Witless Returns For Series Two

BBC Three has welcomed the news that Witless is to return for a second series. The show follows the lives of Leanne and Rhona who are forced into witness protection after they accidentally witness a gangland shooting.

With new identities and lives to try and live, the two women were left to fend for themselves in a flat in Swindon. However, when a corrupt cop leaks their whereabouts to the gang and they send out underlings to track them down, they are forced to go on the run.

Series two picks up from the cliffhanger of the last series with the girls on the run, knowing that their 'safe house' is actually no longer safe.

Witless (5x25') stars Kerry Howard as Leanne and Zoe Boyle as Rhona. The series is written by Lloyd Woolf and Joe Tucker. It will be produced by Objective Fiction, part of Objective Media Group. Andrew Chaplin returns as director, with Ben Farrell, Joe Tucker and Lloyd Woolf as executive producers for Objective Fiction. The series was commissioned by Damian Kavanagh, Controller of BBC Three, and Gregor Sharp and Kate Daughton, Commissioning Editors, BBC Comedy.

Kerry Howard said: "I'm beyond thrilled to get the chance to play the wonderfully playful puppy that is Leanne again. It's such a pleasure to be working with everyone on this show – it has been a dream job and Zoe Boyle is a joy to work with. I cannot wait to read the scripts to see what Rhona and Leanne have to deal with this time – who knows what our mastermind writers Lloyd and Joe will come up with for this next series. They have absolutely nailed the art of a cliff-hanger. Let the drama and comedy roll on."

Shane Allen, Controller of Comedy Commissioning, added: "Witless has proved an instant smash hit for Three. The hooky narrative, superb performances and filmic execution landed it in the sweet spot for audiences who built and grew across the run. The cliff-hanger ending makes for an equally hilarious and gripping second series."

Damian Kavanagh, Controller of BBC Three, commented: "We love Witless at BBC Three, and can't wait to see what Leanne and Rhona get up to. BBC Three is home to the best new British comedy."

Ben Farrell, CCO, Objective Fiction, said: "We're absolutely delighted to be continuing Leanne and Rhona's adventures in Witless. The next five episodes will be taking the story to a new level of thrills, twists and funnies that made series one so distinct."

www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre

(JP/MH)