David Farnor | On 31, Mar 2020

BritBox, the streaming service created by BBC and ITV, has officially gone live in the UK, as the public service broadcasters team up to take on Netflix.

The subscription VOD platform is slowly but surely adding more titles to its collection of British box sets centred on homegrown talent, and this month, Channel 4 is officially joining the party with a whole host of new box sets dropping on the platform.

The BBC is still bringing out its big hitters, though, with Gentleman Jack, War and Peace and The Office joining recent ITV series McDonald & Dodds.

Here’s what’s coming soon to BritBox in April 2020:

Gentleman Jack – 2nd April

Set in 1832 West Yorkshire, England, Gentleman Jack is inspired by the true-story and coded journals of Anne Lister (played by Suranne Jones), and follows her attempt to revitalise her inherited home, Shibden Hall. Most notably for the time period, a part of Lister’s plan is to help the fate of her own family by taking a wife.

Shakespeare & Hathaway: Season 2 – 2nd April

The highly unlikely and hugely entertaining detective duo are back on the case. They’re working in Stratford-Upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. The streets are picturesque, thronging with tourists – and positively crammed with cunning criminals, tricksters and fraudsters. Frank and Lu must learn to trust each other, even if they don’t always like each other. Welcome to the birthplace of the Bard, where fact is stranger than fiction and low life criminals get caught up in deliciously high drama. Starring Mark Benton and Jo Joyner.

McDonald & Dodds – 8th April

Set in Bath, this detective drama pairs the wildly ambitious DCI McDonald with the shy, modest DS Dodds. While McDonald has transferred from the mean streets of South London to leap up the career ladder, Dodds has happily languished on the shelf for most of his working life. McDonald is a tough, driven, battering ram of a cop who cracks cases through sheer force of will; Dodds – the tortoise to her hare – is quiet, unassuming and enigmatic. But thrust back into frontline action for the first time in a decade, he discovers a hidden talent for deciphering puzzles. Starring BAFTA winner Jason Watkins and Talia Gouveia.

The Office – 9th April

Every episode from both series, plus the two Christmas specials, from the BBC’s award-winning, documentary-style comedy starring Ricky Gervais as David Brent, the manager of paper merchant Wernham Hogg’s Slough office, who, in his own mind, is not so much the boss but more of a friend. Unctuous and ineffectual in equal measure, he turns the life of his staff into a never-ending round of irritating mini-dramas. Also starring Martin Freeman, Mackenzie Crook, Lucy Davis, Stephen Merchant and Ralph Ineson.

Doctor Foster – 9th April

Doctor Gemma Foster is a talented and respected family doctor, trusted by her community. She’s also a loving mother and wife – but her life is about to implode. Suspecting her husband of having an affair, she’s determined to get to the truth and have her revenge. How far is she prepared to go? What other betrayals might she uncover? Gemma finds herself behaving in ways she could never have imagined. In trying to regain control, could she end up losing everything she loves? Two series, starring Suranne Jones, Bertie Carvel, Tom Taylor and Jodie Comer.

Joanna Lumley’s Hidden Caribbean – 17th April

Joanna Lumley travels across two of the most enigmatic countries in the Caribbean – Cuba and Haiti – to explore, uncover and share the hidden gems that these countries have to offer.

The twists and turns of history have seen these two Caribbean neighbours be colonised, populated by slaves, blighted by natural disaster and suffering sanctions and international isolation. Both countries are undoubtedly poor in monetary terms, but are abundantly rich in other ways, with cities full of colourful streets bursting with the rhythm of life, which then give way to unspoiled coastlines, pristine beaches, majestic mountains and lush forests.

War and Peace – 23rd April

Based on the classic novel by Leo Tolstoy. Russia 1805. When we first meet Pierre, Natasha and Andrei, their youthful ambition, despite their privileged circumstances, is to find meaning in their lives. Kind-hearted but awkward Pierre, the illegitimate son of Russia’s richest man, wants to change the world for the better. The beautiful and spirited Natasha is searching for true love, while handsome and gallant Andrei, frustrated with the superficiality of society, seeks a higher purpose.

At the same time Napoleon’s army edges ever closer to Russia’s borders. As everything they thought they knew is thrown into question, Pierre, Andrei and Natasha find themselves in a time when Russian lives are about to change forever. Starring Paul Dano, Lily James and James Norton.

Channel 4 Box Sets – Date TBC

After inking a deal last year, Channel 4 is bringing a host of box sets to BritBox this April, with an impressive list that includes the following:

The Inbetweeners
Peep Show
Spaced
Friday Night Dinner
This Way Up
Father Ted
Crashing
Chewing Gum
Brass Eye
Back
No Offence
The Accident
Married at First Sight
Toast of London
Black Books
Raised by Wolves
Nathan Barley
Year of the Rabbit
My Mad Fat Diary
Ackley Bridge
Smack the Pony
Stath Lets Flats
GameFace
Misfits
Deadwater Fell
Kiri

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