Sky has used the stage of this year’s Edinburgh International TV Festival to unveil a bold new line-up of Originals across drama, comedy, entertainment, documentaries and the arts. The strategy, outlined during the Sky ‘Spotlight’ panel, shows the broadcaster’s focus on premium content and talent-led storytelling – while also teasing the return of fan-favourites.
Caroline Cooper (COO, Sky Entertainment Group), Meghan Lyvers (Executive Director of Scripted, Sky) and Phil Edgar-Jones (Executive Director of Unscripted, Sky) presented the expansive slate, highlighting the mix of distinctive British series, international partnerships, and surprising new formats.
Caroline Cooper commented:
“It’s been a record-breaking year for Sky Originals, and our strategy remains clear: to deliver for our customers. Our upcoming slate reflects the strength of our creative partnerships, our investment in British talent, and our ability to bring extraordinary stories to viewers here and around the world.”
Scripted: Thrillers, Gangs and Danny Dyer
Sky is doubling down on distinctive scripted drama. Meghan Lyvers described the approach as “delivering bold, distinctive stories with unforgettable characters that audiences can fall in love with – and keep coming back to.”
‘WAR’ – This ambitious two-series legal thriller comes from George Kay (Hijack, Lupin), with Dominic West (The Wire, The Crown) starring as ruthless tech mogul Morgan Henderson and Sienna Miller (Anatomy of a Scandal, Horizon: An American Saga) as his estranged wife, global movie star Carla Duval. At its centre is the most scandalous divorce case London has ever seen, fought between two of the city’s most prestigious firms, Cathcarts and Taylor & Byrne. What begins as a high-stakes courtroom battle quickly spirals into a war of reputations and betrayals, exposing secrets in boardrooms, bedrooms and beyond. With Ben Taylor (Sex Education, Catastrophe) directing, and produced by New Pictures, ‘WAR’ is pitched as the start of a legal anthology where every season tackles a new headline-making case.
‘The Good Daughter’ – Based on Karin Slaughter’s bestselling thriller, this 2026 drama stars Meghann Fahy (The White Lotus) and Rose Byrne (Platonic, Physical) as Charlotte and Samantha Quinn, two sisters whose lives were shattered by a brutal attack twenty years earlier. Now grown, Charlotte has followed her father into law, but when she witnesses another violent crime, it rips open old wounds and forces the sisters to face the trauma they’ve long buried. What unfolds is a blend of crime mystery and family drama, weaving love, grief, survival, and the unbreakable bond between siblings.
‘Gangs of London’ – The multi-award-winning crime saga returns for a fourth explosive series. Expect more uncompromising action, criminal rivalries, and shocking betrayals as the power struggles on London’s streets escalate to even deadlier levels. Produced by Vice Studios’ Pulse Films, the show was originally created by Gareth Evans and Matt Flannery, and details of the new chapter remain tightly under wraps.
‘Mr Bigstuff’ – Back for a third season, this BAFTA-winning comedy continues the story of estranged Essex brothers Glen and Lee Campbell, played by Ryan Sampson (Plebs) and Danny Dyer (Rivals) with Harriet Webb (I May Destroy You) also returning. The first season made headlines as it earned Dyer his first-ever BAFTA TV Award for his raw, hilarious turn as Lee. Expect more heartfelt humour, chaotic family drama, and razor-sharp one-liners in season three.
Festival attendees also got an exclusive glimpse at ‘The Death of Bunny Munro’, adapted from Nick Cave’s darkly comic novel. It follows a sex-obsessed door-to-door salesman on a reckless road trip with his son, blending pitch-black humour with tragedy.
Entertainment & Unscripted: From Danny Dyer to The GC
Phil Edgar-Jones spotlighted Sky’s shift towards talent-led entertainment and big format ideas, saying:
“After the huge success of our entertainment series – especially A League of Their Own after 20 incredible seasons – the time feels right for creative renewal.”
‘Gemma Collins: Four Weddings and a Baby’ (w/t) – Across eight episodes, the reality star drops the “GC” mask and shows fans a more personal side. Cameras will follow her through a milestone year as she plans the wedding of her dreams and undergoes IVF in her pursuit of motherhood. The series promises glamour and glitz, but also raw honesty, with Gemma opening up about her past struggles, her blended family, and her hopes for the future. “This really is the most important year of my life,” she says.
‘Danny Dyer’s Caravan Park’ – Danny and his family take on the ambitious task of reviving a rundown seaside holiday park. Expect warmth, humour, and community spirit as the Dyers attempt to breathe new life into a beloved but neglected slice of British coastal culture.
Documentaries: Crime, Scandal and Aliens
Sky Documentaries continues its run of buzzy true stories and headline-grabbing investigations.
‘Alien Autopsy’ (w/t) – In 1995, an 18-minute grainy video purporting to show an alien autopsy near Roswell captivated the world, sparking endless speculation. Directed by John Dower (Lockerbie, My Scientology Movie), this new series unpicks the story behind the tape: from the filmmakers who staged the infamous footage in a London flat, to the ufologists and government insiders who still insist it may have roots in truth. With military whistleblowers now testifying about UFOs in the US Congress, the docuseries explores how fact and fiction blur in the cultural obsession with extraterrestrials.
‘The Essex Murders: Who Killed Goldfinger?’ – The notorious John Palmer, nicknamed “Goldfinger” for his role in smelting gold from the 1983 Brink’s-Mat heist, was shot dead in 2015. This documentary digs into his murky empire and the mystery of his killing, a case that remains unsolved.
These sit alongside recent Sky hits like ‘Boyzone: No Matter What’ and ‘7/7: Homegrown Terror’, underscoring the channel’s focus on gripping true stories.
Arts: Voices and Icons
Sky also reaffirmed its investment in the arts. Phil Edgar-Jones explained:
“Sky Arts is all about celebrating creativity in all its forms.”
‘Voices of the Valleys’ – Following three Welsh Male Voice Choirs as they prepare for some of the biggest performances of their lives, this series shines a spotlight on Wales’s proud choral tradition. From a young soloist chasing his potential to seasoned tenors who’ve sung for decades, the show celebrates community, music, and identity.
‘Drinks with Dame Judi’ (w/t) – A one-off special in which Dame Judi Dench invites her longtime friend and collaborator Sir Kenneth Branagh into her home for an intimate conversation. Expect warmth, wit and plenty of anecdotes as the pair reflect on careers, craft and personal milestones, with archive footage adding richness to the portrait.
The Sky Arts Awards – Returning on Tuesday, 16th September 2025 at London’s Roundhouse, the awards continue to honour creative excellence across the arts, from literature and film to opera and comedy.
Final Thoughts
Sky’s line-up shows a clear ambition to balance big-name dramas with eccentric documentaries and character-driven entertainment. Whether it’s legal duels, alien autopsies, or Danny Dyer sprucing up a caravan park, the broadcaster is making sure there’s something to keep viewers hooked across every genre.
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