As part of his recent speech at the BBC Comedy Festival in Belfast, the corporation’s Head of Comedy Jon Petrie announced a set of new commissions, with some familiar faces. 

He also confirmed a number of returning shows.

Only Child

Top of the list to catch our interest was Only Child. The charming show, which debuted in 2024, stars Gregor Fisher and Greg McHugh as an awkward father/son pairing.

The first series saw struggling actor Richard (McHugh) returning home for a long-overdue visit to his eccentric widower father Ken. There, across six episodes, he came to the realisation that Ken was also struggling, in his case to manage every day life.

Written once again by Bryce Hart, the second series will see the chaotic Pritchard clan return for more adventures as Richard and Ken bicker through everything from driving lessons and explaining what a QR code is to buying your own coffin.

Greg McHugh says:

“I am absolutely thrilled that Only Child has been given a second series – it was an absolute hoot to shoot with an amazing cast and crew. Getting to work again with Gregor ‘Loose Cannon’ Fisher is the spice we all need in our lives. Thanks to all the audience who tuned in and gave us their support! Thanks also to the BBC for this amazing opportunity to return!”

Gregor Fisher added:

“Well I never. Back to Forres to spend time with young McHugh and the gang. It beats working.”

Only Child is a Happy Tramp North Production, directed by John Addis and produced by Ursula Haworth. You can find the first series on the BBC iPlayer.

The Young Offenders

Coming back for a fifth series, The Young Offenders is created by Peter Foott, and based on his original film.

The new run sees Conor reunited with Jock in Cork after both spent series four in different prisons, in different parts of the world. Now the loveable rogues are back together, there’s nothing that they can’t do, although whether they’re successful at it is a different matter.

The show stars Alex Murphy as Conor and Chris Walley as Jock, alongside their long- suffering mother/guardian Mairéad (Hilary Rose), former nemesis Garda Sergeant Tony Healy (Dominic MacHale) and the unpredictable Billy Murphy (Shane Casey).

It comes from producers Vico Films for the BBC, in association with RTÉ. You can also track down the previous series on BBC iPlayer.

Additionally, the corporation has given the greenlight to a second series of Funboys, as well as the animated series The Golden Cobra.