Bob Servant to return to BBC Four for a second series
BBC Four has ordered a second series of Bob Servant Independent.
The sitcom, which stars Brian Cox and Jonathan Watson, follows the story of 'businessman, raconteur and optimist' Bob Servant and his sidekick Frank as they go about adventures in the Scottish town of Broughty Ferry.
The first series of the comedy, which was broadcast in January 2013, saw Bob stand in a local by-election with the help of Frank, a move which put him up against slick career politician Nick Edwards (played by Rufus Jones).
The show, created by Neil Forsyth, started life as a series of books in which the character replied to spam mail, before transferring to BBC Radio Scotland, and from there onto television.
The BBC has now confirmed the show is to return, with filming due to start in Broughty Ferry in May. The series will be broadcast nationally by BBC Four, and on BBC Two Scotland in the region, later in 2014.
Initially just three episodes will be filmed, but it is hoped that a third series can be written and shot at a later date if the writer and actors' schedules can accommodate it.
The first series, which ran for 6 episodes, was also initially ordered as a 3-part run, however BBC executives commissioned a further three editions to make a regular length 6-episode series.
Series 2 will see the show re-named simply Bob Servant, to reflect the fact that the character is no longer an independent candidate in an election, having lost the vote at the end of Series 1. The new series will see Bob and Frank picking up their lives after the electors gave the thumbs-down to their distinctive brand of politics. Despite money and respect levels running low, and female attention as elusive as ever, their ambition remains undimmed.
Brian Cox jokes: "Doing Bob Servant was the worst experience of my long career, working with no hoper talents like Neil Forsyth and the rest of them. But these things are sent to try us and occasionally we must fly the flag for the afflicted. One has to be generous at my great age so I am happy to endorse the new series of Bob Servant. For no hopers they're awffy nice people. I remember when I used to make movies!"
Neil Forsyth adds: "I'm delighted that Bob will be back on the telly. As always, he has proven that if you knock him down then he'll just lie there until you think he's dead, and then very slowly get back up."
Ewan Angus from BBC Scotland comments: "The audience enjoyed watching the duo's unorthodox campaign unfold and I'm sure they'll be just as intrigued to see how Bob and Frank attempt to bounce back in Broughty Ferry."
Bob Servant is one of a number of comedy series for BBC Four. The station recently announced Detectorists, In And Out Of The Kitchen, Life Of Rock With Brian Pern and The Walshes. It has also commissioned a sitcom from Joanna Scanlan and Vicki Pepperdine titled Puppy Love and ordered more episodes of Up The Women.
In August last year it was revealed that Bob Servant writer Neil Forsyth is also working on an American project. Every Other Saturday is a sitcom pilot for the ABC network about a good-hearted yet flawed father trying to win over his son after a divorce.
Below is a the trailer that was used to promote Bob Servant Independent last year:
Additional note: Website Chortle has published an interview with Neil Forsyth in which, talking about the new series, he says "It's a slightly more thoughtful Bob and a slightly more ambitious Frank. I wanted to examine and test their relationship this time": Read