W1A to return for Series 2

Monday 15th September 2014, 2:54pm

W1A. Image shows from L to R: Simon Harwood (Jason Watkins), Siobhan Sharpe (Jessica Hynes), Tracey Pritchard (Monica Dolan), Ian Fletcher (Hugh Bonneville). Copyright: BBC

The BBC has confirmed that W1A will return for a second series in 2015.

The satirical mockumentary, a spin-off from Twenty Twelve, mocks the management culture at the BBC's London HQ (which has the postcode 'W1A'). The show's cast list includes Hugh Bonneville, Jessica Hynes and Jason Watkins.

The corporation, in a light hearted press release, confirmed: "The BBC today announces that Ian Fletcher, Head of Values, will be allowing cameras into New Broadcasting House again early next year for another series of W1A, following his day-to-day problem creating and solving abilities.

"Until the cameras roll it won't be known exactly what crisis will be averted or indeed where Ian's desk will be. It can be assumed that he will once again have the unavoidable benefit of PR company Perfect Curve's high standards of clarity and presentational skills when it comes to the key issues facing the Corporation.

"And with Charter Renewal in 2016 getting ever closer, Ian's job as Chair of the Way Ahead Task Force will be even more important than ever."

The character Ian Fletcher adds: "I am very happy to have the cameras back. Being Head of Values is all about re-setting the dial for the BBC and perhaps about shining a new light on that dial, or at least shining the old light but with a new bulb, so none of us can be in any doubt where the dial is or can have any excuse for not being able to read what it says."

The new series, once again written and directed by John Morton, will comprise of an hour-long episode and three thirty minute editions.

BBC commissioner Shane Allen says: "There's an all-too-painful yet comedic delight in John's ability to pick away at the scab of modern corporate piffle and bureaucratic absurdity. We can't wait to see what dysfunctional madness lies ahead for Ian Fletcher and colleagues in this sly fiction."

BBC Two controller Kim Shillinglaw adds: "I can't wait for the return of W1A next year. Brilliantly authored comedy, featuring some of our brightest talent, is central to BBC Two and this series, alongside the return of The Wrong Mans and new series Boy Meets Girl, The Javone Prince Show and the arrival of Backchat and Russell Howard's Good News, demonstrates the exciting range of comedy we have coming up on the channel."

Myfanwy Moore, the BBC's Controller of UK Comedy Production, jokes: "We're overwhelmed and privileged to have Ian Fletcher return. We just need to find him a desk."

Series 2 of W1A will be shown on BBC Two in early 2015.

In the below video, Hugh Bonneville talks about his character:

View this clip on the BBC website

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