Jimmy Akingbola

The new four-part series will air outside Black History Month for the first time, having been given a slot in the mainstream schedule.

ITV's Head of Entertainment Commissioning Katie Rawcliffe, who ordered the recommission, explained: “Sorry I Didn’t Know has quickly established itself as one of our stand out panel shows, with all the ingenuity, flair and humour to appeal to a modern, contemporary audience. We’re thrilled to champion this brilliant show and all it represents.” 

The new six-part series will see the return of Kate (Brenda Blethyn) and Koji, who will now be played by Okorie Chukwu as he takes over the role from Jimmy Akingbola.

Blake Harrison and Barbara Flynn will reprise their roles as ‘Medium’ and Councillor Bone. 

Written and created by Guy Jenkin and Andy Hamilton, the comedy tells the story of an unlikely friendship between a working-class woman who owns a café near the seaside and an asylum-seeking African doctor.

Production on the second series was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic but can now move forward. 

The only comedy panel show that celebrated Black history, Sorry, I Didn’t Know will return in October with Chizzy Akudolu and Judi Love once again captaining the teams.

This year, ITV and TriForce Productions have launched a new competition to find two new writers for the show, who will join showrunner Fraser Ayres in the series writing room.

With the aim of finding the next wave of comedy writers and giving them their first broadcast credit, the opportunity will be open to everyone to apply.