- Changing Ends has been recommissioned by ITV
- The sitcom by Alan Carr will record 12 new episodes next year
- It is based on Alan’s own life in Northampton in the 1980s
Alan Carr‘s semi-autobiographical sitcom has been recommissioned by ITVX and ITV1.
Based on his childhood in 1980s Northampton, Changing Ends has run for two series to date, with the third and fourth to be filmed back-to-back next year.
Each of the new runs will comprise of six half-hours, making a total commission of twelve programmes from production company Baby Cow.
ITV reports that the first two series have been streamed on its ITVX platform some 13 million times.
Alan Carr says: “To get your own sitcom recommissioned for a series is the most wonderful news ever, but to have TWO series recommissioned is utterly mind-blowing and such a huge compliment which I do not take lightly. I know how much this show has resonated with the viewers and I promise I won’t let you down, and for someone whose actual life at times feels like a sitcom, believe me there are more tales from my childhood to be told. Two series commissioned eh? My dream of Changing Ends becoming Northampton’s answer to The Crown becomes two steps closer to being a reality.”
ITV‘s Head of Comedy, Nana Hughes said: “Changing Ends continues to grow into becoming one of our most popular comedies with audiences clearly loving the early adventures of little Alan Carr. The cast is simply superb and the heart warming storytelling has clearly struck a chord with our viewers.”
Baby Cow CEO Sarah Monteith adds: “We’re delighted that ITV have trusted us with not one but two more series of our hit comedy Changing Ends. We’re having fun with Alan’s early-teens era, it’s getting emotional!”
The series stars Oliver Savell as the younger Alan, with Carr playing himself, commenting to-camera of his youthful adventures.
Shaun Dooley plays his father, the town’s fourth-division football club’s manager, Graham, with Nancy Sullivan as mum Christine.
Gabby Best, who co-wrote Series 2 with Alan Carr after the death of his co-creator, Simon Carlyle, is a number of prominent supporting stars.
Cast details for Series 3 and 4 have yet to be announced.
Changing Ends
From award-winning writers Alan Carr and Simon Carlyle, Changing Ends is a comedy based on Alan’s childhood growing up as the son of a fourth division football manager in Northampton, 1980s.
This is more than just a trip down memory lane. It’s a love letter to a time and a town where things weren’t always so inclusive. Told with warmth and wit, it follows Alan’s journey through puberty, adolescence and finally self-discovery. Against the backdrop of Thatcher’s Britain, Alan experiences sexual awakenings, battles with bullies and navigates the highs and lows of fourth division football.
This is a show about school and family, and figuring out who you are when your family are Match of the Day football fanatics – and you’re a little bit Miss Marple.
First released: Monday 4th March 2024