Mitchell & Webb return to Channel 4 with a brand new sketch show
David Mitchell and Robert Webb are joined by Krystal Evans, Stevie Martin, Kiell Smith-Bynoe and Lara Ricote
The new series sees them teaming up with the next generation of comedy writers and performers.
David Mitchell and Robert Webb are returning to Channel 4 with a brand new sketch show, title TBC, which sees 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.
Mitchell & Webb will be supported by an ensemble cast of next generation writer/performers: Kiell Smith-Bynoe, Lara Ricote, Stevie Martin, and Krystal Evans, plus a dynamic team of established and upcoming comic writers.
The six-part series will be produced by That Mitchell & Webb Company in association with Big Talk Studios (Friday Night Dinner, Back, Ludwig), which is part of ITV Studios, and helmed by the BAFTA-winning duo’s long-standing producer Gareth Edwards.
David Mitchell and Robert Webb say: “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. 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.”
Kiell Smith-Bynoe says: “Getting to join this project with comedy legends Mitchell & Webb feels like getting to sit on the grown-ups 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 says: “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 says: “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 says: “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.”
Charlie Perkins, Head of Comedy at Channel 4, says: “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. 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.”
Kenton Allen, Chief Executive at Big Talk Studios, says: “Sketch comedy is an incredibly valuable part of the comedy ecosystem so we're thrilled that clever Channel 4 are doing what they are best at by supporting high risk creative endeavours in an innovative format that can reap enormous rewards for viewers across multiple platforms. David Mitchell and Robert Webb returning to their BAFTA-winning sketch show roots feels like I'm witnessing a rare comedy conservation success story. Who better to lead this comedic rescue mission than two masters of the craft. Like proud zookeepers, we can't wait to show off these magnificent specimens and their brilliant talented offspring let loose in their natural habitat.”
The 6x30’ sketch show was commissioned by Charlie Perkins, Head of Comedy and Joe Hullait, Commissioning Executive, Comedy at Channel 4. Executive Producers are Kenton Allen for Big Talk Studios, David Mitchell, and Robert Webb; the series will be produced by Gareth Edwards.
Mitchell and Webb are best known on Channel 4 for their cultural hit phenomenon, Peep Show. After nine series, it is Channel 4’s longest running sitcom and to this day, Peep Show remains one of the best performing comedy shows on streaming. With Peep Show cementing their comedy partnership, Mitchell & Webb went on to success with That Mitchell & Webb franchise of radio and television sketches and became two of the UK’s most exportable television talents.
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.
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).
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).
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).
For more information, please visit the Channel 4 press site.
