The Stage

Sky orders more Stella and The Cafe

Published Thursday 9 February 2012 at 11:54 by Matthew Hemley

Sky has ordered second series of the Ruth Jones comedy Stella, and The Cafe, written by and starring Ralf Little and Michelle Terry.

Jones’ comedy, produced by Tidy Productions, will be broadcast in early 2013.

Series producer David Peet said: “For Tidy this is fantastic news. It’s been brilliant working with Sky to make a series that seems to have struck such a heart-warming chord with the audience.”

Meanwhile, The Cafe, produced by Craig Cash’s company Jellylegs, will also be broadcast in 2013. Cash will once again direct the series.

Co-writer Little said: “It’s been amazing, and frankly a relief, to learn that The Cafe had a warm critical reception, but none of that matters if the powers that be don’t have the faith to re-commission another series.”

Both shows were commissioned by Sky head of comedy Lucy Lumsden and are part of Sky’s commitment to increase its investment in original British content by 50% over the next three years. By 2014, Sky expects to invest £600 million a year in British programmes across its portfolio of channels.