One of the BBC’s most controversial shows is set to return in just a couple of weeks.
For years now, Mrs Brown’s Boys has split the nation down the middle, with some viewers branding the show ‘abysmal’.
Since 2011, the sitcom – which follows the life of the interfering Agnes Brown (played by Brendan O’Carroll) – and has aired five series and 12 Christmas Day specials.
In an update that will have some people rejoicing and others wanting to bang their head against the wall, new episodes are on the way.
The latest run was filmed at the beginning of May, and Mrs Brown’s Boys will officially return on August 1 at 9:30pm.
If you’re really keen, you’ll be able to binge all five episodes that same day, with the full series available on iPlayer – but it’s safe to say not everyone is happy about the news.
‘Literally no one asked for this, the BBC becoming even more irrelevant and out of touch,’ ranted one user on X.
Others called the programme ‘abysmal’ when the fifth series was announced, and another quipped: ‘Actually, I’m starting to think this is an elaborate prank on behalf of the BBC.’
Someone else ranted: ‘[It] keeps coming back like a rotten smell! Give the investment to more new comedy, not keep old ones past best limping on @BBC.’
The crass, provocative humour has had millions tuning in over the years, with the first December 25 special in 2013 pulling in a whopping 11.52 million nationwide viewers.
However, after that the show averaged around nine million viewers as it slowly declined in popularity, with the 2024 Christmas Special Ding Dong Mammy pulling in just 2.2 million, while fans weren’t kind.
‘Baffles me how it’s got so bad after the great start it had,’ wrote @paulc1884, as @ads900 added: ‘This was exceptionally bad this year…more than usual.’
Not everyone agrees though, with some fans loving the chance to escape from tough times by settling in front of their telly with Agnes and her family.
‘During exceptionally difficult times in the world, having a program that completely takes your mind off these terrible issues is HUGE,’ wrote Walter Osellame on Google Reviews.
And fan Josie Ware agreed: ‘It’s a definitely great show that really changes your mood if your feeling really down, miserable and irritable for no reason and need to smile and get you back into your normal self 100%.’
Comedy legend Ben Elton – best known for his work as a writer on The Young Ones and Blackadder – has also thrown his support behind O’Carroll’s sitcom.
‘It’s insane this show is so abused. It’s so inoffensive,’ he told The Sun. ‘You can say it’s unfunny or old-fashioned, but you cannot say it’s stupid and lacks skill.
‘These are brilliant comedians with perfect timing. They’re doing a type of comedy you may not find appealing because maybe you’re embarrassed about the fact you have no understanding of why it’s funny, so you can’t give yourself over to it.’
Mrs Brown’s Boys is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
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