Two Weeks in August is a British drama series created by Catherine Shepherd that premiered on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on 23 May 2026.
| Two Weeks in August | |
|---|---|
| Created by | Catherine Shepherd |
| Written by | Catherine Shepherd |
| Directed by |
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| Starring | |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 8 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Producer | Rhonda Smith |
| Running time | 44 minutes |
| Production companies |
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| Original release | |
| Network | BBC One |
| Release | 23 May 2026 – present |
Premise
editA woman, Zoe, goes on holiday with friends and family in the Mediterranean and finds herself trapped on a Greek island.[1][2]
Writer of the series Catherine Shepherd described the series saying:[3]
This is a story about what it’s like to try and be happy in a very anxious and confusing world; and, at its core, about a woman struggling to play all the roles she’s been given by life. How do you enjoy yourself for two weeks in August when the world appears to be falling apart around you? I hope it will be as funny and sad, as thrilling, beautiful, ridiculous and heartbreaking as real relationships between humans are.”
Plot
editThis section needs expansion. You can help by adding missing information. (June 2026) |
A group of old university friends go on holiday together, 20 years after first meeting each other.[4] Zoe, a comprehensive school teacher, tries to hold the group together, putting her own needs aside.[4][5] Her husband, Dan, is depressive.[5]
Nat is annoyed when the casual boyfriend of her gay best friend, Jacob, turns up at the villa.[5]
There is a kiss between two members of the party, which splits the opinions of the group, and impacts the remainer of the holoday.
Zoe has visions related to Greek mythology throughout the series, which become increasingly odd. Lucy Mangan writes that "this makes the story feel only more authentic, eternal, universal."[5]
Cast
edit- Jessica Raine as Zoe[2]
- Damien Molony as Zoe's husband Dan[2]
- Nicholas Pinnock as Solomon[2]
- Antonia Thomas as Solomon's wife Jess[2]
- Leila Farzad as Nat[2]
- Hugh Skinner as Nat's best friend Jacob[2]
- Dolly Wells as expat Flick[6]
- Tom Goodman-Hill as expat James[6]
- Dylan Brady as Will, Jacob's boyfriend in earlier episodes[6]
- Maria Almeida as Solomon's daughter Avery[6]
- Khalil Gharbia as Jon, a young handyman who becomes central to the plot[6]
- Florence Banks as Léa[6]
- Sonny Poon Tip as Dash
- Cassius Hackforth as Mickey
- Eliza Lambon as Eve
- Anthony Lambon as Theo
- Joe Dixon as Henry
- Tiana Formosa — Clotho, one of the three Moirai[7]
- Charlotte Grech — Lachesis, one of the three Moirai[7]
- Jane Marshall — Atropos, one of the three Moirai[7]
Production
editThe eight-part original drama series is created and written by Catherine Shepherd.[3] and was commissioned by Lindsay Salt, the director of BBC Drama.[8] It is a Various Artists Limited (VAL) production. The lead director is Tom George (This Country) who directed episodes 1-4, with Matthew Moore (Colin From Accounts) directing episodes 5-8.[3][8] Catherine Shepherd and Tom George serve as Executive Producers alongside Roberto Troni and Kat Reynolds for Various Artists Limited, and Jo McClellan for the BBC.[8] Rhonda Smith is the producer.
Filming took place in Malta and Gozo with the help of local production company Pellikola, and began in April 2025.[3][8][9][10]
Broadcast
editTwo Weeks in August premiered on BBC One and made available on BBC iPlayer on 23 May 2026.[11][10]
Reception
editThis section needs expansion. You can help by adding missing information. (June 2026) |
Lucy Mangan of The Guardian gave the series a 5-star review.[5]
Cosmopolitan described the series as "Full of simmering tension".[10]
Radio Times gave the series 3 stars, describing the cast as "superb",[6] but stating that "the series does end up biting off more than it can chew" in terms of number of characters and mythological themes. The review likens the series to The White Lotus (a comparison also made by Cosmopolitan) and The Drama.
References
edit- ↑ Molander, Joe (2 April 2025). "BBC reveals casting for sun-soaked drama Two Weeks in August". Royal Television Society. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Goldbart, Max; Ntim, Zac (2 April 2025). "BBC Sets Cast For 'Two Weeks In August' Disaster Drama; Property Masters Guild To Launch Publication; Disney+ 'Stolen Girl' Trailer – Global Briefs". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 Goldbart, Max (12 February 2025). "BBC Behind Holiday Disaster Drama From 'Shrink Next Door' Scribe Catherine Shepherd & Various Artists". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
- 1 2 "Woman's Hour - Dawn French, Assault in Scottish schools, BBC's Two Weeks in August - BBC Sounds". BBC. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Mangan, Lucy (23 May 2026). "Two Weeks in August review – Jessica Raine is extraordinary in this exquisite look at a holiday from hell". The Guardian.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Hibbs, James (6 June 2026). "Two Weeks in August cast | Jessica Raine and Damien Molony star". Radio Times. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Two Weeks in August, Series 1, Episode 3". BBC. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Creamer, Jon (12 February 2025). "BBC orders Catherine Shepherd drama from VAL". Televisual. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
- ↑ Craig, David (2 April 2025). "Bergerac and The Devil's Hour stars confirmed for BBC drama Two Weeks in August". Radio Times. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
- 1 2 3 Baxter-Wright, Dusty (26 May 2026). ""Full of simmering tension": The BBC's thrilling new 8-part series like The White Lotus is a must watch". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
- ↑ Leigh, Janet A. (17 February 2026). "Call the Midwife star's "witty and painfully relatable" BBC show packed with "drama" is on its way". Digital Spy. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
External links
edit- Two Weeks in August at IMDb
- Two Weeks in August at BBC Online
- Two Weeks in August filming locations on Gozo at Scene on Gozo