British comedy duo Mitchell and Webb are re-teaming once again on Channel 4 for a brand new sketch comedy series the broadcaster has announced.
David Mitchell and Robert Webb are best known for their work on Channel 4’s ‘Peep Show’ (2003–2015), a cult-favourite sitcom where they played dysfunctional flatmates, and ‘That Mitchell and Webb Look’ (2006–2010), a sketch show featuring their sharp, surreal humour. They met at the University of Cambridge, where they performed in the Footlights, and have since collaborated on various TV, radio, and stage projects. Mitchell is known for his erudite, ranting style, while Webb often plays more naive or eccentric characters. Their work blends satire, absurdity, and sharp social commentary.
“When Channel 4 asked us to do another sketch show we were startled, bemused and available. It’s a perilous time for the industry and so it’s our hope that relaunching the trickiest genre of comedy is a brilliant piece of counterintuitive commissioning,” the duo said in a statement. “And we’re confident that unlike Roger Moore with his shoe on the bonnet of a car teetering on the edge of a cliff in For Your Eyes Only [REPLACE WITH 21ST CENTURY REFERENCE?] we’re not about to give British TV comedy a final lethal nudge into the abyss. We’re looking forward to working with our brilliant new cast despite their youth and talent and would like to encourage viewers to watch the advert break carefully and do their best to buy something. It doesn’t have to be a car but, you know, a box of chocolates or an app or something.”
It has been 15 years since ‘That Mitchell and Webb Look’ ended, although the pair have often talked about wanting to return to doing sketch comedy together. The last time they reunited was for two seasons of the Channel 4 comedy ‘Back’ in 2017 and 2021.
The new sketch show, will see them combine forces with a host of exciting and innovative future stars, marking a bold return to British sketch comedy with an innovative merging of comedy minds across generations. In this six-part series, Mitchell & Webb will be supported by an ensemble cast of next-generation writer/performers: Kiell Smith-Bynoe, Lara Ricote, Stevie Martin, and Krystal Evans (pictured above), plus a dynamic team of established and upcoming comic writers.
Kiell Smith-Bynoe is best known for his role as Mike in the BAFTA-nominated sitcom ‘Ghosts’ (BBC) and for playing Dean in the BAFTA-winning comedy ‘Stath Lets Flats’ (Channel 4). An actor and writer, he has also starred in crime drama Death in Paradise (BBC) and the comedies Dreamland (Sky TV), Bloods (Sky TV) and Murder They Hope (BBC). At 2021’s Edinburgh Fringe, he co-starred in the musical comedy String V SPITTA and had his own late-night improv show Kiell Smith-Bynoe and Friends: Kool Story Bro.
Kiell Smith-Bynoe said: “Getting to join this project with comedy legends Mitchell & Webb feels like getting to sit on the grown-up’s table that you’ve been trying to get on for years, then you realise the grown-ups are just as funny, silly and they’ll let you have a sip of Advocaat. I’m really excited to be a part of this long-awaited return of comedy royalty.”
Lara Ricote is a Mexican-American-Venezuelan comedian and writer whose debut show, GRL/LATNX/DEF, won the Best Newcomer Award at the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. She also won the 2021 Funny Stage Women Award and has performed on Mel Giedroyc’s Unforgivable (Dave) and Live at the Apollo (BBC).
Lara Ricote said: “I am overjoyed to be making this with the best there is. It’s such a silly, good and sweet group and the sketches are just very funny. I am feeling very lucky to be part of this. The writers’ rooms were SO fun and now we get to act in it? It’s a dream!”
Stevie Martin is a comedian, writer and podcaster. Her award-winning viral sketches with Lola-Rose Maxwell have amassed over 20 million views (3 million on TikTok), and her two hit podcasts collectively receive over 100,000 downloads a month: Might Delete Later with Gina Martin and Nobody Panic with Tessa Coates, which has been adapted into a hit book. Stevie’s recent television appearances include 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown (Channel 4), Starstruck (HBO Max / BBC), Breeders (FX/Sky) and Late Night Mash (Dave).
Stevie Martin said: “I started doing online sketches because I never thought I’d get to do sketch comedy on actual TV – but now I’m doing it on actual TV with the two people who made me want to be a sketch comedian in the first place?! It’s absolutely wild. Also they’ve both been so fun and generous to work with – plus David was very nice when I said I enjoyed his show ‘Luther’.”
Krystal Evans is an American comedian based in the UK. Her sizzling debut show – The Hottest Girl at Burn Camp – was met with rapturous reviews when she took it to Edinburgh Fringe in 2023. Krystal has previously appeared on BBC’s Comedy Underground, Scot Squad (BBC), Breaking the News (BBC), BBC New Comedy Award, Bad Influencer with Mark Nelson (BBC) and Socially Distant with Susan Calman (BBC).
Krystal Evans said: “Working with these guys and this incredibly talented cast is an actual dream come true and also they give us free biscuits and if we’re really good, pizza.”
David Mitchell is just coming off the back of the brilliant hit detective comedy ‘Ludwig‘, which has been renewed for a 2nd Season after announcing it was one of their biggest scripted show of 2024. Robert Webb has been appearing in a variety of dramas such as ‘Whitstable Pearl’, and ‘Death in Paradise’, along with popping up on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ in 2021, and Channel 4’s ‘Travel Man’.
“Sketch is back baby. We’re so honoured to be working with David, Robert and their contemporaries, alongside an exceptional collective of newer voices both on and off screen,” adds Charlie Perkins, Head of Comedy at Channel 4. “Sketch shows have historically been the bedrock of generations of comedy writers and performers – giving so many household names their first credits and platforms and Channel 4 has always been at the heart of this. It’s been such a sparky and joyous journey making this show so far and we can’t wait for audiences to see it.”
The new six-part series will be produced by That Mitchell & Webb Company in association with Big Talk Studios (Friday Night Dinner, Back, Ludwig) and helmed by BAFTA-winner, and long-standing Mitchell and Webb producer, Gareth Edwards.
The new Mitchell and Webb sketch show does not yet have an air date (or a title!) but if you want to keep track of this or any other show, you can add them via our Never Miss system, and you’ll be notified when it gets a UK premiere date.
