Radio Times reports the BBC has renewed The Real Marigold Hotel TV series for a second season. The Beeb has commissioned a Christmas special as well as season two (i.e. a new series) of The Real Marigold Hotel. While the old cast will be in the holiday special, a new cast will star in The Real Marigold Hotel‘s second season.

A BBC2 program, The Real Marigold Hotel brought senior celebrities to India in a reality version of the 2012 film The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. The season one cast of The Real Marigold Hotel includes: Miriam Margoyles, Jan Leeming, Doctor Who‘s Sylvester McCoy, Roy Walker, chef Rosemary Shrager, Bobby George, and singer Patti Boulaye. The group lived in Northern India’s Jaipur, in a private mansion.

Here are more details from the BBC about the first season of The Real Marigold Hotel TV series:

In this brand new travel documentary series, an all-star cast of eight famous senior citizens head to India on an experimental adventure of a lifetime.

In the first episode the group arrives at their new home in Jaipur – a private mansion known as a haveli in the heart of the old city – and are initially unsettled by the realities of living in India: hectic roads, animals in the street, chickens killed to order and poor toilet facilities. The heat and hard work makes them consider whether they can do this alone or need to take advantage of the cheap staff costs to settle here.

Jaipur is full of hundreds of years of history, best seen in its impressive buildings, so the group head out to visit the jewel in Jaipur’s crown, the 500 year old Amer Fort. Their guide also offers to show them his local home where they begin to understand the gulf between rich and poor and the impact of the caste system. They are also invited to take tea with Jaipur’s royal family at the opulent Rambagh Palace, where they mix with high society in the finest surroundings.

Chef Rosemary is finding it hard to unwind from her normal hectic life, so tries meditation for the first time and is surprised by the results. Meanwhile, dancer Wayne makes the most of his wish to explore his spiritual side by attending the daily morning prayers and visiting the beautiful Galti Ji temple, which is home to a troop of mischievous monkeys.

To end their first week the cast throw a party to meet their new neighbours, with special performances, as they begin to feel more at home on the other side of the world.

What do you think? Did you watch the first season of The Real Marigold Hotel TV show? If you’re in the States, would you like this series to air on BBC America? Do you plan to check out the second season? Let us know, below.