James R | On 01, Nov 2017

ITV Head of Drama Polly Hill has ordered a new season of Cold Feet, following its second revival run this year.

Written and created by Mike Bullen, the series stars James Nesbitt, Hermione Norris, Robert Bathurst, Fay Ripley and John Thomson as the nation’s favourite 50-something friends, as we follow their lives in Manchester. The show, now in its eighth run, is currently celebrating its 20th anniversary after a triumphant return to ITV screens in September 2016. The revuvak was one of the channel’s most successful drama launches of 2016, prompting a second run in 2017. That season screened in a new Friday slot, achieving a consolidated average of 5.1 million and a 21.3% audience share.

“With the cast as likeable as ever,” we wrote in our review of the latest season, “it’s still a pleasure to catch back up with these familiar faces: thanks to good will they’ve got in the bank, there’s more than enough time to slip back into the water and wait for dramatic waves to kick in.”

Mike Bullen comments “I’m delighted that viewers still feel invested in the lives and loves of our imperfect heroes. And I’m excited that we’re being given the opportunity to tell the next chapter of their stories. We’ve got plenty of trials and tribulations in store for them as they navigate their way through middle age, and more than a few laughs and tears along the way.”

The new six-part season will go into production next spring in Manchester for broadcast later in 2018.

 

Trailer: Cold Feet revival returns for new season

22nd August 2017

A year after the gang got back together, Cold Feet is returning once again for another new season this autumn.

Written and created by Mike Bullen and starring James Nesbitt, Hermione Norris, Robert Bathurst, John Thomson and Fay Ripley, the eight-part series caught us up with the Manchester-based fifty-something friends, as they encountered the minefield of middle age. The series also introduced Adam’s son, Matthew, played by Ceallach Spellman, Leanne Best as Tina, Art Malik as Eddie Zubayr, James Bollam as Harry, and Karen David as Angela.

Now, a second season is on the way, with Nesbitt, Norris, Bathurst, Thomson and Ripley all set to return.

“The witty back-and-forth between the quartet is as rapid, amusing and heartfelt as ever,” we wrote in our review of the show’s comeback. “That nuanced understanding of each person’s foibles and feelings – coupled with the fact that, a generation on, they’re facing problems that don’t seem like retreading old plot lines – gives this revival an emotional heft that not only justifies getting the gang back together, but leaves you wanting more.”

The old friends will be joined by a new face when the show returns next month: Downton Abbey’s Siobhan Finneran will play Nikki Kirkbright, a Cheshire housewife who seems to have it all – money, big house and big hair. But something isn’t quite right.

David (Bathhurst) meets Nikki through his career in personal finance and the two soon develop a close bond. David discovers that her husband, George (Robert Glenister), isn’t what he seems but unbeknown to George, Nikki is about to make her bid for freedom and David is part of her escape plan.

Additional guest stars include Jacey Sallés as Ramona Ramirez, who’s returned to Karen’s side as her PA in the fledgling publishing company, but her work ethic leaves a lot to be desired and Paul Ritter (Friday Night Dinner) playing Benjamin, Karen’s new and unwanted business partner.

The new series of Cold Feet starts in September – and for those who still haven’t caught up with the revived drama, Season 1 is available on ITV Encore, ITV’s premium pay-TV channel, available exclusively on Sky on channel 123. Don’t have Sky? It’s also available to watch online in the UK through NOW, a contract-free streaming service that gives you access to Sky Atlantic, Sky Living, Sky 1, FOX UK and other pay-TV channels, for £7.99 a month – with a 7-day free trial.

Here’s the trailer for the show’s return:

 

 

ITV orders more Cold Feet following successful reunion

18th October 2016

ITV has ordered more episodes of Cold Feet, following its successful return this autumn.

It’s always awkward getting back together with old friends, but ITV’s Cold Feet reunion has proven one of the hits of the year. After a 13-year absence from the channel, Cold Feet returned to ITV in September.

Written and created by Mike Bullen and starring James Nesbitt, Hermione Norris, Robert Bathurst, John Thomson and Fay Ripley, the new eight-part series caught up with the Manchester-based fifty-something friends, as they encountered the minefield of middle age. The series also introduced Adam’s son, Matthew, played by Ceallach Spellman, Leanne Best as Tina, Art Malik as Eddie Zubayr, James Bollam as Harry, and Karen David as Angela.

The show’s premiere trended at #1 globally on Twitter, going on to become ITV’s most successful drama launch of the year with consolidated opening episode ratings of 8.4 million and a 33 per cent share of the audience. The first five episodes of the series have averaged 7 million and a 28 per cent share.

Now, ITV’s Director of Television Kevin Lygo and Head of Drama Polly Hill have ordered more from acclaimed screenwriter Mike Bullen and producers Big Talk Productions.

“It’s with some trepidation that you return to much loved shows, but Mike Bullen’s contemporary take on the five friends and their lives has been a wonderful thing, with every bit of the warmth, humour, emotion and chemistry that makes Cold Feet such a special, and hugely enjoyable drama,” says Lygo. “We were obviously delighted that the audience agreed, and we’re pleased to be able to confirm that Cold Feet will return again for a further series.”

Executive Producer and CEO of Big Talk Productions Kenton Allen adds: “We have been incredibly humbled by the astonishing reaction from viewers and critics alike. The challenge of bringing back a much loved show was extremely daunting so it’s incredibly satisfying to be asked to make another series with Mike Bullen, Jimmy, Hermione, Robert, John, Fay and the rest of our incredible cast and awesome Manchester Crew.”

The new eight part series will go into production on location in Manchester during March 2017, with scripts and stories once again written and conceived by Mike Bullen.

“We all said we only wanted to bring Cold Feet back if we could maintain the standard previously set,” comments Bullen. “I’ve been blown away by the show’s reception among viewers and critics alike. It has exceeded even my hopes. This recommission confirms that we didn’t screw it up.”

Bullen will executive produce the series, alongside Big Talk’s Kenton Allen and Matthew Justice. ITV’s Senior Drama Commissioner Victoria Fea will oversee production of the second series.

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