David Farnor | On 27, Oct 2019

The Young Offenders will officially return to BBC Three this November for Season 2.

Written and directed by Peter Foott, the comedy is based on the feature film of the same title from 2016. It follows the coming-of-age adventures of lovable rogues Conor and Jock (Alex Murphy and Chris Walley, reprising their roles from the smash hit feature film) as they navigate their awkward teenage years, hatching plans and adventures to help distract from their tough home lives and their inability to stay out of trouble at school. Conor’s long suffering mother Mairead (Hilary Rose) tries to keep both her son and his best friend on the straight and narrow, with varying degrees of success.

“Endearing, sweet and silly, BBC Three’s Irish comedy series is criminally funny,” we wrote in our review of the first season, which is available as a box set on BBC iPlayer.

Season 2 sees a new arrival on the way, which means Jock is getting anxious and Principal Walsh isn’t helping. But a challenge to Jock brings about surprising results.

Episode 1 will premiere on BBC iPlayer at 10am on Sunday 3rd November, with all episodes released at once as a box set.

For more on what’s coming soon to BBC Three, click here.

 

Filming starts on The Young Offenders Season 2

12th June 2019

Filming is now underway in Cork for the second season of The Young Offenders.

Written and directed by Peter Foott, the comedy is based on the feature film of the same title from 2016. It follows the coming-of-age adventures of lovable rogues Conor and Jock (Alex Murphy and Chris Walley, reprising their roles from the smash hit feature film) as they navigate their awkward teenage years, hatching plans and adventures to help distract from their tough home lives and their inability to stay out of trouble at school. Conor’s long suffering mother Mairead (Hilary Rose) tries to keep both her son and his best friend on the straight and narrow, with varying degrees of success.

Season 2 follows on from the hugely successful first run and will see the ‪loveable rogues‬ return, alongside Mairéad, plus Principal Walsh (PJ Gallagher) his wife, Orla (Orla Fitzgerald), and their two daughters, Linda and Siobhán (Demi Isaac Oviawe and Jennifer Barry). Season 2 will also see the return of Sergeant Healy (Dominic McHale) and, of course, Billy Murphy (Shane Casey).

‪The Young Offenders is produced by Vico FIlms, made for BBC Three, in association with RTÉ and created by Peter Foott. The show was commissioned for the BBC by Shane Allen, Controller Comedy Commissioning. The Commissioner for the BBC is Alex Moody. The Executive Producer for Vico Films is Peter Foott, the Producers are Martina Niland and Tim Whitby.‬

Season 2 will be on BBC Three later this year. Until then, above is the first image of the new run – and, as you can see, the haircuts remain as fresh as ever…

 

BBC Three orders Season 2 of The Young Offenders

8th February 2019

The Young Offenders has been renewed by BBC Three for a second season.

Originally a feature film in 2016, The Young Offenders has just started a six-part series on BBC Three.

Written and directed by Peter Foott the series follows the coming of age adventures of lovable rogues Conor & Jock (Alex Murphy and Chris Walley, reprising their roles from the smash hit feature film) as they navigate their awkward teenage years, hatching plans and adventures to help distract from their tough home lives and their inability to stay out of trouble at school. Conor’s long suffering mother Mairead (Hilary Rose) tries to keep both her son and his best friend on the straight and narrow, with varying degrees of success.

“Endearing, sweet and silly, BBC Three’s Irish comedy series is criminally funny,” we wrote in our review of the first season, which is currently releasing new episodes every Thursday on BBC iPlayer.

Now, before the second episode has even aired, BBC Comedy has commissioned a further six episodes from producers Vico Films.

The Young Offenders has been commissioned for BBC Three by Damian Kavanagh, Controller of BBC Three and Shane Allen, Controller Comedy Commissioning.

Allen says: “It’s vital we back emerging talent to the hilt and believe in this show so much that a second series is an absolute must. The rare confluence of dazzling performances across this show and in Peter’s writing the strong sense of place and character makes it the quintessential BBC Three comedy. By turns raucous by turns heart-breaking and consistently hilarious.”

Kavanagh adds: “Commissioning series one was a huge coup for BBC Three so I’m delighted The Young Offenders will be returning to us for a second series. It is exactly the type of daring, original comedy we live for on BBC Three and we’re looking forward to continuing our relationship with them.”

Foott comments: “The response already to the show has been phenomenal, myself and the whole team have been blown away by it. To have BBC Three commission a second series so quickly is a dream come true, their support for the project has been unwavering from the start. This level of commitment is incredibly reassuring, and we’re keen to continue telling stories involving these characters. We’re very grateful to the BBC for allowing us to do so.”

The Young Offenders will also air on BBC One from Friday 9th February.

 

The Young Offenders will return as BBC Three TV series

8th May 2017

The Young Offenders will return as a TV series on BBC Three.

The hit Irish comedy, created by Peter Foott, was a box office sensation in 2016, going on to win Best Screenplay at the recent Irish Film and Television Academy awards. It follows two Cork inner-city teenagers, Conor and Jock, as they embark on a 160km road trip on stolen bikes, in the hopes of finding an unrecovered bale of cocaine.

“A smartly written, brilliantly acted and very funny comedy that’s well worth seeking out,” we wrote in our review of the movie, which is now available on Netflix UK.

Now, BBC Three and BBC Comedy, in association with RTÉ, have commissioned a six-part series from Vico Films based on the movie. The show will chronicle the continuing misadventures of the loveable rogues, played by newcomers Alex Murphy (Conor) and Chris Walley (Jock), along with Conor’s long suffering mother, Mairead MacSweeney, played by Hilary Rose. All three actors received Irish Film and Television Academy award nominations for their performances in the film. Many other familiar faces from the film will feature in the TV series.

Also returning behind the camera is Foott, who will be the writer, director and executive producer. Martina Niland (Once, Sing Street) will produce the series.

The Young Offenders was commissioned for BBC Three by Controller of BBC Three Damian Kavanagh; Controller of Comedy Shane Allen; and Commissioning Editor Alex Moody.

Shane Allen says: “Peter has created a very sure-footed and wholly original world that combines a winning blend of hilarity, charm and emotional impactful moments. It will, stand nicely alongside BBC Three stablemates Fleabag, Uncle, This Country and People Just Do Nothing as a sharp and naturalistic portrait of endearing characters with a unique comic voice.”

Eddie Doyle, RTE Head of Comedy, adds: “Peter Foott has created something really special with The Young Offenders, and we’re absolutely delighted to be supporting the TV version. It is fantastic to see young, home-grown Irish talent, take the next step to international TV success.”

Foott comments: “It’s incredibly exciting to be able to work with the BBC and with RTÉ to bring these characters back to the screen. They have been so supportive of the project and will be a wonderful home for it. The public response to the film, and specifically the characters themselves, was just so overwhelming that we really felt there were a lot more stories to tell.”

The series order marks a reunion for BBC Three and the Irish broadcaster, after the online channel snapped up the UK rights to sitcom Can’t Cope, Won’t Cope, which premiered last week. The Young Offenders goes into production in Cork this summer.

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