Sky snags Coogan comedy The Trip

Sky has ordered a third season of The Trip in a move that will see the comedy series transition from the BBC to Sky Atlantic.

The move means the series will go from free to pay TV in the UK following the route taken by another Steve Coogan series, with the new Alan Partridge show, Mid Morning Matters, also now on Sky Atlantic.

In the Trip, Coogan plays a version of himself, alongside fellow comic actor Rob Brydon, as they head on a foodie road trip.

The first series saw the pair travel around the UK, and season two took them to Italy. The new six-part Sky Atlantic series will follow them around Spain.

Coogan’s longtime collaborator Michael Winterbottom will return to direct the show.

“Having thought long and hard about yet another sojourn into culinary distractions and middle age, I have reluctantly agreed to Eviva Espana,” Coogan said. “I have a hole in my diary, there will be free food and accommodation and Rob Brydon is surprisingly good company. I also like Michael.”

Zai Bennett, director of Sky Atlantic, said: “The Trip is as close to perfection as you get in comedy. It’s a rare chance to watch comic masters, totally authoring their work with creative freedom. It’s an absolutely perfect fit for Sky Atlantic.”

The Trip will be produced by Winterbottom’s Revolution Films, Coogan’s Baby Cow, and Brydon’s Small Man Productions.