Scarborough, BBC One’s new comedy show that stars Jason Manford and is written and directed by Benidorm creator Derren Litten, is to air next week.
The six-part series, which also stars Catherine Tyldesley and Stephanie Cole, follows the lives of a group of Scarborough residents who are bonded by family, friendship and their love of karaoke.
Listen said: “Even though I’ve stuck close to themes I clearly love (the seaside, pubs and karaoke!), Scarborough is unlike anything I’ve written before. I’m genuinely flattered by the calibre of actors my scripts have attracted and I can’t wait for BBC audiences to get caught up in the laughter, love and intrigue I’ve created all set against the backdrop of this beautiful North Yorkshire fishing town.”
The first episode of the sitcom will be shown on Friday September 6.
Manford said: “Each episode is a really lovely half an hour spent with a group of characters who I think the viewers will really like. It’s funny and warm and feels like just the sort of TV show we need in these current times.”
Cole added: “Derren sent me the script, and I’ve rarely read a first script which introduced all the characters without you being aware that they were being introduced.
“Very often it can be a bit plonky but this, it’s beautifully written, beautifully constructed and a really lovely story that you can be drawn into but you can also laugh. It was the sort of thing that there is a market for.”
Scarborough is a BBC Studios comedy production for BBC One, directed by Derren Litten and produced by Gill Isles. The Commissioning Editor for BBC One is Gregor Sharp and the Executive Producers are Stephen McCrum and James Farrell for BBC Studios. The Series was commissioned by Shane Allen, Controller of BBC Comedy, and Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content.