New Alan Partridge series is about “mental health of the nation”

Steve Coogan has given an update on the next series involving his beloved character Alan Partridge, saying the show will see the comedy legend taking on a more serious subject than expected.

The actor appeared on BBC Breakfast this morning (January 28), to promote his new show Brian and Maggie, about the relationship between journalist Brian Walden and former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. While there, he was asked about the next Alan Partridge series and disclosed that the show has a new title and surprising subject matter.

“I’m not sure when it’s out, it’s soon-ish” Coogan said. “It’s called How Are You? and it’s about the mental health of the nation. Very serious subject matter that he mangles”. The show, a six-part mockumentary, was previously called And Did Those Feet… With Alan Partridge, and focuses on the character returning to the UK after a period in Saudi Arabia.

BBC presented Sally Nugent said: “I can’t imagine how Alan would handle a sensitive subject” to which Coogan replied: “Well, I’m sure you can. You can try”.

While Coogan has had a varied career in shows such as The Trip and films like the Night At The Museum franchise, Partridge remains his most consistent and celebrated work. First conceived in 1991 radio programme On The Hour, he soon became a favourite on television.

Steve Coogan as Alan Partridge alongside co-star Tim Key (credit: Jordan Mansfield/Comic Relief)

The inept, awkward television presenter hosted the fictional chat show Knowing Me, Knowing You from 1994-95, followed by the sitcom I’m Alan Partridge from 1997 to 2002. The character has been revived on various platforms including YouTube, podcasts, books, and the 2013 feature film Alpha Papa.

Last year, Coogan said he would like to do more live shows as the character, saying “I’d like to do some other stuff first and I’ll go back to him”. One of those other projects will be a film about footballer Roy Keane, titled Saipan.

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