Can You Keep a Secret? renewed for second series after huge viewings

Comedy queen Dawn French and Friday Night Dinner favourite, Mark Heap, joined forces for new BBC sitcom, Can You Keep a Secret? back in January. And now the hilarious series has been renewed for a second season.

Can You Keep a Secret? follows the life of Debbie Fenton (Dawn French) as she hilariously navigates tough decisions in life and death. And the show clearly hit the mark with viewers, as the BBC has now revealed its first episode was watched by more than 5 million people!

As we prepare for series two, which will be filmed in late 2026, here's everything you need to know about the popular show...

What is Can You Keep A Secret? about?

Written and created by Simon Mayhew-Archer (This Country) and directed by Simon Hynd (Ghosts, Motherland), it's guaranteed to be brilliant.

In a post uploaded to Instagram on 19th November, the BBC shared a series of first look images for series one, writing: 'Debbie’s got a plan. It’s illegal. It’s brilliant. 🔦🤫 #CanYouKeepASecret coming soon to #iPlayer

'Debbie isn’t actually a widow and William didn’t really die... he was just mistakenly declared dead and the two retirees found themselves staring down the barrel of an opportunity too good to pass up. Just a few months hiding out in the loft waiting for the life insurance to pay out and then they can live out their golden years in peace.”'

Mark Heap (best known for his performance as Friday Night Dinner's annoying neighbour, Jim) stars as Debbie's husband William, who finds himself mistakenly declared dead. Cue scenes with William hiding in the loft, waiting for a life insurance pay-out.

The BBC said: 'The two retirees found themselves staring down the barrel of an opportunity too good to pass up, Just a few months hiding out in the loft waiting for the life insurance to pay out and then they can live out their golden years in peace.

'This all proves a bit much for their easily frazzled son Harry. Reunited with a dad he’s just buried and the reality that his parents have turned into a pensioner version of Bonnie and Clyde, Harry suddenly has a lot more to juggle. Sandwiched between two generations of toddlers, Harry finds himself navigating a very common stage of life - only this time, it’s criminal.'

Dawn French (The Vicar of Dibley, French and Saunders) said of the show: "At last...a sitcom where I can keep my top on...mostly," while Kenton Allen, Executive Producer and CEO Big Talk Studios, said: “Working with Dawn French has been a career-long ambition and to have her inimitable comedic brilliance join forces with the extraordinary Mark Heap and the Simons - Simon Mayhew-Archer and Simon Hynd - is every producer’s dream. We’re delighted to welcome such talented creative minds into the Big Talk family and can’t wait for viewers to see this highly original family comedy in all its glory.”

Will there be a second series?

Yes! In a post shared on Instagram on 18th February 2026, the BBC revealed it would return for a second series, which would be filmed later in the year. It's after a whopping 5.3 million people tuned in for the first episode. The post said: 'Can You Keep a Secret? 🤫 We’re coming back for Series 2…

'After 5.3 million enjoyed the launch of the first series, Can You Keep a Secret? has been recommissioned for a second series.

'The hit sitcom returns with Dawn French as Debbie, alongside Mark Heap as William, Mandip Gill as Neha, and Craig Roberts as Harry. Filming for series two will take place later this year in the West Country.'

When did it start?

The first series kicked off on Wednesday 7th January 2026 and aired each Wednesday for six weeks.

When will series two be on TV?

There's no date yet for series two, but we do know filming is set to take place towards the end of 2026.

How can I watch it?

All episodes of Can You Keep a Secret? series one are on BBC iPlayer now.

How many episodes are there?

Can You Keep a Secret? series one was made up of six episodes. So it's likely series two will be the same.

Where is it set?

It's set in the West Country.

Who is in the cast?

As well as Dawn and Mark appearing as the main characters, Craig Roberts plays the role of Harry, the pair's son, with Mandip Gill acting as Neha, Harry's wife and the local police officer.

There's also roles for Shola Adewusi, Gregory Gudgeon and Heather Seymour.

See the full cast below:

Dawn French as Debbie Fenton

Mark Heap as William Fenton

Craig Roberts as Harry

Mandip Gill as Neha

Shola Adewusi as Billie Codrington

Heather Seymour as Jean Cotterill

Paul Chahidi as Clive Trunge

Gregory Gudgeon as Pigfish

Mona Goodwin as Dr Samira Harper

Sam Battersea as PC Susan Hinkman

Ian Barritt as Geoff Varley

Shivani Thussu as Pharmacist

Take a look at the first look photos from series one below:

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