The Inbetweeners Are Back: Will, Simon, Jay, and Neil Plot New Adventures

Get ready, bus wkers! After more than a decade, the awkward, hilarious foursome from Rudge Park Comprehensive are officially reuniting for new misadventures.

TL;DR

• Original creators Iain Morris and Damon Beesley have struck a deal with Banijay UK for The Inbetweeners to return.
• All four main cast members — Simon Bird, Joe Thomas, James Buckley, and Blake Harrison — are confirmed to be involved.
• The exact format (film, TV series, or stage show) and plot details are still under wraps, but discussions are "exciting."

It's Happening! The Inbetweeners Are Officially Returning with More Misadventures

"Ooh, friends!" Get ready to practice your best Jay Cartwright impression, because the news we've all been hoping for is finally here: The Inbetweeners is officially making a comeback! After what feels like an eternity (okay, just over a decade, but who's counting?), our favorite quartet of awkward British teenagers — Will, Simon, Jay, and Neil — are set to embark on new misadventures. This isn't just a rumor circulating the schoolyard; it's confirmed!

The exciting announcement comes from a fresh deal struck between Banijay UK and Fudge Park Productions, the company founded by the show's original creators, Iain Morris and Damon Beesley. These are the masterminds behind all those cringe-inducing, side-splitting moments that defined a generation of British comedy, and they're "incredibly exciting to be plotting more adventures for our four favourite friends (ooh friends)," as they put it. Banijay UK CEO Patrick Holland echoed this enthusiasm, saying he was "delighted to pick up the conversation about the future of The Inbetweeners with them" and praised their "infectious creative vision for the brand." Sounds like the perfect recipe for some top-tier lads' holiday shenanigans, doesn't it?

Is It a Film, a TV Series, or Even a Stage Show? Exploring the Potential Formats for Their Return

Now, before you start frantically searching for a release date, let's pump the brakes just a tiny bit. While the return is confirmed, the exact format is still a bit of a mystery. Banijay hasn't spilled the beans on whether we're getting a new film, a full-blown TV series, or even a stage adaptation. The deal with Fudge Park specifically "unlocks the rights and the potential to bring The Inbetweeners back for new audiences across a range of platforms including film, TV and stage." So, basically, all options are on the table!

Joe Thomas, who plays the eternally angsty Simon Cooper, weighed in on this last year (around August 2024), suggesting that a third movie would make more sense than a new series. "I don’t think they could do another series. You’d have to be a movie," he said, citing the challenges of timeline and the characters' ages. A movie offers "all sorts of options," which makes a lot of sense when you think about these guys as adults. Could it be a one-off special event? Or perhaps a trilogy-capping cinematic adventure? Only time will tell, but the thought of seeing Will, Simon, Jay, and Neil on the big screen again is enough to get any fan hyped.

The Gang's All Here: Confirming the Return of Our Four Beloved Miscreants from Rudge Park

This is probably the biggest relief for any long-time fan: the original gang is absolutely, positively back! Simon Bird (Will MacKenzie), Joe Thomas (Simon Cooper), James Buckley (Jay Cartwright), and Blake Harrison (Neil Sutherland) are all confirmed to be reprising their iconic roles. You read that right – every single one of our favorite bus wkers will be gracing our screens once more.

This confirmation is huge, especially considering some of the comments made by the actors in recent years. Remember Jay's penchant for exaggeration and tall tales? Well, James Buckley, the man behind Jay, previously made headlines for saying there wasn't "enough money in the world" to convince him to return and "spoil" the legacy of The Inbetweeners. He even became a "Cameo millionaire" by exclusively recording fan messages as Jay, reportedly netting £10,000 a week in 2023, proving just how much people loved his character's foul-mouthed antics. Yet, here we are! It seems his "inner Jay was chatting st as always," and he's ready to plot more adventures. Similarly, Simon Bird had previously "emphatically said that there are no prospects of a reunion." But with the official deal in place and the creators' excited comments about "our four favourite friends," it's clear the stars have aligned, and the boys are truly back.

A Trip Down Memory Lane: Remembering Why We Loved The Inbetweeners' Awkward Charm

For those who somehow missed the phenomenon (or just need a refresher), The Inbetweeners first burst onto Channel 4's youth network E4 in 2008. Over three hilarious and painfully relatable series that ran until 2010, it followed the misadventures of four suburban teens trying to navigate the horrors of sixth form, friendship, first loves, and, let's be honest, consistently failing to impress girls. Creators Iain Morris and Damon Beesley intentionally crafted a "more realistic counterpoint" to glossy teen dramas like Skins, showcasing adolescence as "awkward and mostly crap," a sentiment many viewers intimately understood.

The show became a cultural touchstone in the UK, not just for its record-breaking ratings and numerous awards, but for its unique brand of cringe humour and unforgettable catchphrases. "Bus wker," "briefcase wker," "football friend" – these phrases weren't just lines; they were a language. The show brilliantly captured the humiliations of puberty, from underage drinking gone wrong to disastrous attempts at romance, always ending in some form of ritual humiliation for the main quartet. This resonate portrayal of British lad culture and awkward male bonding led to two hugely successful spin-off films in 2011 and 2014, both of which topped the UK box office and broke comedy opening weekend records. It was, as The Independent put it, "a cultural moment preserved in amber."

What Sort of Hilarious Horrors Await Our Adult Inbetweeners? Plot Speculation and Challenges

So, if our boys are all grown up (most of them are now in their late 30s or early 40s!), what kind of "adventures" are Morris and Beesley cooking up? Joe Thomas previously hinted at a "stag do" (bachelor party) as an ideal vehicle for a reunion, even suggesting Las Vegas as an "interesting venue." Imagine Jay, Simon, Will, and Neil trying to tackle Sin City as slightly more aged, but probably not much wiser, men. The possibilities for chaos and humiliation are endless! Other ideas floated include the friends reconnecting through a five-a-side football team, bringing their awkward dynamic to the pitch.

However, bringing back a beloved, and sometimes controversial, show isn't without its challenges. Simon Bird himself noted how some of the original show's humor, particularly its sexism and homophobia, hasn't "aged well." It raises the question: will the new iteration address these elements, evolving the characters for a modern audience, or stick to the brand of humor that made it famous? James Buckley also previously questioned if "you can't have men in their late thirties acting like they're in sixth form and getting away with that stuff." It's a fine line to walk, balancing nostalgia with contemporary sensibilities. Fans will be eager to see if the creators can strike that perfect balance, delivering fresh laughs while staying true to the spirit of the original without simply rehashing old gags. Remember, their 2019 one-off special, Fwends Reunited, was "panned by fans and critics alike," so the bar is set high for this official comeback.

When Can We Expect the Awkwardness, and Where Will We Watch the Comeback Chaos?

Alright, enough teasing. When can we actually see this glorious return? Unfortunately, concrete release dates are still unconfirmed. While one source, The Sun (as reported by Tech Advisor), "claimed that the show would return next year, 2026," it's important to note that "not every publication is reporting this date." So, keep that '2026' in your back pocket as a hopeful possibility rather than a definite date.

There are also some practical considerations. Simon Bird is currently filming for Star Wars: Starfighter, which isn't due until 2027, and Blake Harrison is tied up with Fing, an adaptation of a David Walliams book. Juggling these schedules could certainly impact when The Inbetweeners can actually get off the ground.

As for where to watch it, that's also up in the air. If it's a film, it could get a full theatrical release before heading to streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or Disney+. If it ends up being a TV series, Channel 4 (the original network, via E4) seems like a natural fit, but nothing's set in stone. As we've seen with other revivals (like Gladiators moving from ITV to BBC), the original channel isn't always a guarantee. Jonathan Blyth, managing director of Fudge Park, confirmed that "there are exciting conversations afoot and more news to follow," so we'll have to stay tuned for official announcements on all fronts.

"Incredibly exciting to be plotting more adventures for our four favourite friends (ooh friends)."

— Iain Morris & Damon Beesley, Creators of The Inbetweeners Frequently Asked Questions About The Inbetweeners' Return

Is The Inbetweeners officially returning?

Yes, creators Iain Morris and Damon Beesley have signed a deal with Banijay UK for its return, officially paving the way for new content.

Will the original cast be back?

Absolutely! Simon Bird (Will), Joe Thomas (Simon), James Buckley (Jay), and Blake Harrison (Neil) are all confirmed to be reprising their roles.

What format will the revival be in (film, TV series, etc.)?

The exact format is still under discussion, with possibilities including a new film, a TV series, or even a stage show.

When is The Inbetweeners revival expected to be released?

No official release date has been announced, but some reports from a single source suggest a potential return in 2026. Cast schedules are a factor.

Sources

• Deadline (Jake Kanter, October 13, 2025)
• Variety (Alex Ritman, October 12, 2025)
• The Independent (William Mata, October 13, 2025)
• Tech Advisor (Hannah Cowton-Barnes, October 13, 2025)
• LADbible (Anish Vij, October 13, 2025)
• 98FM (October 13, 2025)