Mrs Brown’s Boys: Beloved Sitcom Rings in 2026 with New Special

A Festive Tradition Continues

The Mrs Brown’s Boys 2026 New Year’s special landed on Thursday, January 1 in the UK, marking another chapter in the long-running sitcom’s festive dominance. The show has been a part of the BBC’s festive schedule for nearly fifteen years, and shows no signs of slowing down. This latest instalment, titled ‘Stormin’ Mammy’, sees tensions running high as Agnes and the gang prepare for an incoming storm.

Recent Success and Continued Commissioning

In April 2025, it was announced that a fifth series of four episodes had been commissioned which were filmed in May 2025, and was broadcast on BBC1 on 1 August 2025. This demonstrates the BBC’s ongoing confidence in the show despite its divisive reception. As of 1 January 2026, 57 episodes of Mrs Brown’s Boys have aired, cementing its place as one of the BBC’s most enduring comedy properties. In December 2020, creator Brendan O’Carroll announced that additional Christmas specials had been commissioned up to 2026, ensuring fans would continue enjoying the Brown family’s antics.

Critical Divide vs Ratings Success

The show has received poor reviews by critics and received unfavourable comparisons to Father Ted. Despite this, it became a ratings success in both Ireland, where it is set, and the United Kingdom, where it is recorded. The programme’s unique production style, which adopts an informal approach often breaking the fourth wall, has proven popular with audiences even as critics remain unconvinced. For British viewers, Mrs Brown’s Boys represents a reliable comfort watch during the festive period, with its blend of slapstick humour and family warmth continuing to draw millions of viewers year after year.