BBC 'putting the band back together' for eighth series of Two Doors Down after creator's death

The sit com, which stars actors including Alex Norton, Doon Mackichan and Elaine C Smith, is to return to a full series for the first time since January 2024.

Mr Carlyle died at the age of 48 in August 2023. He had worked with Two Doors Down co-creator Gregor Sharp for 23 years, on shows which also included Happy Hollidays and Thin Ice.

After Mr Carlyle’s death, Mr Sharp said he believed he would not return to the show, however, the cast was reunited for a one-off Christmas episode last December, with Mr Sharp saying his friend “would have approved” of the plan.

A sitcom about a group of neighbours living in a typical suburban street, the show began life as a one-off Hogmanay special in 2013.

It is also to be revived as a live show at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro in September.

Filmed in Glasgow, the new series will pick up where the 2025 Christmas special left off, with Beth and Eric still clinging to the hope of a quiet life, despite chaotic neighbours Colin, Cathy and Christine.

Writer and co-creator Mr Sharp said he was “really excited” for the new series.

He said: “It was a lot of fun putting the band back together for the Christmas episode last year, so I’m really excited to be coming back with some new tunes, which we hope will turn out just as special.

“The cast are the most talented group of performers you could wish for, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Speaking on the set of the Christmas special, last year, he said filming had been a “happy and joyous experience to be back together again” and said cast and crew had wanted to make sure any new material was something Mr Sharp would have approved of.

Jon Petrie, BBC director of comedy, said: “Eight series in, and the team are still making a world that audiences properly love spending time in. That’s no mean feat, and it’s a huge credit to the talent, care and commitment behind the show. We’re really proud to bring it back for another series.”

Louise Thornton, head of commissioning for BBC Scotland said: “It’s fantastic to be returning once more to Latimer Crescent and these wonderfully written and performed characters.

“We know how much they are loved by audiences up and down the country and we’re delighted to be bringing it back and stepping back in to their lives once again.”

Josh Cole, chief commercial officer of BBC Studios fiction and comedy, said: “We’re thrilled to be returning to Latimer Crescent, and are certainly more excited to see Cathy, Colin, Christine and the gang descend on their neighbours than we suspect Eric and Beth might be.”

Two Doors Down is a BBC Studios Comedy production for BBC iPlayer, BBC One and BBC Scotland.