It’s been a long old wait, but after just shy of three years, Phoebe Waller-Bridge is about to be back in action in a brand new series of Fleabag.
If you’re a fan of the original series and feel a bit nervous about delving into the new series, then trust us, you have nothing to worry about. We’ve seen the first episode and we’re relieved to inform you it’s more of the same (in the best way), and feels like a natural progression for the show.
Here is what you should be particularly excited about in the new series...
1. Excruciating awkwardness
Fleabag’s first run was an awkward watch at the best of times, and a truly painful one when writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge really amped up the show’s more squirm-worthy moments. If you were a fan of that first time around, then this series launch is going to really appeal to you.
The whole episode takes place more than a year after the events of the series one finale, at a family dinner intended to mark a celebration. Because almost all the action is set at a restaurant, there’s a deeply uncomfortable and claustrophobic feel hanging over the entire thing, and by the end you’ll want to run away just as much as the central characters do.
2. New characters
In the lead-up to the second series of Fleabag, it was announced that Kristin Scott-Thomas and Fiona Shaw would be joining the cast, the latter of whom recently collaborated with Phoebe Waller-Bridge on her other hit show, Killing Eve.
While neither feature in the first episode, one new character does take centre stage and that’s the Priest, played by Bafta-winning actor Andrew Scott. You may have seen Andrew playing Moriarty in Sherlock, or in the films Spectre and Pride.
We’ll hold off on telling you exactly how a Priest comes to be at a celebratory dinner with Fleabag and her family, but he’s a more-than-fitting addition to the odd bunch of characters we’ve already come to know and… appreciate.
3. A very out-of-character Fleabag
Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s character is not as we know her in this episode, particularly in its first half.
While the first series saw Fleabag getting herself into all kinds of trouble and leaving chaos in her wake, in the year that’s since passed, it looks as though she’s turned over a new leaf.
4. Hard topics
We all know that Phoebe Waller-Bridge is not afraid of “going there” in her writing, and the second series of Fleabag is no exception.
Over the course of 20 minutes there are discussions about addiction and, obviously, religion, but towards the end of the episode, there’s also one particular hard-hitting scene that’s arguably the show’s darkest exploration yet.
5. Dark, dark humour
But don’t go thinking Fleabag has lost its sense of humour, either. There’s still plenty in episode one to bring the laughs, even if the jokes are deeply, deeply dark-rooted.
6. Olivia Colman
It’s a testament to Olivia Colman that after charming the entire planet throughout this year’s awards season, you’re immediately back to hating her again mere minutes after she makes her first appearance.
The recent Oscar winner’s performance as Godmother is absolutely flawless, and while she’s a totally loathsome character, she does deliver some passive aggressive gems in this episode.
7. A love story?
The series’ opening shot is actually pretty grisly, which makes it all the more disarming when Phoebe’s character looks straight in the camera and declares: “This is a love story.”
While it’s not clear at the end of episode one exactly what this “love story” will entail, or who it will involved, it was certainly an intriguing start to the show’s second series.
Fleabag series 2 will air on BBC One on Monday night, and will also be available to watch on BBC Three.