BBC Two commissions full series of The Cup

Following a successful non-broadcast pilot, BBC Two has commissioned a full series of The Cup, a new comedy from Hartswood Films about the selfish and obsessive behaviour of the parents of an under-11 football team.

The Cup, which shows parents trying to live their dreams through their kids, is based on a 2005 Canadian series called The Tournament, which was set in the world of junior ice hockey. The show is being adapted for a UK audience by Jack Docherty and Moray Hunter. Their previous work includes Scottish sketch show Absolutely.

The series will be filmed on location in Bolton and Manchester from late March 2008. It is due to star Steve Edge (The Visit, Phoenix Nights) and Jennifer Hennessy (Drop Dead Gorgeous, Lilies). Other cast confirmed to date include Tanya Franks (Pulling), Dominic Coleman (Ruby In The Smoke), Samantha Power (Little Britain), Bill Geraghty (The Last Detective), Pal Aron (Casualty) and Emmanuel Leconte (The Tudors).

The Cup will be produced by Sue Vertue (Coupling, Men Behaving Badly) and directed by Matt Lipsey (Little Britain). Six episodes have been commissioned by Roly Keating, Controller of BBC Two and Lucy Lumsden, BBC Comedy Commissioner.