BBC viewers have been urged to binge-watch the latest series of a comedy that has garnered rave reviews.

Coming-of-age sitcom The Young Offenders, inspired by the critically acclaimed 2016 film of the same name, first premiered in 2018.

Chronicling the escapades of loveable rogues from Cork, Conor MacSweeney and Jock O'Keeffe, the programme recently released its fifth series, with devotees confessing the finale left them "emotional".

Starring Alex Murphy and Chris Walley as Conor and Jack respectively, reprising their roles from the original film, The Young Offenders charts their mischievous, yet wayward, existence.

The ensemble also features Hilary Rose, Dominic MacHale, PJ Gallagher, Jennifer Barry, and Orla Fitzgerald, reports the Mirror.

The BBC synopsis teases: "Awkward eejits. Feckless teens Conor and Jock can't help but get in trouble - be it petty crime, hapless romances or disappointing mum Mairead. Craic-filled, Cork-set comedy."

The fifth series, which arrived on the streaming platform earlier this month, witnessed Conor and Jock reuniting after being compelled to serve prison sentences on two separate continents following a catastrophic run-in with the law.

When Jock manages to escape back from Colombia, the pair fall into their old ways in Cork, wrecking havoc around them despite wanting the best for their families.

Among heartbreak, relationship trouble and taking risks with crazy plans with locals, the best friends are working to improve their lives without too much chaos along the way.

The new series had viewers hooked, with one writing: "The season finale of #YoungOffenders made me so emotional. A very good hilarious and sad way to end the season."

Another hailed: "The writing almost feels like the first series, it's hilarious and still has all the lovely bits when they get all philosophical! Brilliant episodes each one."

"Loving the new series of The Young Offenders," another wrote, as someone else said: "Delighted #youngoffenders is back!!"

Meanwhile, fans had previously branded The Young Offenders "utter genius" and "Irish comedy at its finest," while one said: "Hard not to binge! Every episode had me in stitches. I'm not usually one for comedy but this show is gold."

"An absolute gem," another said, while someone else echoed their sentiment and called it a "hidden gem". Yet another wrote: "The best Irish comedy since Father Ted. It's a must-see."

Ahead of the new series airing, Conor actor Alex shared: "The new season was a lot fun to make. My character is struggling with deciding what type of life he wants to live, while his best friend is constantly convincing him to dip his toe back into the life of crime. Needless to say Conor doesn't need much convincing.

"This new season has a great mix of heartfelt moments and ridiculous scenarios, while always being rooted in reality. There's a wedding, there's a death, there's a heist. It's a modern day Sopranos really."

Jack actor Chris added: "For season five, it's just so great to be back again. More of the same, with everything that people have grown to love about The Young Offenders; it's full of comedy of course, but it also has so much heart. I often find myself sometimes tearing up at the end of episodes and I think Peter (Foott, creator of the show) just does that so well which I think is a big reason why people love it. I think that that's definitely present in this season in a big way."

The Young Offenders is available to watch on BBC iPlayer