Mawaan Rizwan, the creator and star of the BBC comedy series Juice, has confirmed that the show will not return for a third season. The surreal sitcom, which won Rizwan a BAFTA for Best Male Comedy Performance in 2023, concluded its second series earlier this year. Speaking in a recent interview, Rizwan reflected on the show's journey from a fringe theatre piece to a BAFTA-winning television series, but acknowledged that the time had come to move on.
Rizwan described the production of Juice as an intense labour of love, saying, 'This show is a lot, man. I care about it so deeply. But the downside to that is I don't have a life.' He noted that the second series, which expanded into a more fantastical 'Juice Town' set, required significant effort to bring its ambitious visual style to life. Despite the critical acclaim, Rizwan indicated that the show's demanding nature and the current challenges facing the television industry contributed to the decision not to continue.
The actor also discussed the difficulties of getting Juice commissioned in the first place, citing a risk-averse climate in British comedy. 'There's a certain way of making British comedy, and if you're trying to make a show that's not [like something else] on TV already, that's a huge risk,' he said. He added that financial pressures and political uncertainty have made commissioners more cautious, creating a paradox where daring art is needed but safe bets are favoured.
Rizwan's career continues to flourish beyond Juice, with appearances on Taskmaster, Live at the Apollo, and Doctor Who, as well as a series of comedy songs. He remains philosophical about the show's end, noting that winning the BAFTA was a validation of his work, but also a reminder of the perils of seeking external approval. 'I've spent a lot of my adult life trying to prove myself so that I can be clapped by people,' he said, adding that his therapist even raised his fee after the award speech.
