BBC avoids Avoidance

Romesh Ranganathan's comedy dropped after two series

Romesh Ranganathan's BBC comedy Avoidance has been axed after two series, the comedian has said.

He broke the news on the Wolf and Owl podcast he shares with comedian Tom Davis.

Discussing the possibility of a second series, Ranganathan said: ‘Thankfully, the commissioners have taken care of that for me.’

But he also made out he was following in the footsteps of The Office in making two seasons, saying: ‘We just thought the story was told. We’re following The Office model – just like two and done’

In the show, Ranganathan played Jonathan, a man who is thrown out by his partner Claire, played by Jessica Knappett.

But he is so averse to difficult conversations, that rather than telling his son that his mum and dad are splitting up, he takes his young Spencer to hide out with his sister Danielle (Mandeep Dhillon) and her wife (Lisa McGrillis).

Aisling Bea also has a role in the second series, which aired earlier this year.

The show divided critics with The Guardian calling it ‘a gentle, truthful, beautifully performed comedy’ in a four-star review, but the Daily Telegraph said the ‘bleak’ show had ‘almost no redeeming features’.

Avoidance is available to stream now on BBC iPlayer.

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Published: 14 Jul 2024