Monarch of the Glen: 'Big‑hearted, crowd‑pleasing drama' to return to our screens 20 years after it last aired
It's a new era as Channel 5 commissions a reimagined series
Monarch of the Glen fans brace yourselves now; the announcement we never thought would happen has come courtesy of Channel 5. The iconic series is coming back, and it’s a ‘new imagining’ of the family saga.
Readers of a certain age (cough, cough) will remember the original series ran from 2000 to 2005. The popular BBC One drama followed young restaurateur Archie MacDonald. He was called back to his childhood home when he became the Laird of Glenbogle – a huge, decaying family estate in the Cairngorms.
The heart-warming drama, based on Compton Mackenzie’s novels, featured a “rural community of eccentric characters”. It was primetime viewing for five years, across seven series.
Here’s everything we know about the return of Monarch of the Glen, and why Channel 5 are bringing it back.
Monarch of the Glen ‘reimagined’ for Channel 5
Channel 5 has confirmed a “fresh reimagining” of iconic series Monarch of the Glen. In an unexpected announcement, the broadcaster revealed the new series will “return to the Scottish Highlands for a rich, romantic and humorous family saga rooted in legacy, love and survival”. And it’s music (probably bagpipes) to our ears…
A synopsis for the “new era” of Monarch of the Glen told us that the lead character will be female rather than male. It said: “When high-flying London lawyer Isla Campbell finds herself back at her family’s crumbling Highland estate for her estranged father’s funeral, she expects to be gone in days.
“Instead, she discovers she has inherited a million-pound debt, a bank closing in, and a brother who refuses to let go of their ancestral home. Under the same roof for the first time in years, brother and sister will have to find a way to save the struggling estate before time runs out and they lose it for good.”
Like the original series, the show will “transport us to the stunning Scottish Highlands each week while introducing a rich ensemble of unforgettable new characters”.
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‘This family saga promises heart, humour and romance’
Channel 5 says: “This family saga promises heart, humour and romance – bound together by breathtaking landscapes, roaring hearths, and the people who call this wild corner of the world home.”
Ecosse Films will produce the series. They are makers of the original Monarch of the Glen series, so we’re in good hands.
Paramount UK’s Sebastian Cardwell commented: “Monarch of the Glen is a much‑loved series, and this reimagining brings it back to life for a new generation. It’s a rich family saga with heart and humour at its core. With [writer] Jeremy Brock’s brilliant storytelling and the outstanding team at Ecosse Films, this is exactly the kind of big‑hearted, crowd‑pleasing drama that sits at the heart of 5.”
How many episodes will it be?
Channel 5’s Monarch of the Glen will be six episodes of 60 minutes each.
This is shorter than the original BBC One series which has eight episodes (or more) per series. Some series were 11 episodes, although the final ever series was only six.
Who’s in the cast of Monarch of the Glen on Channel 5?
The original series had a cast packed with beloved TV stars, including Richard Briers, Tom Baker, and Susan Hampshire. It also launched the careers of several names, including Martin Compston, Dawn Steele, and Alastair Mackenzie.
Channel 5 has not yet announced who will appear in the cast of the new Monarch of the Glen. But we’d love to see a special appearance from some of the ‘old’ cast members. That would be a real coup!
Further details including casting will be announced in due course.
Where is it set and filmed?
As the name of the show suggests, Monarch of the Glen is set in the Scottish Highlands. However, Channel 5 let us into a little secret – it will actually be filmed in Northern Ireland. Let’s hope they get the accent right!
Creator Jeremy Brock told us: “When I was offered the chance to re-imagine Monarch of the Glen, I leapt at it. I’m hugely excited by the opportunity to tell a story of family life and finding your place in our hectic world – one that celebrates the warmth, humour and eccentricities of a special community, with both optimism and authenticity. Hope and joy are a currency in short supply right now, and the Highlands – one of the most magical places on Earth – felt like exactly the right home for them.”
Richard Williams, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Screen, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with 5 and Ecosse Films to support the return of this much loved series. Monarch of the Glen has a special place in UK television history, and this reimagining brings a fresh creative vision while staying true to the warmth, humour and heart that audiences cherish. We welcome the series to Northern Ireland as part of its next chapter.”
The upcoming series will “combine stand-out scenery with heart-warming storylines”.
When’s the start date of Channel 5’s Monarch of the Glen?
Production and filming for the new series will take place in Scotland and Northern Ireland later this year. So we’re not expecting it to land on our screens anytime soon.
We’re hoping for an early 2027 start date. Watch this space for more news when we get it.
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