Aisling Bea and Sharon Horgan to return

Channel 4 has officially confirmed that Aisling Bea comedy This Way Up is to return for a second series.

The broadcaster has commissioned another six half-hour episodes of the show, which co-stars Sharon Horgan as the sister of Bea’s character, Aine.

In series two Aine starts  to leave her time in rehab behind and live less cautiously, while Shona (Horgan) is now newly engaged.

Bea also created the comedy, which airs on Hulu in America, and previously confirmed she was making a second series on Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre Podcast back in March

She said today: ‘I am over the moon that our little baby This Way Up gets to grow up and start school.

‘Thanks to its grandparents Channel 4 and Hulu for paying its school fees and to my wonderful team, crew and cast for helping bring it to life the first-time round.  I was so overwhelmed by the love and support for the show. 

‘The themes of loneliness and vulnerability seemed to connect in a far more widespread way than I had anticipated, and it feels particularly relevant writing series two during the last few months.

‘I was so touched by the people from different countries, ages, genders and backgrounds who have gotten in touch to share their stories since the show has aired.

‘I'm entirely grateful to be working and to be able to get our brilliant team back to work too, even though it is odd as hell filming during a worldwide pandemic. Our priority will be to keep our crew and cast safe and healthy whilst also staying creative and trying to make the best show we can.

‘I hope you love seeing where Aine and Shona have moved on to. In the meantime, thank you to everyone who has offered myself and Sharon large record deals since hearing us sing Zombie and please wear a mask literally, but drop your metaphorical one.’

This Way Up is made by Horgan’s company Merman. She said: ‘It’s been a really tough, strange old year. We know we’re lucky to be back working at all but especially lucky to be working again on This Way Up.

‘Aish continues to make us laugh and cry with her observations on life and love and loneliness.  I can’t wait to be her sister again so I can legitimately give her a dead arm whenever I feel like it."    

Jack Bayles, commissioning editor for Channel 4 added: ‘In This Way Up, Aisling and the team have created something both beautifully observed and infectiously funny. It was a glorious first outing packed with skilful writing and outstanding performances. Like all fans of the show, we can't wait to dive back in!’

• Horgan is also working on a new half-hour comedy drama for Hulu set in the world of internet dating. Out There revolves around a woman who thinks she’s found the perfect man online, but who turns out to be a bot programmed to steal her identity, ruin her reputation and destroy her life. It is based on a New Yorker short story from Kate Folk, who is writing the script with Horgan.

Written by: Aisling Bea
Produced by: Merman
Directed by: Alex Winckler
Produced by: Gavin O’Grady
Executive producers: Clelia Mountford, Sharon Horgan and Aisling Bea
Recommissioned for Channel 4 by: Jack Bayles, commissioning editor for comedy and Fiona McDermott, head of Channel 4 comedy

Here is a clip from series one:

Published: 20 Nov 2020