Your ultimate guide to TOWIE as series 36 kicks off
Celebrating 15 years of The Only Way Is Essex!
Last updated 18th Aug 2025
Following the drama in THAT Christmas special back in December and the 35th series earlier this year, it's safe to say fans of The Only Way Is Essex have been counting down the days for series 36!
Will there be another series of TOWIE?
Following the final episode of series 35, which aired on Sunday 4th May, bosses confirmed the show would return, with the cast heading over to film in Portugal to celebrate the show's 15th anniversary.
Rebecca Kenny-Smith, Creative Director, Unscripted, Objective Entertainment said: “This is Towie’s first trip to Portugal and it’s shaping up to be an unforgettable getaway! We’re anticipating lots of Towie antics in the Algarve and what better way to celebrate the milestone 15th anniversary."
When is TOWIE on TV?
Series 36 of TOWIE started on Sunday 17th August, with new episodes air every Sunday night at 9pm.
Bosses announced the news by releasing a trailer, alongside the caption: 'The wait is almost over… #TOWIE is back on your screens ✨twice a week✨ from the 17th of August 💥 Expect drama, tears, belly laughs and bombshell moments you won’t see coming 😮💨 Essex is about to go OFF 👀'. (sic)
What channel is it on?
Whilst TOWIE used to air on ITVBe, series 36 has moved to ITV2, following the news that ITV are turning ITVBe into a new channel called ITV Quiz in June 2025.
TOWIE is available on ITVX and STV Player.
What happened on the last series?
As ever, series 35 followed the dramatic lives of the cast, with the series kicking off with the news that Diags and Jodie had chosen to split. The on/off saga between Dan and Ella also continued, whilst viewers saw unlikely romance blossom between Harry and Freddie.
After starting their romance under awkward circumstances last year, Joe and Junaid were also still going strong, with Junaid still at blows with Dani and Ella.
The last series also saw Love Island star Matilda Draper join the cast, after she started a relationship with Roman Hackett last year, as well as Elma Pazar and Sammy Root's return from Love Island: All Stars.
As well as being filmed in Essex, series 35 also saw the cast head off for a trip to Bali.
Who is in the cast?
The usual faces are back for the 36th series later this year. See the full cast below:
Amy Childs
Harry Derbidge
Lauren Goodger
Diags
Dan Edgar
Chloe Meadows
Courtney Green
Amber Turner
Jordan Brook
Saffron Lempriere
Ella Wise
Dani Imbert
Roman Hackett
Bill Delbosq
Elma Pazar
Junaid Ahmed
Sophie Kasaei
Joe Blackman
Jodie Wells
Freddie Bentley
Livvy Jay
Becks Bloomberg
Sammy Root
Matilda Draper
How many series?
There's been 36 series so far, with numerous specials and Christmas episodes over the last decade.
Check out which TV shows we can't wait for the return of:
Stranger Things
Netflix bosses confirmed in January 2023 that the fifth and final series of Stranger Things had officially started production - and at the 2025 Tudum event, confirmed that the series will be released in three parts. Volume 1 landed in the UK on 27th November, followed by Volume 2 on 26th December and the final ever episode on 1st January 2026.
The Traitors
Series four of The Traitors will begin at 8pm on 1st January 2026! A fifth series has also now been confirmed, as well as a second celebrity edition.
Red Eye
ITV/STV crime drama Red Eye become one of the station's biggest shows in 2024, so it's no surprise it was commissioned for a second series. Filming started in March 2025, with Martin Compston joining the cast, and now we know it will begin on 1st January 2026.
Emily In Paris
That's right, after things got pretty interesting for Emily Cooper as we saw her set up camp in Rome, starring actress Lily Collins answered our prayers as she confirmed that a fifth season is officially on the way - hitting Netflix on Thursday 18th December.
Ted Lasso
Following the end of series three in 2023, fans were crying out for a fourth series of comedy show Ted Lasso! On Friday 14th March, main actor Jason Sudeikis confirmed the exciting news, revealing it was in early production! There's no release date just yet.
Hijack
Following series one back in June 2023, Apple TV bosses have now confirmed Idris Elba will return for a second series of Hijack! It's now been revealed that series two will begin on 14th January 2026!
Vigil
Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie reprising their roles as DCI Amy Silva and DI Kirsten Longacre in BBC drama Vigil. With filming now taking place in Scotland. fans could see series three land in early 2026.
The Day of the Jackal
Series one of thriller The Day of the Jackal has broken viewing records for Sky Atlantic, so there's no surprise that bosses were quick to renew the show for a second series, before the first was even over! Although there's no air date just yet, filming is expected to take place in 2025.
Line of Duty
Now that the BBC have confirmed there's going to be a seventh series of award-winning crime drama Line of Duty, fans are counting down the months! Filming is due to begin in Spring 2026, so we could expect it to land in the second half of 2026.
After The Flood
Actress Sophie Rundle played the role of Joanna Marshall in series one of ITV/STV drama After The Flood. The show was so popular it was immediately renewed for a second series, with Alun Armstrong, Jill Halfpenny, Ian Puleston-Davies and Matthew McNulty joining the cast. Filming for series two started in March 2025, so we suspect it could arrive later this year.
Amandaland
Following the first series of Motherland spin-off show Amandaland, BBC bosses were quick to renew comedy series Amandaland for a second series. Lucy Punch will return as Amanda, alongside Joanna Lumley and Philippa Dunne. Filming for series two started in October 2025, with bosses also announcing a Christmas special!
Unforgotten
After series six aired in early 2025, ITV/STV bosses were quick to recommission crime drama Unforgotten for a seventh series, with Sanjeev Bhaskar and Sinéad Keenan set to return. There's no official start date just yet, but we imagine it will be early 2026.
Bridgerton
On the same day bosses announced the show had been renewed for a fifth and sixth series, Netflix also confirmed the hugely-antipcated fourth series would land in 2026. Part one will land on 29th January 2026, with part two dropping on 26th February 2026.
This City Is Ours
Following the first series which aired in 2025, This City Is Ours has been renewed for a second series, with filming taking place now! Julie Graham, James Nelson-Joyce and Jack McMullen will all return. There's no start date just yet, but we imagine it will be sometime in 2026.
The Masked Singer
Bonkers entertainment show The Masked Singer UK has officially been renewed for another season, due to air in early 2026.
The Night Agent
After series two dropped on Netflix in January, bosses were quick to confirm The Night Agent would return for a third instalment, with Gabriel Basso as FBI agent Peter Sutherland. Production for series three started in February 2025, so it could land in early 2026.
At Home With The Furys
Following the popular first series back in 2023, Netflix bosses confirmed a second series of At Home With The Furys in May 2025. Filming with Tyson Fury, his wife Paris, and the couple's seven children is underway now.
The Bear
Following the fourth series arriving in June 2025, bosses have now confirmed The Bear will return for a fifth series! Although there's been no start date given just yet, the show typically begins every year in June.
Gangs of London
Following the third series earlier in 2025, which ended on a major cliffhanger, Sky have now confirmed Gangs of London has been commissioned for a fourth series. Although there's no start date just yet, filming is due to begin in January 2026.
Peaky Blinders
Much to the shock of everybody, Steven Knight revealed in October 2025 that the show will be returning for two more series! The series will be all about a new generation of the Shelby family, so it's not a given that Cillian Murphy will reprise his iconic role as Tommy Shelby. It'll be filmed in Digbeth, Birmingham. There's no release date just yet!
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
After the monumental, global success of TV series Game of Thrones, it's no wonder that bosses over at HBO have confirmed yet another spin-off series. Based on the series of novels by George R. R. Martin, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will weave into the storylines we already know from both the original series and House of the Dragon. The show will air on HBO in January 2026.
The Celebrity Traitors
After the record-breaking first series in October-November 2025, BBC bosses have now confirmed The Celebrity Traitors will return for a second series in 2026!
All's Fair
After becoming the biggest Hulu Original scripted series premiere in three years, Ryan Murphy's All's Fair has now been renewed for a second series! Starring Kim Kardashian, Sarah Paulson, Glenn Close, Naomi Watts and Niecy Nash, production begins in Spring 2026.
Trigger Point
After three hugely-successful series of ITV drama Trigger Point, the show will return for a fourth series in 2026! Although there's no release date just yet, we do know that filming is now complete!
How can I watch old episodes of TOWIE?
You can watch old episodes of TOWIE on ITVX and STV Player now.
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