Cuckoo returns with 2 more series
- BBC Three sitcom Cuckoo will return for two brand new series
- The news was confirmed as Series 3 drew to a close, having proved popular on iPlayer and BBC One
- All the key cast will return, with Series 4 due to be filmed early in 2017
BBC Three has confirmed the commissioning of two further series of sitcom Cuckoo.
In a statement, the BBC said: "Cuckoo will continue its successful relationship with BBC Three with a further two series. The award-winning British comedy starring Greg Davies, Taylor Lautner, Tyger Drew-Honey, Esther Smith and Helen Baxendale and produced by Roughcut Television will be back to Lichfield for a fourth and fifth outing."
Cuckoo launched in 2012, pitting stern father and husband Ken (Greg Davies) against Cuckoo, the American hippie who daughter Rachel has met and married whilst travelling on a gap year.
Following the departure of titular actor Andy Samberg, Series 2 returned with Twilight film star Taylor Lautner as Dale, a man whom Cuckoo had unknowingly fathered some 18 years earlier now joining the chaotic Thomas family household.
The series also features Helen Baxendale as Ken's wife, Lorna; Tyger Drew-Honey as their younger child, Dylan; and Esther Smith as Rachel.
After the closure of BBC Three as a channel earlier this year the programme has been published weekly on iPlayer, becoming one of the platform's most popular comedy shows in the process. The BBC says the series "has been a permanent fixture in BBC iPlayer's Most Popular since launch".
Dan Hine, executive producer for production company Roughcut, says: "Like anxious parents, we watched Cuckoo leap into the brave new world of BBC Three online but we needn't have worried. We're delighted it connected with such a wide audience. The response to this series has been outstanding, which is testament to our hugely talented cast and crew. We can't wait to engineer another few rounds of mayhem for Dale, Chief Ken and the rest of the Thompson clan."
The third series has received a television broadcast in a late-night slot on Mondays onBBC One. The seven-part series concluded this week, having attracted around 1.2 million viewers for each episode.
BBC Three's Damian Kavanagh comments: "Cuckoo is brilliant, it's coming back to BBC Three for two new series. What's not to love about that? BBC Three is all about backing the best original British comedy that young people love, and they love Cuckoo."
BBC Comedy Commissioner Shane Allen adds: "Cuckoo has proved itself as a monster BBC Three hit with plenty more comedy gas in the tank. It is world-class in the writing, performance and direction and a great sign of what BBC Three can achieve. The opportunity for long-form comedy remains a huge priority on Three as we back 10 series a year with the best of new British comedy talent."
Originally intended to enter production in the second half of 2016, due to other commitments of Taylor Lautner Series 4 of Cuckoo will be filmed early in 2017. Series 5 is expected to be filmed alongside it.
In the below video, Tyger Drew-Honey goes behind-the-scenes on the last series of the show: