Julia Davis comedy Hunderby to return to Sky Atlantic
Dark comedy Hunderby is to return to Sky Atlantic for a two-part special later this year.
Starring and co-written by Julia Davis, a series of the period-based dark comedy was broadcast between August and October 2012 on the satellite channel, quickly becoming a cult hit.
It has been known for some time that Sky was keen to return to the fictional village, with the network finally revealing today that Davis and Barunka O'Shaughnessy have now written two hour-long episodes, which will be filmed soon.
The channel confirms: "Hunderby returns to Sky Atlantic with a two-hour special, with filming due to commence this Spring. The British Comedy Award-winning comedy from BAFTA winning writer and actress Julia Davis picks up where Series 1 left off..."
Set in the early 1830s, the pre-Victorian comedy is set in a small English coastal village. It focuses on Helene (Alexandra Roach), a shipwreck survivor with no memory of her former life, who is swept off her feet by widowed pastor Edmund (Alex MacQueen).
With housekeeper Dorothy (Davis) far too devoted to him and to the memory of his late wife, Edmund soon marries Helene, believing her to be untouched by any other man. However, Helene begins to remember her past and is determined to keep it a secret - despite Dorothy's best efforts and intentions.
The Baby Cow series also starred Rufus Jones as Dr Foggerty and Rosie Cavaliero as his wife, Hesther, culminating in the revelation of a host of dark, deeply disturbing secrets.
Talking about the plot of the final episodes, Sky Atlantic says: "This two-part special finds Hunderby still reeling from the revelations of the series finale.
Put-upon heroine Helene wants a happy life with her new baby and the dashing Dr Foggerty. She is thwarted, as ever, by the wicked machinations of housekeeper Dorothy and the bitter jealousy of Foggerty's sister/wife, Crippled Hesther.
"Dorothy herself will not rest till she has bagged the Master of Hunderby, Pastor Edmund, though he's been crushed by the fat wife he thought dead and led astray by the sexually dubious Brother Joseph. Two newcomers to Hunderby add to the drama - an irresistible French sexpot and a homophobic locum pastor with a taste for hanging."
Julia Davis says: "We are very excited about revisiting Hunderby, dressing up in old clothes, getting everyone back together and working with Sky Atlantic again."
Sky's Head Of Comedy Lucy Lumsden adds: "We couldn't be happier about the return to Hunderby. Julia Davis is such a rare talent and Sky Atlantic the perfect home for her unique voice and vision."
Titled Hunderby Revisited, the specials will be shown on Sky Atlantic later this year.
A Guardian interview with Sky Atlantic boss Zai Bennett suggests the episodes will be shown at Christmas. It also confirmed that Julia Davis would move on to a new, different but currently un-specified project with the channel in 2016.
Hunderby Series 1 is available to buy on DVD
Here is the trailer used to promote the first series: