| Bgcolour: |
|
| Num Episodes: | 13 + Christmas Special 2004 + Christmas Special 2005 + Best of Special |
| Network: | BBC |
| Prev Series: | 4 |
| Next Series: | 6 |
The fifth series of the BBC family sitcom My Family originally aired between 19 March 2004 and 25 December 2005. The series was commissioned following consistently high ratings for the fourth series. The opening episode of the series, "The Mummy Returns", re-introduces the six main characters from the previous series, as well as Janey, played by Daniela Denby-Ashe, who had not been seen on-screen since December 2002. The fifth series includes four specials: two-hour long Christmas specials, a 30-minute "best-of" special, and an exclusive 5-minute Comic Relief short. All thirteen regular episodes from the fifth series are thirty minutes in length. The series was once again produced by Rude Boy Productions,[1] a company that produces comedies created by Fred Barron.[2] The series was filmed at Pinewood Studios in London,[3] in front of a live audience.[4]
See main article: List of My Family episodes.
The series was once again given a prime-time Friday evening slot, with most episodes airing at 8:30pm. The first episode of the series gained 9.17 million viewers, considerably more than episodes in the previous series, becoming the most watched programme for the week.[6] Ratings for the series were consistent, however, two episodes failed to reach the 5 million mark, and the Christmas special failed to attract more than 5.5 million viewers. However, ratings were good enough for a sixth series of eight episodes to be commissioned.
| Rank | Episode | Viewership | Audience Percentage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Mummy Returns | 9.17 million | ||
| 2 | Glad Tidings We Bring | 8.91 million | ||
| 3 | My Fair Charlady | 8.13 million | ||
| 4 | You Don't Know Jack | 7.69 million | ||
| 5 | Luck Be a Lady Tonight | 7.63 million | ||
| 6 | First Past the Post | 7.58 million | ||
| 7 | My Family Reloaded | 7.50 million | ||
| 8 | While You Weren't Sleeping | 7.40 million | ||
| 9 | What's Up, Docklands? | 7.24 million | ||
| 10 | The Mouthtrap | 6.53 million | ||
| 11 | My Will Be Done | 6.05 million | ||
| 12 | Going Dental | 5.62 million | ||
| 13 | ...And I'll Cry If I Want to | 5.85 million | ||
| 14 | The Book of Love | 5.19 million | ||
| 15 | A Wife Less Ordinary | 4.98 million | ||
| 16 | Dentist to the Stars | 4.48 million |