Mrs Brown’s Boys Returns: Brendan O’Carroll Doubles Down as Comedy Debate Swirls

Mrs Brown’s Boys: Still Making Noise After a Decade

Brendan O’Carroll isn’t stepping away from his most famous creation just yet. BBC One is locked and loaded for a fifth series of Mrs Brown's Boys, landing on Friday nights, starting August 1, 2025. The notorious Agnes Brown and her Finglas crew will, once again, serve up those chaotic, slapstick moments fans know by heart. If you need a laugh that feels a bit old-school, apparently Mrs. Brown’s kitchen is still open.

These new episodes promise the usual “slapstick shenanigans.” Expect the familiar faces, outrageous mishaps, and fourth-wall-breaking gags. It’s the same formula that launched the series into British TV cult status over a decade ago, back when nobody really cared about "edgy TV panels" and "comedy boundaries." Now, though, those old-school laughs come with an unavoidable side of chatter. While the BBC keeps the show front and center, some critics question if the jokes still land in today’s sharpened comedy landscape.

Did the debates slow it down? Not so much. Last winter’s New Year Special, B&B Mammy, snagged applause for more than just its punchlines. The episode wrapped a gentle but real talk about trust and home security into its comedy, with a subplot on a break-in. Turns out, slipping a little social commentary into your sitcom can make even the oldest punchlines feel fresh for an evening.

Brendan O’Carroll’s New Project: Laughter in the Shed

While the Mrs Brown machine grinds on, O’Carroll is getting serious—well, sort of. Teaming up with comedy veteran Tommy Cannon, he’s launching a new show called Shedites. Shooting kicks off in July 2025, and you’ll catch it on BBC One not long after. But don’t expect more motherly mayhem—this one’s styled as a buddy comedy focusing on male friendship and, importantly, men’s mental health.

There’s a nod to the men’s shed movement that’s grown across Ireland and the UK, where blokes gather in workshops to talk (or not talk) and tinker with stuff just to get out of their own heads. O’Carroll isn’t just chasing a new laugh; he wants to hit the soft spot in tough conversations. With men’s mental health often parked in the background or played for shallow gags, Shedites aims to bring some honesty to primetime, using humor as the hook.

So, while debate rages over whether Agnes Brown is past her expiry date, O’Carroll’s moving forward—stubborn, loud, and with a new target in sight. The BBC, meanwhile, seems happy to let him bring comedy audiences back to both familiar turf and new territory.