Red Dwarf to return

Sci-fi comedy Red Dwarf is to return next year.

TV channel Dave has ordered two series of the classic show, which stars Craig Charles, Chris Barrie, Danny John-Jules, and Robert Llewellyn as the crew of a ship marooned in space.

Production will begin this autumn, with series airing in 2016 and 2017.

Red Dwarf first aired on BBC2 in 1988, where it ran for eight series, and garnered a cult following and numerous awards.

After a decade-long absence from screens, Dave produced three specials to celebrate the show’s 21st anniversary in 2009. Red Dwarf: Back to Earth attracted over two and a half million viewers, and later spawned a full series, which went out on Dave in 2012.

Co-creator Doug Naylor will write and direct the new series, with all of the original cast set to reprise their roles.

“Frustratingly it’s taken until now to get our ducks in a row and all the boys available at the same time,” Naylor said. “Now they are, we’re all absolutely delighted.”

Commissioning editor Simon Lupton said: “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.”