BBC Scotland has confirmed that Only Child will return for a second series, with Gregor Fisher and Greg McHugh reprising their roles as Ken and Richard Pritchard. The sitcom, which quietly became a favourite with audiences during its first run, is set to return for six new episodes, once again bringing its mix of warmth, frustration, and very Scottish humour back to screens.
Commissioned by BBC Comedy and BBC Scotland, and produced by Happy Tramp North, the new series will see the father and son duo back in Forres, continuing their often chaotic, always relatable dynamic.
The Father-Son Dynamic at the Centre of It All
The first series followed Richard, a struggling actor, as he returned home to visit his recently widowed father Ken, only to realise that the visit might need to become something more permanent. What followed was a series built around small moments, generational clashes, and the kind of everyday disagreements that quickly spiral when patience is already wearing thin.
That central relationship is clearly what made the show connect. Ken’s stubborn, old-school attitude paired with Richard’s attempts to manage, support, and occasionally just survive him created something that felt both familiar and genuinely funny, with the humour always rooted in character rather than gimmick.
More Chaos, More Bickering, More Heart
Series 2, written once again by Bryce Hart, looks set to build on that same foundation, with new storylines that lean into both the absurd and the everyday. From driving lessons to explaining QR codes, and even conversations around buying your own coffin, the new episodes promise the same mix of humour and honesty that defined the first run.
BBC Scotland’s Head of Commissioning, Louise Thornton, described the show’s appeal as being grounded in its ability to take a relatable situation and fill it with warmth, love, and plenty of laughs, something that feels especially true of Ken and Richard’s evolving relationship.
Cast and Creators Ready to Return
Greg McHugh has said he is “absolutely thrilled” the show is returning, describing the first series as a joy to film and praising the cast and crew, while Gregor Fisher added that heading back to Forres with McHugh “beats working”, which feels very on-brand.
Behind the scenes, the core creative team remains in place, with Ursula Haworth producing, John Addis directing, and Neil Webster returning as executive producer. The series will also continue to showcase Scottish and Irish talent, with further casting details still to be announced.
CultureCues Final Thoughts
Only Child is not trying to reinvent the sitcom format, and that is exactly why it works. It is grounded, character-driven, and built on a relationship that feels real enough to recognise, even when it is pushed to comedic extremes. Bringing it back for a second series feels like a natural decision, especially when there is clearly more to explore with Ken and Richard.
For a show that found its strength in the smaller, more personal moments, a return to Forres is a very welcome one.
Nikki Murray is a UK-based writer, screenwriter and founder & editor of CultureCues, covering film, television, music and pop culture. Her work focuses on storytelling, emerging voices and the cultural moments shaping modern entertainment.