Channel 4 goes back to Back

The new season of Back goes into production next summer

UK broadcaster Channel 4 has announced five new commissions, including a second season for the David Mitchell-and Robert Webb-fronted comedy Back.

Back (6×30’), created by Simon Blackwell (Veep, In the Loop, Peep Show), will go into production next summer and has been recommissioned by head of comedy Fiona McDermott and commissioning editor Jack Bayles.

The sitcom is produced by That Mitchell and Webb Company in association with Big Talk Productions (part of ITV Studios). Blackwell, along with Peep Show stars Mitchell and Webb, will again executive produce along with Kenton Allen and Matthew Justice. International distribution is being handled by BBC Worldwide.

C4 has also commissioned a series for More4 from October Films that will see actor David Jason explore the secret places and people behind Britain’s spy history.

David Jason’s Secret Service (3×60’) will be series produced by Rebecca Hayman, directed by James Tovell and executive produced by Mike Warner for October. It was ordered by Rob Coldstream, commissioning editor for history at Channel 4.

The UK broadcaster has also ordered The Wedding Shop (25×30’) from Nineteen11, which follows bridal and occasion wear designer Ian Stuart as he helps people to achieve the wedding of their dreams.

The series was ordered by commissioning editor, formats, Lee McMurrary and head of formats, Dom Bird. Executive producers for Nineteen11 are Joanne Inglott and Brian Hayes.

A Year to Fall in Love, from Blast! Films, is a 1×60’ production for C4 that will be followed by a series planned for All4 looking at 20 people who give themselves a year to fall in love.

It was ordered by Lucy Leveugle, commissioning editor and Becky Cadman, commissioning executive for factual entertainment along with All4 commissioning editor Todd Florance. The executive producer for Blast! is Sarah Spencer.

Finally, The Real Narcos is a three-part series which sees ex-special forces soldier Jason Fox (SAS: Who Dares Wins) investigate the drugs trade in South America.

The programme has been commissioned for C4 by specialist factual commissioning editor Alf Lawrie, with Stuart Cabb attached as executive producer and Steven Grandison as series director.