Radio Times – 8 September 2026

Summary

Aardman celebrates its 50th anniversary with Shaun the Sheep: the Beast of Mossy Bottom — the third and biggest film in the Shauniverse, requiring 30 animators, 40 sets and 285 puppets — as the cover story in Radio Times' September 8-18, 2026 issue, priced at £2.50. The issue also features Gary Oldman on Slow Horses season six, the final chapter of the 70 Up documentary series that began 62 years ago, and All Creatures Great and Small's seventh series already in production with an eighth commissioned. For readers who follow British television, film and radio schedules, this 138-page issue delivers the complete 12-18 September broadcast week plus interviews and columns.

The Shaun the Sheep feature by Laura Rutkowski reports that each animator produces only a few seconds of footage per day, and even miniature laboratory glassware was handmade by model makers. The film airs Friday 18 September. Gary Oldman discusses his career-defining role as Jackson Lamb in Slow Horses, with new head writer Gaby Chiappe taking over for season six. The 70 Up documentary series concludes with interviews of five participants 62 years after the programme began. Caroline Frost argues that Ted Lasso's flirtation with women's football feels dated. Juliette Binoche, 62, is interviewed ahead of her film Queen at Sea directed by Lance Hammer.

The What's Worth Watching section runs from page 22 with streaming, sport and television listings for the week. The programmes section (page 32) covers full daily schedules. The radio and podcast sections run from page 102. Regular columns include Simon Barnes on local football derbies, Joe Swift on planting wildflower meadows, Paul Lewis on money, and a travel feature on five holiday destinations for stargazers. The Bayeux Tapestry column argues it is a triumph of PR spin rather than a full historical record.

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Content Guide

▸ Cover Story / Animation

p.12 · Shaun the Sheep: the Beast of Mossy Bottom
Laura Rutkowski visits Aardman in Bristol for the 50th anniversary and the third Shaun film. The production uses 30 animators, 40 sets and 285 puppets; each animator produces only seconds of footage daily. Miniature glassware was handmade. Aardman's commitment to handmade detail — including visible fingerprints on puppets — is framed as a feature, not a flaw, in a digital age. The film airs Friday 18 September. Families with young children should set the PVR for BBC One on the 18th.

▸ Drama / Interview

p.16 · Slow Horses — Season Six
Gary Oldman discusses his career-defining role as Jackson Lamb in the Apple TV spy drama. New head writer Gaby Chiappe takes over as the Slough House rejects return. Oldman says the show remains one of the few current series that generates genuine water-cooler moments. Apple TV subscribers should watch all five existing seasons before season six drops.

▸ Documentary

p.18 · 70 Up
The final chapter of the landmark documentary series that began 62 years ago. Five participants reflect on their lives as the programme reaches its conclusion. The series has tracked the same individuals since childhood. Anyone new to the Up series should start with 7 Up before watching the final instalment.

▸ Interview

p.06 · Juliette Binoche — 10 Questions
The 62-year-old Oscar-winning actress discusses her career, winning for The English Patient, and her new film Queen at Sea directed by Lance Hammer, playing a lecturer supporting a mother with dementia and a daughter experiencing first love. Binoche says winning an Oscar did not change her life. Film enthusiasts should add Queen at Sea to their cinema diary for its UK release.

▸ Interview

p.04 · All Creatures Great and Small — Set Visit
Behind the scenes of the Channel 5 drama's seventh series, set in spring 1946. Nicholas Ralph and Rachel Shenton discuss James and Helen's London storyline. Siegfried and Mrs Hall's relationship is a fan focus. Series seven is already in production; series eight is commissioned. Viewers should catch up on series six before the Thursday 9pm autumn premiere.

▸ Column

p.09 · Caroline Frost — Ted Lasso and Women's Football
Frost argues that Ted Lasso's engagement with women's football, while well-intentioned, feels dated in 2026. The column critiques the show's portrayal of the women's game as behind the real-world progress of the sport.

▸ Column

p.11 · Viewpoint — The Bayeux Tapestry
A contrarian take arguing that the Bayeux Tapestry does not tell the full story of 1066 and is actually a triumph of Norman PR spin rather than historical record. History buffs should visit the Bayeux Museum with this revisionist reading in mind.

▸ Gardening

p.126 · Joe Swift — Plant a Wildflower Meadow
Swift recommends planting a wildflower meadow as a low-maintenance, biodiversity-boosting alternative to traditional lawn. The column covers site preparation and seed-mix selection. Homeowners with a sunny patch of underused lawn should start soil preparation this autumn for spring sowing.

▸ Travel

p.128 · Five Holiday Destinations for People Who Love to See Stars
A curated list of five stargazing-friendly holiday destinations. The article covers light-pollution levels, accommodation and best viewing seasons. Anyone planning a stargazing trip should check moon phase and avoid full-moon weeks.

▸ Books

p.124 · Ben Macintyre — Soviet Spy Story
Macintyre's new book tells the story of a Soviet spy who betrayed his country for love. The piece positions the book as a Cold War espionage story with a romantic core. Spy-history readers should pre-order for the UK release date.

▸ Regulars

p.102 · The Last Night of the Proms — Petroc Trelawny preview
p.104 · Podcasts — Our Pick of the Latest Releases
p.106 · Radio — The Best Daily Guide
p.124 · Books
p.126 · Gardening
p.128 · Travel
p.130 · Money — Paul Lewis
p.131 · Puzzles
p.134 · Feedback
p.136 · RT Revisits — Reginald Perrin
p.138 · View From My Sofa — Adrian Scarborough

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Editor's Take

A strong, well-balanced issue that delivers both broadcast listings and genuinely interesting editorial. The Shaun the Sheep cover story is the standout — the 30-animator, 40-set, 285-puppet production details give readers real craft appreciation. The Oldman Slow Horses interview and All Creatures set visit are both substantial pieces with named sources and specific production details. Weakness: the 70 Up piece promises an emotional finale but the available text is thin, and the Viewpoint/Bayeux Tapestry column feels like a stretched premise. The listings section remains the core value proposition — 70 pages of daily TV and radio schedules that justify the £2.50 cover price alone. Best for British TV viewers who want broadcast schedules plus genuine feature content.

Strengths
• Shaun the Sheep feature gives 30 animators, 40 sets, 285 puppets and seconds-per-day production rate
• All Creatures set visit confirms series seven in production and series eight commissioned
• Slow Horses piece names new head writer Gaby Chiappe and season six as the focus

Weaknesses
• 70 Up final-chapter piece lacks participant names or emotional detail in available text
• Bayeux Tapestry column is a stretched premise without new historical research

Verdict: Recommended — The Aardman cover story and Oldman interview make this an above-average Radio Times issue for TV enthusiasts.