Alan Partridge Returns to BBC One This October with How Are You? It’s Alan (Partridge)
Alan Partridge is making his long-awaited return to BBC screens this autumn with a brand-new documentary series, How Are You? It’s Alan (Partridge), coming to BBC One and BBC iPlayer in October.
The six-part series sees the broadcaster back in Norwich after spending a year working in Saudi Arabia. But what begins as a straightforward homecoming quickly takes an unexpected turn, as Alan admits the joy of returning to his beloved city hasn’t quite materialised. Confronted with an unsettling sense of incompleteness, he sets out to understand his malaise — and, in true Partridge fashion, share his findings with the nation.
Across the series, Alan explores six key areas of modern life that he believes are central to keeping us “funk-free.” From domestic life and careers, to nature, relationships and pastimes, each episode takes a different theme, with Alan’s trademark mix of earnestness and unfiltered self-regard driving the narrative. A sixth subject is still to be confirmed — because, as Alan insists, he’s a proper journalist, not “a sausage machine knocking out content.”
In his own words, Alan reflects on his recent experiences abroad:
“The kingdom of Saudi Arabia enjoys extensive oil and natural gas reserves, but has also seen economic growth in other areas such as agricultural production, retail trade, construction, and transport. It directs some $69 billion to military expenditure each year. And yet despite all that, I somehow felt incomplete.”
The series has been created by Steve Coogan alongside long-time collaborators Neil and Rob Gibbons, who also direct the episodes. Produced by Baby Cow Productions, the programme promises to deliver a witty yet surprisingly heartfelt examination of both Alan’s inner life and the collective mood of the nation.
Sarah Monteith, Baby Cow CEO, said:
“We’re delighted Alan’s back from Saudi Arabia with his appetite for broadcasting undiminished. HAY? promises to be exactly the sort of uncompromising, state-of-the-nation piece that the country needs, almost as much as he does.”
Jon Petrie, BBC Director of Comedy Commissioning, added:
“Alan Partridge is the most iconic comedy character in the UK. The wonderful Steve Coogan and Neil & Rob Gibbons continue to innovate and create an even richer world for Alan to inhabit. This unflinching look at the state of the UK through Alan’s eyes promises to add more brilliance to the Partridge canon.”
How Are You? It’s Alan (Partridge) (6x30’) is produced by Joe Fraser, with executive producers Steve Coogan, Neil Gibbons, Rob Gibbons, Rupert Majendie and Sarah Monteith. The series was commissioned for the BBC by Ben Caudell and Navi Lamba, and will be distributed internationally by BBC Studios.
With Coogan once again inhabiting one of Britain’s most enduring comedy creations, this new series promises to be a sharp, funny and distinctly Partridge take on modern life.