Taylor Lautner replaces Andy Samberg in BBC Three comedy

Twilight actor Taylor Lautner has joined the cast of the second series of BBC Three’s BAFTA-nominated comedy, Cuckoo.

The Hollywood star will replace Andy Samberg in the lead role when he arrives in Lichfield as a handsome and mysterious young stranger.

Series one ended with Cuckoo leaving to go walkabout in the foothills of the Himalayas, where he went missing… eventually presumed dead.

In the new series Ken (Greg Davies) and Lorna (Helen Baxendale) are looking forward to a future without the kids under their feet. Dylan (Tyger Drew-Honey) is about to go to university and Rachel (Tamla Kari) is rebuilding her life with her new boyfriend, a nice-but-dull lawyer, Ben. The families fragile equilibrium is well and truly shattered with the arrival of Lautner’s character.

Lautner has also appeared as a host on Saturday Night Live and Boogie Nights at the third Live Read.

Zai Bennett, Controller, BBC Three says: “Cuckoo was one of BBC Three’s most stand out comedies, so I’m delighted to welcome it back with the addition of superstar Taylor Lautner joining the critically acclaimed Greg Davies and an outstanding British comedy cast for what will be one of the comedy treats of the year.”

The series is produced by Rough Cut Television and will be directed by Ben Taylor (Cuckoo, Spy) and series produced by Dan Hine. It is executive produced by Ash Atalla (The Office, The IT Crowd).

Series two is created and written by Robin French and Kieron Quirke (Cuckoo, Trinity, Roomies).