The Outlaws returning to BBC One for Series 3
- The BBC has confirmed that The Outlaws is returning for a third series
- Stephen Merchant says: "I'm actually quite excited by the idea of doing a series 3. Partly because of that writers room so you can keep yourself stimulated by different voices. And also, because there's so many characters, you can just keep going"
- Development on the upcoming series has been underway for more than a year
The Outlaws will return for a third series, the BBC has confirmed.
Work on further episodes has been underway for some time and creator Stephen Merchant has spoken of his desire to continue the show in several interviews.
Last year he told the Radio Times: "We started talking about Series 3 and we found there was so much meat still on the bone and still so much to do with the characters.
"I'm actually quite excited by the idea of doing a Series 3. Partly because of that writers room so you can keep yourself stimulated by different voices. And also, because there's so many characters, you can just keep going."
The BBC officially confirmed the recommission in its 2023 - 2024 annual plan, published yesterday, though it gives no further details on when the crime thriller comedy will resume filming in Bristol, or air.
Starring Merchant, Christopher Walken, Eleanor Tomlinson, Darren Boyd, Rhianne Barreto, Gamba Cole, Clare Perkins and Jessica Gunning, The Outlaws's second series ended with Greg (Merchant) impulsively quitting his job and taking the plunge with a date, Gabby (Tomlinson) attending a support group to try to get off drugs and Frank (Walken) leaving his family at the request of his daughter (Dolly Wells).
Earning Merchant an outstanding comedy actor nomination at this year's National Comedy Awards, the second series was shot back-to-back with the first and generally strongly reviewed. The Telegraph called it a "glinting crown jewel", praising Merchant and co-creator Elgin James for keeping "it richly stocked with fizzing gags".
The Guardian meanwhile, felt it stood apart as a comedy thriller, noting that "blessed with the writing nous and Hollywood clout that an A-lister like Merchant brings, [it] is the first in a while to get the right blend of small-time pratfalls and twisting, propulsive, cinematic narrative".
British Comedy Guide has approached the BBC for further details but it has declined to comment.
The Outlaws - Series One
The brand new BBC One series co-created by Stephen Merchant.
In this sharp new comedy drama, an unlikely group of lawbreakers are forced to work together in a community payback project. These seven strangers have nothing in common but as new friendships emerge, dark secrets are revealed. When the group are unwittingly drawn into a dangerous criminal conspiracy, they must break down the barriers between them before they can fight for what's right.
Combining crime thriller and character study with humour and heart, The Outlaws is a story about finding common ground during divided times.
Starring: Christopher Walken, Stephen Merchant, Rhianne Barreto, Gamba Cole, Clare Perkins, Eleanor Tomlinson, Jessica Gunning, Darren Boyd and Dolly Wells.
First released: Monday 6th December 2021
DVD- Distributor: BBC Studios
- Region: 2
- Discs: 2
- Minutes: 360
- Subtitles: English
Buy and sell old and new items
Search for this product on eBay
BCG may earn commission on sales generated through the links above.
The Outlaws - Series Two
BAFTA winner Stephen Merchant's lively comedy thriller returns. Can the outlaws beat a drug lord at his own game?
While performing community service, Bristol's most unlikely outlaws have wound up on the wrong side of the law. Again... The money the group 'accidentally' stole is catching up with them, and the criminal underworld is tightening its grip. Literally.
Rani manages to buy the group some extra time. There's just one catch: they're going to have to become drug dealers to earn back the stolen money. And they're going to have to do it with the police breathing down their necks and - even worse - community support officer Diane.
It'll take all the gang's skills to outwit a criminal mastermind: Christian's street smarts, Myrna's community outreach work, Gabby's celebrity, John's business sense, Frank's con-artist tricks and Greg's really, really bad lawyering. But have the gang crossed a line - and what if the thrill of the chase is too good to give up?
First released: Monday 11th July 2022
DVD- Distributor: BBC
- Region: 2 & 4
- Discs: 2
- Minutes: 354
- Subtitles: English
Buy and sell old and new items
Search for this product on eBay
BCG may earn commission on sales generated through the links above.