Monarch of the Glen is a comedy drama that ran for seven series between 2000 and 2005.

The majority of the Scottish show told the story of young restaurateur Archie MacDonald trying to restore his childhood home in the Scottish Highlands.

Now, the show is rumoured that it is being rebooted on Channel 5, but with a big change.

BBC drama Monarch of the Glen being rebooted on Channel 5

The fresh take on the classic show will see Archie replaced with a female lead character, the Sun reports.

Alastair McKenzie played the lead on the original BBC version, starring in 43 episodes.

The series is loosely based on Sir Compton Mackenzie’s Highland Novels, set in the same location but in the 1930s and 1940s.

The BBC show pulled in more than 8 million at the peak in the first series, with millions watching each one after.

Channel 5 has yet to announce who will star in the revival, but sources told the publisher that it will be an entirely new cast.

The new story is reportedly about London lawyer Isla Campbell, back at her family’s crumbling Highland estate for her estranged father’s funeral.

Expecting to be gone in days, 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.

Writer Jeremy Brock has created the reboot, and told the publisher: “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.”

Channel 5 has been contacted for comment.

Other classic UK TV shows that are being brought back

Monarch of the Glen is not the only show that has been reimagined, with fellow Scottish show Balamory having already returned this year.

Also set in Scotland, it first aired 2002, but was cancelled three years later.

The story centres on a fictional small island community off the west coast of Scotland, dealing with community residents and their issues.

The NEW Balamory opening theme! pic.twitter.com/Aw1wSZDtKZ

— wallabywhys (@wallabywhys1) April 20, 2026

The two new series, which will include some of the original characters, will consist of 10 episodes each.

Crime drama series Dalziel and Pascoe, which aired on the BBC from 1996 to 2007, is also being recommissioned for a reboot.

The series starred Warren Clarke and Colin Buchanan as Detective Superintendent Andy Dalziel and Detective Inspector Peter Pascoe, but was axed in 2008 after 12 series, mainly due to a fall in viewing figures.

ITV announced that the series is now being rebooted in a collaboration with Britbox.

Other classic shows, however, are winding down, with the Up series, which began back in 1964 with 7 Up, coming to an end.

It followed the lives of ten boys and four girls in England when they were seven years old, and has followed up with them every seven years.

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The beloved ITV documentary series is set to conclude in 2026, 62 years after it first started airing.

ITV said that 70 Up will air later this year, but has not given a broadcast date just yet.

What classic TV series would you like to see brought back and rebooted? Let us know in the comments.

Shaun Smith, of Bernwood Road, Headington, was jailed for 18 years at Oxford Crown Court on April 29.

The 47-year-old had pleaded not guilty to one count of rape, one count of sexual assault and two counts of assault by penetration.

The rape was alleged to have been committed in the year 2000 and the sexual assault in 2012.

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Shaun Smith (Image: TVP)

The two charges of assault by penetration were alleged to have been committed in March 2017 and August 2022.

On Wednesday, April 1, a jury found Smith guilty of the first, second and fourth counts by a majority verdict.

He was found guilty of the third count by a unanimous verdict.

The court heard Smith was assessed as posing a high risk to women over the age of 17.

It was also heard he continues to deny the offences he was committed of.

Judge Ian Pringle KC handed Smith an extended sentence of 18 years and a restraining order against all four women until further order.

The women, who all attended the sentencing, broke down in tears as the length of the sentence was given.

After the hearing, Investigating officer detective sergeant Chris Bennett, of Oxfordshire’s Criminal Investigation Department, said: “I would like to commend the incredible bravery of the women involved in this case.

“Without their determination, courage and support we may never have known about Smith’s offending and it would have been much harder to bring him to justice. This result today is a testament to them and while it can never undo what has happened, I hope it helps them gain some kind of closure and allow them to move forward with their lives.

“Smith has proven himself to be a serial sex offender who preys on women while they are asleep and at their most vulnerable, unable to consent.

“Cases like this are the reason I became an officer and being able to bring dangerous predators like Smith to justice makes me proud to be a detective.

“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to everyone here at Thames Valley Police who worked incredibly hard to help put Smith behind bars where he cannot harm anyone else.

“I hope that this case shows how seriously we take all reports of rape and sexual offences, no matter when they occurred.

“My plea today to anyone who has been affected by rape or any sexual offence is to please tell us. You can contact us via our website or call 101 where you can speak to specialist officers in confidence. There are also a range of other services available that can offer you support.”

The unit was spotted just after 2pm flying over Osney Mead across the city on Wednesday.

The helicopter flew from Botley, where it had attended a call out in the area shortly before 1pm.

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It then flew over Oxford, Headington and Stanton St John, before turning around at Horton-cum-Studley, after which it travelled to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Headington.

It landed there shortly before 2.30pm.

A Thames Valley Air Ambulance spokesperson said: “We can confirm that our helicopter was dispatched to provide advanced critical care at an incident in Oxford today.”

Further details have not been provided on the incident.