Steve Coogan has been playing Alan Partridge for over three decades, but he still has fresh ideas for the broadcaster from Norfolk. We have 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. He has scanned items on the tills at Tesco, traversed the hills of the Peak District, and walked to an abandoned nuclear power station. However, there is one place he has not yet ventured.
Alan Partridge in Outer Space?
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 behind 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 added: 'If I say something, that will be the one thing we do not do.'
Steve admitted 'there is not much left' in terms of areas they have not explored, but he and his team have 'got a few ideas'. 'We have always been quite reticent about interviewing real people. I have 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.'
Award-Winning Performance
Steve, Neil, and Rob have the ability to turn things into gold. The Legends actor picked up the award for best actor in a comedy at the Baftas on Sunday for his performance in How Are You? It is Alan (Partridge). Metro asked if there were any other ideas he would like to explore further: '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 am also a big fan of the sitcom.'
I am 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 have not seen enough of Lynn. I would like to see more of Lynn because she is 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. I would love to work with Felicity a bit more, bring her back into the story.'
Family Affair on Set
For the Philomena actor, the now award-winning How Are You? It is Alan (Partridge) was somewhat of a family affair. His daughter's partner, Bafta-winning Jamie Demetriou, played an injured hiker called Geoff whom 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 has become extended family, so it is quite odd. He was nominated against me for a Bafta a few years ago, and won, and I did not. So it is just a funny thing really.'
Bafta TV Award Winners 2026
The full list of winners includes: Supporting actor - Owen Cooper, Adolescence; Supporting actress - Christine Tremarco, Adolescence; Reality - Celebrity Traitors; Scripted comedy - Amandaland; Factual series - See No Evil; Children's non-scripted - World. War. Me. (Sky Kids Investigates); Children's scripted - Crongto; Entertainment - Last One Laughing; Limited Drama - Adolescence; Single documentary - Grenfell: Uncovered; Short form - Hustle and Run; Live Event Coverage - VE Day 80; Actor in a comedy - Steve Coogan, How Are You? It's Alan (Partridge); Actress in a comedy - Katherine Parkinson, Here We Go; Soap - EastEnders; Sports coverage - UEFA Women's Euro 2025; Daytime - Scam Interceptors; Current Affairs - Gaza: Doctors Under Attack; News coverage - Channel 4 News: Israel-Iran: The Twelve Day War; Factual entertainment - Go Back To Where You Came From; Bafta special award - Martin Lewis; P&O Cruises memorable moment - Alan Carr wins The Celebrity Traitors; International - The Studio; Bafta Fellowship - Dame Mary Berry; Entertainment performance - Bob Mortimer, Last One Laughing; Drama series - Code of Silence; Leading actress - Narges Rashidi, Prisoner 951; Leading actor - Stephen Graham, Adolescence.
What's Next for Steve Coogan?
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 is 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 will 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 have been there before in real life,' he added. Looking at the carpet he was walking to enter the Baftas ceremony, Steve concluded: 'I am sure it will be as easy as this is.'
How Are You? It is Alan (Partridge) is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
