Filming has started on the new BBC sitcom Ann Droid (W/T) with BAFTA nominated Sue Johnston (True Love, The Royle Family) confirmed to play Sue, and Paul Ready (Motherland) confirmed to play her son Michael.

Written by Diane Morgan (Mandy, Cunk) and Sarah Kendall (Frayed, The Other One), the six-part series will be made by Boffola Pictures and Witchcraft Industries for BBC iPlayer and BBC One.

Huge congratulations to Ada and Bron for winning this award for the Channel 4 Blap, Peaked. The Judges said, ‘the style and script were beautifully distinctive’ with writing that was ‘sharp, with excellent comedic timing and pacing’ and they also praised the short for ‘great performances throughout’.

Diane Morgan stars as a social humanoid robot, created to keep elderly people company and monitor their health, in new BBC sitcom Ann Droid (w/t). Written by Diane (Mandy, Cunk) and Sarah Kendall (Dreamland, The Other One), the six-part series will be made by Boffola Pictures and Witchcraft Industries for BBC iPlayer and BBC One.

It’s 2029. Sue’s husband David passed away 18 months ago and her only son, Michael, is moving out – again – to try and fix his marriage – again. But the good news is he’s got Sue a surprise to help her live independently, a care provider with a difference. The latest D500 social humanoid eldercare robot. Created to keep the ageing population company and monitor their health, taking the pressure off the ever-stretched NHS.

It’s Sue’s worst nightmare. An overly attentive, socially inept pain in the arse. But she soon works out she can use the droid to her benefit in settling scores and doing the things her son never gets round to. What develops is a buddy comedy between an older woman and her robot who isn’t quite as advanced socially as she is technically.

Diane Morgan says: “I’m thrilled that the BBC has finally commissioned a programme about AI and how it will affect your mum.”

Shane Allen, executive producer for Boffola Pictures adds: “In a world where AI is creeping in to the creative industry, we’re fighting back in the best way we can: taking the piss out of it. The ball’s in your court Chat GPT.”

Jon Petrie, BBC Director of Comedy, adds: “Diane Morgan’s sharp comedic genius shines in Ann Droid (w/t), co-written with Sarah Kendall, as she brings to life an unlikely friendship between a feisty pensioner and her over-attentive robot. Equal parts clever and chaotic, this six-part sitcom marries heart and high-jinks in equal measure.”

Ann Droid (w/t) (6 x 30) is a Boffola Pictures and Witchcraft Industries production for BBC iPlayer and BBC One. The show was commissioned by BBC Director of Comedy Jon Petrie. It is written by Diane Morgan and Sarah Kendall, the executive producers are Shane Allen, Diane Morgan and Pippa Brown, who is also series producing. The commissioning editors for the BBC are Seb Barwell and Navi Lamba. BBC Studios, which has a minority investment stake in Boffola Pictures, will handle global sales.

BAFTA winner Lenny Rush, is The Reluctant Vampire in a brand new supernatural comedy from Boffola Pictures for BBC iPlayer and BBC One. Based on the books by Eric Morecambe, written by Rob & Neil Gibbons (Alan Partridge) this coming-of-age sitcom is about a young vampire who finds out he is not in fact a vampire at all, and has to live a double life. Set in a timeless English village, where everything is picturesque, everything, that is, except for the vampires living in the castle on the hill who come out at night for a little drink of the locals.

Val has been raised in a very typical vampire family but has always felt a bit different and hopelessly inept at rising to meet his Dad’s high standards. Following a surprise encounter with his reflection, he realises he is not undead, not in the least bit.

Now with a big secret to hide, Val must navigate finding out who he truly is, by mingling with the locals to learn the intricacies of their behaviour and what it means to be human. Caught between two worlds as he loves his Mum and Dad (not so much his jealous brother) and has full vampire duties expected of him by his father, whose obsession with the traditional way of life is tricky when they’re undead and the villagers despise them.

A heart-warming show about finding your own identity while longing to fit in, and the tensions between family life and social life, and the struggle between conformity and kicking out against the path that’s been prescribed for you.

Lenny Rush says: “How lucky am I to bring to life something from the mind of comedy legend Eric Morecambe? I just love Rob and Neil’s interpretation, so many jokes and brilliant ideas. The flying might be a stretch but I’m game for anything!”

Jon Petrie, Director of Comedy, BBC says: “‘The Reluctant Vampire’ is exactly the kind of distinctive comedy we’re passionate about at the BBC. Rob and Neil Gibbons have brilliantly adapted Eric Morecambe’s work into a sharp, character-driven sitcom that delivers both big laughs and genuine emotion. With the incredibly talented Lenny Rush in the lead role, we’re confident this will become one of the standout comedies of the year.”

Shane Allen, executive producer, Boffola Pictures, says: “This book was a childhood favourite and the stars aligned the day Lenny arrived on to the AM I BEING UNREASONABLE? set. He is superb at playing the guy in a tight spot, his comic timing is second to none”

Rob and Neil Gibbons add: “According to Slavic folklore, vampires are nocturnal parasites who prey on the blood of humans. During often frenzied attacks, they target the neck, using razor sharp canine teeth to puncture the carotid artery and gorge on blood, leaving victims lifeless and defiled. We look forward to bringing their story to a BBC family audience in the new year.”

The Reluctant Vampire (6×30’) has been commissioned for BBC iPlayer and BBC One by Jon Petrie, Director of Comedy Commissioning. Written by Rob Gibbons and Neil Gibbons, the executive producer is Shane Allen. The series producer is Ali Marlow. The Commissioning Editors for the BBC are Ben Caudell and Navi Lamba. BBC Studios, which has a minority investment stake in Boffola Pictures, will handle global sales.

The second series of Am I Being Unreasonable? – Daisy May Cooper and Selin Hizli’s twisted comedy thriller – is out now on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The first series was a huge success winning 1 BAFTA for Lenny Rush’s performance and 2 Royal Television Society awards for Daisy May Cooper and Lenny Rush.

In this ‘howlingly funny’ and ‘heartstoppingly tense’ (Guardian 5-stars) return, will the ghosts of Nic’s past finally catch up with her, or will she get away with murder?

The Channel 4 Blap, Peaked, received a 2025 BAFTA nomination for Short Film. You can watch Peaked on Channel 4 now. Congratulations to Ada and Bron!

RTS and BAFTA-winning Am I Being Unreasonable? is set to return for a second series on BBC One and iPlayer with a stellar line-up of guest stars including American stand-up and actor Chelsea Peretti (Brooklyn Nine-Nine), Tom Davis (Wonka, King Gary), Denise Black (Queer as Folk), Jamali Maddix (Never Mind the Buzzcocks), British rapper and poet Kojey Radical and last but by no means least, Charlie Cooper, in the first onscreen reunion with Daisy May Cooper since their BAFTA-winning This Country.

Written by and starring Daisy May Cooper and Selin Hizli, and made by Boffola Pictures, Am I Being Unreasonable? was a smash hit in 2022 with 3.2 million viewers*. Series two, which will air next year, will begin where series one left off, mid panic attack. Has Nic got away with murder? Quite possibly. Has she raised her son Ollie to follow in her murky footsteps? Kicked out of the family home for brotherly love – loving the wrong brother – Nic is reduced to sharing a caravan with her not so trustworthy best friend Jen. Nic’s Husband Dan has taken up roller-blading to channel his mid-life crisis. Shunned at the school gates and cast as the witch at the school re-enactment, Nic is experiencing hallucinations. Or is someone playing tricks on her?

Lenny Rush (Doctor Who, Dodger), who won a BAFTA for best male comedy performance for his role as Nic’s son Ollie as well as two Royal Television Society Awards, returns for the new series.

Other stars reprising their roles include Dustin Demri-Burns (Cardinal Burns, Slow Horses), David Fynn (Daddy Issues), Juliet Cowan (Back to Life), Phil Dunning (Smoggie Queens), Georgie Glenn (Call the Midwife), Beatie Edney (Poldark), Amanda Wilkin (The Split), Helen Ann Bauer (Live at the Apollo), Marek Larwood (We Are Klang) and Karla Crome (Under the Dome). It is filmed in Bristol and the West Country.

Daisy May Cooper says: “If you thought Lenny Rush’s BAFTA-winning performance upstaged me in series one, wait until you see his performance completely upstage me in series two where you will be left wondering whether I was even in it at all…. livid.”

Selin Hizli says: “”God bless the BBC and everyone involved for letting us have another twisted turn at this sometimes dark, sometimes funny and always mad story. It’s been a joy and a privilege to get back into the world of AIBU and we hope everyone loves watching it as much as we’ve loved making it.”

Series two of Am I Being Unreasonable? will also return to SBS in Australia and TVNZ in New Zealand.

Am I Being Unreasonable? (6 x 30) is a Boffola Pictures production for BBC One and iPlayer. It was commissioned by Jon Petrie, Director of BBC Comedy. The Producer is Pippa Brown, the Director is Emily McDonald and the Executive Producers are Shane Allen, Daisy May Cooper, Selin Hizli & Jack Thorne. The Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Tanya Qureshi, Head of BBC Comedy. BBC Studios, who have a minority investment stake in Boffola Pictures, hold global distribution rights and closed the deal for both series with SBS and TVNZ.

*The programme launched to 3.2m for the first episode.

Eva O’Flynn takes newly-created role at Am I Being Unreasonable? indie

The Power of Parker, from the creative minds of BAFTA award-winning writers Paul Coleman and Sian Gibson, is set to return to BBC One and iPlayer for a second series following a critically acclaimed first run.

The Power of Parker, made by Boffola Pictures, averaged 2.2M for the first series across 28 days making it the biggest new scripted comedy of the year across the market in 2023.

It’s 1992, the Queen is in the midst of her annus horribilis, John Major is the new PM, and Whitney’s I Will Always Love You is stuck at number one. Up in Stockport, Kath (Sian Gibson), Martin (Conleth Hill) and Diane (Rosie Cavaliero) are just trying their best to get along.

Martin Parker has hit rock bottom and is desperate to get his reputation back, Diane is adjusting to single life and running a business, while Kath is getting her happily ever after with her man by her side and is working on rekindling a relationship with her sister. She’s on a mission to sort things out for her sister and her man, but her interfering does the opposite and jeopardises everything. They will need to depend on each other now more than ever, but who do they trust?

Sian Gibson says: “We have been overwhelmed by the lovely response to the first series, and so excited to be back with the dysfunctional Parker family and turn their lives upside down again, with bigger problems and bigger hair.”

Paul Coleman says: “Thrilled to be back in early 90s Stockport, when it still had a Woolies and I received a full student grant.”

Jon Petrie, Director of Comedy at the BBC, says: “The Power of Parker hit the ground running with its irresistible combination of sharp scripts brimming with jokes, nostalgia and outstanding comic performances. We’re excited about the fun ideas Sian, Paul, and the Boffola Pictures team have faxed over for series two.”

Kate Daughton, executive producer at Boffola Pictures, says: “We’re delighted the BBC have given us the opportunity to make more episodes of The Power of Parker. Paul and Sian are phenomenally talented writers, bursting with hilarious new ways to put Kath, Diane & Martin through their paces. We can’t wait to see you back in 90s Manchester.”

The Power of Parker (6×30’) has been commissioned for BBC One and BBC iPlayer by Jon Petrie, Director of Comedy at the BBC. It is co-created and written by Paul Coleman and Sian Gibson, produced by Gill Isles, executive produced by Kate Daughton for Boffola Pictures and Tanya Qureshi, Head of Comedy at the BBC. BBC Studios, who have a minority investment stake in Boffola Pictures, are handling international distribution.

Critical acclaim:

The Independent: “An intriguing romp with echoes of Steve Coogan and Victoria Wood.”

The Daily Telegraph: “A saucy, super-charged nostalgia trip.”

The Radio Times: “There are a number of laugh out loud moments scattered throughout and a string of committed performances from a cast who are clearly having a ball.”

Friday Night Live wins the BAFTA for best Comedy Entertainment show and in the Best Male Comedy Performance category 14-year-old Lenny Rush became one of the youngest-ever BAFTA TV Awards winners for BBC1’s Am I Being Unreasonable?

Daisy May Cooper has been nominated for her performance in the Best Female Comedy Performance Category and 14-year-old Lenny Rush has been nominated in the best Male Comedy Performance category. The show is also in the running for Best Scripted Comedy.

Hulu has acquired Daisy May Cooper’s hit BBC comedy-thriller Am I Being Unreasonable The streamer has taken U.S. rights to all six episodes of the genre-bending comedy, which was written by the This Country creator and Selin Hizli (Mum), and Exec Produced by Jack Thorne. The show will debut as a Hulu original on April 11.

The six-part series for BBC One and BBC iPlayer, co-created by BAFTA Award-winning writers Paul Coleman and Sian Gibson, has started filming in Stockport.

Set in Manchester, it’s 1990, the last days of Thatcher, we meet Martin Parker (Conleth Hill), a self-made impresario with the ambition of Alan Sugar and the swagger of Kilroy Silk. A man with a chain of electrical stores bearing his name, he seems to have it all. But the truth is, times are changing. He’s swimming in debt; his complicated private life is catching up with him and he’s starting to lose his power.

Conleth Hill (Game Of Thrones), Rosie Cavaliero (Worzel Gummidge), George Costigan (Happy Valley) and Sheila Reid (Benidorm) star alongside Sian Gibson (Peter Kay’s Car Share).

Joe Nunnery, producer of BBC Three sitcom Ladhood, will assume the newly created role.

Joe Nunnery says: “I couldn’t be more excited to join Boffola as I’ve long admired Kate and Shane as two of the most talented comedy minds in the business. It’s a privilege to be invited to join their team, who are already producing exciting and boundary-pushing comedy.”

Shane Allen, Chief Creative Officer at Boffola, said: “Joe’s a class act; beloved by talent, agents and broadcasters alike. He espouses our company ethos of taking creative swings and backing talent 100%, alongside being rigorous and good-humoured. Kate and I are very much hoping he’s the Beyonce to our Kelly and Michelle, the Barry to our Maurice and Robin, the Good to our Bad and Ugly, the Crackle to our Snap and Pop. You get the idea, yeah?”

The comedy thriller Am I Being Unreasonable? has been renewed by the BBC for a second series.  Written by and starring Daisy May Cooper and Selin Hizli, the critically acclaimed comedy thriller will again be Exec Produced by Jack Thorne. Breakthrough star and BAFTA winner Lenny Rush will also return for the second series.

Daisy May Cooper & Selin Hizli, writers-creators say: “When we first started writing this show we never dreamed it would get commissioned, let alone get another series. We’re so grateful to everyone who has watched it and we promise we will work our hardest to make the second series even better than the first… It’s gonna hit you with all the grace and decorum of a reversing dump truck without any tyres on.”

BBC Comedy commissions the 6×30” series co-created by BAFTA Award winning writer Paul Coleman and Sian Gibson.

Set in Manchester, it’s 1990, the last days of Thatcher, we meet Martin Parker (Conleth Hill), a self-made impresario with the ambition of Alan Sugar and the swagger of Kilroy Silk. A man with a chain of electrical stores bearing his name, he seems to have it all. But the truth is, times are changing. He’s swimming in debt; his complicated private life is catching up with him and he’s starting to lose his power.

Conleth Hill (Game Of Thrones), Rosie Cavaliero (Worzel Gummidge), George Costigan (Happy Valley) and Sheila Reid (Benidorm) star alongside Sian Gibson (Peter Kay’s Car Share).

The Power of Parker (6 x 30) has been commissioned by Jon Petrie, Director of Comedy for BBC One and BBC iPlayer. It is co-created and written by Paul Coleman and Sian Gibson, produced by Gill Isles, executive produced by Kate Daughton for Boffola Pictures and Head of BBC Comedy Tanya Qureshi. It will be co-produced with Lookout Point.

Boffola Pictures has landed its debut commission, a BBC comedy-thriller from This Country creator Daisy May Cooper and Deadwater Fell’s Selin Hizli, exec produced by Jack Thorne.

Cooper and Hizli will play the leads and are starring in the untitled six-part show, portraying two friends who love fun, laughter and booze until everything unravels.

(6 x 30, BBC One)

Boffola Pictures has made its first appointment, bringing in the former BBC Development Producer Emily Allen. Allen’s commissioning credits include PRU for BBC Three, stand up show Funny Festival Live for BBC Two, Peck’Eds from emerging talent Soph Galustian & the upcoming BBC Three series, Zen School of Motoring. She was also responsible for the inaugural BBC Festival of Funny shorts, which brought 15 short films from emerging comedy filmmakers to BBC iPlayer.