TV bosses have been bidding to snap up hottest new reality shows and dramas at Cannes Mipcom conference
A blind Sherlock, a “torture” reality show, and Succession’s Matthew Macfadyen shrinking his spouse – the TV hits of 2026 have been unveiled in Cannes at the industry’s biggest market.
More than 10,000 producers, programme buyers, channel bosses and a sprinkling of stars have this week mingled on the Croisette for Mipcom, the annual global gathering for the television business to show off its latest wares.
The UK boasted the largest delegation, with broadcasters brandishing cheque-books in the hope of landing the next Traitors or heartwarming comedy-drama to fill a Gavin & Stacey-shaped hole in the schedules.
ITV Studios said it had acquired the production rights to Solitary, a controversial reality show that places contestants in isolation pods with no sense of day or night or human contact.
Guided only by a computer AI called Val, they face relentless physical and mental challenges until the last one standing claims the prize.
The conditions were branded “torture” by some in the US media when it originally ran on the Fox Reality channel and may indicate a shift from cerebral-type challenges like The Traitors back to the ”endurance” shows that proved popular in early 2000s.
New dramas were also given the hard sell. Matthew Macfadyen introduced a special preview screening of his latest series, The Miniature Wife.
The Succession star plays a biotech genius who accidentally shrinks his wife (Elizabeth Banks) to six inches high. The show is produced by Media Res, the company behind glossy Apple+ drama The Morning Show.
However, the greatest impact at Mipcom was the arrival of YouTube as a major new source of talent for TV companies.
Buzz show Let’s Play Ball (see below) originated as a challenge on the video platform and YouTube executives encouraged broadcasters to partner with its influencers and creators, whose online channels attract millions of young subscribers that often do not watch traditional TV.
BBC Studios announced a partnership with YouTube, promising to “build the biggest fandoms across the world” with new shows and channels promoted across the Google-owned giant.
Here are the Mipcom TV trends which look to be heading for the UK in 2026.
High-concept drama
Blind Sherlock
From France’s TF1, a “a fresh and modern take” on well-known story, “with a main character at the crossroads of Sherlock Holmes and Daredevil”.
Inspired by the true story of blind civilian who worked for the wiretapping unit of the Belgian police, “blind Sherlock” relies on hearing, sense and smell to solve cases.
The format touted at Mipcom for a UK remake offers “a positive portrayal of disability, where the hero turns blindness into a superpower”.
Half Man
Anticipation is high for the new series from Richard Gadd, creator of controversial Netflix hit Baby Reindeer.
A family drama, Half Man stars Gadd alongside Jamie Bell as brothers Ruben and Niall, in a story spanning 40 years from the 1980s to the present day. HBO and BBC partnered for the drama, which was sold to Australia and Canada at Mipcom.
Wacky challenges
Let’s Play Ball
The latest hit reality show from the Netherlands, home of The Traitors and Big Brother.
In this series, two rival teams of comedians go head-to-head in a race to transport a gigantic red ball across narrow sreets, fields and treacherous terrains.
Rightsholders Banijay UK indicated it was in advanced discussions with UK broadcasters looking to adapt the format. James Townley, chief content officer, development at Banijay Entertainment, said: “Let’s Play Ball has been a real standout at Mipcom – a digital-first idea that’s grown into a global format. In development in both the US and UK, and being pitched across Europe, it’s drawing strong interest from major broadcasters.”
The company previously made stand-up comics’ challenge Last One Laughing for Amazon Prime Video – expect a call for Jimmy Carr.
Nation’s Dumbest
The first television show “where the loser is the winner”. Celebrities, politicians and influencers fight it out to be eliminated from the competition as quickly as possible in a series of mental and physical challenges, to avoid being crowned the nation’s dumbest.
BBC Studios owns rights to the format, which is already a hit in Norway and Sweden – but which politicians would put themselves up for ridicule in the UK?
True-life drama
The Lady
Four-part drama telling the story of the Duchess of York’s former aide and convicted murderer, Jane Andrews. Produced by Left Bank, the company behind The Crown, the latest true-life royal drama has been given greater topical currency by new revelations about Prince Andrew’s association with Jeffrey Epstein.
Natalie Dormer plays the Duchess in a drama attracting international buyers, which will premiere for UK viewers on ITV. Dormer has declined to promote the drama after the publication of new information about Sarah Ferguson’s links to Epstein.
The next big reality format
FCF
In a potentially groundbreaking move, TV company Banijay (Masterchef, Peaky Blinders) is launching a professional football club, FC Failliet/Finesse (FCF), which will play in the Dutch professional football league.
FCF – who compete in the KNVB Fifth Division West 1, the fifth tier of Dutch soccer – will see their journey charted with daily updates on TikTok, Instagram and weekly YouTube vlogs.
The show is inspired by YouTube collective the Sidemen, who have staged sell-out charity football matches at Wembley Stadium.
On Brand
Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon is behind a new business show challenge to The Apprentice and Dragons’ Den. Contestants pitch and produce “Super Bowl-worthy” advertising campaigns for eight of the world’s biggest brands in a “warm and supportive” contest.
The ad-friendly series is likely to appeal to UK commercial channels.
