Inbetweeners duo back on Channel 4 for new show after Netflix movie announcement

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Inbetweeners co-stars Joe Thomas and James Buckley are reuniting to front a new travel TV programme.

The upcoming four-part comedy series, which will air on Channel 4, currently holds the working title Joe and James: Boys to Men.

According to the broadcaster, the project will follow the actors as they attempt to discover “how to (and not be) a grown up”.

Describing the premise, Channel 4 stated: “Now a little bit older, but not necessarily any wiser, best mates Joe Thomas and James Buckley – who first hit our screens as Simon and Jay in The Inbetweeners – are back on Channel 4 and on a mission to work out how adulting works and how exactly you make the most of midlife without a crisis”.

“Joe recently entered his 40s and James is joining him there next year, so they’re embarking on an epic-ish journey to figure out what that means and what’s acceptable for them to be doing now they’re ‘grown up’,” the channel added. “Who should and shouldn’t they be hanging out with and where can and can’t they go?”

A third Inbetweeners movie is set to be shown on Netflix (Channel 4)

In its announcement, the network noted that the duo possess “very different approaches to life”, observing that Thomas maintains a “more introspective and esoteric view” whereas Buckley “takes a more straight-talking, no-nonsense approach”.

Viewers will see the pair take on a “road-trip full of funny and unconventional adventures as they search for people and experiences that might give them some answers to their big (mid) life questions”.

Vivienne Molokwu, commissioning editor at Channel 4, remarked: “Whether you rewatch an ep of The Inbetweeners or catch them on their hilarious podcast, the chemistry between Joe and James is undeniable. Their genuine friendship and different perspectives on life make them both engaging and entertaining so I can’t wait to see them explore the very modern question of what to do when you’re too old to be young but too young to be old.”

Production is being handled by Idle Industries alongside Fudge Park, the production company behind The Inbetweeners. The programme is produced by Inbetweeners co-creator Damon Beesley together with Will Macdonald, who established Idle Industries last year.

Macdonald commented that watching the actors “set off in a small car to get answers to big existential questions and crack the meaning of midulthood is nothing short of thrilling and hilarious”.

The Inbetweeners proved a major hit on E4 (Channel 4)

A broadcast schedule for the series has not yet been confirmed by Channel 4.

However, it was recently announced that the actors will also reunite for another Inbetweeners movie.

Netflix revealed earlier this month that work has commenced on a third film – a continuation of the popular E4 sitcom, which originally ran from 2008 to 2010 before spawning spin-off movies in 2011 and 2014.

Thomas, Buckley, Simon Bird and Blake Harrison will reprise their roles as Simon Cooper, Jay Cartwright, Will McKenzie and Neil Sutherland.

Original creators Beesley and Iain Morris are writing and directing the film.

The original coming-of-age comedy, which featured Emily Atack in its cast, charted the awkward misadventures of four friends at Rudge Park Comprehensive as they navigated school life, friendship and failed romance.

At the box office, the 2011 film adaptation grossed £65.1 million, while the 2014 sequel earned £46.6 million.