Fans of the cult Channel 4 comedy Peep Show have been treated to a surprise announcement: the main cast will reunite for the first time in years for The Great British Bake Off Christmas Special. The iconic sitcom, which debuted in 2003 and ran for 12 years until 2015, will see its stars swap Croydon flats for the iconic baking tent in a festive one-off.
A Sweet Reunion in the Bake Off Tent
For the first time since the Noughties sitcom wrapped, fan favourites David Mitchell, Olivia Colman, Isy Suttie, Matt King, and Sophie Winkleman are coming back together. They will trade their characters' famously awkward encounters for the challenges of icing and proving in this year's festive Bake Off episode. Notably absent is Robert Webb, who played Jeremy, due to significant health challenges he has faced in recent years.
The reunion offers a poignant look at how the lives of the cast members have diverged dramatically since the show launched their careers. From Oscar glory to marrying into royalty and battling serious illness, their journeys have been varied in the decade since the final episode aired.
Where Are They Now? The Cast's Varied Paths
Robert Webb, now 51, faced a life-threatening health crisis after Peep Show ended. In 2019, a routine medical check led to a diagnosis of a Mitral valve prolapse (MVP), requiring emergency open-heart surgery. Doctors warned his heart "would fail" within months without the operation. His recovery impacted later endeavours, including a brief stint on Strictly Come Dancing in 2021, which he had to leave on medical advice.
David Mitchell, 49, who played the eternally anxious Mark, has remained a constant presence on British television. He is a team captain on Would I Lie to You? and a regular on panel shows. Beyond acting, he has authored books, including 2023's Unruly: A History of England's Kings and Queens. He is married to presenter Victoria Coren Mitchell, with whom he has two children.
From Cleaner to Oscar Winner
Undoubtedly the show's biggest success story is Olivia Colman. From her role as Sophie, she has ascended to become one of Britain's most acclaimed actresses. Her post-Peep Show career includes starring roles in Broadchurch, The Night Manager, and The Crown. Her crowning achievement came in 2019 when she won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Queen Anne in The Favourite.
Sophie Winkleman, who played the posh 'Big Suze', found life imitating art. She married Lord Frederick Windsor, King Charles's second cousin, in 2009. Her life took a frightening turn in 2017 when she was involved in a serious car crash, suffering a broken foot and back, with a long and difficult recovery. She has spoken warmly of her relationship with the Royal Family, including King Charles.
Isy Suttie, who joined as Mark's love interest Dobby in 2008, has built a strong career as a stand-up comedian, writer, and panel show regular. She won a Sony Radio Academy Award for her show Pearl and Dave in 2013.
Matt King, beloved as the drug-addled Super Hans, was discovered at the Edinburgh Fringe. Despite the role defining his career, he revealed in 2023 that he had never actually watched the full series of Peep Show. He has since appeared in shows like Doctor Who and films including Paddington.
A Festive Treat for Fans
This Great British Bake Off Christmas Special serves as both a hilarious festive spectacle and a heartfelt nod to a beloved chapter in British comedy history. It highlights not just where the actors are now, but the enduring affection for the show that made them household names. For fans, it's a chance to see the chemistry that made Peep Show a classic, rekindled in the most British of settings: the Bake Off tent.
