If you hadn't heard of Fleabag when the first series came out, you can't fail to have missed it now. Phoebe Waller-Bridges show launched as BBC Three’s most popular and acclaimed show of 2016 and cleaned out at award ceremonies winning a BAFTA, two Royal Television Society awards, two Broadcast Awards and a British Press Guild Award (that definitely requires an extension of your fireplace mantel right?)
The show is a British Comedy-Drama set in London and Phoebe Waller-Bridge also stars in it as the series heroine Fleabag, alongside an incredible cast including woman of the moment Olivia Colman (who play's Fleabags godmother) Sian Clifford, Hugh Skinner, Hugh Dennis and Bill Paterson. For season 2, heavyweights Dame Kristin Scott Thomas and Fiona Shaw CBE will be joining the cast as guest stars (actually according to Waller-Bridge “They literally begged me to be in it. Begged me. Begged. One of them was crying.” We can assume she was 100% serious.)
But what do we know about series 2 so far? For those of you who can't for it to premiere on BBC Three and Amazon Prime Video this spring for the juicy details, here is everything you need to know about Fleabag season 2.
What Is The New Series About?
The new series has a religious twist in which it's now Fleabag Vs. God. It all begins when she meets a Priest (Andrew Scott) who shocks her into seeing the world in a different way. Intrigued yet? There's more. Fleabag and her sister Claire are brought together following an unexpected attack but it's not plain sailing as Claire reveals new sides to her personality that cause rising tensions.
We can expect a car crash of new characters, and hope and faith are the themes at the center of the new series with old wounds to unpick, and new ones to dress as the next chapter of Fleabag’s life opens.
Where Does It Lead Off From?
In the first series (described by The Guardian as 'a really, really, really, really bleak version of Miranda') Waller-Bridges plays the cafe-owning protagonist who recently lost her best friend in a traffic accident and her boyfriend leaves her after finding out that she masturbates to Obama's speeches (yes really.)
The first series ended with Fleabag finding herself rejected by her entire family after her dark secret was revealed and she nearly threw herself in front of a car. Series 2 picks up a year on as we re-visit our favorite female protagonist and the other characters in her life, from her evil godmother (Olivia Coleman) who has Fleabag's dad firmly snared in her claws to her sister Claire and Hugh Dennis's broken bank manager.
When Does It Air?
Clear your schedule ASAP because the second series will premiere on BBC Three and Amazon Prime Video this spring.
What Was The Inspiration Behind It?
Fleabag was originally adapted from a one-woman play that Waller-Bridge wrote for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2013 and which subsequently went on to win the Fringe First award.
What's It Going Too Look Like?
In November The BBC revealed a first look at the series showing a dressed up Fleabag leaning against a brick wall and smoking a cigarette.
Should I Watch It?
Absolutely - Shane Allen, Controller Comedy Commissioning at the BBC says: “Phoebe’s singular writing and vision has been blessed by British acting royalty lending their talents to the new series. If it was any more starry you’d get a migraine” while Two Brothers Productions have said: “We are so excited for the return of Phoebe’s truly original and much-loved show, and we’re honoured that both Kristin and Fiona have lent their incredible talents to this second series. We can’t wait for audiences to see Fleabag’s next set of adventures and these very special guest appearances unfold.”