Dawn French returns to primetime comedy in "Can You Keep a Secret?", a six-part sitcom about a family who decide not to correct a deadly clerical error and instead try to cash in on a life insurance policy. Mark Heap co-stars as the very much alive husband hiding in the loft while their son and police officer daughter-in-law get pulled into a spiraling scheme.
"Can You Keep a Secret?" premieres in the U.K. on Wednesday, January 7, on BBC One at 9:30 p.m., with the complete six-episode box set already available on BBC iPlayer as of this morning. Internationally, it is set to stream on Paramount+ in 2026, with region-specific dates TBC.
• WATCH FREE — BBC One/BBC iPlayer (U.K.)
• Global stream — Paramount+ in 2026 (outside the U.K.)
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French plays Debbie Fendon, a domineering grandmother who persuades husband, William (Heap), to hide in their loft after he’s mistakenly declared dead, hoping to secure a payout for their “golden years.” Their anxious son Harry and his police officer wife, Neha, are drawn into the ruse as the stakes escalate.
The series was written by Simon Mayhew-Archer (producer of This Country and co-writer of The Vicar of Dibley) and inspired by his own family's experiences.
The character William lives with Parkinson’s disease, mirroring the writer’s father, to offer a light-hearted yet "truthful" depiction of living with the illness.
Read on to find out how to watch "Can You Keep a Secret?" online, on TV, and from anywhere.
How to watch 'Can You Keep a Secret?' for free in the U.K.
"Can You Keep a Secret?" is on BBC iPlayer today as a full box set, and episode 1 airs on BBC One at 9:30 p.m., with new episodes to follow weekly on the same channel.
Traveling outside the U.K.? You can still access your iPlayer account by using a VPN that lets you appear as if you’re back home. More on that below.
How to watch 'Can You Keep a Secret?' from abroad
A VPN can make your device appear to be in your home country, which helps you access your usual services while you’re overseas. This is especially useful for watching BBC iPlayer if you’re a Brit abroad. Our current top pick is NordVPN.
Using a VPN is incredibly simple.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're away from the U.K. and want to view a U.K. service, you'd select U.K. from the list.
3. Sit back and watch the show. Head to BBC iPlayer to watch "Can You Keep a Secret?" episodes online and on demand.
Watch 'Can You Keep a Secret?' online and on-demand in the U.K.
In the U.K., the series debuts on BBC One at 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 7, while all six episodes are already available as a box set on BBC iPlayer for immediate binge-watching. Weekly BBC One broadcasts continue in the same slot.
Not in the U.K. right now? Use a trusted VPN such as NordVPN to sign in to your existing iPlayer account and stream securely from abroad.
Can I watch 'Can You Keep a Secret?' online or on TV in Canada?
Yes, but not right away. "Can You Keep a Secret?" will stream in the U.S. on Paramount+ in 2026. A specific U.S. premiere date has not yet been announced.
However, if you are a Brit in the States for work or on vacation and prefer to use your usual domestic streaming platform, you can catch the show by using a VPN such as NordVPN, selecting the U.K. from the list, and then selecting BBC iPlayer.
Can I watch 'Can You Keep a Secret?' online or on TV in Canada?
A Canadian premiere date has not yet been announced. With Paramount Global handling worldwide sales, the series is expected to land on Paramount+ in Canada later in 2026.
However, if you are a Brit in the Great White North for work or on vacation, you can catch the show on your own domestic streaming platform by using a VPN such as NordVPN.
Can I watch 'Can You Keep a Secret?' online in Australia?
Australian streaming details have not yet been confirmed. Given the distribution arrangement, Paramount+ is the most likely home later in 2026, with BritBox or SBS On Demand as outside possibilities.
However, if you are a Brit working or on vacation Down Under and want to catch the show on your usual domestic streaming platform, you can do so with a VPN such as NordVPN.
'Can You Keep a Secret?' — Cast
- Dawn French as Debbie Fendon
- Mark Heap as William Fendon
- Craig Roberts as Harry Fendon
- Mandip Gill as Neha Fendon
'Can You Keep a Secret?' — Episode guide
This is a six-part sitcom launching with a single-episode premiere, then continuing weekly in the U.K. The entire series is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
Episode 1: Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Episodes 2–6: Weekly on BBC One at 9:30 p.m.
Watch 'Can You Keep a Secret?' trailer
'Can You Keep a Secret?' — FAQ
What is it about? Debbie Fendon convinces her husband to hide in their loft after he’s mistakenly declared dead so they can claim life insurance, pulling their son and police officer daughter-in-law into a growing web of lies.
Is it based on real experiences? Yes, writer Simon Mayhew-Archer drew on his family’s experiences, including his father Paul Mayhew-Archer’s Parkinson’s diagnosis, which informs William’s portrayal.
Where was it filmed? The series is filmed and set in the West Country of England.
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