Brenda Blethyn will return as Kate with Okorie Chukwu taking over the role of Koji from Jimmy Akingbola, who is now in the US where he has a starring role in the re-boot of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.

Blake Harrison and Barbara Flynn will return in their roles as ‘Medium’ and Councillor Bone.

The first series averaged just under 5 million viewers across the series run when first aired in 2020

Brenda Blethyn said “I'm so pleased Kate will be welcoming her customers back into the caff. Even the postman! I’ve missed them. So looking forward to donning the gingham apron and welcoming Okorie to our Kate and Koji family.”

Okorie Chukwu said “I’m excited to step into the role of Koji and I can’t wait to get working with this brilliant cast of actors.”

Guy Jenkin & Andy Hamilton said “We were disappointed to have to postpone the second series because of the big Covid spike in January 2021, but now we’re looking forward to getting back into Kate’s seaside café with our superb cast, performing in front of a live studio audience.”

ITV’s Head of Scripted Comedy, Nana Hughes said “We are all very excited that Okorie has joined the show as Koji. Guy and Andy have as usual written incredibly funny scripts which Brenda and the gang will bring to life brilliantly. The audience is in for a real treat.”

Kate and Koji is a Hat Trick production. Written and created by Guy Jenkin and Andy Hamilton.

Kate & Koji has been commissioned for ITV by Nana Hughes, ITV’s Head of Scripted Comedy.