David Farnor | On 30, Jan 2021

BritBox is bringing a romantic dose of reality TV for February, plus some of the darker sides of attraction, such as The Fall and Death Comes to Pemberley. But there’s more than enough to catch your eye elsewhere, from the arrival of the underrated Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell and recent true crime drama The Pembrokeshire Murders to a new wave of Film4 additions, including Funny Cow, Attack the Block and The Ritual.

Here’s what’s coming soon to BritBox in January 2021:

Film4 Collection 3 – 1st February

BritBox’s collection of exclusive feature films will be broadened to include comedies Bad Behaviour (1993) starring Stephen Rea, Food of Love (1997) starring Richard E. Grant, The Frog Prince (1984) starring Jane Snowden, Mr Love (1985) starring Barry Lyndon and Finding Your Feet (2018) starring Imelda Staunton, Joanna Lumley and Timothy Spall. Dramas including Funny Cow (2018) starring Maxine Peake, and horrors The Ritual (2017) starring Rafe Spall and Attack the Block (2011) starring John Boyega and Jodie Whittaker will also be added.

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell – 4th February

With magic long since lost to England, two men are destined to bring it back; the reclusive Mr Norrell and daring novice Jonathan Strange. So begins a dangerous battle between two great minds. Starring Eddie Marsan, Bertie Carvel and Charlotte Riley.

The Scapegoat (2012) – 4th February

An unemployed teacher meets his exact double in a British pub and becomes sucked into the man’s wrecked life. An adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s 1957 novel of the same name starring Matthew Rhys.

Tracking Down Maggie (1994) – 4th February

An insightful documentary from award-winning director Nick Broomfield that breaks through the public persona of the ‘Iron Lady’, Margaret Thatcher, in order to discover the woman behind it.

The Beatles: Made on Merseyside (2018) – 4th February

They defined music and popular culture like no other band ever will. But how did The Beatles make the journey from Merseyside teenagers to international pop stars in the 1960s?

Secrets of the Lusitania: Terror at Sea (2007) – 4th February

This 90-minute film is a dramatisation of the sinking of the RMS Lusitania on 7 May 1915 by a German U-boat, U-20. Featuring John Hannah, Kenneth Cranham, Michael Feast, Madeleine Garrood and Florian Panzer.

Terror at Sea: The Sinking of the Concordia (2012) – 4th February

The cruise ship – which got off to a bad start when the champagne bottle failed to break on its launch – fell prey to the omens when it sank on Friday 13 January 2012 off the Italian coast. This programme pieces together the mistakes that led to the disaster.

Holy Flying Circus (2014) – 4th February

In 1979, Monty Python made Life of Brian and the debate about what is an acceptable subject for comedy was blown wide open. This is a fantastical reimagining of the build-up to the release of the film and the controversy it caused.

Armstrong and Miller/ The Armstrong and Miller Show (1997-2001) – 4th February

Beneath the veneer of po-faced respectability lies a wealth of characters in Alexander Armstrong and Ben Miller’s sketch show.

The Kumars at No 42 Seasons 5-7 (2004-2006) – 4th February

Two further seasons of the only star-studded variety show filmed from a back garden in Wembley.

Leaving Neverland (2019) – 4th February

A British-American documentary film directed and produced by British filmmaker Dan Reed. It focuses on two men, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who allege they were sexually abused at the famous ranch as children.

From Russia with Cash (2015) – 4th February

The documentary shows an undercover journalist posing as a Russian government minister, ‘Boris’, to investigate increasing evidence that London’s property boom is being partly fuelled by overseas buyers laundering money.

We’ll Take Manhattan (2017) – 11th February

Drama which explores the love affair between photographer David Bailey and supermodel Jean Shrimpton after they are sent to New York for a prestigious Vogue photoshoot in 1962. Starring Karen Gillan, Aneurin Barnard and Helen McCrory.

Take Me Out (2010-2017) – 11th February

Single ladies across the UK get a chance at a dream date in this game show presented by `matchmaker’ Paddy McGuinness.

The Somme 1916: From Both Sides of the Wire (2005) – 11th February

July 1, 2006, marked the 90th Anniversary of the first day of the Battle of the Somme, the bloodiest single day in the history of warfare. Never have so many soldiers been killed in one day’s fighting: a staggering 25,000 dead, most in the first hour. The Somme follows a group of young men through that first day.

The Weather Business: Inside the Met Office (2015) – 11th February

With unique and unprecedented access to the UK Met Offices Exeter Headquarters at its busiest time of the year; The Weather Business follows the work of its staff; from the call centre to the forecasters, the supercomputer to the aviation desk, the meteorologists working on-site with customers to the press officers holding the fort at the HQ and gain an unparalleled insight.

The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan (2018) – 11th February

Comedian and TV presenter Romesh Ranganathan travels way beyond his comfort zone and the world of complimentary breakfast buffets to some of the most unlikely places on earth for a holiday.

The Pembrokeshire Murders (2021) – 13th February

Acclaimed actor Luke Evans takes the lead in this true-crime drama, a three-part mini-series depicting the pursuit of a cold-blooded serial killer. Two unsolved double murders from the 1980s cast a shadow over the work of the Dyfed Powys police force. In 2006, newly promoted Detective Superintendent Steve Wilkins decided to reopen both cases. Employing pioneering forensic methods, Wilkins and his handpicked team found microscopic DNA and fibres that potentially linked the murders to a string of burglaries committed in the 80s and 90s. The perpetrator of those robberies was nearing the end of his prison sentence, but if Steve Wilkins was right, he was also a serial killer…

Death Comes to Pemberley (2013) – 18th February

Adaptation of PD James’s bestselling homage to Pride and Prejudice. Elizabeth and Darcy, now six years married, are preparing for their annual ball when festivities are brought to an abrupt halt. Starring Anna Maxwell-Martin, Matthew Rhys, Matthew Goode and Jenna Coleman.

The Fall (2013 – 2016) – 18th February

A detective superintendent battles her own personal demons as she tries to get inside the head of a serial killer hiding behind a family-man facade. Starring Gillian Anderson, Jamie Dornan and John Lynch.

The Great Train Robbery (2013) – 18th February

Two new films from writer Chris Chibnall, telling the story behind the most infamous heist in British history on its 50th anniversary. Starring Luke Evans, Philip Glenister, Jack Roth and Paul Anderson.

Chelmsford 123 (1988 – 1990) – 18th February

All of the comedy series set in Chelmsford in AD 123. Starring Jimmy Mulville, Rory McGrath, Neal Pearson and Howard Lew Lewis.

Capital (2015) – 18th February

On one day, the people of one South London street all receive an anonymous postcard with the simple message ‘we want what you have’. Its unsettling ripples affect every corner of the community. Starring Toby Jones, Gemma Jones and Rachel Stirling.

Richard III: The Burial of the King (2015) – 18th February

The extraordinary journey of Richard III, from car park to cathedral, culminates in a series of live programmes on the week he is finally laid to rest.

Call the Midwife Season 9 (2020) – 25th February

A moving and intimate insight into the colourful world of midwifery in 1960s east London. Starring Jenny Agutter, Linda Bassett, Judy Parfitt, Helen George, Laura Main, Jennifer Kirby, Leonie Elliot and Stephen Turner.

PhoneShop (2010- 2013) – 25th February

All episodes from the British sitcom set in a high street mobile phone store. The show follows new employee Christopher (Tom Bennett) as he settles into his job and gets into various predicaments along with his fellow workers. Starring Andrew Brooke, Javone Prince, Emma Fryer and Martin Trenaman.

‘Allo ‘Allo (1982 – 1992) – 25th February

All episodes of the wartime sitcom about the French Resistance starring Gorden Kaye and Carmen Silvera, with the farcical events set around a cafe run by René Artois.

United (2013) – 25th February

Drama based on the true story of Manchester United’s legendary Busby Babes and the 1958 Munich air crash that claimed eight of their number. With David Tennant and Dougray Scott.

 

A subscription to BritBox UK costs £5.99 a month, with titles available in HD.

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