[Tom4784]

Twilight's Taylor Lautner is the surprise replacement for Andy Samberg in BBC Three's second series of Cuckoo.

Samberg exits the show after one series, following the huge success of his Fox sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Many predicted the BBC Three comedy would end with his departure.

However, the casting of Hollywood star Lautner has revived the sitcom, which also stars Greg Davies, Helen Baxendale, Tamla Kari and Tyger Drew-Honey.

The first series of Cuckoo won a record-breaking launch audience for BBC Three and also earned two British Comedy Award nominations.

Series two picks up with Samberg's character Cuckoo missing - presumed dead - in the Himalayas, and his young widow Rachel (Kari) is still suffering from the loss of her husband.

Lautner is cast as "a handsome and mysterious young stranger" in Lichfield, who shakes up the fragile equilibrium.

Aside from his work as Jacob Black in the Twilight franchise, Lautner has also hosted Saturday Night Live and performed in a Live Read event at the LACMA for Boogie Nights.

"Cuckoo was one of BBC Three's most stand out comedies, so I'm delighted to welcome it back with the addition of superstar Taylor Lautner joining the critically acclaimed Greg Davies and an outstanding British comedy cast for what will be one of the comedy treats of the year," said BBC Three controller Zai Bennett.

Exec-producer Ash Atalla (The Office, The IT Crowd) added: "Cuckoo is one of my favourite shows I've ever been involved in. We can't wait to come back bigger and better."

It's a watchable sitcom, mostly in part to Andy Samberg. It'll probably be pretty bad now he's left.

Taylor Lautner doesn't strike me as a comedic actor, I don't think he'll be that good. I can see him being a bit of a ratings draw though.