Between the Covers Returns for Season Two with a Star-studded Celebrity Line Up

Between the Covers is the BBC’s book club for the nation. “The first series of Between the Covers sparked a national conversation about books, so I’m delighted it’s returning with another fantastic line up. Continuing BBC Arts’ commitment to books programmes, the series features a broad selection of genres and styles, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy.” — Emma Cahusac, Commissioner, BBC Arts

The series is returning for its second run and BBC Arts have announced the full line-up for the six-part programme which aims to continue bringing people together through a shared love of reading. The series also continues BBC Arts’ Culture In Quarantine initiative, bringing arts and culture to the UK during lockdown.

Sara Cox returns as the host of the series with a brand-new panel of four different well-known faces joining her for each episode to discuss their favourite books. Each episode will also feature two review sections in which the panel will talk about a best-selling book from the last year as well as a newly published book which deserves spotlight recognition.

The line-up of celebrity panellists ready to share their love of books are reading includes; Mel Giedroyc, Rick Edwards, Oti Mabuse and Griff Rhys-Jones, Rachel Parris, Rick Stein, Vick Hope, Rob Delaney, David Baddiel, Katherine Ryan, Adjoa Andoh, Phil Davis, David Baddiel, Katherine Ryan, Adjoa Andoh, Phil Davis, Don Warrington, Zoe Lyons, Hugh Dennis, Giovanna Fletcher, Nish Kumar, Stacey Dooley, Robert Webb, Caitlin Moran, Ranvir Singh, Micky Flanagan, Sophie Willan and Reginald D Hunter.

Sara Cox said: “I’m so thrilled the show is back – I can’t wait to welcome everyone to our TV book club again as we delve between the covers of some fantastic books with some of my most favourite, witty and wise people. You’ll need to clear a space on your bookshelf as we’re going to be recommending some absolute crackers.”

The complete reading list (listed in broadcast order):

Episode 1:
Newly-published book: The Fine Art Of Invisible Detection by Robert Goddard (published 18 March)
Big hitter: The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

Episode 2:
Newly-published book: Should We Fall Behind by Sharon Duggal (published October 2020)
Big hitter: The Lying Life Of Adults by Elena Ferrante

Episode 3:
Newly-published book: Sixteen Horses by Greg Buchanan (published 29 April)
Big hitter: The Girl With The Louding Voice by Abi Daré

Episode 4:
Newly-published book: Another Life by Jodie Chapman (published 1 April)
Big hitter: Agent Running In The Field by John le Carré

Episode 5:
Newly-published book: The Last House On Needless Street by Catriona Ward (published 18 March)
Big hitter: Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell

Episode 6:
Newly-published book: The Frequency Of Us by Keith Stuart (published 25 March)
Big hitter: Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart

All the books featured in the show will be labelled with ‘Between The Covers’ stickers in shops, libraries and online stores so that audiences can read along too and they’ll also be encouraged to tweet their views during each episode using #BetweenTheCovers.

Amanda Ross, the co-founder and CEO of Cactus TV, explained: “Between the Covers is the ultimate fantasy book group. We’ve assembled a dream cast and chosen six great new books that really are something for everyone’s taste. The guests’ passionate, engaging banter makes us all want to try books we wouldn’t otherwise have picked up.”