Mrs Brown's Boys will RETURN to screens with a new series for the first time in 10 years - after two-year filming delay due to the pandemic

 

Mrs Brown's Boys is returning to TV for a new four-part series.

The hit sitcom has been a fixture of the Christmas TV schedules for over a decade but the upcoming episodes will mark the first new series since 2013.

Creator Brendan O'Carroll - who also leads the cast as matriarch Agnes Brown - admitted the show has been 'thwarted twice' due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as it was originally scheduled to hit screens in 2021.

Speaking of the new series, which will be filmed in spring ahead of broadcast later this year after a 10-year break, the 67-year-old comic said: 'This mini-series was actually planned for 2021.

'Having been thwarted twice, firstly by Covid-19 and then by a post-Covid shortage of studios, it's fantastic to, at last, have the chance to make it happen. 

Fasten your seatbelts and hold on to your hats!'

BBC bosses are delighted to have the show back.

Josh Cole, head of comedy at BBC Studios, and Steven Canny, executive producer, said: 'There's no one quite like Mrs Brown. 

'An absolute force of outrageous wit and slapstick that has audiences hooked and belly laughing. It's great to be back.'

Jon Petrie, director of comedy, added: 'BBC Comedy are pleased to announce that after a decade since the last full series of Mrs Brown's Boys, millions of viewers around the UK will be thrilled to hear that Brendan is bringing Agnes and the family back together for a brand-new mini-series of his award-winning show.'

Brendan previously revealed he would love to get U2 on the show, even though he isn't a fan of celebrity cameos.

He said: 'Normally we would never have famous people as guest stars on 'Mrs. Brown's Boys'. It's not something we do.

'But the one thing I would love to do is have Bono and U2 on. I would get them to play Foley's at the end of the episode.'

Brendan admitted he has the dream plot all figured out.

He said: 'I'd have Agnes go up to them on the stage just as they start playing one of their hits and go, 'I don't want to hear any of that s***'.

'And then she gets them to play crooner songs. That's my one wish so let's see if that ever works out.'

It was previously reported in 2020 that show creator Brendan signed a new deal with the broadcaster to keep Mrs. Brown's Boys on the air until 2026.

He added that the new contract guarantees that every festive edition he creates will be given a coveted slot of 10pm every Christmas Day.

If they are not given the spot, they are reportedly not obliged to make the Christmas episode at all. 

Brendan told the Irish Sun: 'We've been doing it for nine years already – which is six more than The Royle Family had and more than Morecambe and Wise. 

'This new deal we signed last week goes all the way to 2026, which means I will be able to grow into the part, and we've a clause in which guarantees Mrs Brown is aired at 10pm on Christmas night, or else we don't have to make it.'

He added of the deal: 'I wanted that because if it's not good enough for Christmas Day, then we shouldn't be making it.' 

The show has received a number of awards including the 2012 BAFTA Television Award for Best Situation Comedy and Best Comedy at the TV Choice Awards the same year.

Brenden was nominated for the BAFTA for Best Male Performance in a Comedy Programme in 2012 but lost out to Darren Boyd for his role in the Sky comedy series Spy.