In the annals of British TV, there have been a lot of great shows that have found success here in America.Downton Abbey,Doctor Who, andLutherare a few that come to mind, as are such classics asFaulty Towers,Absolutely Fabulous, and, of course,Red Dwarf, the sci-fi sitcom that’s gained a cult following over the years to become one of the most beloved series ever made. However, while fans have been eagerly anticipating a return to their favorite mining spacecraft, it appears as if plans have unfortunately fallen through,and a reported Season 13 might not happen after all.
Speaking withRadio Times,Red DwarfstarCraig Charlestold the outletthat a return of the British sitcom might not happen now due to finances. It was previously announced in 2024 thatRed Dwarfwould be filming three new episodes in 2025, with other key cast members Chris Barrie, Danny John-Jules and Robert Llewellyn all on board to reprise their respective roles. Now, according to Charles, that doesn’t appear to be in the cards anymore.
“I’m not sure that it will come back, to be honest. I know that the deal that we had to make it this year looks like that might not be happening now. I can’t really say any more on that because I don’t know much more, but I just know that there have been lots of conversations about cost, and I think [the episodes] might be too expensive.”
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Charles would go on to add that it’s not for lack of enthusiasm, as he and the rest of the crew would love nothing more than to make aRed Dwarfreturn happen. Unfortunately,the British TV industryis in a state of flux right now as both the BBC and Channel 4 have wrestled with cutbacks in recent years amidst funding uncertainties.“It’s not that we don’t want to do it,“Charles said. “It’s a case of we’re trying to get it done… [it’s] happening in television all the time at the moment, there doesn’t seem to be that much money around.”
‘Red Dwarf’ Still Has a Chance To Make a Comeback
While aRed Dwarfreturn might not be happening this year, fans can at least take comfort in knowing that Charles didn’t rule out the possibility of a comeback entirely. There’s always the chance some angel investors could come along, or the industry could improve over time to make roomfor the silly sci-fi sitcomthat spawned an entire franchise of games, novels, spin-offs, and magazines.
If you’ve not gotten the chance to see the classic series, you can check outRed Dwarfstreaming now on BritBox, which will set you back $8.99/month, or $89.99 for a yearly subscription. Trust us, it’s worth the cost, as once you’re done checking outRed Dwarf, there’s loads of other great content on there to enjoy, includingFather Brown,Shetland,Keeping Up Appearances, andMiranda, which is undoubtedly one of the funniest sitcoms you’ll ever watch.
