From thrilling reality shows like Gladiators to beloved family series such as Malcolm in the Middle, revivals are experiencing a surge in popularity – and now a classic British sitcom has officially announced its return after a lengthy absence from the airwaves.
The Inbetweeners captured audiences in the 2000s and 2010s, chronicling the misadventures of a group of socially awkward, foul-mouthed teenagers. It led to two blockbuster movies and introduced catchphrases that became staples in schools throughout the UK (who hasn’t been dubbed a bus w*nker at least once?).
This exciting news comes from creators Damon Beesley and Iain Morris of production company Fudge Park, alongside Banijay UK. If you’re eager to see the iconic quartet back in action, here’s everything we know so far about The Inbetweeners revival.
When is The Inbetweeners returning?
Currently, there are no confirmed dates provided for The Inbetweeners revival; however, an exclusive from The Sun suggests that the series could hit our screens in 2026. Keep in mind that not all sources are echoing this timeline.
Moreover, there are several factors yet to be addressed that will influence the revival’s return.
Simon Bird (Will McKenzie) is currently engaged with filming for Star Wars: Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy. This project began in August and won’t be released until 2027, meaning Bird’s calendar may remain busy for some time.
In addition, Blake Harrison (Neil Sutherland) is occupied with filming Fing, an adaptation of a fantasy adventure series by David Walliams, which has been in production longer than Bird’s Star Wars role.
Alongside scheduling conflicts, the format of The Inbetweeners revival will also play a key role in its timing.
Will The Inbetweeners revival be a TV series or a movie?
Three possibilities are currently being considered for the format of The Inbetweeners revival, as highlighted by Banijay UK’s Patrick Holland. The deal encompasses “the rights and potential to reintroduce The Inbetweeners to new viewers across various media including film, TV, and stage.”
This means The Inbetweeners could return as one or several products, potentially even an unofficial ‘series 4’. However, Joe Thomas shared on the Always Be Comedy podcast:
“I don’t think they could manage another series. It would have to be a film. You would need a very smart premise for another series… A movie seems more viable given the right concept. Creating a second series would be tricky due to the timeline. However, the film format opens up various possibilities.”
Undeniably, creating a film would demand a less significant commitment from the principal cast.
Who will star in The Inbetweeners revival?
Morris and Beasley expressed their excitement about the revival, stating: “We’re incredibly thrilled to be plotting more escapades for our four favorite friends (ooh friends).”
This suggests that the original four cast members are likely to return: Simon Bird as Will McKenzie, Joe Thomas as Simon Cooper, James Buckley as Jay Cartwright, and Blake Harrison as Neil Sutherland.
No other supporting actors have been officially announced yet. However, returning faces from the original series might include Emily Head as Carli D’Amato, Henry Lloyd-Hughes as Mark Donovan, Emily Atack as Charlotte Hinchcliffe, and of course, Greg Davies as Mr. Gilbert.
What might the plot of The Inbetweeners revival entail?
Much like several other facets of this project, the storyline is still uncertain. However, Thomas shared his perspective on a potential plot during the aforementioned podcast:
“Adolescents experience emotions very intensely, and their fears and hopes can feel even larger than those of adults. Yet, when it comes to writing comedy, the range of scenarios is somewhat limited. They essentially revolve around simple dilemmas, like ‘Will we get into that party or not?’
“In contrast, adults juggle many more responsibilities. That’s why special events, like stag nights, create interesting set pieces. But, those situations risk being unrepresentative of their normal lives, so it begs the question: are we seeing them as they truly are, or merely their alter egos in Las Vegas?”
James Buckley had previously expressed concerns regarding a potential comeback, noting the main characters would likely have changed significantly over the years:
“They were never heroes… They were just idiots who received their just desserts… That’s the reason it can’t make a return – you can’t have men in their late thirties behaving like schoolboys and not facing consequences.”
Bird also mentioned how the original series has not aged gracefully due to its themes of sexism and homophobia. This raises a vital question regarding the revival’s direction.
As expected, the characters will be older now—some may even be married or have children. It remains to be seen whether the show’s original premise will still resonate with an adult audience.
The four cast members did previously reunite for a one-off special titled Fwends Reunited in 2019 with Jimmy Carr; however, it received significant criticism from fans and critics alike.
Which channel will broadcast The Inbetweeners revival?
This is yet to be determined. If it ends up being a film, it might get a theatrical release or go directly to streaming on platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or Disney+.
If a series emerges, it’s likely to air on Channel 4, given that E4 was the original show’s network—unless the rights have shifted funds.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
However, revivals don’t always adhere to the same network. For instance, the original Gladiators aired on ITV, whereas the newer version is being shown on the BBC.
Once the format of The Inbetweeners revival—be it a series, film, or stage production—is established, more details on how to view it should follow.
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