INVERNESS – More than two decades have passed since the BBC locked up Glenbogle, but Scotland’s Highlands are about to get very much busier. Channel 5 announced on April 30, 2026, that it was reviving the comedy-drama Monarch of the Glen, which surprised most TV fans.
This show was a Sunday night delight if you remember the original run from 2000 to 2005. Set in Scotland, it followed Archie MacDonald and his attempts to save the family estate while battling with eccentric parents. However, this new version, which will begin filming in late 2026, is introducing a major twist that has everyone talking.
A New Face for the Highlands
The biggest change? The “Monarch” is now a woman. The story follows Isla Campbell, a sharp London lawyer who heads back to Scotland for her father’s funeral. Instead of a quick trip, she finds herself stuck with a massive inheritance: a beautiful family home, a brother who won’t leave, and a whopping £1 million debt.
It’s a “rich and romantic” family saga, according to The Herald, but it feels a bit more “real world” than the original. Isla isn’t just fighting leaky pipes; she’s fighting a bank that wants to take everything. The scripts are being handled by Jeremy Brock, the writer behind The Eagle, so expect plenty of heart but a bit more grit than the early naughties version.
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Why Now? The “Nostalgia” Factor
The timing is quite something. This news comes just weeks after the sad death of Alexander Morton in April 2026. He played the legendary Golly Mackenzie in every series of the original show. The reboot got confirmed just weeks after he died at 81, marking the end of one era and the start of another.
It’s a multi-million-pound collaboration between Channel 5 and PBS Masterpiece. This is the same team responsible for turning All Creatures Great and Small into a giant hit—they know their way around these “cosy” British classics. The Radio Times said the point is to retain that “optimistic” feeling but make it suitable for a 2026 audience.
What to Expect Next
Right now, we don’t have a cast list. The original stars like Alastair Mackenzie and Dawn Steele are busy with other projects, and this reboot is expected to feature a totally fresh set of faces. Production is likely to move between Scotland and Northern Ireland to get those stunning landscapes we all remember.
Look, reboots are always a risk. Some people hate it when you change the main character’s gender or update the “vibe”. But honestly, after a long day, there is something about the Scottish glens that just works on telly. If Channel 5 can capture that same warmth without making it feel like a museum piece, they might have a winner on their hands.
The original show used to pull in over 8 million viewers at its peak. In a world of streaming, those are huge numbers. We’ll have to wait until late 2026 or early 2027 to see if Isla Campbell can win over the fans like Archie did.
The real question is, can you really have Glenbogle without the original gang, or is it time for a new generation to take the reins?
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Sources and Refernces:
- The Sun — Monarch of the Glen to RETURN after 20 years – but with a female lead character (29 April 2026).
- Herald Scotland — BBC drama Monarch of the Glen being rebooted on Channel 5 (the article you linked).
- Radio Times — Iconic ’00s Scottish TV series confirmed to be revived for an all-new series on Channel 5.
- Mirror — BBC’s Monarch of the Glen gets reboot on new channel after 20-year absence.
- Digital Spy — Monarch of the Glen to get “a new era” in reboot on Channel 5.
- Express — Channel 5 reboots noughties hit after more than 20 years.
- TVLine — Monarch Of The Glen Reboot Coming To PBS — With A Twist (US coverage).
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