Two Weeks in August

Two Weeks in August
GenreDrama
Created byCatherine Shepherd
Written byCatherine Shepherd
Directed by
Starring
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes8
Production
Executive producers
  • Catherine Shepherd
  • Tom George
  • Jo McLellan
  • Roberto Troni
  • Kat Reynolds
ProducerRhonda Smith
Running time44 minutes
Production companies
  • Various Artists Limited
  • Pellikola
Original release
NetworkBBC One
Release23 May (2026-05-23) –
27 June 2026 (2026-06-27)

Two Weeks in August is a British drama series created by Catherine Shepherd that premiered on BBC One on 23 May 2026. The series focuses on Zoe, on holiday with friends and family in the Mediterranean, who finds herself trapped on a Greek island.

Plot

A group of old university friends go on holiday together, 20 years after first meeting each other. Zoe, a comprehensive school teacher, tries to hold the group together, putting her own needs aside. Her husband, Dan, is depressive. Nat is annoyed when the casual boyfriend of her gay best friend, Jacob, turns up at the villa.

There is a kiss between two members of the party, which splits the opinions of the group, and impacts the remainder of the holiday. Zoe also has visions related to Greek mythology throughout the series, which become increasingly odd.

Cast and characters

Production

The eight-part original drama was created and written by Shepherd. and was commissioned by Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama. 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. Shepherd and Tom George serve as Executive Producers alongside Roberto Troni and Kat Reynolds for Various Artists Limited, and Jo McClellan for the BBC. Rhonda Smith is the producer.

Shepherd described the series saying:

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.”

Filming took place in Malta and Gozo with the help of local production company Pellikola, and began in April 2025.

Episodes

No.EpisodeDirected byWritten byOriginal release dateUK viewers
(millions) 
1Episode 1Tom GeorgeCatherine Shepherd23 May 2026 (2026-05-23)2.52
2Episode 2Tom GeorgeCatherine Shepherd23 May 2026 (2026-05-23)2.14
3Episode 3Tom GeorgeCatherine Shepherd30 May 2026 (2026-05-30)2.28
4Episode 4Tom GeorgeCatherine Shepherd6 June 2026 (2026-06-06)N/A
5Episode 5Matthew MooreCatherine Shepherd13 June 2026 (2026-06-13)N/A
6Episode 6Matthew MooreCatherine Shepherd20 June 2026 (2026-06-20)N/A
7Episode 7Matthew MooreCatherine Shepherd27 June 2026 (2026-06-27)N/A
8Episode 8Matthew MooreCatherine Shepherd27 June 2026 (2026-06-27)N/A

Broadcast

Two Weeks in August premiered on BBC One 23 May 2026 with all episodes also released on BBC iPlayer.

Reception

Lucy Mangan of The Guardian gave the series a 5-star review. Mangan writes that the references to Greek myth "make the story feel only more authentic, eternal, universal." Cosmopolitan described the series as "Full of simmering tension". Radio Times gave the series 3 stars, describing the cast as "superb", 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

  1. ↑ Molander, Joe (2 April 2025). "BBC reveals casting for sun-soaked drama Two Weeks in August". Royal Television Society. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
  2. 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.
  3. 1 2 "Woman's Hour - Dawn French, Assault in Scottish schools, BBC's Two Weeks in August - BBC Sounds". BBC. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 1 2 3 "Two Weeks in August, Series 1, Episode 3". BBC. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
  7. 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.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Creamer, Jon (12 February 2025). "BBC orders Catherine Shepherd drama from VAL". Televisual. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  9. ↑ 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.
  10. 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.
  11. ↑ "Weekly top programmes on four screens". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  12. ↑ 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.