Filming begins on new BBC sitcom series Woody
Filming is now underway on Woody, the BBC's new sitcom starring Bradley Walsh and Kayvan Novak.
The six-part series focuses on Woody, an undercover reporter who is forced to flee from the British authorities after being framed by his corrupt newspaper editor. The titular role will be played by Fonejacker star Kayvan Novak.
Woody flees to a Spanish island, where he meets up with Brutus (Bradley Walsh), his former mentor at the newspaper and the one man he can trust. But Brutus, who is now an expatriate living a quiet life running a bar on a Spanish island, is less than thrilled to see Woody.
Despite their efforts to lay low, trouble seems to find them, so Brutus and Woody end up joining forces to take on a series of investigations, crimes and mysteries, seeing Woody running rings around the locals by adopting a variety of guises at a moment's notice.
The six-part BBC One series was commissioned after the success of a non-broadcast pilot. The series has been created and written by experienced comedy writers Neil Webster and Charlie Skelton and will be directed by Ben Palmer, whose previous credits include The Inbetweeners Movie.
The BBC today released details on the supporting cast, a list which features a number of comedy actors. Those involved include Emma Pierson (Up The Women), Jamie Demetriou (Scrotal Recall), Keith Allen (The Comic Strip) and Alan Williams (Starlings).
The series will also feature cameo appearances from Lee Boardman (Great Night Out), Clive Swift (Keeping Up Appearances), Alex Kirk (Mount Pleasant), Tracy Ann Oberman (Friday Night Dinner), Jack Dee (Lead Balloon), Kara Tointon (EastEnders), Simon Day (The Fast Show), Cavan Clerkin (Babylon), Paul Kaye (Pulling), Sean Gilder (Shameless) and Morgana Robinson (House Of Fools).
Kayvan Novak writes: "So here I am in the sun, solving crimes and pretending to be a pirate, a hypnotist and a lady croupier. I thought life couldn't get any better. Then I saw Bradley Walsh drive by on a jet ski wearing nothing but a dressing gown. I love this place."
Bradley Walsh adds: "My goodness what a blast it is filming Woody. With a very funny script, brilliant cameos from the likes of Keith Allen and Paul Kaye as Señor Big and Frederico Mercury, what's not to like!! I'm loving every second working with the brilliant Kayvan Novak, it's a hoot from dawn to dusk!".
Producer and writer Neil Webster says: "We're delighted to be making this huge, silly, sunny show for BBC One. We have a whole raft of capers for Kayvan, Bradley and the gang to enjoy, including talking parrots, the island's annual hypnotist convention and the murder of the Spanish singing superstar, Elton Juan. We're aiming to bring a lot of warmth into viewers' homes week after week."
BBC commissioner Shane Allen comments: "Bradley Walsh is at full comedy tilt in these knockabout crime capers, and alongside Kayvan Novak's powerhouse of comic versatility they finally solve the mystery of why there hasn't been a show like this before."