'Avoidance' Season 2 Sets a BritBox Premiere Date

Avoidance, the comedy from Romesh Ranganathan (Staged), returns to BritBox with Season 2 at the end of the summer for another chance to catch on here in the U.S. Ranganathan, who hosted the TV BAFTAs on BritBox earlier in 2024 and is well known for his appearances on panel shows, stars in the series as Jonathan, whose inability to handle conflict in Season 1 led to the collapse of his marriage, him running away to avoid facing said collapse or telling his nine-year-old son about the impending breakup. Season 2 brings Jonathan back a year later, regretting allowing the divorce to proceed at the end of Season 1, even though the end result has been him becoming a healthier, more balanced person.

Ranganathan joked to the BBC that he relates far less to his character in Season 2 because he's making improvements to his life. "His personality is very similar to mine in that he’s conflict-avoidant and a bit of a beta male. The thing that’s the biggest difference between me and Jonathan is that he’s really into cycling... and I’m not! I thought it would be funny to have him in lycra for large parts of the series, but when you’re writing it, you forget that you’ve actually got to put that stuff on. Actor Romesh found himself very angry with writer Romesh in terms of what he’d made him do."

Though the series stars Ranganathan, it is an ensemble piece featuring stories about Jonathan's family, including his sister, who is expecting her first child. The future is coming fast, and Jonathan is not ready.

Here’s the Season 2 synopsis:

Life has changed since Jonathan’s marriage broke down and he absconded with his son to live with his sister. Life has changed a lot. One year ago, Jonathan’s ex-partner Claire asked him to leave. And life with his sister Dan and her wife Courtney and his son Spencer could best be described as... dysfunctional. But now things are about to get a whole lot more stressful. Dan and Courtney have a baby on the way, Claire’s got a hot new man, and most importantly, Jonathan’s wearing lycra. He tries everything to impress Claire, from taking up cycling, to practicing affirmations and even an ill-fated stage performance. But will Jonathan win her back? And will Dan and Courtney be ready when the baby comes?

Ranganathan is once again joined by Jessica Knappett (Dodger), Mandeep Dhillon (After Life), Lisa McGrillis (Sex Education), Bruce Mackinnon (The Bad Education Movie), and Kieran Logendra (Changing Ends). Season 2 also adds Matthew Lewis (All Creatures Great & Small), Aisling Bea (Alice & Jack), Olive Tennant (Belfast), Jessica Ransom (Doc Martin), Paula Wilcox (Grantchester), Philip Jackson (Agatha Christie's Poirot), Colin Hoult (Still Up), Michael Spicer (Bridgerton), Brona C Titley (The Outlaws), Alex Ranganathan (Trying) Ed Kear (Here We Go), and Louise Ford (Crashing).

Series creator Romesh Ranganathan wrote all six episodes with Knappett and Benjamin Green, the latter of who directed all episodes. Ranganathan and Green executive produce with Michelle Farr-Scott.

All episodes of Avoidance Season 2 arrive on BritBox on Thursday, August 22, 2024.