Tag: Comedy

Johnny Vegas and Sian Gibson to return for new Murder, They Hope special co-produced by Schnoobert Productions

Posted on by North East Screen

UKTV have today (23rd of July) announced a new Murder, They Hope special entitled Apocalypse Slough, to be produced by Newcastle-based Schnoobert Productions alongside Tiger Aspect. The special will air on Gold this Autumn and follows the success of Christmas special, Blood Actually.

Johnny Vegas and Sian Gibson return asTerry and Gemma Bremmeralongside Sarah Hadland as Gemma’s wannabe influencer sister, Monica. The Bremmers were last seen in the Christmas special Blood Actually, which launched to 863K* viewers in December and starred Jane Horrocks, Martin Kemp, Robert Webb, Rose Ayling-Ellis and Sherrie Hewson.

Writer, creator, and executive producer, Jason Cook, said: “It’s so good to be back with Gemma and Terry, and this time Monica’s tagging along to increase the chaos! What an amazing cast we managed to get for this one, with some really fantastic performances. I can’t wait for everyone to see.”

Apocalypse Slough sees Gemma achieve her dreams of becoming an official, ball busting, kick ass investigator at the Serious Crimes Agency (SCA), whilst Terry is denied the dream thanks to his colourful criminal history. With this new strain on their relationship, they’re thrown in headfirst to crack a curious double murder at a local rugby club – whose members seem to have dark and disturbing secrets of their own. As Gemma leads them closer into the complex case, questions begin to arise about their partnership and the mysteries they uncover. If Gemma doesn’t pick up the pace, it could be game over for everyone; her and Terry included!

The standalone specialhas been commissioned for UKTV by Sarah Asante, commissioning editor for scripted comedy and ordered by Gerald Casey, channel director for Gold and Hilary Rosen, director of commissioning.

Sarah Asante said: “Following the success of Blood Actually, I am thrilled to bring back Sian, Johnny, and Sarah for yet another uproarious one-off instalment alongside the additional fresh and exceptional ensemble cast. Brace yourself, as Apocalypse Slough is set to take us on another intriguing romp, full of laughs and surprises delivered by Jason Cook and the Tiger Aspect team.”

Gerald Casey added: “I’m incredibly overwhelmed by the positive response viewers have shown for Blood Actually, allowing us to continue to deliver more killer comedy with an outstanding line-up of talent. I can promise that this one-off special will bring a guarantee of laughter and a murderously good time!”

Apocalypse Slough will air on Gold this September. Catch up on the previous series of Murder, They Hope on Sky, Virgin and NOW.

North East Screen announce recipients of the BBC Comedy Creator Fund.

Posted on by North East Screen

North East Screen, the screen agency for the North East of England, has selected three stand up comedy creators who will each receive £1,000 in development funds to help prime them for the wave of opportunities coming into the region in 2023.

Sammy Dobson, Raul Kohli and Scott Turnbull, all talented comedy creators from the region, will each receive the development fund as well as support to help pair them with development producers and production companies and provide them with industry networking opportunities.

12 runner up comedy creators will get the opportunity to work with NE Screen’s Comedy Hot House. Jess McDonagh, Bridgett Deane, Lauren Stone, Lee Armstrong, Matty Ride-Smith, Nic Owen, Penelope Yeulet, Rachel Stockdale, Sian Armstrong, Caden Elliott, Beth Chapman and Alison Stanley.

The BBC Small Indie fund has supported a year of outreach activity across the North East culminating in the BBC Comedy Creator Development Fund, co-ordinated by NE Screen Comedy Hot House.

Lisa Laws, Head of Talent and Business Development at North East Screen said;

“This was an opportunity for North East comedy creators with their sights set on scripted comedy to pitch themselves and their ideas to us. It’s been fantastic to find so many up and coming comedy creators in the region and brilliant to see such a range of talent and ideas. We can’t wait to introduce them to producers with inroads to broadcasters.

All applicants to the scheme have opportunities to meet the region’s comedy companies and development producers who pitch to broadcasters. Well done to everyone who has been part of the process and we are excited to see the ideas and comedy creations develop.”

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Click here to view all the recipients and runners-up of the BBC Comedy Creator Fund.

Recipients of the BBC Comedy Creator Fund