Originally broadcast on E4 between 2008 and 2010, the comedy series follows the misadventures of teenager Will McKenzie (Simon Bird) and his friends Simon Cooper (Joe Thomas), Neil Sutherland (Blake Harrison) and Jay Cartwright (James Buckley).
Last month, it was announced that a new deal between Banijay UK and Fudge Park Productions, the company founded by the series’ writers and creators, Iain Morris and Damon Beesley, has unlocked the rights of the comedy title with the potential of its return across film, TV and stage.
Now, James Buckley, who played Jay on the series and in two films, has spoke about the news and whether he would return.
Top 10 Best British TV Series
James Buckley speaks about possible Inbetweeners return
James recently appeared on The Fellas podcast with co-star Joe Thomas.
When asked about the news and what it meant, he said: “We genuinely just know as much as everyone else.
“We know the same story as everyone else, that Iain and Damon, who created the Inbetweeners, have got the rights back to do more stuff with the Inbetweeners. We don’t know what that is.”
When asked if he would want to do more with the characters and the series, James said: “I think there’s loads of reasons I’d want to do it and there’s loads of reasons I wouldn’t want to do it.
“And until something actually comes to me and it’s like ‘listen, this is what we want to do’, then I’ll think about it.
“And I genuinely will think about it, I’ll take it really seriously and I’ll just weigh up is there more reasons to do it than there are not to do it or is it vice versa.
“But it’s exciting that you know people still want it.”
Joe Thomas added: “It’s really nice to feel that there’s still an appetite for it. The group is an amazing group of people and if we did something else we would want it to continue the standard.
“We’d want it to be good.”
Greg Davies, who played teacher Mr Gilbert on the series, has also previously said he would “of course go back on it”, adding: “It has a special place in my heart”.
Is The Inbetweeners coming back?
The new deal reached to bring The Inbetweeners back means creators Iain Morris and Damon Beesley can bring the series and its characters back in various formats.
On the news, Beesley and Morris said at the time it was “incredibly exciting to be plotting more adventures for our four favourite friends (ooh friends)”.
Jonathan Blyth, managing director at Fudge Park, said: “We are thrilled to announce this exciting partnership with Banijay, who share our vision and ambition for one of the most iconic comedies in British history.
“This is a wonderful moment for fans, there are exciting conversations afoot and more news to follow.”
The Inbetweeners is 16 years old today. First episode aired on May 1st 2008! pic.twitter.com/cbPTeUqAIa
— Jay Cartwright (@J_CartwrightN0T) May 1, 2024
Patrick Holland, chief executive at Banijay UK, who are distributors of The Inbetweeners, added: “I have worked with Damon and Iain on a number of Fudge Park projects over the years and was delighted to pick up the conversation about the future of The Inbetweeners with them.
“They have an infectious creative vision for the brand which will resonate with audiences old and new so I can’t wait to get going.”
Since The Inbetweeners, its stars have gone on to have successful careers across acting and other media.
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James Buckley and Joe Thomas have enjoyed various projects together and recently launched a new podcast together, titled Joe and James Fact Up.
Simon Bird starred in the popular Channel 4 comedy series Friday Night Dinner and is set to star in Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter film in 2027.
Blake Harrison has also been in different acting roles, such as Dad’s Army (2016) and the rebooted Bob the Builder series.
