Second series to film later this year

ITV has ordered a second series of Birds of a Feather.

The revival of the Nineties sitcom has been attracting average audiences of 8 million, making it the broadcaster’s most successful comedy launch in more than a decade.

Pauline Quirke, Linda Robson and Lesley Joseph will all return for the new episodes, which will be filmed later this year. And Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, who originally created the show for BBC One, will writer the new episodes with Gary Lawson and John Phelps.

Gran said: ‘We're delighted Birds of a Feather was such a success on ITV and really pleased to be asked to write another series. We hope the further adventures of Sharon, Tracey and Dorien will continue to thrill audiences young and old.’

ITV’s director of comedy and entertainment, Elaine Bedell, said: ‘We’re very pleased that the brilliant chemistry between these three great actresses once again attracted the large and loyal audience that Birds of a Feather deserves. The writers and producers have done a fantastic job in making the show feel funny, fresh and relevant.’

The show originally ran for nine series on the BBC, but the corporation was reportedly not interested in reviving it for another run, so the creators took it to ITV.

Published: 7 Mar 2014