Start date confirmed for new sitcom Can You Keep a Secret? with Dawn French
First look photos have now been released
Last updated 30th Dec 2025
Earlier this year it was revealed comedy royalty, Dawn French and Friday Night Dinner favourite, Mark Heap, were joining forces for a new BBC sitcom. Can You Keep a Secret? will follow the life of Debbie Fenton (Dawn French) as she hilariously navigates tough decisions in life and death.
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. 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, 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.”'
"The two retirees found themselves staring down the barrel of an opportunity too good to pass up," says the BBC. "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: "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.”
When does it start?
We now know the series will begin on Wednesday 7th January 2026 at 9.30pm.
How many episodes will there be?
Can You Keep a Secret? will be made up of six episodes.
Where is it set?
It's set in the West Country.
Take a look at the first look photos from the show below:
Can You Keep a Secret? first look
Can You Keep a Secret? first look
Can You Keep a Secret? first look
Can You Keep a Secret? first look
Can You Keep a Secret? first look
Can You Keep a Secret? first look
Can You Keep a Secret? first look
Can You Keep a Secret? first look
Can You Keep a Secret? first look
Can You Keep a Secret? first look
Can You Keep a Secret? first look
Can You Keep a Secret? first look
Can You Keep a Secret? first look
Can You Keep a Secret? first look
Can You Keep a Secret? first look
Can You Keep a Secret? first look
Can You Keep a Secret? first look
Can You Keep a Secret? first look
Can You Keep a Secret? first look
Can You Keep a Secret? first look
Can You Keep a Secret? first look
Can You Keep a Secret? first look
Can You Keep a Secret? first look
Can You Keep a Secret? first look
Can You Keep a Secret? first look
Can You Keep a Secret? first look
Can You Keep a Secret? first look
Can You Keep a Secret? first look
Can You Keep a Secret? first look
Can You Keep a Secret? first look
Can You Keep a Secret? first look
Can You Keep a Secret? first look
Can You Keep a Secret? first look
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