Mrs Brown's Boys' Fiona O'Carroll confirms show will return with new series and special

Mrs Brown's Boys' Fiona O'Carroll has confirmed the show will return for the first time in nearly 10 years

 

Mrs Brown's Boys' Fiona O'Carroll has confirmed the show will return for a new series

Mrs Brown's Boys' Fiona O'Carroll has confirmed the show will return for a new series, with filming set to take place in October.

The well-loved programme has been off TV screens for nearly 10 years but will make a comeback with a mini-series next year and two Christmas specials.

Mrs Brown's Boys return was due to happen in 2022, but production was put on hold due to scheduling difficulties and Covid delays.

But now creator Brendan O'Caroll's daughter Fiona, 41, who plays Maria Brown in the show, told the RTE Guide: "In October we'll be filming Mrs Brown: two Christmas specials and the first of a mini-series of four episodes, the other three early next year."

"We've the live show in November at the SSE Arena in Belfast and 3Arena in Dublin. And we're planning more theatre dates for next year."

Starring Brendan as Agnes Brown, the programme has attracted fans from Iceland to Australia since it made its TV debut in 2011 and ran until 2013.

Fiona previously spoke about the issues they were having with getting the new series off up the ground.

She said earlier this year on Ireland AM: "Well, you know what this industry is like. There is lots of talk and lots of talk and until it is happening you will never really know. Yes, there is talk.

"We were supposed to be doing a mini series this year but, unfortunately, due to various different reasons it didn't happen.

"So, there is talk of it happening next year, a possible mini series. It is not just down to us, it is down to studio time, it is down to crew and it is down to cast."

Back in June, Brendan says he hasn't spoken to former co-star Gary Hollywood since he quit Mrs Brown's Boys, with the show's creator saying the cast and crew "miss him"

Fiona says they will also be filming a Christmas special

Gary, 42, had played Dino Doyle on the BBC sitcom from its debut in 2011 until 2020, having previously played the role in the stage production of it from 2004 onwards.

He however quit the show two years ago, with him said to have claimed he was paid less than other cast members - launching legal action, which was reportedly later dropped.

The show's creator and lead actor Brendan, 66, - who plays matriarch Agnes Brown - opened up about where things stand with Gary since his sudden departure.

He told the Irish Mirror Gary was a "great actor," further saying about his former co-star: "We miss him. He used to call me 'father'. He was part of the family."

Brendan - who appears on the show alongside several of his own family members - however added: "We haven't spoken since [he quit] and haven't heard a word from him since."