The Serpent

It’s been every two years since 2015 until now, but this year, it seems to have gone annual since the BFI & Radio Times Television Festival is taking place on the Southbank in London between 17 and 19 April. And here are the highlights, according to the press release:

This year’s Festival will see Russell T Davies, Mary Berry and Gillian Anderson inducted into the Radio Times Hall of Fame, alongside events with comedy legend Ricky Gervais, breakout star of Derry Girls Nicola Coughlan, Sir Lenny Henry in conversation with Alan Yentob, star magician Dynamo, comedian Mo Gilligan, and the team behind The Mash Report including Nish Kumar.

There’s also events celebrating some of the UK’s most popular programmes, including: Last Tango in Halifax, Strictly Come Dancing, Hollyoaks (marking its 25^th anniversary), Giri/Haji, Dracula, Grantchester, Killing Eve, Who Do You Think You Are? and World on Fire.

Exclusive previews of some of 2020’s most anticipated new dramas, including: series two of the critically acclaimed comedy-drama After Life created and starring Ricky Gervais who will attend the Festival; the team behind The Inbetweeners turn their hilarious gaze on the world of football in The First Team about the misadventures of three young football players; BBC Two’s adaption of Eleanor Catton’s Man Booker Prize-winning novel The Luminaries with stars Eve Hewson and Himesh Patel; new Sky Atlantic crime drama Gangs of London, from writer Gareth Evans (The Raid) and starring Peaky Blinders’ Joe Cole; a sneak peek at the finale of Julian Fellowes’ prestigious new ITV drama Belgravia; and the new adaptation of Anthony Horowitz’s hugely popular Alex Rider series.

The Festival also offers first looks at the much anticipate series three of Killing Eve; the international crime drama The Serpent starring Jenna Coleman; BBC One’s forthcoming adaption of David Nicholls’ bestselling novel Us, starring Tom Hollander, who will appear on stage alongside Nicholls.

The Festival will also reunite Tim Brooke-Taylor, Graeme Garden and Bill Oddie for The Goodies at 50! with material from the BFI National Archive, as well as a session featuring a bespoke compilation of dazzling footage of the one and only Prince, also drawn from the BFI National Archive. The Festival will remember the legacy of Dave Allen, the doyen of 70s comedy, with a compilation event featuring clips from all the varied parts of his small-screen career.