The BBC will mark a major comedy milestone with a special documentary celebrating 20 years of Not Going Out, the hit studio sitcom created, co‑written by and starring Lee Mack.
Not Going Out is the longest‑running British sitcom currently on air, with 106 episodes (and counting), beloved for its quick‑fire gags, inventive set‑pieces and unforgettable characters. Now, for the first time, Lee Mack opens the doors to the creative process behind the show that has defined two decades of BBC comedy.
This anniversary documentary, Twenty Years Of Not Going Out (w/t) will take viewers on a guided tour through the funniest moments, featuring classic clips, exclusive archive material and never‑before‑seen outtakes. Lee will also reflect on the full history of the series from his unique perspective, sharing candid insights, behind‑the‑scenes stories and the surprising twists that shaped the show’s evolution.
The programme also goes behind the scenes of the forthcoming series, offering unprecedented access as a brand‑new episode is made from the ground up. Cameras follow Lee and the creative team from the first spark of an idea in the writers’ room, through readthroughs and rehearsals, right up to the studio recording of a special birthday‑themed episode.
Cast and crew from across all eras of the sitcom will also appear, paying tribute to the show’s enduring success and reflecting on its remarkable legacy.
Lee Mack says: “After 20 years of Not Going Out we are delighted to finally give a warts and all peep behind the curtain of how it's made. Thankfully we have Hoovered behind that curtain, but unfortunately the warts have not cleared up.”
Jon Petrie, BBC Director of Comedy says: “Reaching 20 years is an extraordinary achievement for any sitcom, and Not Going Out has more than earned its place in the comedy history books. Lee Mack and the whole team have created a show that continues to delight audiences with its sharp writing and brilliant performances. This documentary is a chance to celebrate everything the series has brought to the BBC over the past two decades, and to give viewers a rare look at how this much‑loved comedy is made. It’s a milestone well worth marking.”
First going out in 2006, the show introduced us to Lee, a juvenile and lazy slacker drifting from one job to another – a man unburdened by ambition or drive, living off the good graces of his Californian landlady. That was before Lee’s best friend’s sister Lucy (Sally Bretton) bought the flat he lived in, setting in motion a will-they-won’t-they chain of events that led to the unlikely couple marrying in a highly emotional series finale and Lucy having a baby shortly after. Next in Lee and Lucy’s lives, the show jumped forward eight years into their marriage and into the midst of a chaotic family life with three children. Last series rolled the story on several years again, with the couple moving away from their suburban ‘empty nest’.
The sitcom is now the UK’s all-time second longest running by number of series (and fifth by number of episodes). It stars Lee Mack (as Lee) and Sally Bretton (as Lucy). Over the series regular cast have included: Bobby Ball, Abigail Cruttenden, Hugh Dennis, Megan Dodds, Deborah Grant, Miranda Hart, Tim Vine, Timothy West, Geoffrey Whitehead and Katy Wix.
The one‑off documentary will transmit on BBC iPlayer and BBC One later this year.
Twenty Years Of Not Going Out (w/t) is an Avalon production for BBC iPlayer and BBC One. It was commissioned by Jon Petrie, BBC Director of Comedy. The show is produced by Adam McLean and the executive producers for Avalon are Richard Allen-Turner, Rob Aslett, Lee Mack and Jon Thoday. The commissioning editor for the BBC is Ben Caudell.
Picture:mTwenty Years Of Not Going Out (w/t) - Avalon
