Stephen Fry joins the fantastical world of Yonderland as Sky 1 commissions a third series

Renowned British actor, author and broadcaster Stephen Fry joins the third series of Sky 1’s fantasy comedy series Yonderland, as the comic adventure gets set to return to the channel in 2016. 

Following a successful Christmas on Sky 1 with Fungus The Bogeyman and the recent launch of Stan Lee’s Lucky Man, the recommission of Yonderland forms part of Sky 1’s commitment to bring original British comedy and drama to the channel all year round.

The series, created, written by and starring Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard and Ben Willbond, is loved by viewers and critics alike. Produced by Working Title Television, the series will be internationally distributed by Sky Vision. Filming will commence this spring. 

Stephen Fry plays Cuddly Dick, a former Elder who returns to Yonderland having been imprisoned for years by the now-dead Imperatrix. Cuddly Dick is a charming, avuncular eccentric who loves nothing more than to spread love and kindness (as well as plenty of hugs and kisses). 

Meanwhile, with Imperatrix gone, Negatus now answers to no-one and can seize control of Yonderland for himself. But will his fellow Overlords have other ideas? 

Debbie, having allied with her evil sister to destroy the weapon she created, has finally fulfilled the great prophecy, ushering in the mythical “Second Age”. But will it be a time of peace and prosperity, or will an even darker cloud spread across the land? 

Peter (Dan Renton Skinner) has no memory of his brief trip to Yonderland, thanks to Debbie undoing all the pipplefruit wishes. However, still struggling with the apparent dysfunction within the house, he has hit upon a bold solution: a new start for the family in a new house in a new town... which would mean Debbie leaving the magical portal in her kitchen cupboard. 

Commenting on the commission, Adam MacDonald, director of Sky 1, said: “After two successful series, it’s extremely exciting to be bringing back Yonderland to Sky 1 for a third adventure. The creative team and cast are exceptionally talented and this weirdly wonderful show is well-loved by our audience. With the brilliant addition of Stephen Fry, this is a comedic treat for the whole family.”

Working Title Television’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner said: "We are delighted to be bringing Yonderland back for a third series. In Cuddly Dick, our incredibly talented writers have created a very funny and surprising character to add to the other assorted idiots of Yonderland, and to have Stephen Fry joining to the team to play him is the icing on the cake. We could not be more pleased."

The creators of Yonderland said: “As such huge fans of Stephen, we are all hysterically excited – and, yes, a little nervous – to be welcoming him to the mad world of Yonderland.”

Yonderland has been commissioned by Adam MacDonald and Jon Mountague and will be produced by Imogen Cooper for Working Title Television. The executive producers are Alison Carpenter, Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner for Working Title, and Ben Boyer for Sky. The series will be directed by Steve Connelly and David Sant.

ENDS

For more information please contact:

Madeleine.Chambers@sky.uk (Publicist)

+44 (0)7966 994106 

Skyentpress@sky.uk   

About Sky

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For more information visit www.sky.com/corporate  

About Working Title Television

WTTV is based in London and LA and is a joint venture between NBCUniversal International Studios, Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner

Past productions include MARY & MARTHA, written by Richard Curtis, directed by Phillip Noyce and starring Hilary Swank and Brenda Blethyn, the BAFTA-winning BIRDSONG starring Eddie Redmayne and adapted by Abi Morgan, and BBC One’s hit Christmas film THE BORROWERS. WTTV has also produced two series of Sky 1’s fantasy-comedy YONDERLAND, and BBC One series TRUE LOVE and THE SECRETS, whose star-studded cast included Olivia Colman, Alison Steadman, Joanne Froggatt, David Tennant, Jane Horrocks and Ashley Walters. 

Its most recent productions are LONDON SPY starring Ben Whishaw, Jim Broadbent and Charlotte Rampling for BBC Two, YOU, ME AND THE APOCALYPSE starring Rob Lowe, Jenna Fischer, Mathew Baynton and Megan Mullally, and the third series of YONDERLAND, both for Sky 1.

The US office has a first look deal with Universal Television and is currently developing projects for both broadcast and cable networks.  The second series of ABOUT A BOY starring David Walton, Minnie Driver, Ben Stockham, Al Madrigal and Annie Mumolo transmitted on NBC in 2015.