They gave us three series of gloriously excruciating television, two box office-smashing films, and more than a decade of rewatchable humiliation. Now the creators of The Inbetweeners have broken their silence — and confirmed that not every fan favourite will be making the trip for the gang's long-awaited third outing on Netflix.
Iain Morris and Damon Beesley took to Instagram this week to address the swirling speculation surrounding the new film, which began shooting after being announced last month. The post came alongside an image of the four leads — Simon Bird, Joe Thomas, James Buckley and Blake Harrison — gathered together reading scripts, offering the first official glimpse of the reunion in action.
The Creators' Message to Fans
Morris and Beesley were characteristically candid in their update, simultaneously urging patience and managing expectations. Confirming that some familiar faces from the original series simply wouldn't be appearing, they placed the responsibility squarely on their own shoulders.
"For the record, we'd like to clarify that, try as we might, we couldn't squeeze every single beloved character from the TV shows into this new film. That's on us, and us alone."
The duo also gently asked fans to resist the urge to dig into set photos and online conjecture, promising the film would be best enjoyed cold.
"We promise it'll be a more enjoyable watch going in knowing nothing."
Their statement arrives amid reports that had previously suggested a feud between Emily Atack and James Buckley may have complicated the production — though nothing was ever officially confirmed by either party, and the creators made no reference to any such dispute in their post.
A Wedding at the Heart of the New Story
Despite the creators' plea for spoiler restraint, some plot details have already begun to leak out. Set photographs have revealed that the new film centres on a wedding — and the bride has now been identified as Marina Bye, the 33-year-old daughter of comedian Ruby Wax and television producer Ed Bye. Marina has already been spotted on set in bridal attire, though which of the four hapless lads she is set to marry remains the film's most tantalising secret.
It is a significant role for Marina, who has steadily built her acting credentials in recent years with appearances in Prime Video's The Girlfriend, Hulu's We Were the Lucky Ones, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy and Wonka. Her mother Ruby has previously spoken warmly of both Marina and her sister Madeline's careers, telling The Guardian in 2017: 'Maddy is a comedian and Marina is an actress. If they weren't funny I wouldn't encourage them but they are.'
James Buckley has also separately shared a social media post that appeared to spoil certain plot points — perhaps not the most disciplined approach from a man whose character Jay Cartwright built an entire persona on outrageous oversharing.
Where the Cast Are Now
The reunion brings together four leads whose careers have taken markedly different trajectories since The Inbetweeners 2 hit cinemas in 2014. Simon Bird, 42, has quietly become one of British comedy's most respected figures behind the camera, directing the BBC's Such Brave Girls in 2023 — a series one critic called 'hands down the funniest British comedy of the year'. He is also set to appear alongside Ryan Gosling in the 2027 Star Wars film Starfighter.
Joe Thomas, 42, followed the show with four series of Fresh Meat and the sitcom White Gold, and now co-hosts the popular podcast Joe and James Fact Up with Buckley. He is engaged to Hannah Tointon, who played his on-screen girlfriend Tara Brown in the original series.
Emily Atack — who played Charlotte 'Big Jugs' Hinchcliffe and whose absence or otherwise from the new film has fuelled much of the online chatter — has become one of British television's most recognisable faces, earning an I'm a Celebrity runner-up spot in 2018 and most recently winning critical praise for her role in the TV adaptation of Jilly Cooper's Rivals.
What We Know About the Film
The Inbetweeners originally aired on Channel 4 between 2008 and 2010, spawning films in 2011 and 2014, and a cast reunion special in 2019. The third film will be distributed by Netflix, with Morris and Beesley writing and directing together. A release date has yet to be confirmed, though it is expected to arrive around 2027.
After more than a decade, it seems the "Pussay Patrol" are back in business. The only question now is which poor sod is finally getting married.
