Karl Pilkington to return for Sick Of It Series 2
- Sky One has ordered a second series of Karl Pilkington's sitcom Sick Of It
- Series 2 - expected in 2019 - will see Aunt Norma replace Karl with a young care worker
- Karl Pilkington says he should be happy about Series 2, but isn't looking forward to the stress of writing it
Sick Of It, the sitcom starring Karl Pilkington, is to return for a second series.
The first six-part run aired on Sky One in September and October, and now the network has ordered another batch of episodes, which are expected to be filmed in 2019.
Written by Pilkington and director Richard Yee, Sick Of It sees Pilkington playing a version of himself, as well as a visible manifestation of the voice inside his head. A crotchety middle-aged cabbie, the comedy sees Karl recently ditched by his long-term girlfriend, now muddling through life and attempting to make sense of the modern world.
Living with his elderly Auntie Norma (Sondra James) since the break up, his closest companion is now his own inner self, his uncensored inner-monologue that just won't shut up: "the voice in his head who says what he really thinks without the risk of offending others".
Series 2 will see Aunt Norma replace Karl with a young, "sparky" care worker, triggering a bout of soul searching for Karl about how little he's achieved in his life. As he attempts to get a new job, earn enough money to move out of Norma's house and start dating again, he has to contend with the new carer who not only looks after Norma but begins to take over his life too.
Karl Pilkington says: "I should be chuffed that people liked it enough that Sky want a second series, but just like in Sick Of It, my inner voice is reminding me of the sleepless nights and stress I went through when doing the first series. I can never enjoy anything."
Richard Yee adds: "There's no one able to express the anxiety and confusion of the modern world with as much wit and humanity as Karl, so it's a joy to be bringing him and his miserable alter ego back for a second series of Sick Of It."
Jon Mountague, Sky's head of comedy, comments: "The 'real' Special One is coming back to Sky One and so is his inner self. We couldn't be more thrilled."
Sick Of It is the first scripted series Karl Pilkington has written. Talking about his motivations for making the show, in an interview about Series 1 he said: "I thought I'd had enough of telly. I'd bought my house and once I got it paid for I thought, 'well that's all we're working for'. But after having a bit of time off, I just got bored.
"After doing all the travel stuff for God knows how long, I'd had enough of hanging around airports and feeling jetlagged. But then I met up with Richard. He directed some of the trips in An Idiot Abroad and The Moaning Of Life and he asked me if I wanted to have a go at writing something. And we sat down and chatted about the programmes I liked and it just sort of went from there. It was just something to do."