C4 recommissions sitcom

Channel 4 has ordered a third series of Friday Night Dinner.

Writer and producer Robert Popper revealed that another six episodes are in the pipeline, and are expected to air on early next year.

Filming will start in September.

He wrote on his website: ‘ I can’t wait to be working again with my lovely, ridiculously brilliant cast.

‘So far I’ve written 3 shows, and I’m currently writing/struggling with ep 4, as I’m not sure if I should give Dad the ability to levitate, or to turn himself into a talking sheet of aluminium. Hmmm….

‘Anyway, not to give anything away, I promise one of the shows will be particularly “epic” in its storyline.’

Channel 4 commissioner Nerys Evans added: ‘Roberts's created such a brilliantly warm and funny world, and the cast are just sublime, we can't wait to join them for more Friday Night Dinners next year.’

The first series aired in early 2011, reaching an average overnight audience of 1.35 million, but that fell to under a million for the second run in October and November last year.

The show is made by Big Talk and stars Simon Bird, Tom Rosenthal, Mark Heap, Tamsin Greig and Paul Ritter. It was named best sitcom at last year’s international Rose d’Or Festival.

Published: 9 May 2013