Dawn French to return as Vicar of Dibley in lockdown-inspired Christmas specials

The Vicar of Dibley creator Dawn French is reviving her most famous character for three lockdown-inspired TV specials this Christmas.

The funnywoman – who first played minister Geraldine in 1994 – will appear in three 10-minute episodes over the festive period. They’ll then be screened together on BBC One on an unconfirmed date.

They’ll feature the vicar delivering sermons over Zoom ‘when she can make it work’, according to the BBC.

We’re already relating to this.

“There’s been a lot happening in Dibley this year”

According to the broadcaster, French “couldn’t be happier” to be back.

The show’s creator Richard Curtis commented: “Like every village in the country, there’s been a lot happening in Dibley this year – and Dawn has got a lot to say about it.”

Shane Allen, controller of comedy commissioning for the BBC, added: “This triple festive treat from the nation’s favourite fun-loving vicar is the warm comedy hug we’ve all missed.”

The Vicar of Dibley‘s first series was comprised of six episodes. Following two specials, it ran for a four-episode second season in 1997. There have since been eight special episdoes, totalling 20 episodes.

Emma Chambers, who played the beloved character of Alice, died in 2018 of a heart attack.

Dawn’s new TV project follows recent news that she is to serve as a guest judge on the upcoming second season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.

Read the full interview in the Attitude December issue, available to download and to order globally now.

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