Channel 4 is doubling down on high-stakes drama and real-life action this autumn, with two of its most exciting series captivating British audiences: the competitive reality show The Inheritance and the hit documentary Top Guns: Inside The RAF. Both programs, though wildly different in tone and subject matter, have become staples of the network’s prime-time lineup, drawing viewers into worlds of strategy, suspense, and national pride.
In the lush English countryside, thirteen strangers are vying for a fictional fortune in The Inheritance, a reality competition that’s as much about cunning social maneuvering as it is about teamwork. The show, now four episodes into its run, features the iconic actress and model Elizabeth Hurley in a starring role. But this time, Hurley isn’t competing—she’s presiding over the action as "The Deceased," a mysterious character whose will sets the entire contest in motion.
Each week, contestants are summoned to a grand stately home—Hurley’s own mansion near Ledbury serves as the backdrop—where they must work together to fulfill The Deceased’s "final requests." These are no simple tasks: the assignments are designed to challenge both body and mind, and only those who can convince their fellow players they are most deserving walk away with a share of the estate’s riches. As of this week, one contestant has already been eliminated, having pocketed a modest £200, while the remaining players continue to plot and strategize for a much bigger payday.
Elizabeth Hurley herself has expressed her excitement about the project, telling local media, "It’s a thrill to be part of this clever game, playing The Deceased. It all takes place on her huge estate in the English countryside and she dresses to the nines in every scene. Tune in this autumn to catch The Inheritance on Channel 4." Hurley’s enthusiasm is palpable, as she adds, "Shooting at an exquisite country estate was a real treat. The air was so fresh it felt like we were at a health retreat."
Guiding the contestants—and occasionally reining in the chaos—is celebrity judge Rob Rinder, who takes on the role of "The Executor." Rinder describes the show as "a high-stakes strategy game served with a side of scheming and sabotage." He’s responsible for enforcing the rules and ensuring that only the most deserving players benefit from the dearly departed’s fortune. "As The Executor I enforce the rules, keep the chaos in check—more or less—and make sure our players are deserving of every glittering penny left by our dearly departed deceased, played by the iconic Elizabeth Hurley," Rinder said in a recent interview.
For those intrigued by the blend of drama and competition, The Inheritance airs on Channel 4 at 9pm on Sundays and Mondays, with a slightly later slot at 9:30pm on Tuesdays. The show’s format, which requires contestants to both cooperate and compete, has drawn comparisons to other reality hits, but Hurley insists this one stands apart. "I really enjoyed The Traitors and loved the idea of being part of a show in which audiences were really invested. I thought Rob Rinder and I would be a good combination and I knew it would be great to shoot in such an exquisite location," she explained.
While The Inheritance offers viewers a taste of intrigue and psychological gamesmanship, Channel 4’s documentary series Top Guns: Inside The RAF takes audiences to the literal frontlines of national defense. The series, which has just been greenlit for a third season set to air in 2026, provides unprecedented access to the Royal Air Force’s operations at home and abroad. According to TV Zone, production company True North is already recruiting editors for the upcoming season, a sign of the show’s popularity and the network’s commitment to continuing its success.
Filmed at RAF Coningsby and RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire—long considered the spiritual home of Britain’s bomber command—the series brings viewers inside the cockpits of fast jet fighter-bombers and, for the first time, offers a glimpse at remotely piloted aircraft operating from top-secret UK bases. The show’s cameras follow pilots, engineers, and armourers as they train, deploy, and execute missions that are often shrouded in secrecy.
What sets Top Guns: Inside The RAF apart is its focus on current, real-world threats. The latest season has documented RAF squadrons intercepting Russian fighters as they approach NATO airspace, gathering intelligence in the skies near Ukraine, and providing vital support for shipping lanes in the Red Sea. These missions, carried out in an increasingly unstable global environment, underscore the stakes facing Britain’s armed forces. As TV Zone reports, "As tensions rise in an ever more turbulent world, it’s their job to protect Britain’s interests—whether it’s intercepting Russian fighters approaching NATO airspace; gathering top secret intelligence in the skies close to Ukraine or deployed to carry out targeted strikes to protect vital shipping lanes in the Red Sea."
For aviation enthusiasts and anyone fascinated by military strategy, the series is a rare treat. The exclusive access granted to Channel 4’s crew means viewers get to witness not just the action in the skies, but also the camaraderie and pressure faced by RAF personnel on the ground. The show doesn’t shy away from the challenges: with deployments to Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean, the crews must adapt quickly to shifting geopolitical realities and the ever-present risk of confrontation.
Both The Inheritance and Top Guns: Inside The RAF are currently available on Channel 4’s streaming platform, making it easy for viewers to catch up on missed episodes or binge-watch entire seasons. The network’s investment in these two flagship series reflects a broader strategy to blend entertainment with substance—offering something for fans of both reality competition and documentary storytelling.
As autumn settles over the UK, Channel 4’s Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday evenings have become appointment viewing for those seeking suspense, strategy, and a glimpse into worlds rarely seen. Whether it’s the cutthroat competition for a fictional fortune or the real-life heroics of Britain’s air force, these series remind us that drama—whether staged or unscripted—can be both thrilling and deeply revealing. For now, viewers will have to tune in to see who claims the next share of The Deceased’s estate, and what new challenges await the RAF as global tensions continue to simmer.
