Cult comedy classic Red Dwarf ready to take off with new series

Robert Llewellyn, Craig Charles and Chris Barrie (l-r) will reunite on the small screen. Credit: Press Association

Cult sci-fi comedy classic Red Dwarf is making a comeback as two new series have been commissioned by TV channel Dave.

It will reunite Craig Charles (Lister), Chris Barrie (Rimmer), Danny John-Jules (Cat) and Robert Llewellyn (Kryten) as the four hapless space explorers.

The shows will air in 2016 and 2017 after beginning production in the autumn.

Red Dwarf's co-creator Doug Naylor, who is writing and directing Red Dwarf XI and XII, said that he had been trying to bring back the series since 2012.

The show has attracted a cult fan base and a dedicated following since its first airing in 1988 on BBC2.

The show went on to attract more then eight million viewers, was broadcast in 25 countries and scooped International Emmy and British Comedy Awards.