Not Going Out announces evolution plus Series 15 commission
- Series 14 of Not Going Out - due on BBC One in June - will see Lee and Lucy moving away from their suburban 'empty nest' to a new home in the countryside
- A six-part Series 15 has also been confirmed today, to air on TV in 2026
- Lee Mack says: "I am delighted that the BBC are once again showing such great support for studio sitcom"
It's been revealed that when Not Going Out returns to BBC One in June for Series 14, it will see a time jump in the premise. Lee and Lucy - played by Lee Mack and Sally Bretton - are seen moving to a new house in the countryside, with their children now away at university.
The six-part series will also see the episode style change so all the action in each episode is written to take place in a 30 minute window, a device Lee Mack has said he hopes will help the audience feel like they're watching a play.
It's also been announced today that the programme - which is already one of the longest-running sitcoms in British comedy history - has been recommissioned again, with a six-part Series 15 due to follow in 2026.
Talking about the format's evolution, the BBC says: "First going out in 2006, the show introduced us to Lee, a juvenile and lazy slacker drifting from one job to another - a man unburdened by ambition or drive, living off the good graces of his Californian landlady. That was before Lee's best friend's sister Lucy bought the flat he lived in, setting in motion a will-they-won't-they chain of events that led to the unlikely couple marrying in a highly emotional Series 7 finale and Lucy having a baby shortly after. Next in Lee and Lucy's lives, Series 8 jumped forward eight years into their marriage and into the midst of a chaotic family life with three children. Series 14 now rolls the story on several years again, with the couple moving away from their suburban 'empty nest' and finding plenty of time to focus on each other... what could possibly go wrong? (Spoiler: quite a lot!)."
Lee Mack says: "I am delighted that the BBC are once again showing such great support for studio sitcom. It's a genre I've always loved and to be able to be part of it myself for so many years is both a privilege and an excuse not to have to shop, as I always take the underpants they give me home."
Not Going Out is now the UK's all-time second longest TV running prime-time sitcom by number of series (behind Last Of The Summer Wine, which had 31 series. Children's sitcom Chucklevision ran for 21 series, and The Sooty Show for 44).
The last Not Going Out episode, the Series 13 Christmas Special (and 100th episode) in 2023, averaged 4.6 million viewers. Meanwhile, in the last year, despite there having been no new episodes, viewers watched over 13 million hours of the programme on BBC iPlayer.
Jon Petrie, Director of Comedy at the BBC, comments: "Not Going Out is in rude health as it passes its centenary episode, and that's due to the incredible creativity of Lee Mack who has the most amazing ability to pack a show full of jokes. We're excited for audiences to find out what the new chapter looks like for Lee and Lucy."
Jon Thoday, executive producer at Avalon, notes: "We are thrilled to see Lee Mack's excellent show return for the hundred and first episode and delighted the BBC continue to commit to this beloved, and increasingly rare, studio sitcom."
The new series, written again by Mack and Daniel Peak, starts with an episode titled House Move, in which Lee and Lucy view the home of their dreams. When Lee asks to use the loo, it causes unwanted tension with the vendor.
Broadcast timings for the series launched will be announced nearer the time.
Series 14 will also feature an episode titled Doll, in which Lee brings a battered box back from the tip and gets a shock when he opens it in front of Lucy to reveal a sex doll... but doesn't realise what he's actually dealing with.
In Campervan, Lee borrows a dilapidated campervan from his cousin to take Lucy away for the weekend. She is not impressed by either the accommodation or the location. Being stuck in the middle of nowhere, they can't escape the strange woman who knocks at their door.
The episode titled Oasis sees Lee and Lucy discussing how they failed to get tickets to see the band play. Having lost their place in the long online queue, they start to blame each other.
Dragon Castle focuses on the duo becoming extras on the set of a famous TV mini-series. Unfortunately, Lee gets ideas above his station and sets his sights on an acting role.
Meanwhile, in Hotel Room, Lee uses his collection of free discount vouchers to stay overnight in a mid-range hotel. He makes sure that he takes advantage of all the hotel's complimentary services.