Filming begins on Matt Lucas series Pompidou
BBC One has announced that shooting has now begun on Pompidou, a new prime-time visual comedy series created by and starring Matt Lucas.
The show, which is being filmed in the UK, will comprise of six 30 minute episodes.
Little Britain star Matt Lucas takes on the titular role of Pompidou, an elderly oddball aristocrat who has fallen on hard times. The character now lives in a clapped-out old caravan, parked in front of his now crumbling estate.
Pompidou is a tubby, pompous, penniless, eccentric, yet ultimately lovable aristocrat. He is served by his loyal butler Hove and the pair are joined by Marion, an elegant Afghan Hound.
Each week Pompidou and Hove face a new challenge, from stealing back a priceless bowl they once owned, to extracting a live bird which has flown into Hove's mouth and is nesting in his stomach.
Notably the programme will be dialogue-free, with - as was the case with Mr Bean - the humour deriving from visual comedy.
Matt Lucas said: "This is the show I've always wanted to make, And I can't wait to start filming."
It has now been revealed that Alex Macqueen (The Thick Of It, Hunderby) will play the character of Hove, Pompidou's long-suffering butler. He and Lucas have previously worked together on the short-lived 2009 fantasy comedy series Krod Mandoon And The Flaming Sword Of Fire.
Pompidou will also feature cameo appearances from Bella Emberg (The Benny Hill Show, The Russ Abbott Show), Roy Barraclough (Cissie And Ada, Alec in Coronation Street), Jane Asher (The Old Guys) and Tony Way (Mongrels).
BBC commissioner Shane Allen says: "Matt has worked incredibly hard on creating a unique comedy universe for Pompidou. Only someone of his immense talent and experience could achieve something that feels so modern and inventive which also has an underlying nod to past classic comedy masters like Chaplin and Laurel & Hardy. It's rare to have a comedy the whole family can enjoy together."
Pompidou has been written by Matt Lucas with Julian Dutton and Ashley Blaker. Charlie Hanson and Matt Lucas will jointly direct the show.
The six episodes will be shown on BBC One in early 2015.
In the below video, Matt Lucas reveals the theme tune for the series: