C4 orders fifth series

A fifth series of Peep Show has been commissioned - before the fourth series has even aired.

Channel 4 are thought to have swooped to secure David Mitchell and Robert Webb, in case their careers took off further.

Peep Show has always been a critical success, but ratings have failed to reflect that, with the show attracting audiences of around 1.3 million mark at 10pm on Friday nights.

However, a Channel 4 spokesman confirmed they have ordered another six-part series from makers Objective Productions – demonstrating they still have faith.

‘It is such a good show and we didn't want to get into a situation where we couldn't get Robert and David when we wanted them,’ one C4 executive told MediaGuardian.

‘People who love it love it and rightly so, but for the next two series we will be hoping for it to do in ratings terms what it has always done in terms of its sheer quality.’

In December, Peep Show beat Extras to the best comedy prize at the British Comedy Awards. But Ricky Gervai has always championed the programme, calling it ‘the best show on television today’.

Peep Show storylines for the fourth series, which starts next month, include Mark (David Mitchell) spending a horrific weekend with his girlfriend Sophie’s argumentative parents, trying to get his gym instructor sacked, and also ‘getting involved in a spot of arson’. Meanwhile, Jeremy sleeps with Sophie’s mother.

Michell and Webb – currently starring in the Mac vs PC computer ads – are also about to star in a new film from Peep Show writers Jesse Armstrong & Sam Bain, Magicians. See trailer below:

Published: 21 Mar 2007