Two Doors Down season 7 will soon be with us, which is great news for fans of the sharply observed, endearing Scottish sitcom. And there are a couple of changes in store this time round!
First, the series moves from its long term home on BBC Two over to new digs on BBC One…
Secondly, larger than life character Cathy (Doon Mackichan) returns determined to win back her hubby Colin (Jonathan Watson). Who’s going to tell her that he’s moved on with the wonderfully intense Anne-Marie (Siobhan Redmond)?
Here’s everything we know about the forthcoming outing to fictional suburb, Latimer Crescent…
Two Doors Down season 7 — release date
Two Doors Down lands on BBC1 on Friday 24 November 2023 at 9.30pm. The new six-part series will air weekly on Fridays on BBC1 and be boxsetted on BBC iPlayer.
All previous episodes are currently available to watch on iPlayer and have excellent rewatch value if you fancy dipping your toe into this acclaimed comedy.
Is there a Two Doors Down season 7 trailer?
We’ve put out the feelers for a full Two Doors Down series seven trailer and will update this space once it becomes available. In the meantime, here is a sneaky clip shared on the show's special media below...
We’re back!…Fri 24th Nov at 9.30pm on @BBCOne @bbccomedy @bbcstudios @BBCStudiosPress Hope you enjoy 👇 :)x pic.twitter.com/UwvCkFlBD8November 14, 2023
Two Doors Down season 7 — episode guide
Two Doors Down season 7 — episode 1 (Friday 24 November 2023, 9.30pm, BBC1)
Cathy Comes Home
Last year Cathy mercilessly dumped her husband Colin and started a new life with a new lover in Egypt. Now she’s back and determined to regain her rightful place as the chief troublemaker of Latimer Crescent. But will she be welcomed with open arms?
Speaking about her return Doon Mackichan said: “I have missed the Two Doors Down family very much so it’s a genuine delight to see Cathy bring her unique brand of community spirit back to Latimer Crescent. Beth — get a bottle open!”
Two Doors Down season 7 — episode 2 (Friday 01 December 2023, 9.30pm, BBC1)
Cathy Loves Michelle
No good deed goes unpunished, especially when Christine is your neighbour! This this episode, after tediously trekking around showrooms helping her splash out on a new bathroom, Eric and Beth are down in the dumps when Colin pops over and decides to enlist tradesman Alan into getting a cheaper deal. After much toilet talk and exhausting Christine’s encyclopaedic knowledge of fixtures and fittings, Michelle and Cathy stumble in boozed up after bumping into each other in town! In a wild turn of events, they are now bessie mates, but before long the friendship starts circling the drain, leaving everyone with a sinking feeling!
Two Doors Down season 7 — episode 3 (Friday 08 December 2023, 9.30pm, BBC1)
Ian's Ex
When the doorbell rings at Beth and Eric’s there’s a blast from the past on their front step. Ian’s old school pal Darren (Mark Prendergast) is back in town for his gran’s funeral and has popped ‘round unexpectedly hoping for a catch up. It’s not long before Christine (with tales of her mouse infestation), Colin and Cathy follow and before you can say ‘friends reunited’ the trio are inappropriately quizzing Ian and Darren on their romantic past. Quietly seething, Gordon can barely contain his jealousy and, one (truly hilarious) impromptu hip hop performance later, he makes a suggestion he immediately regrets!
Two Doors Down season 7 — episode 4 (Friday 15 December 2023, 9.30pm, BBC1)
Carvery
On the menu in this delicious episode is an especially meaty reunion between Gordon’s parents Graham and Sandra and the residents of Latimer Crescent. Gordon and Ian have brought their families together to celebrate Father’s Day at a local carvery. Unfortunately, discomfort simmers as Christine (self-invited, of course) gets into a beef with the chef and Colin butchers the atmosphere with a rundown of Ian’s sexual past. But it’s mild-mannered Sandra and Graham who provide food for thought - and leave Gordon grappling with a range of emotions! - after sizzling revelations render everyone (even Christine) speechless… Well done guest stars Alexander Kirk and Maggie O’Neill!
Two Doors Down season 7 — episode 5 (Friday 22 December 2023, 9.30pm, BBC1)
Takeaway
It’s all round to Michelle and Alan’s tonight for a Chinese takeaway and another comedy feast at Latimer Crescent. Christine arrives first, chomping at the bit and keen to order, and isn’t happy she has to wait for everyone else. Once the orders are in, chat turns to Billy Connolly (sadly no guest star appearance from the man himself), with sweet reminisces about the Big Yin. But the evening turns a little chilly when Alan sticks on a recording of a 1974 Connolly concert, which leaves Eric (Alex Norton, who starred alongside BC in Deacon Brodie) in a sour mood!
Two Doors Down season 7 — episode 6 (Saturday 23 December 2023, 9.35pm, BBC1)
Vegas
As this streets-apart comedy of ill manners draws to a close, there’s an element of poignancy, as its future remains uncertain following the untimely death of writer Simon Carlyle earlier this year. Fittingly, however, everyone is together for the series finale and it’s a full house at Beth and Eric’s with all the main players in high spirits.
Michelle and Alan have just returned from Vegas where, dear reader, she married him. More shocking still, Alan arranged an entire surprise wedding! Soon the fizz is flowing, but just as Michelle and Alan’s jetlag kicks in Cathy and Colin get carried away... and the blushing bride is left all shook up!
Is there a Two Doors Down Christmas special 2023?
The first Two Doors Down Christmas special appeared in series 2 in 2017 when Beth and Eric's plans for a quiet Christmas were dashed as all the neighbours descended on them, and Ian's new boyfriend Gordon was introduced for the first time.
The next Christmas outing was in 2020 in series 4 where the neighbours headed off on a rare trip away from Latimer Crescent to Colin and Cathy’s luxury lodge in the Scottish Highlands.
Two Doors Down's third Christmas special aired in 2021, series 5, and reached new heights after Michelle and Alan welcomed the neighbours over for a Christmas get-together, and Alan’s attempt to de-stress Ian backfired thanks to Gordon!
The 2022 Two Doors Down special was especially warm and toasty, as Christine treated her neighbours to coffee and food at a local cafe - a true Christmas miracle.
But will there be a Two Doors Down Christmas Special 2023?
The quick answer is, sadly not. However, the sixth and final episode of series 7 does air during the Christmas schedules! New episode Vegas will air on BBC1 on Saturday 23 December 9.35pm. And while there isn't a string of tinsel in sight, Michelle has something sparkly to show the neighbours!
All episodes, past and present, are currently available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
Two Doors Down series 7 — main cast
Returning for the seventh series are Alex Norton as laid-back Eric, Arabella Weir as Eric’s understandably eye-rolling wife, Beth and Jamie Quinn as their keenly observant son, Ian.
Also back are Ian’s highly strung fiancé Gordon, played by Kieran Hodgson, Elaine C. Smith as irrepressible complainer, Christine, Jonathan Watson as innocently inappropriate Colin and (of course!) the one and only Cathy AKA Doon Mackichan.
Joy McAvoy and Graeme Stevely are also back as loveable couple Michelle and Alan, and they’ll be springing a surprise on their neighbours during the new series.
Two Doors Down series 7 — guest cast
Two Doors Down has attracted a number of familiar faces over the years. And we can reveal that Cathy’s not the only character returning to Latimer Crescent this year.
Gordon's lovely parents Sandra and Graham (played by Maggie O’Neill and Alexander Kirk) will be back for another wee visit!
Also guest starring in the new series is Mark Prendergast (Outlander, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) as Ian's old school pal, Darren.
Past guest stars
Past episodes have seen Martin McCormick (Murder Island), Ambreen Razia (Starstruck), Divian Ladwa (The Baby), Kevin Harvey (Treason), Julie Graham (Shetland), all making memorable guest appearances.
Sharon Rooney (My Mad Fat Diary, Barbie) was once part of the main cast, playing Chrstine’s daughter Sophie in series one and two, and still gets mentioned regularly.
Harki Bhambra (Our Girl, The Good Karma Hospital) also starred in the first two series as Ian’s boyfriend, Jaz, and also still gets the occasional mention.
Siobhan Redmond (Holby City, Rain Dogs) and Sophie Stone (Casualty, The Chelsea Detective) both have had recurring roles on the show.
Unfortunately Doon's return means that Siobhan won't be appearing in series 7. But we live in hope (Disclaimer: this is based on nothing but our own dreams for a confrontation!) of a future fracas between Cathy and Anne-Marie, should the sitcom return for an eighth outing.
Two Doors Down Season 8
Many fans are wondering will there be a Two Doors Down series 8.
And while there were plans for an eighth series prior to filming series seven, these are currently up in the air following the death of creator Simon Carlyle.
Additional Two Doors Down information
For the first time in its history, Two Doors Down moves to a new home on BBC One.
With each additional series, the sitcom’s popularity and fan base grows — the most recent Christmas special attracted its highest audience to date with 2.8million viewing the special across 30 days on all screens; the show’s highest audience since its launch with a one-off Hogmanay special in 2013.
Two Doors Down is a BBC Studios Comedy Production for BBC One and BBC iPlayer, written by Simon Carlyle and Gregor Sharp. The Executive Producers are Steven Canny and Josh Cole, the Producer is Jacqueline Sinclair for BBC Studios, and Seb Barwell is the Commissioning Editor for the BBC.
Jon Petrie, Director of Comedy Commissioning at the BBC, says: “Two Doors Down continues on its understated march towards classic BBC sitcom status with the last series pulling in some of its highest viewing figures to date. We’re delighted to be doing more and are excited to see the show move to BBC One for a whole new legion of fans to enjoy.”
To date Two Doors Down has been nominated for five BAFTA Awards, Scotland, with Elaine C. Smith picking up Best Actress in 2018.
Series seven was filmed over the summer in Scotland. Sadly, shortly after the production wrapped it was announced that co-creator and writer Simon Carlyle had passed away in August aged 48. His acclaimed work includes Psychobitches, Two Doors Down, Boy Meets Girl and Changing Ends.
Tributes to Simon Carlyle:
“We are deeply saddened by the news of the death of our friend and colleague Simon Carlyle. Simon was a wonderful comedy talent who, amongst many other credits, co-created and wrote the multi-award-winning series Two Doors Down,” said Jon Petrie, Director of Comedy Commissioning. “His warm comic voice shone through these characters, garnering huge audience affection, and firmly establishing it as a long-lasting sitcom favourite. Our sympathies are with his family and friends at this difficult time."
“All of us at BBC Scotland are deeply saddened to hear this news. Simon was a major writing talent, loved for his work on Two Doors Down and many other series.” said Louise Thornton, Head of Commissioning at BBC Scotland. “Our thoughts are with Simon’s family and friends, and the cast and crew on Two Doors Down.”
“We are deeply saddened by this terrible news. Simon was a brilliant, funny, mercurial and magnificent human being. He had a microscopic fascination with what makes funny things funnier and we were so lucky to have known him,” said Two Doors Down’s Production Team. “He was at the centre of all the work we made together and his loss will be felt profoundly by all of us. We send love and support to his family and friends.”
“Simon was one of a kind, brilliantly funny company with an exquisitely clear eye and lightning quick comic reflexes,” said Josh Cole, Head of Comedy, BBC Studios Production. “His passing is a profound loss to us personally and professionally, and more widely to comedy in the UK. We will miss him deeply.”
