ITV2 sitcom Plebs is returning for a fourth series this April, with Series 1-3 now available to watch on Netflix. There are some changes afoot. Joel Fry, who played the character of Stylax for all three previous series, will be replaced by Jonathan Pointing as happy-go-lucky builder Jason.
Following the programme’s huge success in the UK, the show’s production company Rise Films is now developing a U.S. version with Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s Point Grey Pictures (Preacher, Neighbors, Sausage Party).
Series 4 starts with the lives of regular Plebs Marcus (Tom Rosenthal) and Grumio (Ryan Sampson) being thrown into turmoil, as the sudden departure of Stylax is met by the equally sudden arrival of dappy blonde builder and new-Pleb-on-the-block Jason (Jonathan Pointing – Pls Like, The Great Unwashed).
Upheaval gives way to hope when they manage to procure an abandoned toilet from crooked property developer Crassus (Robert Lindsay) which they decide to convert into Rome’s hottest new wine-bar - ‘The Crown and Toga’. With Grumio as head-chef, Jason and waterboy/man Aurelius on drinks and Marcus as manager, this could be the boys’ chance to finally hit the big time and become players in the most exciting city in the world. This status leads to new adventures as they tangle with Rome’s foremost food critic, launch a cabaret night with a scathing satirist, take part in the city’s marathon and host a snail-racing syndicate – before coming up against their biggest challenge so far, an aggressive take-over bid from a local Germanian bar famous for their popular brown-liquid ‘beer’.
The new series sees the return of past cast regulars including Doon Mackichan (Smack The Pony, Brass Eye) as Flavia, Karl Theobald (Green Wing) as Landlord, Tom Basden (Life on the Road, The Wrong Mans) as Aurelius, Tom Davis (Murder In Successville) as Davus and Maureen Lipman (The Pianist, Educating Rita) as Landlady.
There will also be special cameos coming from top acting and comedic talent including the previously mentioned Robert Lindsay (My Family, Bounty Hunters), Ollie Locke (Made In Chelsea), Aisling Bea (Hard Sun, The Fall, Trollied), Ellie Taylor (The Mash Report, Josh), Steve Oram (The End of the F***ing World, Sightseers), Annette Badland (EastEnders, Doctor Who, The Archers), Rachel Parris (Murder In Successville, The Mash Report) Angus Wright (Flowers, Peep Show, The Iron Lady) and Daniel Rigby (Flowers, Black Mirror, Eric & Ernie, Big School).
