OFFICIAL: Brilliant news because The Young Offenders will be getting a second season

Paul Moore

The TV show is so good that a new season was approved before it even aired.

After the massive success of The Young Offenders at the box-office, we were delighted to learn that Peter Foott’s comedy was being adapted into a TV show. After visiting the set, meeting the cast and seeing the first few episodes, we’re delighted to say that the TV show is an absolute riot.

The six-part series was only released on February 1st on BBC Three and it has already proven to be a massive hit – it scored incredibly impressive ratings on BBC3. In fact, it’s so popular that a second season has just been given the go-ahead.

BBC Comedy has just announced that they’re commissioning a further six episodes of the Irish comedy from producers Vico Films.

What’s even more remarkable is that The Young Offenders hasn’t even received its TV debut in Ireland – it airs this Thursday at 9.30pm on RTÉ2 – but it’s clear that public can’t get enough of Conor and Jock.

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.

After learning that the show has been picked up for a second season, Fooot said: “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.”

If you live in the UK, The Young Offenders airs weekly on BBC Three from 10am and it’s also going to be available to watch on BBC One from Friday 9th February. It’s also available to watch on RTÉ2 this Thursday at 9.30pm on RTÉ2.

Speaking exclusively to JOE, cast-member and comedian PJ Gallagher mentioned his excitement about the announcement.

“It’s the best thing I’ve ever been involved in so I’m obviously dying to be in a second season and back working with the crew. I’m getting to like being a Cork man!”