The series, produced by Merman, will see Bea and Sharon Horgan (Catastrophe) reunite as the Irish sisters Aine and Shona.

Picking up from the events of the series finale, This Way Up will continue to explore the tense will-they-won’t-they dynamic between Aine and Richard, played by Tobias Menzies (The Crown). Since Aine tutors Richard’s son Etienne, the employer-employee relationship between the pair will either halt their burgeoning romance or make it all the more passionate.

Since Shona’s engagement to Vish (Aasif Mandvi) at the end of last series, she has to deal with the stress of wedding planning, moving in with her fiancé and the slight issue of kissing her business partner Charlotte (Indira Varma) on the night of her engagement. 

Despite their personal struggles, the series will once again shine a light on the unshakeable bond between Aine and her big sister Shona, who support each other through the loneliness and sadness of life. With a hint at potentially another sung duet, This Way Up will also reveal the hilarious high jinks that ensue with such a close and honest relationship.

Creator Aisling Bea said: “I am over the moon that our little baby This Way Up gets to grow up and start school. Thanks to its grandparents Channel 4 and Hulu for paying its school fees and to my wonderful team, crew and cast for helping bring it to life the first-time round.  I was so overwhelmed by the love and support for the show. 

“I hope you love seeing where Aine and Shona have moved on to. In the meantime, thank you to everyone who has offered myself and Sharon large record deals since hearing us sing Zombie and please wear a mask literally, but drop your metaphorical one."

Merman co-founder Sharon Horgan added: “It’s been a really tough, strange old year. We know we’re lucky to be back working at all but especially lucky to be working again on This Way Up. Aish continues to make us laugh and cry with her observations on life and love and loneliness.  I can’t wait to be her sister again so I can legitimately give her a dead arm whenever I feel like it."    

Read our interview with Aisling Bea about her experience creating This Way Up here.