid, the BBC’s new six-part comedy-drama, the premise is as timely as it is touching. According to BBC, the show stars Diane Morgan, renowned for her sharp comedic touch in Mandy and Cunk, alongside BAFTA-nominated Sue Johnston, whose credits include The Royle Family and True Love. The story unfolds around Sue (played by Johnston), an older woman whose son Michael (Paul Ready, from Motherland) surprises her with a second-hand AnnDroid Z58/100 Basic Eldercare Robot, dubbed Linda (brought to life by Morgan herself). The robot, designed to provide companionship and monitor health, is meant to ease the burden on the overstretched NHS—a nod to real-world debates about technology’s role in eldercare.
But as the BBC’s preview makes clear, Sue’s reaction is anything but grateful. The arrival of Linda is her “worst nightmare”: an overly attentive, socially awkward robot who seems more like a meddling houseguest than a helpful aide. Yet, the dynamic soon shifts. Sue realizes she can use Linda to her advantage—settling old scores, tackling chores, and even nudging her son to step up. The result is a quirky, odd-couple buddy comedy that explores what, in an age of artificial intelligence, truly cannot be replaced.
“Ann Droid asks the question: what is replaceable and what is not?” the BBC’s synopsis teases. The series is written by Diane Morgan and Sarah Kendall (Frayed, The Other One), with direction from Joe Roberts (Power of Parker). Executive producers include Shane Allen, Diane Morgan, and Pippa Brown, who also serves as series producer. The production comes from Boffola Pictures and Witchcraft Industries, with BBC Studios handling global sales thanks to its minority investment in Boffola Pictures. The show, commissioned by BBC’s Director of Comedy Jon Petrie, is set to air on BBC iPlayer and BBC One this summer.
The creative team behind Ann Droid is clearly aiming for both laughs and genuine emotion, blending the absurdity of a socially inept robot with the relatable frustrations of aging and family. The show’s first-look clip, released on June 12, 2026, has already sparked conversation about the changing face of companionship and the limits of technology in caring for our loved ones. It’s a timely reminder that, as machines get smarter, the human heart still craves connection—sometimes in the most unexpected forms.
Switching gears, the BBC is also building anticipation for The Split Up, a six-episode legal drama set in the high-pressure world of Manchester’s elite divorce circuit. This series is a spinoff of the 2018 hit The Split, which starred Nicola Walker and captivated audiences with its blend of courtroom drama and family intrigue. But as TechRadar notes, The Split Up is not a direct continuation; instead, it uses the original as a springboard for fresh stories and new faces.
Created by Ursula Rani Sarma, The Split Up introduces viewers to Aria Kishan (played by Ritu Arya), a rising star at her family’s law firm, Kishan Law. The family is thrown into turmoil following the death of Aria’s mother, which forces her father Dhruv (Sanjeev Bhaskar) to reconsider the firm’s succession plans. The question looms: is Aria ready—or even willing—to shoulder this responsibility alone? Alongside her siblings Maya (Aysha Kala) and Kav (Arian Nik), and her partner Neal (Danny Ashok), Aria must navigate a tangle of personal and professional pressures. The tension ratchets up further when a former secret flame, played by Dimitri Leonidas, makes an unexpected return to Manchester.
The BBC’s official summary emphasizes the show’s focus on family dynamics: “Aria’s relationship is placed under scrutiny too, with the wedding to long-term partner Neal on the horizon, but with their personal and professional lives so entwined it’s unclear if their relationship can withstand any more pressure—a problem further compounded when a former secret flame arrives in Manchester unexpectedly.” The series delves into the “splits that divide family and those we love,” challenging its characters to ask themselves: who should you live your life for?
Guest stars for The Split Up include Lenny Henry, Jane Horrocks, and Jameela Jamil, adding some extra star power to an already impressive ensemble. The trailer and first-look images, unveiled on June 12, 2026, suggest a show that is both emotionally charged and visually striking, promising plenty of twists and high-stakes drama when it arrives on BBC and BBC iPlayer later this year.
What’s striking about both Ann Droid and The Split Up is how they each tackle the theme of human connection, albeit in very different ways. Ann Droid uses the lens of artificial intelligence and eldercare to ask what companionship really means, while The Split Up probes the fractures and loyalties within a family under pressure. Both series are rooted in the everyday—aging, family, work, love—but elevate these subjects with wit, heart, and a sharp eye for contemporary issues.
Behind the scenes, both productions reflect the BBC’s ongoing commitment to nurturing British talent and telling stories that resonate with today’s audiences. With Diane Morgan and Sarah Kendall bringing their comedic sensibilities to Ann Droid, and Ursula Rani Sarma steering The Split Up into new territory, there’s a sense of creative renewal at play. The involvement of established actors like Sue Johnston and rising stars such as Ritu Arya ensures that both shows have the talent to match their ambitions.
As the summer television season approaches, viewers have plenty to look forward to. Whether you’re drawn to the bittersweet humor of an elderly woman and her robot companion, or the tense, emotionally charged world of high-net-worth divorce, the BBC’s new slate promises to deliver stories that are as entertaining as they are thought-provoking. With first-look previews already generating buzz, the countdown to premiere night is well and truly on.
In a landscape crowded with content, these two series stand out for their willingness to tackle big questions—about technology, family, and what it means to truly connect. As the BBC prepares to bring Ann Droid and The Split Up to screens, audiences can expect drama, laughter, and maybe even a few surprises along the way.