The Inbetweeners Return: Cast, Release, Plot & What We Know

Everyone's favorite socially awkward British lads from Rudge Park Comprehensive are officially set for new adventures, with the original creators striking a major deal that "paves the way" for their return!

TL;DR

The Inbetweeners creators Iain Morris and Damon Beesley have secured a new agreement with Banijay UK, setting the stage for the show's return.
The revival could manifest as a new film, a fresh TV series, or even a stage adaptation, with hints strongly suggesting the return of the original four main characters.
While specific details like release dates and plot are still under wraps, the cast has previously shared both excitement and concerns about what a potential comeback might entail.

Get Ready for More Awkward Adventures: The Inbetweeners Are Back!

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Grab your mates, because it looks like Will, Simon, Jay, and Neil are officially plotting their return! Fans of the beloved British teen comedy, The Inbetweeners, have been hoping for new misadventures from the foul-mouthed quartet for years, and now it seems those hopes are becoming a reality.

The big news comes courtesy of a new agreement between Banijay UK and Fudge Park Productions, the company founded by none other than the show's original creators, Iain Morris and Damon Beesley. This deal is being heralded as the step that "paves the way for the return of the hit comedy title." That's right, the masterminds behind all those hilarious, cringe-worthy moments are back in the driver's seat, ensuring whatever comes next will have that authentic Inbetweeners magic.

The Original Creators Are Back to Plot More Hilarious Shenanigans

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The most exciting part of this announcement for long-time fans is the direct involvement of Iain Morris and Damon Beesley. Their company, Fudge Park Productions, which they started in 2015, has inked this significant deal with Banijay UK. If you remember, the original series was made by Bwark Productions, another company founded by Morris and Beesley, which was later sold to Zodiak Media (and then acquired by Banijay in 2016). So, it's essentially a full-circle moment, bringing the creative core back together with the rights holders.

Morris and Beesley themselves couldn't contain their excitement, stating, "Incredibly exciting to be plotting more adventures for our four favourite friends (ooh friends)." This strong hint pretty much confirms that any new project will revolve around the iconic quartet, rather than a reboot with new characters.

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

— Iain Morris and Damon Beesley, Creators of The Inbetweeners

Jonathan Blyth, managing director of Fudge Park, shared the enthusiasm: "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." Patrick Holland, CEO of Banijay UK, echoed this, expressing his delight to work with Morris and Beesley again, highlighting their "infectious creative vision for the brand." It truly sounds like everyone involved is genuinely hyped for this comeback!

Exploring the Potential Formats for the Inbetweeners' Grand Return

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So, what exactly will this "return" look like? That's the million-dollar question, and frankly, it's still TBD. The new deal "unlocks the rights and the potential to bring The Inbetweeners back for new audiences across a range of platforms including film, TV and stage." That gives us three distinct possibilities to ponder.

Joe Thomas, who plays Simon Cooper, has previously weighed in on this, suggesting that a film might be the more natural fit. "I don’t think they could do another series. You’d have to be a movie. You’d have to have a very, very clever device for doing another series… A movie, I think works with the right idea. It would be challenging to do another series, just because of the timeline. But with the film, there are all sorts of options." He even teased the idea of a "stag do" (bachelor party) in Las Vegas as an ideal vehicle for a reunion, which certainly sounds like classic Inbetweeners chaos!

While one report from The Sun hinted at a 2026 return, this date hasn't been officially confirmed elsewhere. Plus, the schedules of our beloved cast members might play a part. Simon Bird (Will MacKenzie) is currently filming for Star Wars: Starfighter, which isn't due out until 2027. Blake Harrison (Neil Sutherland) is also tied up with commitments for Fing, an adaptation of a fantasy adventure book. So, while 2026 sounds exciting, we might have to be patient for the stars to align.

Will All the Original 'Fwends' Be Back for the New Adventures?

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The core of The Inbetweeners has always been the undeniable chemistry between Simon Bird (Will MacKenzie), Joe Thomas (Simon Cooper), James Buckley (Jay Cartwright), and Blake Harrison (Neil Sutherland). The creators' statement about "our four favourite friends" strongly implies they're aiming for the original lineup.

However, the cast members themselves have had a bit of a rollercoaster relationship with the idea of a reunion over the years. Joe Thomas has generally been positive, stating, "All of us feel like it would be nice. We’re all still around, we’re all still in each other’s lives. We all still like each other. And if it was something that came up, I think we would want to do it."

Simon Bird, on the other hand, had previously been more hesitant, famously stating in 2024 (before this new deal), "I’m afraid to be the one pouring cold water on this but it’s not happening. I can tell you emphatically that there are no prospects of a reunion." His reasoning was that it wasn't up to them, but to the writers Iain and Damon, and he knew they were busy. But now the writers ARE on board, which completely changes his previous assessment!

James Buckley had also expressed significant reservations after the ill-fated 2019 reunion special (more on that later). He confessed, "No, I don’t wanna go near it anymore. Not because I don’t think I would have an amazing time, because I know I would... Doing The Inbetweeners was the best job in the world... But it might – you know, as I’m getting older – it’s looking like it might be the only thing that I do professionally that is universally loved." He worried about ruining the show's legacy.

Bird also touched on the challenge of aging characters, noting, "No one is going to buy us as teenagers any more. And I think the idea of the four of us back together as 30-somethings is going to be a bit more depressing for everyone." He also acknowledged that the original show's humor around sexism and homophobia might not have aged well, which could be something the creators consider for a modern take.

Despite these past hesitations, the creators' enthusiasm and the fact that they're actively "plotting" new adventures for the "four favourite friends" signals a strong intent for the original cast to return. This official deal could be the catalyst that brings them all back together.

What About Carli, Charlotte, Mr. Gilbert, and the Rest of the Crew?

Beyond the main four, The Inbetweeners had a fantastic supporting cast that added so much to the show's charm and cringe-factor. We're talking about characters like Emily Head as the perpetually out-of-reach Carli D'Amato, Henry Lloyd-Hughes as the school bully Mark Donovan, and of course, the hilariously intimidating Greg Davies as Mr. Gilbert, the head of sixth form.

One notable supporting player was Emily Atack, who played Charlotte Hinchcliffe. Her potential involvement is a bit more complicated. Reports indicate that she was allegedly excluded from the 2019 "Fwends Reunited" special due to an alleged insistence from James Buckley following a rumored past romantic encounter. Neither party has ever publicly confirmed these claims, and Emily herself tried to dodge the question about her absence on Richard Herring's podcast, simply trailing off about how "sometimes in the industry things progress and move on."

When asked about recent reboot rumors on Capital Radio, Atack seemed genuinely surprised, confessing she hadn't heard anything. She did jokingly recall the age difference during the original filming: "I was only 17, I'd just left school, but the boys were well into... I think they were in their late twenties early thirties. They were shaving their chests every morning in the make-up trucks." It remains to be seen if any supporting characters will make a comeback, but the focus, as per the creators, is firmly on the central four.

Learning from Past Mistakes: The "Fwends Reunited" Special

For those who might recall the last time the boys "reunited," it wasn't exactly a roaring success. On New Year's Day 2019, Channel 4 aired "Fwends Reunited," a two-hour special celebrating the show's 10th anniversary. Hosted by Jimmy Carr, it featured celebrity chats, quizzes, and old clips – but crucially, it wasn't a new episode of the sitcom.

Fans and critics alike largely "panned" the special, describing it as "shambolic" and confusing. Many viewers felt the actors looked uncomfortable and didn't want to be there. James Buckley himself later called it a "mistake," telling Heart Radio, "Me personally, I don’t want to ruin The Inbetweeners any more. At the moment, I wouldn’t want to go anywhere near it."

This history is important because it sets a precedent. The creators and cast are very aware of how beloved the original series is, and the backlash from "Fwends Reunited" will undoubtedly influence their approach to this new revival. It suggests a serious effort to get it right this time, focusing on a proper narrative format that fans genuinely want to see.

Where and When Can We Expect to Watch the Inbetweeners Again?

As with many details right now, the specific platform and release date are still up in the air. If the revival takes the form of a film, it could get a theatrical release before heading to a major streaming service. We're talking Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, or other contenders looking for proven, nostalgic content.

If it ends up being a TV series, then Channel 4 (or its youth network E4, where the original show aired from 2008 to 2010) would be a natural home, given their historical connection. However, as we've seen with other revivals (like Gladiators moving from ITV to the BBC), rights and distribution deals can always lead shows to new homes. The key here is that Banijay Rights are the current distributors of The Inbetweeners, giving them a lot of flexibility.

Given the cast's busy schedules and the creative process involved, it's reasonable to expect it will take some time. The rumored 2026 date could be ambitious, but with the creators now officially "plotting" things, we should hear more concrete news as production ramps up. One thing's for sure: whenever and wherever it lands, fans will be ready to tune in!

FAQ: Your Burning Questions About The Inbetweeners Revival Answered

When is The Inbetweeners revival officially happening?

As of now, there's no official confirmed release date for The Inbetweeners revival. While one report hinted at 2026, this remains unconfirmed. Production timelines and the main cast members' existing commitments (like Simon Bird's Star Wars film) mean we'll likely need to wait for more concrete announcements.

Will the original cast members be returning for the new series or film?

The creators, Iain Morris and Damon Beesley, have explicitly stated they are "plotting more adventures for our four favourite friends," which strongly indicates the return of Simon Bird (Will), Joe Thomas (Simon), James Buckley (Jay), and Blake Harrison (Neil). While some cast members have expressed past hesitations, the creators' direct involvement and recent deal suggest a collective return is the aim.

What format will The Inbetweeners revival take (film, TV series, or stage)?

The new deal with Banijay UK grants rights for a return across "film, TV, and stage." Joe Thomas has previously suggested a movie might be more feasible than a full series given the characters' ages and busy schedules, and a Las Vegas film has been "teased" as a potential idea. The exact format is still undecided and will depend on creative direction.

Where can I watch the original Inbetweeners series and movies right now?

In the UK, the original The Inbetweeners series is available to stream on Channel 4. For viewers outside the UK, you may find the series and the two spin-off movies (The Inbetweeners Movie and The Inbetweeners 2) on various streaming platforms depending on regional licensing, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or other local services.

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