Can You Keep a Secret? BBC Comedy Trailer Reveals a Hilarious Crime-Family Chaos — Release Date, Cast & Plot Explained

Deception, fraud, and family drama — with a very British twist.

The BBC has unveiled the trailer for Can You Keep a Secret?, a brand-new comedy series starring Dawn French and Mark Heap, and it’s shaping up to be one of the funniest and most chaotic sitcoms of early 2026.

Streaming on BBC iPlayer from January 7, 2026, the series asks one dangerously simple question:👉 What if your dad didn’t actually die… but everyone thinks he did?

What Is Can You Keep a Secret? About?

At the heart of the show is Debbie Fendon, a self-styled widow, grandmother, lawn-bowling tyrant, and accidental criminal mastermind.

Except…She isn’t actually a widow.

The Big (Very Illegal) Secret

• William, Debbie’s husband, is mistakenly declared dead

• Instead of correcting the error, the couple spot a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity

• William hides out in the loft

• The family waits for the life insurance payout

• The plan? Cash out… and live their golden years in peace

Naturally, everything goes wrong.

Meet the Fendon Family (And Their Problems)

Debbie Fendon — Played by Dawn French

A loving but terrifying matriarch who will do anything to “protect” her family — even if she’s the biggest threat to them.

William Fendon — Played by Mark Heap

A reclusive, hermit-like husband who is technically dead… but very much alive and hiding above the ceiling.

Harry — Played by Craig Roberts

Their easily frazzled son, already struggling with adulthood, kids, and emotions — now forced to deal with criminal parents and a father he’s already buried.

Neha — Played by Mandip Gill

Harry’s hyper-pragmatic wife… who also happens to be a local police officer.Yes. That police officer.

Why This BBC Sitcom Stands Out

Unlike standard family comedies, Can You Keep a Secret? mixes:

• Classic British sitcom humor

• Crime and fraud hijinks

• Generational family pressure

• Dark comedy and moral absurdity

Think Keeping Up Appearances meets Breaking Bad — if Breaking Bad happened in a West Country semi-detached house with pensioners.

Trailer Breakdown: What the BBC Preview Reveals

The newly released trailer leans hard into:

• Farcical hiding schemes

• Debbie’s iron-fisted control

• Harry’s complete emotional meltdown

• The looming threat of police discovery

• A family secret that keeps snowballing

The tone is fast, sharp, and unapologetically messy — exactly what modern BBC comedies thrive on.

When and Where to Watch Can You Keep a Secret?

• Premiere Date: January 7, 2026

• Streaming: BBC iPlayer

• Broadcast: BBC One

• Genre: Comedy / Family / Crime Farce

Perfect for viewers who love short, bingeable British sitcoms with bite.

Why Can You Keep a Secret? Could Be a 2026 BBC Hit

This series has everything BBC audiences love:

• Dawn French in full command mode

• Mark Heap’s understated chaos

• A simple premise stretched to absurd extremes

• High-stakes comedy rooted in everyday family life

And most importantly — a secret that absolutely cannot stay hidden.

Final Verdict: Add This to Your Watchlist

If you enjoy:

• British sitcoms with dark humor

• Family dramas gone wildly wrong

• Fraud plots played for laughs

• Strong character-led comedy

Then Can You Keep a Secret? deserves a prime spot on your January 2026 watchlist.

Because secrets are easy to keep…Until your fake-dead dad starts making noise in the loft.