Steve Coogan features

[Miguel Wilkins]

Steve Coogan teases major Alan Partridge change after 35 years: 'A new incarnation'
Charlotte Minter
May 12, 2026
metro.co.uk

Steve Coogan has been playing Alan Partridge for over three decades, but still he's got fresh ideas for the broadcaster from Norfolk. We've seen Alan in an array of settings over the years. From radio stations to raves; Steve, alongside his long-term collaborators Neil and Rob Gibbons, has put the beloved character in a whole range of scenarios over the years. He's scanned items on the tills at Tesco's, traversed the hills of the Peak District, and walked to an abandoned nuclear power station – but there's one place he hasn't yet ventured. Speaking to Metro on the red carpet at the Bafta TV Awards 2026, Steve Coogan joked that he wants to send Alan to 'outer space', before confirming that a 'new incarnation' of Alan Partridge is being developed being the scenes.

The White Lotus actor said they are planning this new version of the iconic persona 'in the next couple of years', but he was tight-lipped about revealing too much. He went on: 'If I say something, that'll be the one thing we don't do.' Steve admitted 'there's not much left' in terms of areas they've not explored, but he and his team have 'got a few ideas'. 'We've always been quite reticent of interviewing real people. I've done it a few times with people like Oasis, Bryan Ferry, Roger Daltrey,' The Trip star reflected. 'I might involve a few more actual real people.'

Metro asked if there were any other ideas he'd like to do more with: 'I mean Mid Morning Matters was quite an esoteric series. Not that many people saw it but I really loved it. I liked the pared back Alan, but I'm also a big fan of the sitcom.' I'm Alan Partridge ran for two seasons and follows the radio and TV presenter as he tries to salvage his professional and personal life after being dropped by the BBC and left by his wife.

Still by his side is his trusty PA Lynn, played by the fantastic Felicity Montagu. Steve expressed his desire to develop her character more: 'We've not seen enough of Lynn. I'd like to see more of Lynn because she's so popular. 'When I did my live tour, there were only a few glimpses of Lynn, but the audience got really excited at the prospect of seeing more of Lynn. For the Philomena actor, the now award-winning How Are You? It's Alan (Partridge) was somewhat of a family affair.

His daughter's partner, Bafta-winning Jamie Demetriou, played an injured hiker called Geoff who Alan attempts to look after by giving a KitKat and covering with a quarter-zip. Metro asked how it was, filming together. Steve replied: 'Well I worked with Jamie before he met my daughter – I knew him creatively. 'But now he's become extended family, so it's quite odd. 'He was nominated against me for a Bafta a few years ago, and won, and I didn't. So it's just a funny thing really.'

Before Alan has the chance to become an intergalactic explorer (loosely termed) like Katy Perry, Jeff Bezos and Neil Armstrong, Steve has a series of The White Lotus to film. He told Metro how much he's enjoying working with actors including Max Greenfield, Laura Dern and Heather Graham on the show. It was recently reported that Helena Bonham Carter had stepped down from the cast during filming. The new season, written by creator Mike White, follows a new batch of characters over the course of a week during the Cannes Film Festival.

When asked how he feels about walking the red carpet at Cannes, Steve confirmed they'll be using it as a set. It appeared as though he was going to call the red carpet 'fake', before he cut himself off. 'But I've been there before in real life,' he added. Looking at the carpet he was walking to enter the Baftas ceremony, Steve concluded: 'I'm sure it'll be as easy as this is.'