David Walliams and Matt Lucas are planning a podcast and a stage show – while they are also in talks with Netflix over a TV series.
The pair were first linked to the streamer in 2022 when it was revealed they wanted to bring back Little Britain, although it was subsequently reported they had other ideas.
Speaking on Virgin Radio yesterday, Walliams said he had this week met with Lucas to progress their plans. ‘We just had a meeting with Netflix, which is very exciting,’ he told host Ryan Tubridy.
‘We've got a few ideas we're developing and it’s exciting. We want to do something on stage, we want to do something as a podcast that we've just started working on and obviously we want to do something on TV.’
The pair have faced a backlash for some of their old Little Britain and Come Fly With Me characters, with scenes branded racist and offensive. Little Britain was even removed from Netflix in 2020 because of concerns over its content.
Walliams said during his radio interview: ‘Offence and shock can actually be quite exciting. I love being shocked.
‘I mean, offence is a bit different. And as a white, middle-aged man, things don't offend you in the same way as they might if you were a member of a minority group. But comedy has got to be playful.’
‘I mean, offence is a bit of a different, I think. And as a white, middle-aged man, things don't offend you in the same way as they might if you were a member of a minority group.
'But at the same time I think comedy has got to be playful and the thing is, if you all worried every time you make a joke…,’ before trialing off. ‘You have half a second to decide whether the thing you’re going to say you’re going to say it or not,’ he added.
Walliams also said the duo’s shows have found a new audience online. explaining: ‘It’s interesting how that generation and teenagers are actually getting into things like Little Britain and Come Fly With Me and a lot of sketch comedy because they can share it as clips. It suits that.
‘People are doing great work now but very few people are doing sketch shows, very few people are doing characters… It’s great that it’s still making people laugh.’
He also confirmed that his children’s book Fing is ‘progressing as a movie’ to be filmed in Australia next year.
Hollywood press last week reported that Rafe Spall and newcomer Iona Bell are to star with Taika Waititi also in talks to appear.
Walliams said he would have a small part in the film, which revolves around librarians Mr and Mrs Meek, who will do anything to keep their demanding daughter Myrtle happy.
Here’s the Virgin Radio interview in full:
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