MITCHELL & WRBB ARE NOT HELPING RENEWED FOR SECOND SERIES ON CHANNEL 4

Channel 4 announces the series two commission of hit sketch comedy Mitchell and Webb Are Not Helping, produced by That Mitchell & Webb Company in association with Big Talk Studios (Friday Night Dinner, Back, Ludwig).

Series one of Mitchell and Webb Are Not Helping saw David Mitchell and Robert Webb’s long-awaited return to Channel 4 and marked a bold return to British sketch comedy. 

The show was Channel 4’s biggest comedy launch since 2018 with the opening episode consolidating at 2.3 million (28-days) and winning its slot among 16–34s, with a 29% share. The series average (pre-TX to 28-day) cements it as Channel 4’s 3rd biggest scripted comedy title behind only Friday Night Dinner and Derry Girls.

Utilising the show’s distinctive format, full clips of many sketches were shared on social prior to the launch, during and after the TX run. To date, 25.5 million views have been accrued across Channel 4’s YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. This strategy also enabled the launch and quick growth of new Channel 4 Comedy accounts.

Across the six episodes, Mitchell and Webb were joined by an ensemble cast of next generation writer/performers: Kiell Smith-Bynoe, Lara Ricote, Stevie Martin, and Krystal Evans, plus a team of established and up-and-coming writers.

Charlie Perkins, Head of Comedy at Channel 4, says: “They said sketch was dead, but the success of Mitchell and Webb Are Not Helping with audiences on linear, streaming and social proves otherwise. Making a hit, on top of having the ability to showcase so many incredible new writers and performers alongside David and Robert, has been an immense honour and joy...

"Thank you so much to our exceptional Series 1 ensemble. We’re looking forward to offering more brilliant writers and performers the opportunity on Series 2. Long live sketch comedy.”

Ian Katz, Chief Content Officer at Channel 4, says: “From foul mouthed Aussies to Middle Aged Man island via the tinpot dictators of airport security, Mitchell and Webb Are Not Helping reminded us of the eclectic brand of joy a sketch show can deliver...

"Channel 4 loves nothing more than swimming against the tide so it was particularly satisfying to watch Robert and David and their supporting cast of emerging stars breathe life into such a vital genre for UK Comedy. We’re also delighted that as well as being a hit with linear and streaming viewers, the sketches from series one have been watched by millions of viewers across social platforms.”

Kenton Allen, Chief Executive at Big Talk Studios, says: “I couldn’t be happier to see Mitchell and Webb blow the roof off at Channel 4 with a show that has connected so powerfully across linear, streaming and social. We’re especially delighted to be showcasing such exceptional new talent alongside David and Robert. Huge thanks to Ian, Charlie, Joe and everyone at Channel 4 and we can’t wait to platform more new stars of the future alongside Robert and David on the next series.”

Mitchell and Webb Are Not Helping is available to stream on Channel 4.