E4 orders new series Chewing Gum
E4 has ordered a new comedy series called Chewing Gum.
The six-part comedy has been created by and stars actor, singer, poet and award-winning playwright Michaela Coel. She will play Tracey Gordon, a religious Beyoncé-obsessed 22-year-old who is fast finding out that the more she learns about the world, the less she understands.
Channel 4, talking about the premise of the show, explains: "Tracey and her mates are in their early twenties, living in an estate in Tower Hamlets, east London. Some of them have full time jobs, some are in uni, some are already parents. But really - they are all stuck. Stuck in their youth and still trying to coast through their days with minimum responsibility. Future plans don't extend much beyond saving up for the latest pair of trainers, a new car, or a Cambodian Weave. They live in the moment.
"Tracey, however, seems capable of more. But growing up in a strict religious environment means she is 'underdeveloped' in many areas, and so her path into adulthood has been... interesting. She is wise, but innocent, genuflecting equally to both her idols - Beyoncé and Jesus. Living in a swiftly changing London, we watch as she crashes her way through what she should and shouldn't be doing."
Chewing Gum is inspired by Coel's award-winning one-woman show Chewing Gum Dreams. The play premiered at the Yard Theatre in Hackney Wick in 2012 before transferring to the National Theatre in 2014 to much acclaim. The TV series will focus on Coel's characters six years on from the play, where they have "left the innocence of teenage dreams behind to enter a world of adult confusion".
Rachel Springett, Commissioning Editor for Channel 4 Comedy, says: "Michaela Coel is a force to be reckoned with. Having seen her perform at the National Theatre I was immediately blown away. Immeasurably talented and brimming with energy and ideas, I'm thrilled to work alongside her and [production company] Retort to bring her unique vision to the E4 audience."
Executive Producer Jon Rolph adds: "We are delighted to be bringing Michaela's debut series to E4. Her vivid, heartfelt writing and brilliant, grounded performance capture a world we all recognise and make it fresh, personal and funny. We can't wait to see it on screen."
Chewing Gum will be screened on E4 in 2015. Ahead of that, this autumn Coel will introduce the character of Tracey Gordon to TV viewers via two videos made for Channel 4's online Comedy Blaps strand.
Below is the trailer that was used to promote the National Theatre play: