Savage River Arrives on ITV1 as UK TV Season Delivers Bumper Spring Slate
Australian crime drama Savage River makes its UK broadcast debut on ITV1 tonight, Sunday 12 April 2026, as British television enters one of its most competitive spring seasons in recent memory — with major new dramas from the BBC, ITV, and streaming platforms all vying for audience attention.
The series, starring Katherine Langford, follows Miki Anderson, an ex-convict who returns to her remote hometown only to become the prime suspect in a murder investigation. It airs at 9pm on ITV1 and is also available on ITVX.
Background
Savage River has already attracted significant critical attention in Australia, where it was praised for its atmospheric cinematography and Langford's nuanced central performance. ITV's acquisition of the series reflects the broadcaster's ongoing strategy of supplementing its homegrown drama slate with high-quality international productions, following the success of previous Australian imports.
Key Developments
Tonight's premiere comes as the BBC prepares for what could be its most anticipated drama launch of the year: Half Man, a new limited series from Richard Gadd — creator of the BAFTA and Emmy-winning Baby Reindeer — which is scheduled to air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 24 April 2026. The series stars Gadd alongside Jamie Bell as estranged brothers, and has already generated considerable pre-release buzz.
Earlier this month, BBC Two and BBC iPlayer launched Twenty Twenty Six, a new series starring Hugh Bonneville reprising his role as Ian Fletcher from the beloved W1A, which debuted on 8 April. The comedy has been warmly received by critics as a sharp satire of contemporary British public life.
ITV also has Professor T (Season 4), starring Ben Miller and Frances De La Tour, and the espionage drama Secret Service — adapted from Tom Bradby's novel — both scheduled for spring 2026. A new workplace comedy, DMV, is set to air on ITV on 16 April.
Why It Matters
The spring 2026 TV season represents a significant moment for British public service broadcasting. The BBC's Annual Plan for 2026/27, published in March, reaffirmed the corporation's commitment to homegrown storytelling, with returning series including Line of Duty (Season 7), Blue Lights (Season 4), and Vigil (Season 3) all confirmed for later in the year. The BBC is also planning a major celebration for Sir David Attenborough's 100th birthday in May 2026.
For ITV, Savage River's premiere is an opportunity to build Sunday night drama audiences ahead of its own major original productions later in the season.
What's Next
Viewers can catch Savage River on ITV1 at 9pm tonight, with the full series available on ITVX. Half Man arrives on BBC One on 24 April. For a full guide to April's UK TV highlights, see VODzilla's April 2026 watchlist.
