‘Kate & Koji’ is set to return for a second series.
The ITV sitcom – which stars ‘Vera’ actress Brenda Blethyn and Jimmy Akingbola – has been a lockdown success, and now producers are hoping to film another six-part series for broadcast in 2021.
A TV insider told The Sun newspaper’s Bizarre TV column: "It’s a show with an unusual setting and character dynamic but it’s still gained a terrific audience, with the first episode in March attracting five million viewers.
"Though it’s probably helped by Brenda having such a devoted following thanks to playing no-nonsense detective DCI Vera Stanhope."
The show follows cafe owner Kate (Blethyn) when she strikes up an unlikely relationship with customer Koji (Akingbola), who is an asylum-seeking African doctor.
‘Kate & Koji’ also stars ‘The Inbetweeners’ actor Blake Harrison as Kate’s nephew Medium, and Barbara Flynn as Councillor Bone.
It comes after Brenda confirmed the 11th series of ‘Vera’ had been stopped back in March due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The 74-year-old actress stars as the titular detective in the ITV crime drama, and said she was due to be on set for the next series just a few weeks before production was brought to a halt because of the outbreak of the respiratory illness, also known as COVID-19.
Speaking at the time, she explained: "We were due to start in a couple of weeks, actually. I mean, it’s all cast, first episode’s written, more episodes have been commissioned to be written. We’re all ready to go, we’re just waiting for the all clear."