Two new seasons of Red Dwarf have been confirmed by Dave.

Red Dwarf XI will air next year, followed by Red Dwarf XII in 2017.

Original cast members Craig Charles (Lister), Chris Barrie (Rimmer), Danny John-Jules (Cat) and Kryten (Robert Llewellyn) will all be back.

Watch the official announcement…

Red Dwarf XI was planned to begin shooting last October.

The show’s co-creator Doug Naylor, who will write and direct the new episodes, commented: “[Dave’s general manager] Steve North and everyone at UKTV have been so supportive of Red Dwarf from the start of their involvement with the show. Steve originally asked for more shows back in 2012 but frustratingly it’s taken until now to get our ducks in a row and all the boys available at the same time. Now they are, we’re all absolutely delighted.”

> Buy the complete Season 1-8 boxset on Amazon.

Red Dwarf XI will begin filming this autumn, with Red Dwarf XII filming in early 2016.

Naylor confirmed on Twitter today that the new episodes will be shot in front of a “live studio audience obviously”, with tickets available “later this year”.

Simon Lupton, Commissioning Editor, UKTV, commented: “Red Dwarf has superb talent attached; writing, directing and acting plus an expert team who absolutely know what they are doing when it comes to delivering a stand-out piece of television. It has a universal appeal that manages to touch long-standing fans and recruit new ones. It is fantastic to be collaborating with them again on the next phase of the Red Dwarf adventure.”

Steve North, General Manager, Dave, added: “Red Dwarf is a really important show for us and I’m delighted that we are bringing more new episodes to our viewers. Above all else it’s a really funny show and one that is held in great affection by millions of people, including the Dave team. We’ve built up a great relationship over the years with Doug and the cast and it’s a privilege to be working with them again.”

Red Dwarf launched on BBC Two in 1988 and the most recent six-part season aired on Dave in 2012.

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