BBC1 Follow Up To Christmas Comedy Lapland

​”Lapland” was a BBC One Christmas special that aired on December 24, 2011. The program centers on Eileen Lewis, portrayed by Sue Johnston, a recently widowed grandmother who organizes a family trip to Lapland to meet Father Christmas.

The ensemble cast includes Elizabeth Berrington as Paula Cooper, William Ash as Ray Cooper, Julie Graham as Mandy Lewis, and Stephen Graham as Pete Lewis. ​

Following the success of the special, the BBC commissioned a full series titled “Being Eileen,” which debuted on February 4, 2013, and concluded on March 11, 2013. The series continued to explore the dynamics of the Lewis family, focusing on Eileen’s life and relationships within her extended family.

Notably, some cast changes occurred between the special and the series; for instance, Stephen Graham and Zawe Ashton did not reprise their roles. ​

The transition from “Lapland” to “Being Eileen” reflects the BBC’s commitment to developing successful one-off specials into full series based on audience reception.

The series delved deeper into the characters’ personal lives, offering a blend of humor and heartfelt moments that resonated with viewers.​
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For more detailed information on the production and reception of both the special and the series, you can refer to the British Comedy Guide’s episode guide.