LAW DISORDER!

STEPHEN MERCHANT on the fresh challenges ahead as his comedy crime thriller returns

- CAREN CLARK

THE OUTLAWS
NEW THURSDAY, 9PM, BBC1 COMEDY (BOX SET, BBC IPLAYER)

On a sunny July day in the Gloucestershire market town of Cirencester, TV Times is observing a tense confrontation in a packed courthouse.

We've been invited to watch filming for the third series of BBC1's popular comedy The Outlaws, which catches up with the lovable group of Bristol-based smalltime offenders serving a Community Payback scheme.

In the scene being shot today, one of their number, bumbling lawyer Greg played by the show's co-writer Stephen Merchant - is representing his friend, recovering addict Lady Gabby (Eleanor Tomlinson), in a fierce legal battle with her formidable father, The Earl (Richard E. Grant).

"There's a bit of juice and it's satisfying seeing Greg in the courtroom out of his depth,' chuckles Stephen, 49, who also co-created hit BBC sitcom The Office, as we chat during a break. 'And Richard delivers put-downs majestically!" The fraught showdown is not the only issue facing the gang in the new five-part outing, however.

While Gabby has finished her community-service sentence, Greg and the others are still completing their hours at a city farm, under the watchful eye of supervisor Diane (Jessica Gunning).

But following their clash with ruthless gangster The Dean (Claes Bang), which led to the pals planting drugs on him, the crime lord is now awaiting trial and vowing revenge, while their fellow petty criminal Rani (Rhianne Barreto), who fled Bristol in the last run, reappears and begs for their help with a deadly problem.

As events spiral, can they avoid danger and police attention? Here, Stephen tells us more...