Little Britain Reportedly Poised for Return 20 Years After Axing
Sources suggest the controversial BBC sitcom, starring David Walliams and Matt Lucas, may find a new home on a streaming service.
The popular but controversial British sitcom Little Britain is reportedly being considered for a return to screens, two decades after its original run concluded.
Sources familiar with the matter claim that co-creators and stars David Walliams and Matt Lucas have hinted at a potential revival through their company, Little Britain Ltd. However, due to the show's history of controversial content, including the use of blackface characters, it is considered unlikely to return to traditional broadcast channels like the BBC. Instead, it is thought that a streaming service might be more inclined to pick up the series.
Little Britain originally aired on BBC Three and BBC One between 2003 and 2006, spanning three seasons and 44 episodes. The show featured a cast of memorable characters, including Vicky Pollard, Lou and Andy, and Carol the receptionist, brought to life by Walliams and Lucas.
In June 2020, the series was removed from streaming platforms including BBC iPlayer, Netflix, and BritBox, following renewed concerns about the appropriateness of its humor in the contemporary media landscape. At the time, the BBC stated that "times have changed" and acknowledged that "content which may have been acceptable on television years ago is not acceptable today."
Walliams himself has previously commented on the show's future, suggesting in January that he saw a potential for Little Britain in the current media environment. He noted that while "it's a different world now," streaming platforms like Netflix are often more willing to host content that might face stricter scrutiny elsewhere. He observed that such platforms "aren't going to take anything off" and that "you sort of can’t get cancelled there."
Last year, both Walliams and Lucas alluded to a new project together, with a lighthearted mention of not being able to "be cancelled again." Walliams also shared anecdotes about younger generations discovering the show through clips on platforms like TikTok, indicating continued interest.
Despite the potential for a revival, Walliams has recently faced scrutiny in his publishing career, with HarperCollins reportedly ceasing to print books written by him following allegations of inappropriate behavior, which he has denied.
While a representative for the BBC has been contacted for comment, no official confirmation of a Little Britain return has been made.