BBC Two Quiz Show Only Connect Renewed

BBC Two and RDF West, a Banijay UK company, have signed a two-year deal that will see an additional 64 episodes of Only Connect produced.

The latest season of Only Connect concluded in January, and the series has established itself as BBC Two’s most popular returning series. The new episodes will make up season 18, to debut later this year, and season 19, to debut in 2023.

Previous seasons of Only Connect were co-produced by Parasol Media and RDF West. Following the closure of Parasol, RDF West will now fully produce the series but will continue to work closely with much of the current, established production team. Nick Martin (Have I Got News For You, Dave Gorman’s Modern Life is Goodish, Fifteen to One) also joins the team as series producer.

Victoria Coren Mitchell, host of the series, said: “This is the end of an era as Parasol closes, and I would like to pay tribute to the amazing Chris Cadenne. She has been a wonderful head of production, and we will miss her terribly, as well as our brilliant series producer for many years, Jenny Heap. But I know they’re off to have fantastic new adventures, and I hope we are too. I’m delighted to be making two more series with so much of the original team, excited about working with Nick Martin and RDF and looking forward to roaring back later this year as fiendishly as ever. The show I mean. Not me. I’m not fiendish at all. As long as I’ve eaten.”

Jo Scarratt-Jones, managing director of RDF West, added: “Only Connect has enjoyed some fantastic ratings success of late and continues to perform brilliantly across the board with all demographics. It’s a real hit with BBC Two audiences, and we’re delighted the BBC have committed to a further two years. Victoria and the team who make the show have done a brilliant job of making it such a success, and we can’t wait for more.”

Sarah Clay, commissioning editor of BBC Entertainment, said: “Only Connect is a real gem in the BBC Two schedule. Victoria and the team have taken it from strength to strength, building their already brilliant and loyal following to 3.3 million viewers—that’s no mean feat! We are really proud of the show and thrilled to have another two series for fans to enjoy.”

Chris Stuart, executive producer, added:”“The fact that Only Connect has grown quietly and steadily over the years means that it has evolved very much on its own terms. I think that’s been a strength. Bravo to those smart people who keep coming up with questions, to the constant flow of teams capable of answering them and to our peerless presenter for putting her own indelible stamp on the show’s wanton distinctiveness.”