News

Audiences have grown accustomed to dark visions of what could have been. Television alone has been bombarding the public with intriguing dramas that rewrite history, thus showing us the darker recesses of human behavior. Classics such as Sliders and Fringe or modern binge-worthy shows like Dark Matter and The Man in the High Castle make us thankful for our world and the choices we’ve made while horrifying us with glimpses into bleaker universes.

Even some of television’s most popular sitcoms have shown us what could have been, and while they might be trying to create laughs, they still have indirectly sent the odd shiver down the spines of viewers as well. Let’s take a look at some of the most hilarious, yet terrifying alternate realities in sitcoms.

Red Dwarf – “Parallel Universe”

Any fan of the immortal Red Dwarf will probably agree that, while it’s great that...

Red Dwarf is returning to television next year for three new episodes. Here are the details of what’s coming up.

According to British Comedy Guide, cult sci-fi comedy show Red Dwarf, which has been going for an incredible 36 years and counting, will return for three half-hour episodes. It’s said these will cover a single story. Filming is set to begin in October and it will be broadcast next year, although it is unclear exactly which channel it will be on. Charles, Barrie, John-Jules and Llewellyn will reprise their roles.

Writers Rob Grant and Doug Naylor reconciled last year, releasing a statement that confirmed that while they had put their differences behind them, they would not be writing together. Each writer will work on separate iterations of the show, with Naylor continuing to write the television series, while Grant is writing a prequel series with 2point4Children writer Andrew Marshall.

Last week, seemingly out of nowhere, the usually relatively quiet Red Dwarf Twitter account announced this:

#RedDwarf #RedDwarfReborn@realrobgrant @DougRDNaylor @CCfunkandsoul Chris Barrie @DannyJohnJules @bobbyllew @normanlovett1 Hattie Hayridge @Tordfc pic.twitter.com/LQH9LPgWRB

— Red Dwarf (@RedDwarfHQ) March 10, 2023

The statement read:

“Rob Grant and Doug Naylor are delighted to announce that the ongoing dispute over the Red Dwarf rights has been resolved.

Moving onwards and upwards, Rob and Doug hope to launch separate iterations of Red Dwarf across various media, working again with the cast and other valued partners, and wish each other the very best.

Smoke a kipper, Red Dwarf will be back for breakfast!!” (sic)

This came as a bit of a bolt from the blue, particularly among anyone who hadn’t been closely following the show since its last special, ‘The Promised Land’, in 2020.

Trouble on the Dwarf

Those who had been following the show’s fortunes...

The premise for the long-running sci-fi sitcom "Red Dwarf" is as hilarious as it is existentially troubling. On the show's titular mining ship, a ne'er-do-well slugabed named Dave Lister (Craig Charles) is thrown into the ship's suspended animation prison for a minor infraction. When the ship's sentient computer Holly (Norman Lovett) releases Lister from captivity, he finds that two million years have passed following a radiation accident that killed the crew. The ship has been adrift in the cosmos ever since, and its exact location is unknown. In order to prevent Lister from going mad from loneliness, the computer creates an interactive hologram of his old roommate, a snotty, incompetent do-gooder named Arnold Rimmer (Chris Barrie). They hate each other but have to work together as they may be the last vestiges of humanity. 

Also on the ship is a mysterious, well-dressed dandy with no name (Danny John-Jules) who is,...

In space, no one can hear you grumble about your s****y job. The title sequence for "Red Dwarf" opens with a guy in a grubby spacesuit, miserably daubing paint on the exterior of the eponymous mining vessel. When the camera pulls back we can see why he's unhappy; he is working on the "F" of the ship's name which must be about 80 feet high.

It could be a scene from "Dark Star" or "Alien," two movies that showed us that space travel will be pretty boring and arduous for the regular Joes who keep the lights on during long hauls between the stars. Those films provided inspiration for "Red Dwarf" writers Rob Grant and Doug Naylor, who set their cult British show on a spaceship three million years in the future. Only one of its characters is a living human, but that doesn't stop them from following the classic...

Two years after series Xii aired on Dave back in October 2017, confirmation arrived that Red Dwarf was coming back to TV, but not (yet) in the form of a full series Xiii. Instead, the boys from the Dwarf were returning for a feature-length special.

Craig Charles, Chris Barrie, Danny John-Jules, Robert Llewellyn and Norman Lovett will all appear in ‘The Promised Land’, a 90-minute episode due to air this April on Dave.

Regrettably, the London press screening and cast Q&a for ‘The Promised Land’ had to be cancelled due to the global spread of Covid-19, but here’s all the latest about the new episode, including a teaser trailer and the beautiful new poster.

Red Dwarf: The Geek Lowdown

How many series are there? 12 (including ‘Back To Life’) with a 90-minute special on the way

Renewed or cancelled? So far, only the extended special has been officially confirmed

Air date confirmed?...

Kirsten Howard Oct 18, 2019

Red Dwarf will return in 2020 and you can apply to be in the audience.

After rumors were quashed of a brand-new series of Red Dwarf in the works, we were left wondering if we'd be seeing Lister and the gang back in action in the near (or far) future, but UKTV has put us out of our misery this week by announcing that a 90-minute special is set to be filmed in December.

Craig Charles, Chris Barrie, Danny John-Jules, and Robert Llewellyn will all return for the one-off special, which is to be written and directed by series co-creator Doug Naylor, and will air on Dave some time next year.

“I’m really excited to get back on board with the boys from the Dwarf," said star Craig Charles in a statement. "I can’t wait to discuss Robert’s prostate problems, Chris Barrie’s hip replacement...

Mark Harrison Nov 16, 2017

Here's our review of Red Dwarf Xii's funny, fan-pleasing finale, available now to stream on UKTV Play. Spoilers...

This review contains spoilers. Don't read on if you haven't seen episode 6, which is available now on UK TV Play.

See related The Walking Dead season 8 episode 4 review: Some Guy The Walking Dead season 8 episode 3 review: Monsters The Walking Dead season 8 episode 2 review: The Damned

12.6 Skipper

“Gordon Bennett. Nobody's dead, Arnold. Nobody is dead."

The future of Red Dwarf remains open, but unconfirmed. Short of UK TV announcing a Day Of The Doctor style special to go out in the next twelve months, it looks like Skipper is as the closest thing we'll get to a 30th anniversary special from Doug Naylor and the gang. If that's the case, it fills those boots rather spectacularly, while simultaneously playing as fast and loose with continuity as it always has.

As...

Mark Harrison Nov 2, 2017

With Mechocracy, Red Dwarf Xii delivers a contender for the first bonafide classic episode of the Dave era. Spoilers ahead in our review...

This review contains spoilers.

See related 26 new TV shows to watch in 2017

12.4 Mechocracy

“I'm Kryten 2X4B and I approve this message.”

Now, this is more like it. Whatever you thought of the first three episodes of Red Dwarf Xii, you're in for a real treat with the back half of the run. And what better way to start than with Mechocracy, a ship-bound character-driven satire which I think has a strong claim to being the first bonafide classic episode of the Dave era.

We've seen sentient dispensing machines in Series X's Dear Dave, but this makes better use of the automatic population of Red Dwarf, who are mostly voiced by Daniel Barker once again. When Lister accidentally downloads an Sos virus into Red Dwarf's Cpu,...

Rob Leane Oct 18, 2017

We interview Craig Charles, Chris Barrie, Robert Llewellyn, Danny John-Jules and Doug Naylor about Red Dwarf Xii and more...

It’s a good time to be a Red Dwarf fan. After years off our screens, and talk of a movie that ultimately came to naught, the show made its return with Back To Earth in 2009. UKTV Freeview channel Dave was revealed as the new home of the show, and it’s fair to say that they’ve treated the small rouge one very well in the years since the big comeback.

See related Geeks Vs Loneliness: belonging Geeks Vs Loneliness: coming out Geeks Vs Loneliness: don't give up Geeks Vs Loneliness: face-blindness Geeks Vs Loneliness: self-definition Geeks Vs Loneliness: just saying hello

Red Dwarf X followed in 2012, and Red Dwarf XI in 2016. Both series gave fans what they wanted to see: character-driven episodes, stuffed with creative insults,...

Mark Harrison Oct 19, 2017

Siliconia is a staggeringly ambitious episode that shows exactly what Red Dwarf can do in the Dave era...

This review contains spoilers.

See related Star Trek: Discovery episode 1 review - The Vulcan Hello Star Trek: Discovery episode 2 review - Battle At The Binary Star Star Trek: Discovery episode 3 review - Context Is For Kings

12.2 Siliconia

“Our heads are sensibly shaped.”

Kryten is inarguably Red Dwarf's most iconic character. The rubbery, angular mask of the mechanoid head is a marvellous design that should probably stifle any actor wearing it, but Robert Llewellyn's performance has only become more impressive over time. In terms of design and personality, he's the character who could scarcely belong to any other show.

Aside from Llewellyn, only a few other actors have donned the mechanoid get-up in previous episodes, but a lot of what we see in Siliconia feels like it's been...

Juliette Harrisson Oct 3, 2017

As series Xii arrives online this week, we count down twenty of the best Red Dwarf episodes from across the show's long history...

Putting together a list of the Top 20 episodes of Red Dwarf presented an unusual challenge. The truth is, there’s barely a bum note in the first 36 episodes (Series I – VI) and then it’s a case of finding the quality episodes among the less successful half hours in the following 31 (Series VII – XI). The most accurate ‘top 20’ would be composed almost entirely of episodes from those first 36. However, for this list, we’ve resisted the urge to simply list most of the first six series and have deliberately ensured that this selection covers a reasonable span of the show, with every series except IX represented somewhere. This way, we can offer a more balanced overview of the whole history of the show, and...

Juliette Harrisson Sep 28, 2017

Red Dwarf had to get creative to dodge its self-imposed no-aliens rule and give the last human being alive characters to interact with...

Red Dwarf is not the only space opera to have a self-imposed rule against intelligent alien life appearing on the show. Other shows have also chosen to avoid little green men, rubber-faced aliens or Henson workshop puppets to portray a universe inhabited entirely by humans, their inventions and the occasional bit of Earth wildlife, and others will again (all this has happened before, all this will happen again).

See related Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams episode 2 review: Impossible Planet Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams episode 2 review: Impossible Planet Visiting the set of Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams

However, Red Dwarf has one big disadvantage that other shows which decline to explore intelligent alien life do not. The set-up of the show...

Kirsten Howard Rob Leane Oct 4, 2017

The first scene from the Red Dwarf series 12 premiere has been released online. See it here...

This week, the first episode of Red Dwarf Xii will be available to stream online ahead of its Dave airing on Thursday the 12th of October. To whet our collective appetite, UK TV has released a sneak preview clip.

See related Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams episode 3 review: The Commuter Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams episode 2 review: Impossible Planet Philip K Dick’s Electric Dreams episode 1 review: The Hood Maker

Here's the very first scene from Cured, an adventure in which the crew comes across a space station full of clones of history’s worst figures, who have been cured of evil...

And here's a teaser trailer for series 12...

There are also a four brand new images to examine...

More as we have it, of course.

Red Dwarf...

Pete Dillon-Trenchard Oct 13, 2016

Officer Rimmer is a hoot, an impressive technical feat and features some fantastically funny moments. Spoilers ahead...

Note: This is our spoiler-filled review of episode 3 of Red Dwarf XI, currently available on the UKTV Play app. It will air on Dave at 9pm on Thursday the 13th of October.

11.4 Officer Rimmer

Many people believe that science fiction is at its best when it reflects real world issues. Officer Rimmer, the fourth episode of Red Dwarf’s eleventh series, is a prime example of this, tackling the matter of 3D printing as the Starbug crew encounter a ship with bio-printing technology. It’s another example of writer-director Doug Naylor striving to stay current and tell stories that could only be told in 2016.

Easily the best riff on the 3D printing concept comes very early in the episode, as a ‘paper’ jam causes the captain of the other ship to come out wrong,...

Pete Dillon-Trenchard Sep 29, 2016

Samsara simultaneously harks back to classic Red Dwarf while trying something new, resulting in some outstanding comedy moments...

This review contains spoilers.

11.2 Samsara

The television landscape has changed a lot since Red Dwarf made its debut back in 1988. One of the more interesting developments of the 21st century has been that, thanks in no small part to shows like Lost, non-linear storytelling is now as much a part of the language of television as the cliff-hanger or the third-act twist. In a series that has, with rare exceptions, always featured at least one of its regulars in any given scene, Samsara breaks with Red Dwarf convention in a major way.

The Epg description for Samsara will tell you that it’s a story in which the crew find an escape pod which leads them to a crashed space ship (the titular Samsara), and the Cat and...

After a four year hiatus, UK Network's Dave channel is bringing the Red Dwarf TV program back for its 11th series (i.e. season). A six episode series, Red Dwarf XI premieres on Dave, Thursday, September 22 at 9:00pm. Watch the announcement video, below.The Red Dwarf TV series cast includes: Chris Barrie, Craig Charles, Danny John-Jules, and Robert Llewellyn. The sci-fi comedy show is written and directed by Red Dwarf co-creator, Doug Naylor, and produced by Richard Naylor and Kerry Waddell for Baby Cow Productions and Grant Naylor Productions.Read More…...

Rob Leane Sep 20, 2016

From Assassin’s Creed to The Witcher, via Mass Effect, Minecraft and maybe more Warcraft...

Latest update: Uncharted delayed.

In the years since Den Of Geek first sprung into existence, we’ve consistently kept an eye on the videogames that have been touted for the big screen treatment. We’ve tried to list them all in a big article a few times before, and it feels like the time has come to pull a new version together.

If we haven’t heard anything about a certain videogame movie in two years or more, it seems safe to assume that it’s quietly been binned. That’s why you won’t find the likes of BioShock, Devil May Cry, Far Cry, Gears Of War, Halo, Heavy Rain and Rollercoaster Tycoon on this list. If we get proven wrong on any of those, we’ll update this article as more information comes to light.

[caption id="attachment_39576" align="aligncenter" width="533"] Image via reddwarf.co.uk/caption]

Brit sci-fi comedy, Red Dwarf, set on a spaceship of the same name, premiered on BBC Two in 1988 and ran until 1993. After a four year hiatus, Red Dwarf returned to BBC Two in 1997. Red Dwarf was cancelled in 1999, after series VIII (Americans: season 8).

In 2009, UKTV channel, Dave, revived the program with Red Dwarf IX. Dave aired Red Dwarf X in 2012. Now after another long break, it's possible Red Dwarf XI could air on Dave in the summer of 2016. Red Dwarf stars Chris Barrie, Craig Charles, Danny John-Jules, and Robert Llewellyn. Continue on for more details, and to watch a brief promotional trailer. Read More…...

Red Dwarf fans are used to having to wait between series, and the gap between X and XI has been tougher than biting into a space weevil.

But spin our nipple nuts and send us to Alaska - the waiting is almost over as as Rimmer, Lister, Kryten and Cat will be back in 2016 for a brand new run. Here's everything you need to know about the small rouge one.

When is it back?

There are no exact dates yet, but XI is expected to land on Dave in the summer of 2016 at the earliest.

Writer and co-creator Doug Naylor recently denied reports that it could be as early as the spring, so we could be waiting up to a year for its launch.

Filming will begin in October

Read through meeting for Rd XI. pic.twitter.com/k8Fq14AR6y

— Robert Llewellyn (@bobbyllew) October 12, 2015

Red Dwarf will shoot two brand new series back-to-back,...

The sequel to the popular comedy about a bunch of girl-chasing boys serves up a variation on the original theme – but can’t disguise its basic hostility to its women characters

Although Luv Ranjan’s battle-of-the-sexes comedy Pyaar Ka Punchnama (off-putting English translation: Postmortem of Love) opened to some commercial success back in 2011, it generated much the same mixed critical response that The Hangover had received two years before. Introduced to three young bucks who swore, partied and displayed the dismayed reactions to women common to many young men, plenty simply relaxed in its company. Equally, though, there were those who found the casual denigration of the fairer sex as scolds, teases and worse besides suspect in the extreme. If Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2, a more-of-the-same sequel, isn’t a Hangover II-style atrocity, it nevertheless perpetuates a similarly divisive, problematic worldview.

It’s this worldview that connects PKP2 to its...

Twenty seven years, umpteen light years, several different realities and a curry monster later, and Red Dwarf is now officially the second longest running sci-fi series of all time (it'd be first if it weren't for that pesky Doctor).

But though the Dwarf is still with us, fans have been left adrift in space for the time being – it's been three years since the show's triumphant return to form with 2012's Series X, and it'll likely be another year before series 11 hits Dave.

Making it, therefore, as good a time as any for Digital Spy to decide definitely how those ten series stack up against each other, and rank them from truly worst to glorious best. Disagree? Let us know below...

10. Back to Earth

After so many years away, the fans finally got their way - this time via Dave rather than the Beeb. And what arrived was the Back to Earth special,...

A Red Dwarf movie was announced in 2000, and news on it would follow for years afterwards. So: what happened?

When the eighth series of Red Dwarf left our screens in 1999, with the titular (nanobotically-reconstituted) mining vessel being devoured by a highly corrosive micro-organism, it left us with the words “The End” emblazoned over the image, before being replaced by “The Smeg It Is.”

And then, nothing.

It was ten years before the boys from the Dwarf were back on our screens, albeit for a three-episode run on Dave. But that lost decade was not spent watching re-runs of The Flintstones, nor was everyone trapped in a completely immersive video game indistinguishable from reality. Most of it involved co-creator Doug Naylor (his comedy partner Rob Grant left the show after season six), trying to get a movie off the ground.

This had not been the plan. But with the BBC rejecting...

If you've ever dreamed of having a curry with Dave Lister, then you might be in luck.

Dave has launched a competition for one lucky Red Dwarf fan to be an extra in the upcoming 11th series, which finally launches in 2016.

Rt this for a chance for you and a friend to be an extra in #RedDwarf. T&C's apply: http://t.co/UQHSzXLah6 #UKTVLive pic.twitter.com/pea6OaBs6S

— Dave (@Join_Dave) September 8, 2015

By retweeting the above post from Dave, one Dwarfer and their mate could be rubbing shoulders with Lister, Rimmer, Cat and Kryten. Ah, smug mode.

Dave hasn't elaborated on what the extra's scene may entail, so be prepared for anything from having your emotions sucked out by a polymorph or playing a game of 'Pin the Pointy Stick on the Weather Girl'.

Red Dwarf will begin shooting two series back-to-back in the autumn, with...

Red Dwarf chief Doug Naylor has played down reports that the show will be back as early as March 2016.

While it will definitely return next year, Naylor denied that a spring airing on Dave after actor Chris Barrie was misquoted by the Express.

Story in press Red Dwarf XI transmitting March 2016. Not True. Chris Barrie has been misquoted. Edit has hardly begun by then. #RedDwarfXI

— Doug Naylor (@DougRDNaylor) August 6, 2015

Arnold Rimmer actor Barrie was also quoted as saying that series 11 will feature an episode that involves four Krytens, hinting that all the cast could become robots.

Red Dwarf will begin shooting two series back-to-back in the autumn, with series 12 expected to be broadcast in 2017.

Red Dwarf series 11 currently being written, says Danny John-Jules

Robert Llewellyn slams BBC Two for Red Dwarf 50th celebrations snub

Craig Charles has dedicated his time to the cult sci-fi comedy, having announced his departure from Coronation Street earlier this year.

'The Brittas Empire' is returning to TV. The popular 90s sitcom - which ran for 53 episodes from 1991 to 1997 - is in development to make a comeback in an as-yet unannounced form, a BBC spokesperson has confirmed. Actor Chris Barrie, who played incompetent leisure centre manager Gordon Brittas, said:''One of the original writers is behind it and, fingers crossed, it happens. The script stage is supposed to be done now.'' According to the Daily Mirror newspaper, the show could be back for a one-off Christmas special. And the return of the programme - which attracted 10 million viewers at its peak -...

Gordon Brittas could be returning to our screens, after it was revealed that The Brittas Empire is set for a comeback.

The '90s sitcom starred Chris Barrie as the inept manager of Whitbury New Town Leisure Centre.

Barrie appeared to announce the news at a recent Comic-Con fan convention when he said: "There's no secret to the fact that there's a script that's been commissioned by the BBC for a new Brittas Empire. So there's a chance that I may well be back.

"One of the original writers is behind it and fingers crossed it happens before I completely forget how to say my name.

"The script stage is supposed to be done now. I may be seeing something this summer on it. So fingers crossed."

According to The Mirror, a BBC spokeswoman has confirmed that a project - possibly a Christmas special - is being developed.

The Brittas Empire...

A hallmark of a great TV series, whether it's a drama, comedy, soap or even sci-fi, is an epic romantic journey between two characters.

We at Digital Spy HQ are die-hard romantics, and so we've compiled a definitive Top 25 of the best TV kisses of all time (it included a whole voting process and spreadsheet and everything).

Check out the first part below, and make sure to come back tomorrow (June 13) for the final Top 10.

25. Piper and Alex in Orange is the New Black

There's nothing quite like being locked up in jail with your ex-lover to build up sexual tension, but this climactic make-out session in Litchfield's chapel pays off more than just Piper and Alex's relationship.

Piper's just returned from a terrifying spell in solitary confinement, where she was sent by Healy in a fit of homophobic rage after he saw her dancing with Alex, so Piper...

Rob Leane Louisa Mellor Sep 13, 2016

Red Dwarf XI enjoyed its Bafta launch last night. Here's the cast discussing their favourite episodes from almost thirty years...

A very fun, lively Q&A followed the Bafta screening of Red Dwarf's first two series XI episodes this week, which demonstrated the bubbling chemistry between the central cast members who were full of gags, inside jokes and collectively remembered anecdotes from almost three decades of working together.

Asked that perennial Q&A question, to name their favourite episode across every series, here's what the cast said:

Chris Barrie: It’s easier to pick out shows from my own point of view that maybe weren’t so… Stasis Leak, to this day I still can’t work out what went on there! [Laughs] ‘Just come out of the table Chris and say your lines!’

Craig Charles: To be fair, I can’t even remember being in that one!

Smeg heads, rejoice! Doug Naylor has announced two more series of Red Dwarf, on Dave…

Here’s some good news – Doug Naylor, co-creator of Red Dwarf, has announced two more series of the cult sci-fi comedy.

Like series 10, the new 11th and 12th series will air on Dave. Of course, in typical Red Dwarf fashion, the series titles will actually be stylised Red Dwarf XI and Red Dwarf Xii.

Both series of the boys from the dwarf’s new adventures will shoot back to back later this year. They will air in 2016 and 2017 respectively. Before then, Dave have added a bespoke collection of Dwarf episodes to their online streaming service UKTV Play, to tide you over in the meantime.

It’s no surprise, really, considering that Red Dwarf: Back To Earth (the first new episodes of the show to be shown on Dave) earned the status of biggest non-terrestrial commission,...

Red Dwarf is set to soar back onto our screens with two new series.

Red Dwarf XI will air on Dave in 2016, with Lister and crew back again for Red Dwarf Xii in 2017.

Are these Red Dwarf's 5 greatest episodes?

Red Dwarf: Tube Talk Gold

Craig Charles (Lister), Chris Barrie (Rimmer), Danny John-Jules (Cat) and Kryten (Robert Llewellyn) will all be back for the new episodes, written and directed by series co-creator Doug Naylor.

Naylor said: "[Dave's general manager] Steve North and everyone at UKTV have been so supportive of Red Dwarf from the start of their involvement with the show.

"Steve originally asked for more shows back in 2012 but frustratingly it's taken until now to get our ducks in a row and all the boys available at the same time. Now they are, we're all absolutely delighted."

Red Dwarf originally aired eight series on BBC Two between 1988 and 1999, before Dave revived...

Danny John-Jules has said that he would like to see his Red Dwarf co-stars appear in Death in Paradise.

The British actor - who plays Officer Dwayne Myers in the BBC crime series - told Digital Spy that he would welcome Chris Barrie, Craig Charles and Robert Llewellyn on the set if the chance came along.

"It would be really interesting," he said. "I think that providing they didn't bring them in to play a Rimmer-esque character or a Lister-esque character, I suppose anything's possible.

"We've had many other famous people performing in Death in Paradise so I don't see why not. We might."

A host of guest stars have appeared on the show during its first three series, while the likes of Hetti Bywater, Will Mellor and Tyger Drew-Honey will feature in the upcoming fourth run.

Speaking about the show's growing popularity, he said: "It's one of those shows...

Danny John-Jules has revealed that the Red Dwarf cast are to meet up next week.

Red Dwarf's 10th series aired on Dave in 2012, with an 11th run expected next year.

The Death in Paradise actor - who plays Cat in the long-running sci-fi sitcom - told Digital Spy that he and his co-stars Craig Charles, Chris Barrie and Robert Llewellyn, as well as writer Doug Naylor, will discuss the next series in the coming days.

He said: "All I can say is that Doug Naylor is slaving away writing scripts and we've got lunch next week. That's as far as I can tell you!"

It was previously reported that Red Dwarf would begin filming in the autumn this year, before airing in late 2015.

Talking about the next series, John-Jules said: "I have the glorious privilege to know that that's the last thing that I ever have to worry about...

It’s less than one week until the North’s biggest and most exciting game expo begins. With so much packed into Manchester’s EventCity this year, can you afford to miss this year’s Play Expo? We’ll be there for the first time, bringing you all the coverage we can from the front line. But if you haven’t made planes to attend this year let us try and convince you with a quick preview of some of the things happening at this year’s show:

Huge indie zone with over 25 studios such as Team 17, Cinemaware, Curve Digital and Dalala Studios exhibiting their latest games. Titles include Gang Beasts, Overruled, Flockers, Wulverblade, Mutiny, Beyond Flesh & Blood, Iron Fisticle and 30 more. The UK’s largest arcade with over 250 arcade machines and pinball tables all set to free play. Afterburner, Gauntlet, Operation Wolf, Pacman, Street Fighter 2, Donkey Kong, Ghosts ‘n’ Goblins,...

Red Dwarf will reportedly return to Dave in autumn 2015.

Chris Barrie, Danny John-Jules and Robert Llewellyn from the sci-fi sitcom's cast made the announcement at the recent Sci-Fi Scarborough convention, says WhatCulture.

John-Jules, who plays Cat, revealed that shooting on the 11th series will begin in October.

Earlier this year, the actor told Digital Spy that new Red Dwarf episodes were being written by co-creator Doug Naylor.

"Doug Naylor is writing as we speak. He told me off for ringing him up the other day and asking about it," John-Jules joked. "He said I was interfering with his writing."

Red Dwarf originally aired on BBC Two between 1988 and 1999, before Dave revived the show with the Back to Earth specials in 2009.

Red Dwarf's 5 Greatest Episodes from 25 years

Watch a clip from Red Dwarf X below:...

Great news for fans of comedy science-fiction series Red Dwarf as an eleventh series is a reality. It has been a year and a half since the end of Red Dwarf X and news of a follow-up has been few and far between, with the last piece of news coming in January when John-Jules said that a series was being written.

A big update came during the Sci-Fi Scarborough convention on Saturday a Red Dwarf panel comprised of Chris Barrie, Danny John-Jules and Robert Llewellyn confirmed the news. John-Jules said that shooting is scheduled to get under-way in October 2014 with a view to being aired on Dave in Autumn 2015.

The panel were also asked about their favourite episodes with Llewellyn and John-Jules voicing their jealousy of not being part of ‘Marooned’ causing Barrie to joke that their absence is what made it such a strong episode. Llewellyn personally enjoyed shooting...

It's been a whopping 30 years since Spitting Image first hit our screens on ITV in 1984. The satirical puppet show quickly became one of the most-watched shows of the 1980s and early 1990s.

I wasn't able to fully appreciate the series when it was first on TV. When I watched it in the early '90s as a child, I found it funny mainly because of the silly puppets, even if I didn't quite understand what was going on. But in retrospective viewings, it still holds up as a genuinely hilarious satire of politics, entertainment, sport and general UK culture of the era.

It's quite incredible to think that Spitting Image hasn't been on air since 1996. To put that into perspective, the Spice Girls had only just been unleashed, Tony Blair hadn't been elected yet, and Lorde had only just been born.

As a show that is heavily reliant on topical...

The Cartoon Museum has announced its Spitting Image - From Start to Finish exhibition.

Arriving later in February, it will mark the 30th anniversary of the launch of the satirical television show.

"All your favourite characters, from the programme created by Roger Law, Peter Fluck and John Lloyd, will be under one roof - these include Margaret Thatcher, John Major, Richard Branson, Michael Jackson and the odd Royal Family face," said the museum.

It will explore the collaboration between creators Fluck and Law - including their previous work for National Lampoon and Der Spiegle - with a collection of sketches and photographs.

Contributors to the show, which ran for 18 series up until 1996, included Ian Hislop, Harry Enfield, Rory Bremner, Hugh Dennis, Alistair McGowan, Kate Robbins and Chris Barrie.

Spitting Image - From Start to Finish will launch on February 26 (30 years to the day of the first episode's debut) and end...

Danny John-Jules has confirmed to Digital Spy that series 11 of Red Dwarf is currently being written, but further details about the show's future remain unclear.

The space sitcom, which stars Chris Barrie, Danny John-Jules, Craig Charles and Robert Llewellyn, returned for its first full series in over a decade in 2012. The show's 10th series brought in record ratings for UKTV's Dave channel and the cast have all expressed an interest in returning for series 11.

Red Dwarf's Greatest Episodes: Friday Fiver

Doug Naylor posted on Twitter in October that Dave still hadn't commissioned series 11, but actor John-Jules said that hadn't stopped the writer cracking on with scripts.

"Doug Naylor is writing as we speak. He told me off for ringing him up the other day and asking about it," said John-Jules. "He said I was interfering with his writing."

He also partially explained why there has been so little news about the new series,...

BBC Four has announced a one-off documentary about Spitting Image.

Arena: Whatever Happened To Spitting Image? will mark the 30th anniversary of the classic satirical puppet show.

The programme will look back at the creation and history of the series, with contributions from caricaturists Peter Fluck, Roger Law and producer John Lloyd.

It will also discover where the iconic puppets currently live, after they were sold off at auction back in 2000.

Arena will find out how the puppets were created, and meet several team members including puppet-mould makers, designers, puppeteers, impressionists, writers and directors.

It will also ponder whether there is a gap in the TV market for such a satirical programme today, following its 17-year absence.

Anthony Wall, Series Editor of Arena, said: "I made a film about Fluck and Law in 1980, some years before Spitting Image was made, so it's great to be able to revisit their distinctive contribution to Britain's television history.

This weekend (November 23rd & 24th) sees the McM Comic Con and Memorabilia show take place at the NEC in Birmingham. We’ll be there on the Saturday, checking out what’s happening at one of the UK’s biggest conventions. If you haven’t grabbed a ticket yet, what are you waiting for? Ok, ok, so some of you may still be undecided, so let me tempt you with a rundown of just some highlights of the guests attending the event this weekend…

Red Dwarf Reunion – Chris Barrie (Arnold Rimmer); Hattie Hayridge (Holly); Danny John-Jules (The Cat) and Robert Llewellyn (Kryten) from much-loved British sci-fi comedy Red Dwarf. Quadrophenia Reunion – Stars Phil Daniels (Jimmy); Toyah Willcox (Monkey) and Daniel Peacock (Danny) celebrate the ultimate mod movie, based on The Who’s 1973 rock opera.

Richard Donat and Kate Kelton from popular sci-fi series Haven. Donat plays Vince Teagues, leader of The...

After a breakneck casting search, the Fifty Shades of Grey movie has found its new Christian Grey in the form of Northern Irish actor Jamie Dornan.

Dornan will be familiar to TV fans having starred as The Huntsman in Once Upon a Time and serial killer Paul Spector in BBC2's acclaimed drama The Fall. Now that Dornan is heading to the big screen as Bdsm-loving business magnate Christian Grey, Digital Spy uncovers 10 things you need to know about the 31-year-old actor.

1. Jamie Dornan was born on May 1, 1982 in County Down, Northern Ireland to Lorna and James C Dornan. He went to school at Belfast's Methodist College, whose notable alumni include Chris Barrie of Red Dwarf fame and current Ireland rugby players Craig Gilroy and Paddy Jackson. He briefly attended Middlesbrough's Teesside University but dropped out to focus on his acting career.

2. Early in his career Dornan modelled for the...

Red Dwarf writer Doug Naylor has played down reports of a new series being commissioned, insisting that an 11th series of the sci-fi comedy is yet to be confirmed.

The space sitcom, which stars Chris Barrie, Danny John-Jules, Craig Charles and Robert Llewellyn, returned for its first full series in over a decade in 2012. The show's 10th series brought in record ratings for UKTV's Dave channel and the cast and writers have all expressed an interest in returning for series 11.

> Red Dwarf's Greatest Episodes: Friday Fiver

However, Dave has still not given the green light to a new run of episodes, and it is now a year since the show returned to screens.

Actor Robert Llewellyn posted a blog at the weekend insisting than "an eleventh series will happen" and that it will be "sometime in 2014".

Llewellyn has since removed the post and Naylor played down suggestions that series 11 was definitely happening.

Mark Owen has revealed that he has landed a cameo role in an upcoming Christmas film.

The Take That singer will appear in some capacity in the festive animation Saving Santa, he is quoted as saying in The Sun.

He explained: "I don't know if I'm even really meant to say, but I might be one of Santa's helpers in a film for Christmas.

"I think I'm going to be one of the people who clean out the reindeers.

"The guy in The Hobbit - the new one - Martin Freeman, I think he's in it."

Owen added that his role will likely be small, but he will also provide a song for the film's soundtrack.

"It might not even be in this year, but sometime in the future I should hopefully be getting the opportunity to play one of Santa's helpers.

"I'm still not even sure I get to say words.

It might be hard to believe, but today (February 15, 2013) marks the 25th anniversary of Red Dwarf - Lister (Craig Charles), Rimmer (Chris Barrie) and Cat (Danny John-Jules) have lit up our screens, on and off, for a quarter of a century and late arrival Kryten (Robert Llewellyn) isn't far behind his shipmates!

So now seems like a good time to pay tribute to the good ship Red Dwarf and its crew - this week's Friday Fiver lists our picks for the sci-fi sitcom's best ever outings, so take a look at our list and then let us know which episodes from the show's long run number among your own favourites...

'Camille' - Series IV, Episode 1 - First aired February 14, 1991

There are plenty of larks to be hard in this early Dwarf ep as each of the crew becomes smitten with Camille - apparently everyone's ideal woman, but actually a slimy,...

Chris Barrie thinks there is more 'Red Dwarf' to come. The 52-year-old actor - who plays Rimmer in the sci-fi comedy series - is confident there will be more after the latest 10th series, but admits he was nervous about coming back and spoiling what fans thought of it before. He said: ''It's been very exciting to find out how the show was going to go down, but it's quite a nerve-wracking time really, you know? ''The phrase that was used was 'spoil the legacy', you know, the body of work of 'Red Dwarf', you don't want to turn up with...

Chris Barrie thinks there is more 'Red Dwarf' to come. The 52-year-old actor - who plays Rimmer in the sci-fi comedy series - is confident there will be more after the latest 10th series, but admits he was nervous about coming back and spoiling what fans thought of it before. He said: ''It's been very exciting to find out how the show was going to go down, but it's quite a nerve-wracking time really, you know? ''The phrase that was used was 'spoil the legacy', you know, the body of work of 'Red Dwarf', you don't want to turn up with...

To mark the launch of its new game, Stratego Sci-Fi has surveyed more than 2,000 Britons to chart the Stratego Sci-Fi 100 – the nation’s top 100 stars of the sci-fi world – as well as a separate poll charting the best sci-fi battles from the silver screen – and has crowned Superman the greatest sci-fi character of all time

Following up the Man of Steel in 2nd place in the Stratego Sci-Fi 100 was Harrison Ford’s gruff but lovable rogue Han Solo, with Frank Oz’s jedi master Yoda coming third, both representing Star Wars in the top three and rounding it out firmly in George Lucas’ favour. Steven Spielberg’s E.T may be one of the most lovable characters of all time, but only made it to fourth in the list, followed by Will Smith’s Agent Jay from the hugely popular Men in Black series at number five.

The Stratego Sci-fi...

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

(Warning: Significant spoilers follow)

Some of the best moments in Red Dwarf have come when the show has taken sci-fi concepts and run them out to an insane level. Alternate universes, white holes, AI, alternate timelines, DNA alterations and many other concepts have been done over. This time it’s quantum entanglement, more or less, and it…well, it didn’t work quite as well as I’d hoped.

The basic story has Lister (Craig Charles) losing Starbug and Rimmer (Chris Barrie) in a poker match to some BEGGs (genetically altered garbage eaters). To his credit, Lister realizes this is something of a problem, and tries to work out a way to get out of it. At the same time, he’s dealing with a bomb that’s been strapped to…well, his “luv spuds”, and will explode if he doesn’t get Rimmer and Starbug to the BEGGs.

Red Dwarf's new critically-acclaimed series has continued to pull in spectacular viewing figures for digital channel Dave. Red Dwarf X's third episode 'Lemons', in which the gang found themselves marooned in 23 Ad, pulled in 1.16m (5.2%) in the 9pm hour - putting itself ahead of Channel 5. Despite gaining viewers week-on-week, the show could not re-establish its lead over Celebrity Juice, which commanded 1.21m (6.8%) for ITV2 at 10pm and 202k (2.1%) on 1. Against the odds, the sci-fi sitcom - starring Craig Charles and Chris Barrie - beat Keith Lemon's hugely popular Juice in its first week, and Dwarf's first series in 13 years has reaffirmed (more)...