...but no new series for ITV2's ancient Roman sitcom

Plebs is to come to an end with a feature-length special.

The ITV2 sitcom will not be returning for a sixth series, its writer and director Sam Leifer has revealed.

He told The Sun: ‘After five series, we wanted to go out with a bang. So we’re sending the plebs off to join the army.

‘Unsurprisingly, they won’t cover themselves in glory or return as conquering heroes.

Tom Rosenthal, Ryan Sampson and Jon Pointing will return for the episode, which Leifer co-wrote with Tom Basden, who also appears as slave Grumio.

Leifer added:  ‘Personally, I’m looking forward to watching Tom crawling on his hands and knees through the mud.'

Plebs launched in 2013 and has attracted a number of high-profile cameos including Tony Robinson, Amanda Holden, Danny Dyer, Aisling Bea, Nigel Lindsay and Christopher Biggins.

Makers Rise Films were due to film the feature-length episode this summer for broadcast in the autumn – but the lockdown means it might not make it to air until next year.

Published: 30 Apr 2020