How Many Series Of 'Little Britain' Are There So Far?

'Little Britain' debuted on BBC Radio 4 in 2001, and ran for two short series of five and four half hour episodes. It was transferred to television in 2003, and was an eight-episode series on the BBC digital-only channel BBC Three. There have been two more series since, each with six episodes. The programme will return Christmas 2006 for a special.

The show's stars, Matt Lucas and David Walliams have denied press speculation that the third series would be the last. The BBC has regarded the series a success, and an American version is due in 2007 for HBO (a premium cable television network). A film version in the US is being developed by Lucas and Walliams.

Most of the material found in the TV version was adapted from the radio version, but some new sketches featured recurring characters. Because the series was successful, the first television series was repeated on the mainstream channel BBC Two.

The second series featured some new characters, and began on BBC Three October 19th 2004. Repeats of the series were shown on BBC One, starting December 3rd 2004. Some material was cut for the BBC One showing, however, as it was deemed too offensive for the BBC One audience.

The third series started on Thursday 17 November 2005, and lasted six weeks. Many of the sketches were given twists or wrapped up, leaving it uncertain as to whether there would be a fourth series. Lucas and Walliams were reportedly in talks with the BBC for a fourth series, and stated in an interview that they would prefer to kill off certain characters in order to make room for new ones.

Recently Lucas and Walliams have signed a three-year deal with the BBC, and are currently planning a new show.