BBC renews Coming Of Age
Second series for youth sitcom
BBC Three has commissioned a second series of youth sitcom Coming Of Age.The show is written by 20-year-old newcomer Tim Dawson, based on his experiences of being a sixth-form student in Abingdon, Oxfordshire.
The first episode, which aired in October, attracted 274,000 viewers and a 2.2 per share of the whole viewing audience.
However, the BBC says the show attracted strong ratings, with up to 1.2million viewers over a week, including repeats and iPlayer views.
A spokesman said: ‘Its popularity amongst the youth audience is reflected in its performance on platforms such as the BBC Three website and BBC iPlayer – there was high demand for online premieres of each episode, and the programme was always in the top ten requested programmes on BBC iPlayer the day following transmission.’
Eight new half-hour episodes have now been ordered, which will air on BBC Three sometime next year.
Channel controller Danny Cohen, said: ‘I'm delighted that Coming Of Age has been such a hit with young viewers. The writer Tim Dawson and the young cast are bright emerging stars for the BBC.’
And BBC head of comedy Mark Freeland said: ‘I should be depressed that writers are now half my age. But I'm not. This is a brilliant achievement by an exciting, original writer, prepared to take on audience sitcom.’
Published: 4 Dec 2008
