Channel 4 has commissioned a second series of Back.

The first series of Back, written by Simon Blackwell (The Thick of It, Peep Show) and starring David Mitchell and Robert Webb, came to an end last month. Channel 4 have said that it attracted an average audience of 1 million viewers per episode and that it was the best performing new comedy on All 4 in five years, as well as that its launch episode was the channel’s most successful comedy debut in over a year.

Six new half-hour episodes are being written now and are due to go into production next summer. The cast of series 1 also included TVO regulars Geoff McGivern and Matthew Holness, along with Penny Downie, Louise Brealey, Olivia Poulet, Jessica Gunning and Oliver Maltman, who are all expected to return for series 2.

David Mitchell has commented: “I’m so pleased Channel 4 have given their backing to bringing Back back for a second series. I look back on Back series one with tremendous pride and can’t wait to be back working with the whole Back pack when we’re all back together making Back.”

Robert Webb added: “We’re all delighted that Back is where it belongs: back.”