BBC Comedy Unveils Ambitious Slate of 10 New and Returning Shows

The BBC Comedy Festival, held in Belfast, has seen the unveiling of ten new and returning comedy programmes, signalling a strong commitment to distinctive, affordable, and homegrown British humour. BBC Director of Comedy, Jon Petrie, championed the importance of brilliant characters and sharp jokes over elaborate productions, emphasizing the enduring appeal of authentic voices.

Key Takeaways

• Ten new and returning comedy shows announced by BBC Comedy.

• Over half a million pounds in additional funding ringfenced for new comedy production in Northern Ireland for 2025/2026.

• Emphasis on affordable, distinctive comedy with authentic voices.

New Comedy Offerings

Among the exciting new commissions are:

• Ann Droid (w/t): A sitcom starring Diane Morgan as a social humanoid robot designed to assist the elderly, exploring the humorous clash between technology and human connection.

• The Reluctant Vampire: A supernatural family sitcom featuring BAFTA winner Lenny Rush.

• Bill’s Included: Rob Brydon stars as a middle-aged man facing financial difficulties who decides to rent out his spare rooms to students.

• Small Prophets: Created by BAFTA winner Mackenzie Crook, this series boasts a cast including Pearce Quigley, Sir Michael Palin, and Sophie Willan.

• Stuffed: Guz Khan plays an office worker whose Christmas bonus leads to a family trip to Lapland, only for him to discover he must repay the bonus.

Returning Favourites

Audiences can also look forward to the return of popular shows including Only Child, Funboys, The Young Offenders, and The Golden Cobra.

Northern Ireland's Comedy Boost

BBC Northern Ireland also announced the commissioning of Leonard and Hungry Paul, based on Rónán Hession's acclaimed novel. Furthermore, over half a million pounds in additional, year-long funding has been allocated exclusively for new comedy production in Northern Ireland for 2025/2026. This investment underscores the BBC's dedication to nurturing comedy talent across the UK, with a particular focus on the vibrant scene in Northern Ireland.

A Vision for Comedy

Jon Petrie stated, "The BBC continues to be the biggest single investor in original comedy content in the UK. And for the second year running eight out of the top 10 scripted comedies were on the BBC." He reiterated his belief that "Great comedy always comes back to the fundamentals: brilliant characters, sharp jokes, a unique voice." Eddie Doyle, Head of Commissioning, BBC Northern Ireland, added that the funding demonstrates "real faith in Northern Ireland comedy talent and will provide a decent leg up to network commissioning for the comedy sector here."

Sources

• BBC Director of Comedy Jon Petrie unveils 10 star-studded new and returning shows, championing affordable,distinctive, UK comedy, BBC.