A BBC comedy that wowed viewers in its debut season has had an exciting update – much to fans delight.
The BBC has commissioned two more series of critically acclaimed comedy We Might Regret This.
The plot centres around tetraplegic Freya (Kyla Harris), a 30-something disabled Canadian artist.[/caption]
Freya (Kyla Harris) is a 30-something disabled Canadian artist. who has relocated to London to be with her partner Abe (Darren Boyd)[/caption]
Levi, Jo and Freya playing happy families.[/caption]
But the Beeb has no regrets about making these 12 episodes, as the show has been critically acclaimed for its disability representation, and described as “groundbreaking comedy”.
Critics have praised its “trailblazing portrayal of a disabled woman on screen”.
It was also lauded for its “light-hearted laughs and dark, jagged humour” from its “superb cast”.
Viewers from series one recall the lead character is Freya (Kyla Harris), a 30-something disabled Canadian artist.
We followed the tetraplegic artist as she relocated to London to be with her partner Abe (Darren Boyd), a 50-something straight-laced lawyer.
Freya requires full time round the clock care from a dedicated Personal Assistant (PA).
This means that every romantic moment and domestic dispute has a witness and the intimate role needed someone who could handle the pressure.
In series one, viewers saw Freya invite her chaotic and outspoken best-mate Jo (Elena Saurel) to take on the job.
Alongside Abe’s ex-wife Jane (Sally Phillips) and wayward adult son Levi (Edward Blumel) they make a messy blended family.
The hilarious series is co-created by Kyla Harris and Lee Getty, who also stars.
The pair issued a joint statement, saying: “Season one was just the tip of the comedy iceberg and we’re beyond grateful to the BBC for their continued support and commitment to exploring disability, messy relationships and unparalleled intimacy on screen.”
Ash Atalla, CEO of Roughcut, adds: “A show both full of heart and close to our hearts. So happy we get to make more of this series – both complex and silly, surely the best place to be.”
Jon Petrie, BBC Director of Comedy added: “We’re proud to commission more episodes of We Might Regret This. Kyla, Lee, and the team have tapped into something truly unique—crafting comedy from deeply personal moments with such sharpness and heart.
Best BBC comedies
We look back at some of the best to ever grace the screen.
Fawlty Towers (1975-1979) – Only two series were made of the beloved institution. However, the cultural impact of the series starring John Cleese and Connie Booth spans decades. It follows rude and intolerant Basil Fawlty (Cleese) as he attempts to improve the reputation of his hotel.
Only Fools and Horses (1981-2003) – The show was crowned by some as the best British sitcom of all time by a TV poll in 2004. Seven series were broadcast on BBC until 1991 with additional sporadic Christmas specials airing until 2003. Sir David Jason starred as ambitious market trader Derek “Del Boy” Trotter whilst Nicholas Lyndhurst played his younger half-brother Rodney. Set in working-class Peckham in south-east London, it follows the highs and lows of the lives of the Trotters’, in particular their brazen attempts to get rich.
Blackadder (1983 – 1989) – Four series were made of the iconic show, created by Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson. Each series spans a different historical period as anti-hero Edmund Blackadder (Atkinson) tries to better himself in each society. Accompanied by his dogsbody Baldrick (Tony Robinson), trouble always ensues. A TV poll in 2004 found that Blackadder was voted the second-best British sitcom of all time
Absolutely Fabulous (1992 – 2012) – Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley star as failing PR guru Edina ‘Eddie’ Monsoon and alcoholic fashionista Patsy Stone. The pair embark on heavy-drinking sessions and abuse drugs in a desperate attempt to stay ‘hip’. Eddie constantly chases bizarre fads and fails to lose weight whilst her disappointed and neglected daughter Saffy (Julia Sawalha) looks on.
Little Britain (2003 – 2006) – The premise is simple. A sketch show which features different British people from all walks of life that are engaged in all sorts of comical scenarios. Starring Matt Lucas and David Walliams, the pair created iconic pop culture characters. Viewers loved obnoxious council estate teenager Vicky Pollard, morbidly obese scrounger Bubbles Devere, slimming coach Marjorie Dawes, despondent office worker Carol Beer, disgraced politician Sir Norman Fry, of course the iconic Lou and Andy!
The Catherine Tate Show (2004-2015) – A sketch show starring the likes of Catherine Tate. She made iconic characters such as rowdy schoolgirl Lauren Cooper with her line ‘Am I bovvered?’. Other characters featured Bernie the nurse, the aga saga woman, complaining couple Janice and Ray, and of course her infamous ‘Nan’, Joannie Taylor. The last character herself spawned multiple specials and even a movie.
Gavin and Stacey (2007 – Present) The series tells the story of Gavin (Matthew Horne) and Stacey (Joanna Page). The pair embarked on an online and telephone romance for six months. But when they finally decide to be together properly, their friends and family get in the way. Ruth Jones and James Corden created the beloved show, which has been going for over a decade. The 2019 Christmas special was the most-watched comedy in 17 years and the most-viewed non-sporting event in a decade.
“There’s still so much laughter to uncover in Freya’s world, and we can’t wait to see how they push the boundaries of comedy and character even further.
British Vogue described it as “BBC’s smartest, sharpest sitcom since Fleabag”.
The Daily Telegraph added that the series was “… so richly layered it is like an elaborate lasagne, one with an intense, varied filling of sarcasm, pain, light-hearted laughs and dark, jagged humour”.
Freya’s chaotic best friend is the ideal person to become her PA – there isn’t a secret she doesn’t know.[/caption]
Watch We Might Regret this on BBC iPlayer