Here We Go writer teases season 4 – while star and Ghosts favourite explains secret to its success

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The BBC sitcom Here We Go, which premiered in 2022 and follows the Jessop family, has been a hit for three seasons. It’s even received two nominations for the upcoming Bafta Television Awards. Creator and writer Tom Basden, along with star Jim Howick, discuss the reasons behind the show’s success.

Tom Basden

Creator, writer and actor in Here We Go

What’s your writing process for Here We Go?

I’m currently writing the fourth season. I’m terrible at organization, so my ideas are scattered everywhere – in notebooks, Word documents, on my phone, and even on scraps of paper in my bag. The first step is always gathering everything together and reviewing all the ideas I’ve had for the show – and other projects – to see what I’ve got.

How is writing comedy different to drama?

Generally speaking, dramatic stories involve much bigger challenges, and characters tend to react in similar ways. Think of situations like trying to catch a criminal or saving someone’s life in a hospital – the pressure creates a common type of response.

The specific detective or doctor in a mystery isn’t as important as what happens in a comedy. Comedies often focus on personal relationships and the resulting drama. I believe this is why the characters are funny – they react to situations in unexpected, yet relatable ways.

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Jim Howick

Star of Here We Go

Nominated for actor in a comedy

Why do you think Here We Go has become such a success?

The show uses familiar family sitcom patterns effectively, though the storylines can be pretty silly and chaotic. Like many successful sitcoms, it thrives on unexpected visitors – the doorbell ringing is even a running joke! – who always bring fresh energy and humor to each scene.

Having worked on shows like Ghosts and Horrible Histories, how does it feel to work with scripts written by other people, rather than ones you helped create?

It’s much more enjoyable to act in someone else’s work, particularly when it’s written by Tom. He’s a brilliant writer, and his scripts consistently make me genuinely laugh. I could never bring myself to laugh at my own writing – that would feel a little unsettling.

How much latitude is there for improvisation?

Look, Tom can be a bit of a perfectionist, and that’s fine. But honestly, a little improvisation on set can be great – as long as it doesn’t derail the plot or feel like someone’s just showing off. It really worked for Here We Go, though. The film has this raw, spontaneous energy, and I think allowing the actors to ad-lib played right into that whole guerrilla filmmaking vibe.

The Bafta Television Awards are on Sunday 11 May at 7pm on BBC One.

BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises

Shot at Sea Containers London

Photography: Rachel Louise Brown @‌rachellouisebrownstudio

Styling: Natalie Read @‌natreadstylist

Set Design: Propped Up @‌propped_up_ltd

Hair by Philipp Haug & Eden Thomson for Schwarzkopf
Make-up by Armani Beauty

Authors

Gareth McLean

For almost three decades, Gareth McLean has been a professional television writer. He’s reviewed countless shows as a critic and interviewed hundreds of prominent figures, including Liza Minnelli and Jimmy Savile, as a feature writer. He’s also worked as a writer on television programs.

Huw FullertonCommissioning Editor

Huw Fullerton works as a Commissioning Editor at TopMob magazine, where he focuses on content related to entertainment, comedy, and specialized dramatic productions.

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2026-05-04 19:50