Prime Video and the BBC announced today that The Outlaws, a comedy thriller series from award-winning writer and director Stephen Merchant and Elgin James (co-creator of U.S. series Mayans M.C.), will premiere its second season in 2022.
The series will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK, and on Prime Video in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Nordic countries, following the previously announced Season One premiere.
Season One of The Outlaws, which follows seven strangers from different walks of life who are forced together to complete a Community Payback sentence in Bristol, England, premiered on BBC One on October 25, and is the BBC’s biggest comedy launch this year, with over 11 million streams on BBC iPlayer so far.
In Season Two, 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 Outlaws must depend on one another while working with unlikely allies to atone for their sins. Can they save themselves without sacrificing their souls?
Season Two will see the return of Academy Award-winning actor Christopher Walken, alongside writer and star Stephen Merchant (The Office, Jojo Rabbit), with Rhianne Barreto (Honour, Hanna), Gamba Cole (Soon Gone: A Windrush Chronicle, Hanna), Darren Boyd (Killing Eve), Clare Perkins (EastEnders), Eleanor Tomlinson (Poldark), Jessica Gunning (Back), Charles Babalola (Bancroft), Nina Wadia (Goodness Gracious Me, Bend It like Beckham), Tom Hanson (Brassic), and Aiyana Goodfellow (Small Axe).
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 the 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.”
Chris Mansolillo, director and head of content licensing in the U.S. for Prime Video, said:
“Stephen and Elgin’s unlikely band of Outlaws have clearly connected with audiences in the UK, through their compelling storylines, and hilarious and heartfelt performances. We can’t wait to introduce The Outlaws to our Prime Video members next year.”
The Outlaws (6×60’) is a co-production between BBC One and Amazon Studios. The second season was commissioned by BBC Comedy and BBC One, produced by Big Talk (Mum, Friday Night Dinner, Back) with Stephen Merchant’s Four Eyes. Big Talk is part of ITV Studios. The Amazon deal was brokered by BBC Studios who are also handling global distribution.
Jonathan Blyth, director of comedy at BBC Studios, adds:
‘‘The return of The Outlaws is such brilliant news. Stephen, Big Talk, and the talented ensemble cast have produced a really special series full of dramatic moments, humour and warmth which has made it one of the most talked about shows of the year. We are thrilled to be working with the BBC, Amazon, and key partners to bring the series to audiences around the world and to establish it as a major global comedy brand.’’
Executive Producers for The Outlaws include Stephen Merchant for Four Eyes, Luke Alkin, and Kenton Allen and Matthew Justice for Big Talk. Tanya Qureshi is the commissioning editor for the BBC. Directors are John Butler (Papi Chulo) and Alicia MacDonald (Flack). The producer is Frances du Pille (The Watch), with series producer Nickie Sault (The Virtues, World on Fire).
