A new chapter for Rae in finale of My Mad Fat Diary

1998. Google was founded, The Verve’s Urban Hymns tops the album charts and France hosts the FIFA World Cup. More importantly, Rae Earl and the gang are about to embark on the biggest summer since records began.

Filming on the third and final mini-series of My Mad Fat Diary will commence this week. Starring BAFTA-nominated Sharon Rooney, the new 3x60 episodes re-join a suited and booted Chloe (Jodie Comer), a freshly tattooed Chop (Jordan Murphy), the ever-sweet Izzy (Ciara Baxendale), and Mr University, Archie (Dan Cohen). BAFTA-nominated Claire Rushbrook and Ian Hart will also be returning, alongside the latest addition to the gang, Katie Springer, played by Faye Marsay (Fresh Meat, Glue). Love-muffin, Finn (Nico Mirallegro), will also be making a comeback. Shakespeare in Love wasn’t the only Oscar-winning romance of ’98…

Rae Earl is boss. Drinking, dancing and dating the hottest guy in the North – Rae has life as a teenager nailed. However, change is on the horizon as the gang grows up. Chloe has ambitions to attend business school, Finn wants to settle down and the spectre of university applications looms large. A new friend for Rae also forces her to see everything differently. As Rae struggles to maintain the status quo, will she be left behind or embrace the biggest adventure yet?

Piers Wenger, Channel 4 Head of Drama said: ‘My Mad Fat Diary has touched the hearts of the E4 audience and it is with both sadness and pride that we announce filming on the third and final series. But anyone expecting Rae Earl to go quietly will be sorely mistaken. We're delighted to welcome back Mad Fat's exceptional cast, led by Sharon Rooney, as Rae faces her greatest challenges yet".

Sharon Rooney said: “It has been a privilege to tell Rae’s story. My Mad Fat Diary has been a huge part of my life and, although I am sad that this amazing rollercoaster ride is almost over, it's not over YET. We have more drama, more tears and more rude bits to bring you. The support of the E4 audience has been amazing, and I couldn't have done it without them. So, in the words of Rae, "LET'S DO THIS".'

Adapted from Rae Earl’s real-life diaries, and subsequent book My Fat, Mad Teenage Diary, the new series is written by George Kay, and is a Tiger Aspect Production.

The series is due to broadcast in summer 2015.