Introduction

Coupling, Hartswood Films' hit BBC TV situation comedy, winner of the Silver Rose of Montreux and recent winner at the 2003 British Comedy Awards, returns to BBC TWO on Monday 5 July at 9.00pm for its fourth outing.

Susan (Sarah Alexander) and Steve (Jack Davenport) are pregnant (well, mostly Susan); Patrick (Ben Miles) and Sally (Kate Isitt) are discussing commitment (well, mostly Sally) and there's this guy called Oliver (Richard Mylan) with his eye on Jane (Gina Bellman). But is his job going to be a problem?

The frank, funny and totally upfront account of love and lust between best friends and exes is a real family affair, produced by Sue Vertue, written by her husband Steven Moffat and executive produced by her mother Beryl Vertue. The series is directed by Martin Dennis.

Susan and Steve are now well and truly an item - so why is he dreaming about being executed by A Method Never Before Seen On British Television and chased by a foetus with an axe?

Meanwhile Sally and Patrick are settling into their new relationship - but since the dawn of time, men and women have been falling in love and men have been trying to get straight home afterwards. Can fallen playboy Patrick ever find his way home from the Enchanted Glade of his one true love and get a decent night's kip?

And then there's the pair who might be on the brink of becoming a couple. Is it possible that life-time loser in love Oliver might just get somewhere with life-time loser in love Jane?

Trouble is, his flat is a little 'un-edited' and his living room has lost the battle with magazine nudity…

Oliver (Richard Mylan, Belonging, Wild West) is described by Steven Moffat as, "Jane's worst possible blind date. I had a whale of a time writing him. It's invigorating to have a new wind blowing through the show. We think Richard Mylan is wonderful in the role."

As the series opens, Oliver has been in a relationship for seven years and he has just been dumped. He is therefore terrible at dating and is a bit of a geek magnet…

Coupling is a Hartswood Films production for BBC TWO.

The series is produced by Sue Vertue (The Vicar of Dibley, Gimme Gimme Gimme) and directed by Martin Dennis (Men Behaving Badly, Black Books).

Beryl Vertue (Men Behaving Badly, The Savages) is executive producer.

Coupling continues to be one of the BBC's best-selling comedies - all three series have now been sold to more than 25 countries worldwide.

Coupling - BBC TWO, starts Monday 5 July at 9.00pm.