Latest news with #SimonCarlyle
Daily Mail
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Beloved BBC sitcom is revived two years after its cancellation sparked outrage from devastated fans
A beloved BBC sitcom has been revived two years after its cancellation sparked outrage from devastated fans. Two Doors Down, which began with a one-off New Year's Eve episode in 2013 before becoming a full series in 2016, follows neighbours in a middle-class Glasgow suburb. The Scottish BAFTA-winning comedy, which ran to seven seasons, documents the lives of the Baird, White and O'Neal families on the quiet Latimer Crescent. Its co-creator Simon Carlyle, who worked with writing partner Gregor Sharp on it, sadly passed away in August 2023, aged 48. After this, the show ended, with lead actors Grado Stevely and Doon Mackichan saying no more episodes were expected and it was done 'for now'. But following fan upset at the show's conclusion, it has now been announced the programme will be making a surprise return for a Christmas special this year. The festive instalment will see Latimer Crescent's finest gather at long-suffering hosts Beth and Eric Baird's house (Arabella Weir and Alex Norton) for the big day. All our favourite faces will be back, including loud-mouth Christine (Elaine C Smith) and chronic one-uppers Cathy (Doon) and Colin Whyte. Also back are Beth and Eric's affable son Ian (Jamie Quinn) and his keen bean fiance Gordon (Kieran Hodgson). The last episode, which aired in December 2023, saw sweet Michelle (Joy McAvoy) and taciturn builder Alan (Grado) return to Glasgow after eloping in Las Vegas. The lovable couple will also be returning for the Christmas special, which will be the fourth festive instalment of Two Doors Down from over the years. The sitcom has a dedicated fan base, drawing in a whopping 1.3million viewers when it debuted on BBC Two in 2016. This ballooned to 2.8million by the time the final series aired in a primetime slot on BBC One. It has also received widespread critical acclaim, winning an RTS Scotland Award for Best Comedy in 2017 and 2024 and BAFTA Scotland Best Actress for Elaine in 2018 and Doon in 2024. Co-creator Gregor, who has sadly had to forge ahead alone to write the upcoming episode, said: 'It's really exciting to be revisiting Latimer Crescent with all the regular cast for this new episode. 'Christmas is a time for getting together with friends and family and then becoming low level irritated by them, so it feels like they're the perfect group to celebrate the season with.' BBC director of comedy Jon Petrie said: 'There's something comforting about having the neighbours round for Christmas, even if they bring minor chaos. 'Gregor and the gang bring the warm laughs, sly digs and brilliantly petty moments that make Two Doors Down such a cracking comedy. 'Expect it to sparkle on BBC iPlayer and BBC One faster than Cathy can pop a prosecco.' Josh Cole, head of comedy at BBC Studios Productions, and executive producer Steven Canny added they were excited to return to Beth and Eric's 'for another torturous Christmas'. Paying tribute to the late Simon, they added: 'Gregor and Simon created a brilliantly funny show that has an outstanding cast of memorable and loveable characters and we're hugely looking forward to seeing them torment each other again.' Actress Elaine, who plays Christine, has previously mentioned Simon's tragic passing when discussing the show returning. This ballooned to 2.8million by the time the final series aired in a primetime slot on BBC One 'I think we have to be really respectful to Gregor because that was like a marriage – they had been writing together for 20 years', she said. Gregor and Simon wrote more than 40 episodes of Two Doors Down together. Elaine continued: 'Gregor's grief will be huge as they were locked in an office together for six months of the year.' Simon previously said Beth was based on his own mother Dorothy and her son Ian was written based on his experience as a gay man growing up in Ayr. He told The Scottish Sun in 2019 Ian's treatment by his family on the programme reflects how many people behaved towards gay men in the eighties and nineties. 'You'd have parents who are accepting of it and don't want to throw you out the family but are equally not comfortable enough to ask about your boyfriend', he explained. 'We tried to reflect the truth of that middle ground, the same as we did with a normal Scottish street.' Despite the programme being about a suburb of Glasgow, it is actually filmed in the Silvertonhill area of Hamilton, a town around ten miles south of the city. Co-creator Gregor, who has written the upcoming festive special, said: 'It's really exciting to be revisiting Latimer Crescent with all the regular cast for this new episode' It comes after viewers were recently delighted to rediscover another iconic BBC sitcom. Alma's Not Normal, which debuted on BBC Two in April 2020, comes from the mind of actress and comedian Sophie Willan, who wrote, created and stars in the sitcom. It follows Sophie as Alma Nuthall, a working-class aspiring actress in her thirties from Bolton, Greater Manchester, reeling from a break-up, while working as an escort. The three-time BAFTA-winning programme covers a range of topics, from addiction, to loss, to the inadequacy of public services. It also draws on some of Sophie's own experiences as a care leaver, with Alma having spent time in care and left school with no qualifications. Its two series, available to watch on BBC iPlayer, also boast a star-studded lead cast, including comedian Jayde Adams and Grantchester actress Lorraine Asbourne. Jayde stars as Alma's best friend and confidant Leanne, while Lorraine plays her grandmother Joan, who raised her when her mother Lin was unable to. Downton Abbey's Siobhan Finneran plays Lin, whose heroin addiction and mental health issues left her with a fractious relationship with her daughter Alma. After the roaring success of the pilot in 2020, the full first series launched in September 2021, to widespread critical acclaim. It won Sophie the BAFTAs for Best Comedy Writer and Best Female Comedy Performance. A second series hit our screens in October last year, winning the BAFTA for Best Scripted Comedy. The programme has a lot of fans, who have taken to social media to encourage others to watch the show too. One said on Facebook: 'One of my favourites - so well written and acted beautifully.' Another commented: 'Watched all of this, highly recommend it. Best comedy since Only Fools. It's hilarious if in need of a good laugh.' Someone else chimed in: 'I sobbed and laughed at the same time... Nothing has ever done that to me before, brilliant.'
BBC News
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Two Doors Down in surprise return with Christmas special
Scottish sitcom Two Doors Down is to make a surprise return to the BBC the end of the year with a Christmas special. It has been two years since the last series aired following the death of its creator Simon Carlyle in August award-winning comedy was first broadcast as a one-off in 2013, with seven series and three Christmas specials Gregor Sharp, who wrote the new episode, said it was "really exciting" to be returning to Latimer Crescent with all the regular cast. The Christmas episode sees the neighbours congregate at the house of Beth and Eric, played by Arabella Weir and Alex returning to the cast are Elaine C Smith, Doon Mackichan, Jonathan Watson, Graeme Stevely, Joy McAvoy, Jamie Quinn and Kieran Hodgson. BBC director of Comedy Jon Petrie adds: "There's something comforting about having the neighbours round for Christmas, even if they bring minor chaos."Gregor and the gang bring the warm laughs, sly digs and brilliantly petty moments that make Two Doors Down such a cracking comedy. "Expect it to sparkle on BBC iPlayer and BBC One faster than Cathy can pop a prosecco."Carlyle and Sharp originally wrote the show as a one-off special before it was commissioned in 2016. They went on to write more than 40 episodes together. The first series drew an audience of 1.3 million when it began on BBC Two in 2016. This grew to 2.8 million for the last series on BBC programme won an RTS Scotland Award for Best Comedy in 2017 and 2024, and Bafta Scotland Best Actress awards for Smith in 2018 and Mackichan in a 2019 interview with The Scottish Sun, Carlyle said Arabella Weir's character Beth was inspired by his own mum Dorothy, and that Beth's son Ian - played by Jamie Quinn - drew on his experience of coming out as gay while growing up in said Ian's character was treated like many gay men were in the 80s and 90s."You'd have parents who are accepting of it and don't want to throw you out the family, but are equally not comfortable enough to ask about your boyfriend," he said."We tried to reflect the truth of that middle ground, the same as we did with a normal Scottish street."
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
All the latest news, interviews and updates on Two Doors Down
Two Doors Down is a well-loved Scottish television sitcom that first premiered as a one-off Hogmanay special in December 2013 on BBC One. The show was created by Simon Carlyle and Gregor Sharp and produced by BBC Studios. Following positive reception, a full series was commissioned and later debuted on BBC Two in April 2016. Two Doors Down actors (Image: Newsquest) The show ran for seven series until 2023. Read on for all the latest Two Doors Down news, interviews and updates. As reported by the Glasgow Times, here is a selection of the latest Two Doors Down news stories. Grado shares hilarious plan to return to River City River City and Two Doors Down stars embark on comedy tour Two Doors Down star teased popular show's shock comeback The popular show's cast includes Arabella Weir (Beth), Elaine C. Smith (Christine), Alex Norton (Eric), Jonathan Watson (Colin), Doon Mackichan (Cathy), Jamie Quinn (Ian), Kieran Hodgson (Gordon), and Joy McAvoy (Michelle). (Image: BBC Studios/Mark Mainz/Matt Burlem) The show is mainly filmed at the BBC's Dumbarton Studios in Glasgow, with parts of it also filmed in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire. Other on-location streets around Glasgow include Bowmont Hill, Bishopbriggs, and Avonbrae Crescent in Silvertonhill. The much-loved show, which was shelved after the seventh series following Simon Carlyle's death, will make a comeback. Gordon played by Kieran Hodgson (left), Ian played by Jamie Quinn (right) (Image: Mark Mainz/BBC Studios) We previously reported a one-off special will be filmed this summer and screened over the Christmas period. Simon Carlyle, co-creator of Two Doors Down, died at the age of 48 in 2023. His manager, Amanda Davis, confirmed the news in a statement. She said: 'I am immensely sorry to confirm that Simon Carlyle has died at the age of 48. Simon Carlyle (Image: Newsquest) 'Simon was a wonderful person and a major comedic talent. He was much respected across the industry both for the quality of his writing and for being a kind, funny, supportive and nurturing collaborator. 'Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go to his family, friends and colleagues.' Following his death in 2023 co-writer Gregor Sharp announced he couldn't carry on the programme without Simon and the show ended on seven seasons. All seven series can be watched on BBC iPlayer. S.O.B. is the theme song for Two Doors Down, performed by American rock band Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats.
Glasgow Times
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Two Doors Down news, interviews and updates on the popular series
The show was created by Simon Carlyle and Gregor Sharp and produced by BBC Studios. Following positive reception, a full series was commissioned and later debuted on BBC Two in April 2016. Two Doors Down actors (Image: Newsquest) The show ran for seven series until 2023. Read on for all the latest Two Doors Down news, interviews and updates. Latest Two Doors Down news As reported by the Glasgow Times, here is a selection of the latest Two Doors Down news stories. River City and Two Doors Down stars embark on comedy tour Two Doors Down star teased popular show's shock comeback Star of Two Doors Down confirms shows shock comeback Cast of Two Doors Down The popular show's cast includes Arabella Weir (Beth), Elaine C. Smith (Christine), Alex Norton (Eric), Jonathan Watson (Colin), Doon Mackichan (Cathy), Jamie Quinn (Ian), Kieran Hodgson (Gordon), and Joy McAvoy (Michelle). (Image: BBC Studios/Mark Mainz/Matt Burlem) Where was Two Doors Down filmed? The show is mainly filmed at the BBC's Dumbarton Studios in Glasgow, with parts of it also filmed in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire. Other on-location streets around Glasgow include Bowmont Hill, Bishopbriggs, and Avonbrae Crescent in Silvertonhill. Will there be a new series of Two Doors Down? The much-loved show, which was shelved after the seventh series following Simon Carlyle's death, will make a comeback. Gordon played by Kieran Hodgson (left), Ian played by Jamie Quinn (right) (Image: Mark Mainz/BBC Studios) We previously reported a one-off special will be filmed this summer and screened over the Christmas period. Which Two Doors Down actor died? Simon Carlyle, co-creator of Two Doors Down, died at the age of 48 in 2023. His manager, Amanda Davis, confirmed the news in a statement. She said: 'I am immensely sorry to confirm that Simon Carlyle has died at the age of 48. Simon Carlyle (Image: Newsquest) 'Simon was a wonderful person and a major comedic talent. He was much respected across the industry both for the quality of his writing and for being a kind, funny, supportive and nurturing collaborator. 'Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go to his family, friends and colleagues.' Following his death in 2023 co-writer Gregor Sharp announced he couldn't carry on the programme without Simon and the show ended on seven seasons. Where to watch Two Doors Down All seven series can be watched on BBC iPlayer. The theme tune to Two Doors Down S.O.B. is the theme song for Two Doors Down, performed by American rock band Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats.
