ITV's Piglets: Criticism vs. Comedy

Piglets, the ITV sitcom depicting the humorous misadventures of police trainees, has been renewed for a second season, undeterred by harsh criticism and accusations of insensitivity from police organizations.

Amid the vibrant chaos of a police training academy, Piglets stars Sarah Parish and Mark Heap as two often-exasperated superintendents tasked with shepherding a spirited group of rookies through the demanding process of police training. Following a polarizing debut in July, the show stirred significant backlash, with the Police Federation condemning it as “highly offensive” and critics widely criticizing its brand of humor. Nevertheless, ITV has opted to move forward with a second season.

In a recent episode of the Reading Between The Lines podcast, actor Ricky Champ, a star of the show, opened up about his reaction to the surprising news of its renewal. “We were completely bombarded,” he revealed. “When the first season launched, the backlash was intense… I thought, ‘Well, that’s the end of that.’”

Despite such a reception, ITV seems to be banking on the show’s high viewership, which held steady even as critics like The Independent’s Nick Hilton decried the comedy as “not funny” and poorly executed. Hilton wrote, “Piglets looks like a rush job…too many of the jokes are missing a proper punchline.”

Amidst the backlash, the title of the show — Piglets — ignited strong responses, with Tiffany Lynch, the acting national chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, condemning it as “disgusting” and “provocative,” particularly given the increasing threats facing police officers. ITV responded, defending the title as a playful reference to the youthfulness and naivety of the new recruits, clarifying that it was not intended to be offensive.

As Piglets heads into its second season, ITV is betting that viewers’ curiosity and the show’s humor will outweigh the controversies swirling around it.