Zapped Season 2: James Buckley and Paul Kaye Spill the Beans on Munty’s Wild New Adventures

Nearly a year after the breakout three-episode pilot, Dave’s fantasy sitcom Zapped has roared back to life with a full six-episode second season. In an exclusive interview captured earlier this summer—documented in Screenshot (550).png—stars James Buckley (Brian) and Paul Kaye (Howell), alongside producer Kerry Waddell, pulled back the curtain on what fans can expect from the expanded world of Munty. The result? A grittier, funnier, and more bizarre journey for the hapless Earthling stuck in a medieval fantasy realm.

Back in Munty: A World Built for Comedy

For Buckley, returning to the sprawling sets of Munty felt like coming home to a playground designed purely for laughs. “The main thing I enjoyed when we did the three episodes last year was that it was nice to do something on a set, in a world that’s been created for this TV show,” he said. “Usually everything I do is sort of suburban.” He pointed to the elaborate props and set pieces built for one-off jokes as a particular thrill—a luxury that physical comedy rarely gets on Earth-bound sitcoms. This season, the production team has pushed further, building dungeons, sewers, and even a courtroom, all to serve the heightened absurdity.

More Munty, More Mayhem

With the pilot’s heavy lifting of establishing the premise behind them, the writers have unleashed a richer, denser tapestry of stories. “We can sort of hit the ground running,” Buckley explained. “The series arc is Brian trying to get home, but we now see what his day-to-day life in Munty is like. It doesn’t have to be ‘there’s a new way for Brian to get home but then it all goes wrong’ in each episode.” Instead, viewers will explore the town’s festivals (the Munty Pear Fair, which Kaye described as “Christmas… but with more pears”), its political system run by a mad dictator, and the everyday struggles of a man who might actually be better off staying lost.

Brian’s Evolution: From Fish Out of Water to Reluctant Local

One of the subtlest shifts in Season 2 is Brian’s growing—if begrudging—acceptance of his bizarre new life. Buckley noted that on Earth Brian was “a bit of a loser, a small fish in a big pond,” but in Munty he’s suddenly special, even interesting. “That dynamic is certainly interesting,” he added, hinting that future seasons might explore whether Brian would even choose to return home if the chance came. For now, he’s thrown into a series of schemes—writing a play for a travelling acting troupe, competing in gladiatorial combat (badly), and even becoming a fugitive from a dictator who sentences people “to death by soup.”

No More Romance-on-the-Run

Fans of the brief romantic spark between Brian and Effandra in Series 1 shouldn’t expect a repeat. Buckley revealed that the writers deliberately moved away from that trope. “I’ve done that!” he laughed, referencing his Inbetweeners days. “His mind’s on other stuff… I need to get home… but also I need to get a girlfriend! That’s everything I’ve done up until now.” This time, Brian’s priorities are survival and figuring out how to navigate a world where everything from currency to social rules is alien.

Paul Kaye’s Howell: The Magical Grifter Gets Even Wilder

Paul Kaye’s wizard Howell remains the show’s chaotic engine. “Always on the make,” Kaye described him. “A sort of magical grifter.” This season introduces a body-swap potion (Kaye refused to reveal who he swaps with), a dragon’s tooth that works like a hallucinogenic sweet, and a memory potion that—naturally—goes horribly wrong. Kaye’s enthusiasm was palpable as he talked about the expanded character details, like Howell’s growing collection of hats for different occasions, including a “courtroom hat” and a “theatre hat.”

An Epic Guest-Star Lineup

The interview also dropped a treasure trove of cameo names. Alongside returning faces, Season 2 features Tim Key as the head of the Brevik Players, Phil Daniels, Sylvester McCoy as the menacing Protector, Rufus Hound, Javone Prince, Simon Day, and Sally Phillips returning as Slasher Morgan. Buckley singled out Key’s episode as the one he’s most excited to see. “Probably the funniest person on the planet,” he said.

The Inbetweeners Shadow and a New Comedy Chapter

Buckley, forever linked to his iconic role as Jay in The Inbetweeners, acknowledged the inevitable comparisons. But he stressed that Brian is a far more grounded character. “The Brian character is closer to me,” he said. “Reacting to the strange things that’re going on around him… Not wanting to be the center of attention.” He also noted that his new show White Gold (co-starring Joe Thomas and written by Damon Beesley) deliberately channels the Inbetweeners energy, effectively serving as a spiritual sequel. “I guess what’s going to happen is people will go, ‘It’s just like The Inbetweeners.’ Yeah, well, I don’t know what to do for you!”

The Show’s Survival: A Lesson in Second Chances

Both actors expressed gratitude that Dave gave them a full series after the three-episode pilot. Buckley argued that in comedy, axing a show after one series is a mistake. “We wouldn’t have things like Blackadder or Only Fools and Horses if people had always had that attitude,” he said. “It always helps when people… let the channels know that you want to see more.” Kaye added that the double-bill pairing with Red Dwarf created a perfect audience crossover for genre fans. “It lets people know what they’re in for.”

What’s Next for Munty?

With six episodes to build a deeper mythology, the cast and crew are already dreaming of a third season. Kaye was emphatic: “Absolutely.” Buckley was more measured, noting that viewership and fan engagement will decide the show’s fate. “If you let me, I’ll do some more. But it’s up to the people who watch it, letting the channel know that they like it. That’s literally how television works now.”

For now, Zapped Season 2 offers a potent mix of fantasy spectacle, sharp character comedy, and the undeniable chemistry of its leads. Whether Brian ever makes it home doesn’t matter—the real fun is watching him fail magnificently along the way.

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