BBC Scotland announces multiple comedy commissions
BBC Scotland has announced its comedy plans for 2015 and revealed a number of new commissions.
The network says: "From hapless mountain rescuers to suburban neighbours, Caledonian crime fighters to a snapshot of Saturday night life, marital disharmony to the trials and tribulations of leaving home, there's a wealth of comedy on offer from BBC Scotland for both Scottish and network audiences."
Commissioning Editor Ewan Angus, talking about the newly announced shows, comments: "This fantastic range of programmes highlights the quality of comedy talent in Scotland. Developing comedy writing, production and performance is one of BBC Scotland's priorities and it's great news that we have so much to offer our audiences in the coming months."
The programmes are:
A full series for the comedy drama, which was piloted on New Year's Eve 2013 with a cast including Alex Norton, Arabella Weir, Kevin Guthrie, Daniela Nardini, Jonathan Watson, Doon Mackichan, Greg McHugh and Sharon Rooney.
The six new episodes will continue to focus on the residents of Latimer Crescent.
The series, written by Gregor Sharp and Simon Carlyle, will be filmed in the Autumn in locations around Glasgow, as well as studio filming at BBC Scotland's Dumbarton studios.
As has been reported previously, following on from last year's Comedy Playhouse pilot (Miller's Mountain), a full series of this studio sitcom is now on the way.
Written by Donald McLeary, Mountain Goats focuses on a ragtag group of Mountain Rescue volunteers. The series will star Jimmy Chisholm, Sharon Rooney, David Ireland, Kathryn Howden and Kevin Mains.
Filming will take place from mid-March through to early June and is a mix of location and studio recordings in front of a live audience at BBC Scotland's Pacific Quay studios.
A new one-off special of sketch show Burnistoun.
Due to be filmed this Spring and broadcast on BBC One Scotland later this year, the half-hour special will be set over one Saturday night in the fictional town.
Written by and starring creators Robert Florence and Iain Connell, the episode "will feature familiar faces from the cult comedy series as well as some newcomers".
BBC One Scotland has ordered a second series of Scot Squad, the show that spoofs a police documentary format.
The six new episode will follow the further adventures of the United Scottish police force. The BBC says: "Series 2 revisits popular characters and locations together with new situations and fresh crimes to solve. Blending scripted scenarios and improvised comedy, filming on the new series starts in summer 2015 in locations around Scotland."
The cast - lead by Jack Docherty as Chief Constable Cameron Miekelson - are all expected to return for the new run.
Following recent news reports, the BBC has now confirmed it is planning to bring Jack Docherty's Radio 4 sitcom Start/Stop to television.
BBC One has commissioned a TV pilot of the format, which focuses on "three marriages in various stages of disrepair". Notably, the characters can stop the action to explain their true thoughts and motivations to the audience.
The pilot will be filmed in March for broadcast later in the year. Docherty will be joined again by John Thomson and Kerry Godliman, with Nigel Havers taking over the role of David (the character played by Charlie Higson in the radio version), with Laura Aikman due to play David's young wife. Sarah Hadland takes on the role of Fiona.
What's Funny About Leaving Home?
A sketch show pilot for BBC One Scotland.
Using the newly discovered young writing talent from last year's one-off show What's Funny About The Indyref? and featuring many of the same young cast members, the pilot will take a "naturalistic, wry and slightly awkward look at what it means to leave home and adapt to the grown up world".