The GloryTV Hall of Fame: Seven Brilliant British Shows We're Begging Telly Bosses to Revive in 2026
Revival fever has officially gripped British telly. In 2026, it feels like every other announcement is a reboot, a reunion special or a 'reimagining' of something we loved a decade ago. And while we're not immune to the thrill of a familiar theme tune, GloryTV would like to make a case for the shows that never got their moment in the first place.
Welcome to the GloryTV Hall of Fame: seven homegrown series that were cancelled too soon, overlooked at the time, or simply never found the audience they deserved. Some are comedies, some are dramas, and one is a post-apocalyptic nightmare that still lives rent-free in our heads. All of them deserve a second life. Telly bosses, take note.
1. The Smoking Room (2004–2005)
A BBC Three sitcom set entirely in a workplace smoking room might sound like a relic, but that's exactly why it works. It's a tiny, brilliantly observed comedy about people who have nothing in common except a shared break and a stubborn refusal to go back to their desks. A 2026 revival could be a workplace comedy for the hybrid-working age: the smoking room becomes the designated 'fresh air' spot, and the same petty politics, passive-aggression and unlikely friendships return. It's cheap to make, endlessly quotable and due a reappraisal. Streaming-wise, it's the sort of archive gem worth hunting down on BBC iPlayer or a decent comedy collection.
2. The Book Group (2002–2003)
Channel 4's The Book Group was a comedy-drama about a Glasgow book club that barely read the books and spent most of its time navigating awkward social climbing. It was sharp, cringe-inducing and quietly heartbreaking. A revival could bring in a new group of members, keep the excruciating group dynamics and let a fresh cast discover that the real reading was the friends we failed to make along the way. It's the perfect antidote to glossy, overly polished ensemble comedies. Check Channel 4's streaming archive and keep your fingers crossed.
3. Nighty Night (2004)
Julia Davis's dark comedy remains one of the most gloriously uncomfortable British sitcoms ever made. It's not for everyone – and that's the point. A full revival might be too much, but a one-off special or a short limited series would be a delicious treat. Imagine the same suburban menace, the same unbearable small talk, and a new neighbour who has no idea what they've walked into. It's bleak, it's funny, and it proves that British comedy can be as weird as it wants to be. Streaming services should be fighting over it.
4. The Fades (2011)
Here's the one that still stings. The Fades was a BBC Three supernatural drama about a teenager who could see the dead, and it ended on a cliffhanger that never got resolved. In 2026, with appetite for supernatural YA drama as strong as ever, a revival feels like a no-brainer. Bring back the original cast for a limited series, or hand the story to a new generation and let the mythology grow. It was funny, scary and far more emotional than it had any right to be. BBC iPlayer is the place to start your campaign.
5. The Last Train (1999)
ITV's The Last Train was a six-part post-apocalyptic drama about survivors of a catastrophic event trying to make their way through a frozen Britain. It was bleak, ambitious and completely underappreciated at the time. A modern revival could be a tense, limited series about community, survival and the terrifying logistics of rebuilding society. It would also give us a genuinely British take on the apocalypse: bad weather, awkward queuing and a heated argument about the correct way to make tea. ITVX should be paying attention.
6. Stella Street (1997–2001)
A cult comedy where famous faces were played by impressionists in a surreal suburban street, Stella Street was weird, silly and years ahead of its time. In the age of deepfakes, celebrity culture and everyone insisting they're 'just like us', a revival could be brilliantly sharp. It doesn't need a huge budget – just a great cast, a silly wig budget and a willingness to be ridiculous. It's the kind of show that would find a new audience on a streaming platform if anyone bothered to put it in front of them.
7. Sugar Rush (2005–2006)
Channel 4's Sugar Rush was a teen drama about first love, friendship and figuring out who you are, wrapped up in a Brighton setting and a great soundtrack. It was funny, messy and heartfelt, and it never quite got the credit it deserved. A revival could catch up with the characters in their thirties, or start fresh with a new teenager navigating the same seaside chaos. Either way, it would fit perfectly alongside the coming-of-age dramas that streaming services love. It's another one to seek out in the archives.
The Rallying Cry
None of these shows are broken. They don't need a glossy remake or a celebrity-filled reboot that misses the point. They need someone to look at what made them special in the first place – the writing, the performances, the specific British weirdness – and give them another go.
So, telly bosses, consider this our official application for the GloryTV Hall of Fame. We've got the nostalgia, we've got the streaming recommendations and we've got a frankly unreasonable amount of passion for a sitcom set in a smoking room. Bring back the glory. We'll be ready with the remote.
