Emily Atack is reportedly delaying the highly anticipated Netflix reboot of The Inbetweeners, as she remains furious over being excluded from the two films, allegedly due to a feud with co-star James Buckley. The 39-year-old actress, who played Charlotte “Big Jugs” Hinchliffe in the original Channel 4 sitcom, is said to be holding up the project because she has not forgotten how she was treated during the film reunions.
According to a report in The Sun, Buckley, who portrayed Jay Cartwright, issued an “it’s her or me” ultimatum for the films, concerned that working with Atack would cause issues in his marriage to fellow actor Clair Meek. Atack was noticeably absent from both Inbetweeners films, and she is reportedly still upset about the snub.
Feud Origins and Ultimatum
The alleged feud stems from a past relationship between Atack and Buckley, who shared “a couple of cheeky snogs” back in the day. Buckley’s concern about working with Atack reportedly led to her exclusion from the films, a decision that Atack has never fully gotten over.
A source told The Sun: “She hasn’t forgotten what happened last time. She was absolutely furious that she wasn’t invited back for the previous Inbetweeners reunion, and she has never really got over the way she felt she was treated. Emily’s attitude is basically, ‘Why do you want me now when I wasn’t good enough then?’ Emily and James Buckley have history, and there is no getting away from the fact that it would be awkward having to work closely together again.”
Reboot Plans and Cast Interest
The Inbetweeners creators Iain Morris and Damon Beesley were reported to have signed a deal with production giant Banijay UK earlier this year, aiming to revive the “fearsome foursome” for a new big-screen outing. It was claimed that Buckley, Simon Bird, Joe Thomas, and Blake Harrison—who played Will, Simon, Jay, and Neil—would be joined by Atack as Charlotte Hinchliffe, a nickname that the actress has said still haunts her.
The quartet of stars previously expressed interest in returning, with Joe Thomas telling The Sun earlier this year that he was keen to read what Morris and Beesley were writing. Thomas explained: “What has happened is that the people who wrote The Inbetweeners a while ago sold the rights to a larger entity, and they recently bought them back so they can make some more. I’m really excited. I don’t know what they’re doing. I just know they’re writing something, and I would really love to do it. That’s pretty much it. I hope there’s more because I’ve not got that much else to do! I do like The Inbetweeners as well!”
Current Status and Response
Atack’s decision on whether to sign on to the Netflix reboot is reportedly impacted by her lingering anger over the film snub. Metro has contacted Atack, Buckley, and Netflix for comment on this story. The Inbetweeners is available to watch on Channel 4.
As the reboot remains in development, the unresolved tension between Atack and Buckley could determine the project’s future, with fans awaiting an official announcement on casting and production schedules.
