The Inbetweeners launched on Channel 4 back in 2008 and was an immediate success, even having garnered enough of a fanbase to warrant two spin-off movies.
The main protagonists Will, Simon, Jay and Neil were the breakout roles for their respective actors and helped launch their careers.
Now, with the actors into their thirties, the four main characters have admitted that they aren’t open to the idea of reprising their roles for the sake of nostalgia, even refusing any involvement if the concept goes ahead.
READ MORE: Inbetweeners star James Buckley admits to unlikely hobby that has left him unable to sleep
Keep reading to see what the original cast of The Inbetweeners really think about the series that brought them fame.
Will McKenzie – Simon Bird
As the main protagonist and narrator of the show, fans would be forgiven for thinking that Simon would be eager for an Inbetweeners reboot.
However, the apprehensive star – who is now 37 years old – has said that he has spent his career trying to escape the image of Will McKenzie.
Despite the show’s three season run, with 18 episodes over the course of two years, Simon’s life is still overshadowed by his role as Will.
The iconic character was known for his stiff upper lip, tendency to get himself into sticky situations and inability to read the room, which is something that the actor has tried to distance himself from throughout his career post-Inbetweeners fame.
(Image: PA)
His career defining role has done just that and has left him trying to figure himself out.
Bird explained: “My career [depends on] being able to wriggle free from being Will from The Inbetweeners. I’ve been trying to escape his shadow. The need to [escape our characters] has become apparent to all four of us over time.”
He continued on to say that when the films were released, they were “hits” that the stars “hoped would lead to new opportunities for us”, but the reality is that “there’s not much comedy made in the UK”.
Simon claimed: “If you’re associated with a big role, I can understand why the makers of other series wouldn’t want you. You’re bringing baggage with you and they’re trying to create new characters. It makes total sense.”
Neil Sutherland – Blake Harrison
(Image: Getty Images)
Blake played lovable, bumbling fool Neil, who was famously a huge hit with the ladies.
However, Harrison isn’t keen to reprise his role and even doubts whether the idea would go ahead at all.
Blake, now 36 years old, has revealed that he and his co-stars are “always asked” whether new Inbetweeners stuff is in the works, but he has clearly voiced his opinion regarding a potential reboot series or a third film.
(Image: Channel 4)
He admitted: “I feel like we’ve been done since 2014, when we did the last film, when we filmed the last movie, but people like it. They always ask us to do more. I can’t see that happening, but you never know.”
Even though he didn’t completely deny the possibility of further Inbetweeners instalments, his former co-stars have the same opinion which makes the chances very slim.
Jay Cartwright – James Buckley
(Image: Channel 4)
James’ character was known for his tall tales, wild claims and hilarious pranks – a role Buckley has said was “the best job in the world”.
However, the 34-year-old is keen to keep his memories of that time untainted and insists he will never return to his old ways.
He spoke to DJ Chris Moyles during an interview for Radio X and when asked whether he would consider taking on Jay once more, he had a rather disheartening response.
James confessed: “Not because I don’t think I would have an amazing time doing it, because I know I would […] as I’m getting older, it’s looking like it might be the only thing that I do professionally that is universally loved. There’s not enough money in the world for me to spoil that.”
(Image: Getty Images)
The former Channel 4 actor has also previously admitted that the show’s X-rated content, controversial humour and tongue-in-cheek high jinx would not go down well with audiences today.
He spoke to Digital Spy and said that “it seems cool to be offended by stuff”, which he branded as “a shame” as he added he “hopes it will pass”.
The actor thinks that “people would be more offended” by the coming-of-age comedy show “if it was made today”, but noted that it would be “really weird” as it’s “only” been around 10 years since the series’ debut.
Simon Cooper – Joe Thomas
(Image: E4)
Hopeless romantic Simon was notoriously unlucky in love and helped launch actor Joe Thomas into stardom.
Since his Inbetweeners stint, Joe has enjoyed a successful career in British comedies Fresh Meat and White Gold, and as main character Nick in 2018’s The Festival alongside fellow Inbetweeners actor Hannah Tointon, who played his love interest Tara Brown.
Rumours of an Inbetweeners reboot without the original cast began circulating back in 2017, which horrified loyal fans and cast alike.
(Image: Channel 4)
Joe spoke to Digital Spy about the idea and said that it wouldn’t work as The Inbetweeners is all “about their personalities”.
He quipped: “I would find it hard to conceive of a Peep Show reboot without those guys or those writers, that’s the strongest bit of branding in there, the personalities of the writer and actors.”
Thomas said that without this defining feature, the show “wouldn’t really have a hook”.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
