The programme first aired on BBC Radio 4 in January 2000. In November 2001 BBC One said it had commissioned a pilot for a television version. The pilot was well received and in August 2002 a full series was commissioned, this time on BBC Two. The show ran for seven series and was axed in April 2009. Dead Ringers returned to radio in July 2014. In 2002 the BBC's Arena broadcast a documentary about the series entitled Radio Ha! - Meet The Dead Ringers, directed by Fisher Dilke. It featured interviews with the cast and writers, and behind-the-scenes footage from a studio recording from the eighth series. It aired on BBC Two on 26 December 2002 at 9.30pm.
The third series starred Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Mark Perry, Lewis MacLeod, Phil Cornwell and Kevin Connelly. The producer was Bill Dare and associate producer was Adam Bromley.
Special (2001)
The special was aired as part of The Archers 50th anniversary celebrations on Radio 4. It starred Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Mark Perry and Kevin Connelly. Jeremy Pascall served as The Archers consultant and the producer was Bill Dare.
Series 4 (2001)
The fourth series starred Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Mark Perry, Kevin Connelly and Phil Cornwell. Mario Stylianides returned as producer with Bill Dare being credited as the programmes deviser.
Special (2001)
This special marked the 2001 general election. It starred Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Mark Perry and Kevin Connelly. The programme was devised by Bill Dare and the producer was Mario Stylianides.
Series 5 (2001)
The fifth series starred Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Mark Perry, Kevin Connelly and Matthew Cox. Bill Dare returned as producer. Episode 1 was recorded at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The recording of the fourth and final episode of this series, due to be broadcast on 14 September 2001, was cancelled, following the September 11 attacks.
Series 6 (2001-02)
The sixth series starred Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Mark Perry, Kevin Connelly and Phil Cornwell. Mario Stylianides returned as producer with Bill Dare again credited as the programmes deviser.
Series 7 (2002)
The seventh series starred Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Mark Perry, Kevin Connelly, Phil Cornwell and Stefano Paolini. The producers were Mario Stylianides and Bill Dare. On episodes 1-3 Bill Dare was credited as the programmes deviser.
The eighth series starred Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Mark Perry, Phil Cornwell and Brian Bowles. The producer was Bill Dare. Episodes 1 and 2 were recorded at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Series 9 (2003)
The ninth series starred Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Mark Perry, Kevin Connelly and Phil Cornwell. The programme was devised by Bill Dare and the producer was Katie Tyrrell.
Series 10 (2003)
The tenth series starred Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Mark Perry, Phil Cornwell and Kevin Connelly. The programme was devised by Bill Dare and the producer was Mario Stylianides. Episode 5 was entitled the 50th edition of Dead Ringers, however this was inaccurate because the fourth episode of Series 5 never aired, meaning this was the 49th episode overall.
Special (2004)
Recorded in The Pleasance theatre at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
The special marked the end of Tony Blair's premiership after ten years. It was commissioned after he announced his resignation on 10 May 2007 and aired five days later. The special was also the final episode of Dead Ringers for seven years, until it returned in 2014.
Series 12 (2014)
After a seven-year break Dead Ringers returned to Radio 4 for a twelfth series. Jon Culshaw and Jan Ravens returned joined by Debra Stephenson, Duncan Wisbey and Lewis MacLeod. Jan Ravens did not appear in episodes 3–4. Bill Dare returned as the programmes producer.
Series 13 (2014-15)
The thirteenth series starred Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Debra Stephenson, Duncan Wisbey and Lewis MacLeod. It was produced by Bill Dare.
Series 14 (2015)
The fourteenth series starred Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Debra Stephenson, Duncan Wisbey and Lewis MacLeod. It was produced and created by Bill Dare.
Series 15 (2015)
The fifteenth series starred Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Debra Stephenson, Duncan Wisbey and Lewis MacLeod. It was produced and created by Bill Dare. Episode 2 was recorded at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Specials (2015-16)
The 2015-16 specials starred Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Debra Stephenson, Duncan Wisbey and Lewis MacLeod. It was produced and created by Bill Dare. The theme tune was altered to include sleigh bells.
Series 16 (2016)
The sixteenth series starred Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Debra Stephenson, Duncan Wisbey and Lewis MacLeod. It was produced and created by Bill Dare.
Specials (2016)
Starring Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Debra Stephenson, Duncan Wisbey and Lewis MacLeod. It was produced and created by Bill Dare.
Series 17 (2017)
The seventeenth series starred Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Debra Stephenson, Duncan Wisbey and Lewis MacLeod. It was produced and created by Bill Dare.
Specials (2017)
The 2017 specials starred Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Debra Stephenson, Duncan Wisbey and Lewis MacLeod. It was produced and created by Bill Dare.
Special (2018)
This special guest starred Sanjeev Bhaskar as an extraterrestrial called Geoff. It was 45 minutes long instead of the usual 30.
Series 18 (2018)
The eighteenth series starred Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Debra Stephenson, Duncan Wisbey, Lewis MacLeod and Josh Berry. It was produced and created by Bill Dare. Episode 2 was recorded at the Craft of Comedy UK Festival Fringe in the Venue Cymru, Llandudno.
Specials (2018)
The 2018 specials starred Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Debra Stephenson, Duncan Wisbey and Lewis MacLeod. It was produced and created by Bill Dare.
