C4 backs Horgan and Delaney's comedy

Channel 4 has ordered TWO more series of Catastrophe.

The third, six-part series will go into production in November to launch in 2017; with the second season due later.

Written by and starring Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney, the critically acclaimed series has scooped a raft of awards since launching last year.

And audiences have been growing, with figures for this year’s second series up 20 per cent on the first, with an average of 1.4million viewers.

Phil Clarke, head of comedy at Channel 4 said: ‘I am thrilled to commission a third and fourth series of the multi award-winning Catastrophe. It’s a welcome return for the brave, razor edged, excruciatingly honest and painfully funny portrayal of a modern, long term relationship.’

And in a statement Horgan and Delaney said: ‘We are thrilled to be making a third series of Catastrophe. Rob and Sharon are a blast to spend time with. And we’re not talking about ourselves in the third person, we’re talking about the characters.  We’re eager to breathe life back into Rob and Sharon. Okay, now we are talking about us. 

‘In the first series Rob and Sharon went through a lot (us) and even more in the second series (back to the characters). We’re looking forward to putting Rob and Sharon (both us and the characters) through further pain for your enjoyment (now we’re talking about you).’

Among Catastrophe’s award haul are two 2016 Royal Television Society Awards, two 2016 Broadcasting Press Guild Awards; a 2016 Bafta Craft award and  the 2016 Rose D’Or Award for best sitcom.

It is made by Avalon Television, whose joint managing director Jon Thoday praised Channel 4’s ‘exceptional vision and support’, with co-producers Birdbath Productions and Merman.

 The series is directed by Ben Taylor and produced by Jack Bayles and the supporting cast includes Carrie Fisher, Ashley Jensen and Mark Bonnar.

Published: 12 Jul 2016