James Buckley, the actor famed for his role as the foul-mouthed fantasist Jay Cartwright in the beloved Noughties series The Inbetweeners, has publicly addressed the possibility of the show's return. This comes after the programme's creators, Iain Morris and Damon Beesley, revealed they are actively working on new material for the iconic characters.
No Official Approach Yet for Buckley
Despite ongoing discussions about reuniting the original quartet, James Buckley, now 38, has insisted he has not yet been formally approached to revive his character. The actor portrayed Jay alongside Joe Thomas as the awkward Simon, Blake Harrison as the dopey Neil Sutherland, and Simon Bird as the geeky Will McKenzie in the cult classic series.
Crass Comedy Needed in Modern Era
Buckley did, however, express strong belief that The Inbetweeners' distinctive crass style of comedy is precisely what contemporary audiences require. He explained, "I think the temperature at the moment is that people would like an Inbetweeners. It would release some sort of pressure... Just make sure we keep all that silly, disgusting humour. That’s what I assume people would want."
He elaborated further in an interview with The Sun, stating, "I think we are coming back to having a laugh again. It was cool for a while to take everything very seriously and to take things the wrong way — when you just know they are not intended to be taken that way, but you do it anyway because you might get some attention." Buckley added, "I think we have decided that’s not cool any more. If you were going to say, 'I am going to bring a mate to the pub. You’re going to love him — he gets offended by everything,' they would be, 'I’d rather not, to be honest.'"
Creators Confirm Development Plans
Back in October, creators Iain Morris and Damon Beesley confirmed that plans are underway to bring back the iconic characters for a fresh chapter, following a deal signed with production giant Banijay UK. They said in a statement, "It's incredibly exciting to be plotting more adventures for our four favourite friends (ooh friends)."
Multiple Formats Under Consideration
It is thought the project could involve a new television series, a film, or even a stage adaptation, with talks already underway about how to reboot the cult favourite. Banijay's chief executive, Patrick Holland, told The Sun he was "delighted to pick up the conversation about the future of The Inbetweeners with them." He added, "They have an infectious creative vision for the brand which will resonate with audiences old and new."
The company stated the deal "unlocks the rights and potential to bring The Inbetweeners back for new audiences across a range of platforms including film, tv and stage."
Cast Eager for Reunion
Star Joe Thomas revealed previously that the cast were eager to return. He said the group had stayed close friends and would "jump at the chance" to work together again. Speaking to a podcast, Thomas noted, "We're all still around. We're all still in each other's lives. We all still like each other. And if it was something that came up, I think we would want to do it."
Potential Return of Fan-Favourite Character
Also tipped to return is Emily Atack, who played fan-favourite character Charlotte Hinchcliffe in the original series. If the deal proceeds successfully, the reboot would mark the first time in over a decade that the full cast have reunited on screen, offering a nostalgic yet fresh experience for both longtime fans and new viewers.
