Crackanory Series 4 confirmed
- Crackanory will return to Dave for 8 new episodes in early 2017
- Sheridan Smith, Dara O Briain, Doc Brown, Anna Friel and Mackenzie Crook will be reading stories
- Miriam Margolyes, Bob Mortimer and Mel Giedroyc are also signed up, with each story now 30 minutes in length
Channel Dave has confirmed that Crackanory, the comedy in which comedians read blackly comic stories, will return for a fourth series.
This time the run has been extended to eight episodes, and each episode will feature just one narrator, who will present an extended half-hour tale.
Sheridan Smith, Dara O Briain, Doc Brown, Anna Friel, Mackenzie Crook, Miriam Margolyes, Bob Mortimer and Mel Giedroyc have been signed up to front the episodes.
As before, each story will be brought to life with live action, with Dave promising the series will feature "some of Britain's best comedy actors".
UKTV's Tanya Qureshi says: "We are thrilled to be bringing back the award-winning Crackanory for a fourth time on Dave. It has become one of our landmark brands and the ambitions of the show continue to grow with each new series. We're hugely excited to see the storytelling format evolve into a single narrative per episode, and to reveal the talented narrators who will be taking a seat in the iconic Crackanory chair."
Producer Arnold Widdowson adds: "Crackanory is possibly the most addictive show to work on - each series provides a blank slate from which we can transport the viewer into any world we want. From a barbershop competition in 1940s New York to bloodthirsty ancient Rome, every episode we stretch ourselves to create increasingly twisted and exciting original stories.
"The longer format for this series allows us time to delve into each world even more deeply, creating a truly captivating half hour of storytelling for the audience. What other show gives you cryogenically frozen men, lies that come to life, deranged dictators, and Edwardian magicians? I'm thrilled and incredibly lucky to be working with such imaginative writers and brilliant storytellers."
As was the case with the previous series, Dave has partnered with Audible to fund the programme. As a result, the TV broadcasts will be sponsored by Audible, whilst Audible subscribers will be able to download audio versions of the stories, plus some exclusive tales, and additional content featuring the narrators.
Kate Norum from UKTV says: "We are genuinely delighted to be partnering with the team at Audible again for series four of Crackanory. This series' collaboration has been designed to deliver even more exclusive content to their subscribers, as well as providing the brilliant on-screen association with fantastic stories and story-telling which Crackanory offers them."
Crackanory will return to Dave in early 2017. More details on the stories and actors involved will be revealed nearer the time.