Detectorists Andy and Lance reunited

BBC Four comedy The Detectorists, written, directed and starring Mackenzie Crook and Toby Jones has begun filming series 3.

Last airing in 2015, the third series will consist of six episodes, once again following metal detector enthusiasts Andy (Crook) and Lance’s (Jones) bid to strike gold.

The new series signals Andy’s return to the UK with his wife Becky (Rachael Stirling) and their son Stan following their move to Botswana at the end of the Christmas Special.

Mackenzie Crook says: “After a year away I decided I missed my friends in Danebury so much that I had to go back to the world of Detectorists one more time to see what Andy and Lance could dig up. The prospect of filming another summer in the beautiful English countryside is a good one, and I’m very proud that the third series will premiere on BBC Four where it all started.”

Cassian Harrison, Controller, BBC Four, says: “The Detectorists has been one of my personal TV highlights of the last few years, and I’m simply delighted to welcome Mackenzie, Toby, Rachel, and all the detecting team back to the BBC Four abode once again – but could they just hang on while I pop out for a quick carry-out of best Somerset cider?”

Shane Allen, Controller, Comedy Commissioning, says: “Mackenzie has created and beautifully crafted a modern masterpiece, bursting with warm-hearted comic joy. It deserves its place in that rare sweet spot of record-breaking channel audiences and huge global critical acclaim. How can I possibly resist jumping on the bandwagon of all those who said the show has unearthed comedy gold? There. I did it.”

The Detectorists is produced by Channel X North, Treasure Trove Productions and Lola Entertainment and will shoot this summer and return to BBC Four later in the year.