BBC CONFIRM SECOND SERIES OF STEPHEN MERCHANT'S THE OUTLAWS

BBC One and Amazon Studios announce the second series of Stephen Merchant’s The Outlaws from Big Talk and Four Eyes.

The Outlaws series one is the BBC’s biggest comedy launch this year and has been streamed 11m times on BBC iPlayer so far.

Following on directly from the first series, The Outlaws still have time to serve on their sentences - but now they must face the fallout from their actions. If they thought the criminal underworld or the local police were done with them, they are sorely mistaken.

The second series will see the return of Academy Award-winning actor Christopher Walken, alongside writer and star Stephen Merchant, with Rhianne Barreto, Gamba Cole, Darren Boyd, Clare Perkins, Eleanor Tomlinson, Jessica Gunning, Charles Babalola, Nina Wadia, Tom Hanson, and Aiyana Goodfellow as Esme.

Guest stars include Julia Davis (Sally4Ever), Dolly Wells (Dracula), Ian McElhinney (Game Of Thrones, Derry Girls), and Claes Bang (Dracula).

Stephen Merchant says: "I am overwhelmed by the wonderful response to The Outlaws. Audiences have fallen in love with the characters as much as I have and my Twitter feed is inundated with people asking for updates on series two, so I’m delighted to confirm the entire gang will return for more adventures. If we made The Outlaws sweat in Series One, we’re really turning the heat up second time round."

Jon Petrie, Director of BBC Comedy, says: “The Outlaws has entertained BBC viewers across the nation this autumn and we are thrilled to say the series is the BBC’s biggest comedy launch this year. We can’t wait for fans to see what Stephen has in store for this second series as our Outlaws come face to face with the consequences of their actions.”

Filming on the second series has been completed and will air next year.