Gold today announced that Gregor Fisher will return to the world of sitcom to join the cast of The Cockfields as it is commissioned for a second series (6×30′). Fisher takes on the role of Ray, originated by the late Bobby Ball.
The show will also be missing the brilliant Diane Morgan who played Simon’s girlfriend. He now has a new girlfriend Esther, played by Susannah Fielding who is currently starring alongside Steve Coogan in This Time with Alan Partridge.
In addition Michele Dotrice takes over the role of Lyn, originally played by Maggie Steed. With half the cast changing it won’t be quite the same show but with Sue Johnston continuing her role as the malleable wife and mother, Ben Rufus Green as Simon’s naive step-brother, David, and of course Joe Wilkinson as Simon himself, it will no doubt continue to be the gentle comedy that viewers and critics acclaimed.
Writers Joe Wilkinson and David Earl said,
Thank you Gold loads for giving us a second series and supporting the show. We’re so chuffed to finally be making more episodes of The Cockfields – although our mate Simon isn’t, whose surname we nicked for the show. He’s actually quite annoyed, as it goes. We also want to mention how sad it was to lose Bobby last year, and what an honour it was to work with him. A brilliantly funny man.
The Cockfields is written by David Earl & Joe Wilkinson. It is commissioned by Pete Thornton, UKTV head of scripted, and ordered by Gerald Casey, Gold channel director. Richard Watsham is UKTV director of commissioning and Steve North is genre general manager, comedy and entertainment. The Cockfields is directed by Simon Hynd, produced by John Rushton for Yellow Door Productions, and exec produced by Lucy Lumsden.
Pete Thornton said,
It feels like a long time since we last dropped in on The Cockfields so I’m delighted to be back in business with the team behind the first three smash hit episodes, and to be bringing this very special show back for a second series. At last we’re going to be allowed the opportunity to properly get to know this extraordinary family – and I know from the early drafts of Joe Wilkinson and David Earl’s remarkable scripts that fans of series one are in for an absolute treat.
Gerald Casey said,
Gold viewers were unanimous in their love for the first series of The Cockfields and we can’t wait to see what this wonderful cast and crew have in store for us this time around.
Lucy Lumsden, Yellow Door Productions, said,
Huge thanks to Gold for letting us make more episodes of The Cockfields. We were so sad to lose Bobby who was such a special part of our show. With the blessing of Bobby’s family, we’ll be seeing more of the characters we fell in love with and the joyous relationship between stepdad and stepson that Joe and David write so well. We so look forward to getting back on to the Island.
The critics said:
- avingagiraffe.com – “a beautiful warm comedy”
- Daily Mail Weekend – “One of the most well-observed comedies of 2019”
- The Times – “Meet The Parents’ on the Isle of Wight”
- Radio Times – “painfully well observed”
- Guardian Guide – “sitcom splendour”
- Daily Telegraph – “gently addictive”
- The Sun TV Mag – “warm and affectionate fun”
- TV & Satellite Week – “charming”
- Inside Soap – “brilliantly funny”
Series two of The Cockfields will air on Gold later this year.
