Kayvan Novak and Bradley Walsh to star in BBC sitcom Woody
BBC One has announced it has commissioned a new comedy, Woody.
Set on a fictional Spanish island, the six-part sitcom will star Fonejacker's Kayvan Novak and comedian Bradley Walsh, currently a star of Law & Order: UK.
Woody follows the fortunes of one of the UK's best undercover reporters Woody (Novak), who is forced to go on the run from the British authorities after being set up by his corrupt newspaper editor. He escapes to find the one man he can trust, his former mentor at the newspaper, Brutus (Walsh).
Now an ex-patriot living a quiet life running a bar on a Spanish island, Brutus is initially less than thrilled to see Woody. However, he soon realises that he can profit by putting his trouble-making protégé to work. Woody takes on a series of investigations on the island, running rings around the locals by using his astonishing ability to adopt a variety of guises at a moment's notice.
The half-hour episodes have been created by established comedy writers Neil Webster and Charlie Skelton. The duo have previously worked together on shows including 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown.
Woody will be produced and directed by Webster alongside The Inbetweeners' director Ben Palmer. The programme is being made by Happy Tramp Productions.
The commission follows a pilot episode, which was filmed last year.
Bradley Walsh says: "I can't wait to start working on Woody! To be working with Kayvan again is great. To be working for the BBC, the iconic home of British sitcom is, for me personally, a lifelong ambition fulfilled. To say I'm thrilled is an understatement."
Kayvan Novak adds: "Woody is the part I have dreamed of playing since I was a kid. That and Boba Fett."
Shane Allen, Controller of BBC Comedy Commissioning, says: "Woody is a really ambitious, colourful, feel-good comedy with two lovable rogues at the heart of it in Kayvan and Bradley. They'll bring sunshine and laughs to BBC One."
BBC One's Charlotte Moore, comments: "It's great to be bringing Kayvan Novak and Bradley Walsh, two fantastic British talents, together on BBC One in a brilliantly original and sunny sitcom."
Neil Webster comments: "We're over the moon that BBC One has given us the opportunity to bring the lovable lunatic Woody to life. It's like all of my Fletch/Magnum/Minder dreams have come true at once."
Ben Palmer adds: "Woody is a silly, big-hearted piece of escapism that all the family can enjoy. As well as Kayvan's incredible talents as a character comedian, we can't wait to let the double act of Kayvan and Bradley loose on the world. And we get to work in the sun!"
Woody is expected to be shown on BBC One towards the end of the year.
Below is footage of the pilot episode being filmed at Gran Canaria Airport.