More Episodes for Showtime

episodes

Showtime’s outside the fourth wall comedy series “Episodes” is getting another season, which is great news for viewers, and even better news for Matt LeBlanc.

If you’re not watching Episodes, it’s one of the smartest comedies on television, somewhat reminiscent in theme to Ricky Gervais’ critically beloved Extras in that it deals with the struggle to create quality programming in the face of an industry and an audience that cares little for quality.

Last season, Matt faced a financial crisis and was forced to make some tough decisions, while Sean (Stephen Mangan) and Beverly (Tamsin Greig) were dragged back to L.A. to shoot more episodes of their disastrous sitcom Pucks! Meanwhile, their other project, The Opposite of Us, refuses to go away. The series also stars Mircea Monroe, Kathleen Rose Perkins and John Pankow.

The fifth season of Episodes will consist of nine half hour episodes. The series stars Matt LeBlanc in his three-time Emmy-nominated and Golden Globe-winning role as a fictionalized version of himself. Creators and executive producers David Crane & Jeffrey Klarik have also received three Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series, as well as two Writers Guild of America nominations. Episodes is created and executive produced by award-winning writing partners Crane (Friends) & Klarik (Mad About You), and is also executive produced by Jimmy Mulville through his Hat Trick production company.

The new season will begin filming in London in 2016.

“We are so pleased to continue working with David Crane and Jeffrey Klarik, two of the sharpest creative minds in comedy, along with the incredibly talented cast, led by Matt LeBlanc,” said Nevins. “And now that viewers have even more ways to access SHOWTIME programming, I’m excited for a whole new audience to watch this smart, funny comedy gem.”

Nevins was referring to Showtime’s decision to follow HBO’s lead in making the channel available to users without going through cable providers.

Watch the Trailer for Season 4.

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