Professor T Set to Return in 2026 as Ben Miller Reflects on Personal Struggles With OCD

Fans of ITV’s acclaimed crime drama Professor T have cause for celebration, as the network has officially confirmed that the brilliant yet eccentric criminologist will return to screens in 2026. Ben Miller reprises his role as Professor Jasper Tempest, the razor-sharp, socially awkward Cambridge academic whose unique mind and unorthodox investigative style have captivated viewers across the UK and beyond.

The series, based on the original Belgian hit, has built a dedicated following for its blend of psychological complexity, dark humour, and intricate mystery-solving. With the new season now in production, anticipation is high—and so is the interest in the character’s deeper emotional layers, which reflect experiences from Miller’s own life.

A Beloved Character Returns

Miller’s portrayal of Professor Tempest has earned widespread praise for its intelligence, precision, and emotional nuance. Tempest is a man of extraordinary analytical ability but crippling social anxiety, driven by a need for order and control. His obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) shapes much of his behaviour—from impeccably arranged desk drawers to sanitising rituals that sometimes interrupt major investigations.

Viewers have long been drawn to the tension between Tempest’s towering intellect and the vulnerabilities that threaten to overwhelm him. This new season, ITV has hinted, will delve even deeper into the professor’s inner world while delivering the high-quality mysteries that fans expect.

Returning alongside Miller is Frances de la Tour as Adelaide Tempest, Jasper’s formidable and complex mother. De la Tour’s performance has become a cornerstone of the series, adding emotional depth and tension as Adelaide’s imposing presence continues to influence—and at times destabilise—her son’s carefully contained world. Their relationship, steeped in childhood trauma, humour, and a lifetime of unspoken truths, remains one of the show’s most intriguing dynamics.

A Season Promising Suspense, Humour, and Psychological Depth

ITV has revealed that the 2026 season will feature a mixture of stand-alone investigations and a longer psychological arc that challenges Tempest both personally and professionally. Viewers can expect intricate cases steeped in deception, moral ambiguity, and the academic world’s darker corners.

Writers promise a careful balance of suspense and levity, staying true to the series’ distinctive tone. Quirky humour, imaginative dream sequences, and Tempest’s blunt—even accidentally hilarious—deliveries are all set to return. However, the season will also explore the emotional toll of Tempest’s condition, his complicated family history, and the fragile balance between genius and instability.

Ben Miller Opens Up About His Own OCD

As excitement builds around the show’s return, Ben Miller has spoken candidly about his personal struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder—experiences that have informed his portrayal of Tempest from the beginning.

In recent interviews, the 55-year-old actor revealed that he battled “unmanageable” OCD during his younger years. Miller described phases in which compulsions and intrusive thoughts dominated his day-to-day life, making simple tasks overwhelming. While he has emphasised that everyone’s experience with OCD differs, his own history has helped him craft a portrayal grounded in accuracy and empathy.

“I know what it feels like when the world becomes too overwhelming, when thoughts spiral and you feel you must control the uncontrollable,” Miller shared. “I recognised some of Jasper’s patterns in myself, and that allowed me to approach the character with honesty rather than stereotype.”

Miller’s openness has been welcomed by mental-health advocates, who applaud the series for helping raise awareness of OCD—a condition frequently misunderstood or misrepresented in the media. Unlike the casual references to neatness or tidiness often associated with the disorder, Professor T depicts it as a serious psychological challenge, woven into Tempest’s life with both compassion and complexity.

A Show That Resonates Beyond Crime Drama

Professor T has distinguished itself not only through its narrative creativity and arresting visuals but also through its emotional resonance. Viewers have praised the show for humanising mental-health struggles while avoiding sentimentality. Tempest is neither romanticised nor defined solely by his condition; rather, his OCD is portrayed as one thread in the fabric of a brilliant, difficult, compelling character.

This nuanced representation is part of why the series has remained so popular. Audiences respond to the idea of a flawed genius who navigates trauma, family dysfunction, and disorder while using his extraordinary mind to bring clarity and justice to complicated cases.

Looking Ahead to 2026

With production underway, casting confirmed, and scripts reportedly sharpening their final edges, fans can look forward to another season rich in mystery, emotion, and psychological intrigue. Ben Miller’s return—alongside Frances de la Tour—promises more of the sharp wit, eccentric charm, and layered storytelling that have made Professor T one of ITV’s most distinctive dramas.

As Miller continues to illuminate both the character and the condition he portrays, Professor T’s next chapter is poised to be its most compelling yet.