BBC Outnumbered star looks totally unrecognisable in Jack the Ripper thriller

One of the lead actors from BBC's Outnumbered has undergone a huge transformation in a new drama based on Jack the Ripper. Tyger Drew-Honey, best known for playing Jake, has boasted a brand-new look for his latest role. The actor was just 11 years old when he first appeared as Jake in Outnumbered and recently reprised his role in the Boxing Day special. Now 29 years old, Tyger is worlds away from his days on the BBC comedy show and has taken on a new role in a Sky History series that will air on April 10.

The new thriller series, Jack the Ripper: Written in Blood, is based on the historical serial killer, and Tyger will play journalist Ernest Parke. Set in Victorian England, the actor has swapped his usual school uniform for a smart suit and wire-rimmed glasses.

According to the summary on Sky History, Ernest Parke led much of the press around the infamous Ripper murders, and "theorised in the 31st August 1888 edition that Jack The Ripper was a single killer."

Tyger recently reunited with his co-stars Daniel Roche and Ramona Marquez in December 2024 for the Outnumbered Christmas special. The comedy sitcom first aired in 2007 and has seen 36 episodes land on our screens, including several festive specials.

It had been eight years since the Brockman family last appeared on our screens, with the cast returning in 2016 for a festive episode. The show also saw actors Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner reprising their roles, with Tyger now playing a grown-up version of Jake.

However, loyal fans quickly reacted on social media and voiced their disappointment over the episode. One person said on X that the acting was "dreadful" and watching it was an "awful waste of time."

Another chimed in: "Sorry, but I’ve had to switch #Outnumbered off. Loved it the first time around but this isn’t landing in the same way. Feels very flat. Shame."