BBC Outnumbered kids unrecognisable in first-look images at Christmas special: ‘Feel old!’
The BBC has shared the first pictures of the Outnumbered reunion, with the Brockman family looking unrecognisable 10 years after the final series aired.
The comedy ran from 2007 to 2014, with another Christmas special airing in 2016. Ahead of this year’s reunion, the broadcaster released a teaser picture of the family, and fans have been left astonished by how grown up the three children in the series now are.
The Christmas special has been written and directed by the show’s original bosses, with real-life couple Hugh Dennis and Clair Skinner reprising their roles and parents Pete and Sue.
The three children of the family are also being portrayed by the original cast members, including Tyger Drew-Honey, Daniel Roche and Ramona Marquez.
During the first series of the popular show, Drew-Honey’s character Jake was just 11, with Roche’s Ben aged eight and Marquez’ character Karen only six.
The broadcaster announced the news of the reunion earlier this year, sharing a brief synopsis of the one-off episode.
It read: “In a moment of adversity, Sue and Pete gather all their offspring (including one grandchild) to try and celebrate a traditional family Christmas.
“But fate, neighbours, hyenas and bus replacement services get in their way.”
At the time, Dennis, 62, commented: “I can’t wait for the Brockmans to be back together again.
“Pete and Sue have downsized, the children are no longer children, but I’m sure family life will prove to be just as chaotic as ever.”
Skinner, 59, added: “I’m really looking forward to being reunited with my TV family.
“Working on this wonderful BBC comedy doesn’t feel like work and is one of the greatest joys for us all.”
During the original run of the show, the adult actors were given scripts while the children only received last-minute directions, with their lines often improvised, creating the unique comedy value of the show.
Responding to social media teasers of the new episode and the first-look images, fans flocked to the comments to share their shock at seeing the TV family one again.
“IM SORRY THIS BEATS THE GAVIN AND STACEY,” one penned.
Another shared: “I read that Ramona Marquez is 23! Makes me feel old. It only seems like yesterday this series was new and she was a precocious 5 year old…Tyger is 28 when he was just going to big school at the beginning,” JOE reports.
“Wow sue looks different!” Another remarked, with someone else responding: “It’s weird seeing sue without a fringe.”
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“Still hope this isn’t the last time we see them don’t that their older now, still watchable,” another fan added.
Some have expressed the new instalment might not be a good idea though, with one sharing: “I suspect this is a huge mistake.”
Jon Petrie, director of BBC Comedy, stated: “Outnumbered is one of the crown jewels of British sitcoms. We’re so grateful to Guy, Andy, Hat Trick, and the cast for dusting it off and putting it back on display.”
Jimmy Mulville, executive producer at Hat Trick Productions, added: “”Who doesn’t want to know what happened to the Brockmans, our favourite television family, since we last saw them?
“Well we can find out when Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkins’ ground-breaking comedy returns in a one-off special this Christmas. It’s unmissable!”