Fans of The Catherine Tate Show have plenty of reasons to be excited about 2022, because the comedian who brought us sulky teen Lauren 'bovvered' Cooper, foul-mouth Nan Joanie Taylor and incompetent nurse Bernie is returning to the world of multi-character comedy in Netflix series Hard Cell.

Hard Cell is a prison comedy, which will be written by and star Tate, and has been described by the creative team behind the show as "funny and touching all at once".

Executive producer Kristian Smith said: "We cannot wait to show audiences on Netflix the inside of HMP Woldsley, our fictional prison occupied by the fantastic creations of Catherine Tate."

Here is everything you need to know about the comedy series...

What is Hard Cell about?

Catherine Tate filming Hard Cell for Netflix Netflix

Netflix has revealed the following description of the series:

"Hard Cell is a new Netflix comedy series written and directed by Catherine Tate set in a women’s prison. Tate plays multiple characters as a documentary crew follows the inmates and staff of HMP Woldsley capturing the penal system at its brutal humorous best."

It's not much to go on.

And what does Tate have to say about the series?

"Exciting aint it? Exciiiiiiiiiiiting!!!" was her brief press release statement.

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Who are the Hard Cell cast?

Catherine Tate outside the prison in Hard Cell Netflix

Catherine Tate leads the cast, playing multiple characters in the series. She will joined in the show by:

  • Christian Brassington (Fishermen's Friends, Poldark)
  • Niky Wardley (The Catherine Tate Show)
  • Cheryl Fergison (EastEnders)
  • Lorna Brown (Devils)
  • Caroline Harding (Emmerdale)
  • Jola Olajide (Creeped Out)
  • Duncan Wisbey (Dead Ringers)

Catherine Tate's best TV shows and movies

Tate is best known for her 2004 BBC sketch comedy series The Catherine Tate show, which became a smash hit thanks to characters such as 'bovvered' lazy teenager Lauren Cooper and foul-mouthed Nan.

The series spawned a spinoff, Catherine Tate’s Nan - and a Nan movie is also coming soon.

She became a popular Doctor Who companion as Donna Noble between 2006 and 2010 and has also starred in the US version of The Office, BBC sitcom Big School and David Walliams adaptation Billionaire Boy.

Her movie credits include Monte Carlo, SuperBob, Gulliver’s Travels and Mrs Ratcliffe’s Revolution.

When is Hard Cell released on Netflix?

Hard Cell is released on Netflix on 12 April.

All six episodes will be available to stream.

The Catherine Tate Show seasons 1-3 and Christmas specials are currently available on BBC iPlayer or BritBox.

Watch Hard Cell if you liked...

Summer Heights High, Lunatics, Angry Boys, Ja'mie: Private School Girl, Jonah from Tonga, Bad Education, The Office.