Outnumbered returns for UK Christmas special

UK comedy Outnumbered is returning to screens eight years after it was last seen.

The BBC has ordered another Christmas special for the Brockman clan, to follow the chaos in the downsized home of Pete and Sue, as they grapple with the challenges of parenting kids who are now adults, with their own lives to lead.

In a moment of adversity, Sue and Pete gather all their offspring (including one grandchild) to try and celebrate a traditional family Christmas. But fate, neighbours, hyenas and bus replacement services get in their way.

Outnumbered ran for five series between 2007 to 2014. While the show was scripted, scenes featuring the children were semi-improvised. The most recent episode was a Christmas special which aired in Australia in 2017.

Returning cast inlude Hugh Dennis as dad Pete, Claire Skinner as mum Sue, Tyger Drew-Honey as eldest son Jake, Daniel Roche as the middle child Ben, and Ramona Marquez as the daughter, Karen.

Hugh Dennis says: “I can’t wait for the Brockmans to be back together again. Pete and Sue have downsized, the children are no longer children, but I’m sure family life will prove to be just as chaotic as ever.”

Claire Skinner says: “I’m really looking forward to being reunited with my TV family. Working on this wonderful BBC comedy doesn’t feel like work and is one of the greatest joys for us all.”

Co-creator, writer and director Andy Hamilton says: “It’s a very exciting prospect to be revisiting the Brockman family – older, but not necessarily wiser – as they steer a path through the perils of Christmas and the rapids of modern-day family life.”

Co-creator, writer and director, Guy Jenkin adds: “I really wanted to find out what the Brockmans were up to these days, so Andy and I had to write this special.”

Outnumbered screened in Australia on ABC.