New 6-Part Crime Sitcom With Doctor Who Star Debuts To Strong Rotten Tomatoes Score

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Mandip Gill and Dawn French in Can You Keep a Secret?

Published Feb 16, 2026, 6:47 PM EST

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Following its season 1 finale on February 11, Can You Keep a Secret? has debuted to a strong Rotten Tomatoes score.

The British sitcom stars Mandip Gill, who is perhaps best known as the companion Yasmin Khan in the 2018 season of Doctor Who, who went on to appear in every episode during Jodie Whittaker's run as the Thirteenth Doctor, spanning series 11, 12, and 13, as well as a set of specials released in 2022.

Now, after finishing its first season, Can You Keep a Secret? has debuted with an 88% score from the critics on Rotten Tomatoes. The show only has eight reviews at the time of writing, so its score could fluctuate as more are published. With fewer than 50 ratings, it doesn't yet have an audience score.

Can You Keep a Secret? premiered on BBC on January 7 and finished its first season on February 11, with all six episodes also streaming on Paramount+ in the United States.

Created by Simon Mayhew-Archer, loosely based on the John Darwin disappearance case, Can You Keep a Secret? follows a retired couple who fake their death to claim an insurance payout, and then go into hiding while waiting for their money, placing their family under strain through secrecy and unconventional living arrangements.

The show stars Mandip Gill as a local police officer, PC Neha Fendon, alongside Dawn French, Mark Heap, and Craig Roberts as part of the main cast. Sam Battersea, Gregory Gudgeon, Geraldine McNulty, Heather Seymour, Shola Adewusi, Adam Drake, Shivani Thussu, Mona Goodwin, Paul Chahidi, and Ian Barritt appear in recurring roles.

Overall, critics are calling Can You Keep a Secret? a warm and charming comedy built on eccentric family dynamics. Reviewers praise its balanced cast, grounded writing, and strong performances that bring humor and heart. Many call it soothing, witty, and surprisingly engaging – with a distinctive premise and relatable portrayal of retirement and relationships for modern audiences everywhere.

While most reviews are positive, some find the humor gentle rather than hilarious and question its staying power. One critic calls it thin and underwhelming, carried mainly by a lead performance. Still, others highlight its sharp comic timing, emotional warmth, and original storyline, arguing that Can You Keep a Secret? deserves attention and rewards viewers who appreciate low-key character-driven comedy.