Ryan Sampson to star in new sketch-prank show Glitchy
Ryan Sampson is to star in his own ITV2 series, Glitchy.
The Plebs actor - who plays slave Grumio - has filmed a new 6-part comedy for the channel, mixing television satire with pranks to create a new sketch format.
Producers Talkback explain: "Glitchy will parody much-loved and recognisable television shows, throwing them into a surreal and parallel television world. All the television shows are fake but the unsuspecting members of the public believe them to be real."
They add: "Ryan will play a multitude of characters offering his twisted take on the shows we know and love including Britain and Ireland's Next Top Hand Model, 24 Hours in A Phone Box, Date My Daughter, Embarrassing Personalities and street magician and petty criminal, Mezmo (pictured).
"The members of the public who participate in each sketch will unknowingly be the stars of their very own show."
Sampson, best known for his role in ITV2's hit period sitcom Plebs, was previously one of the stars of E4 prank-sitcom The Work Experience, in which real-life aspiring public relations professionals were set to work at the fake fashion PR agency, Grade, staffed entirely by comic actors.
Speaking to British Comedy Guide today, Ryan explained: "I wanted to do something a bit ballsy and a bit weird. I grew up on Brass Eye and Ali G and all the genre-twisting shows that don't seem to exist so much any more. So it felt like we should up the ante and do something a bit braver and a bit edgier. And if we can lampoon other TV shows and have a dig at the TV-machine while we're doing that then even better.
"A big thing for me is character comedy. There's so little of it around at the moment but I've always been compelled by anyone who can improvise in character. Apart from me old mucker Tom Davis, few people seem to be doing it. We wanted to create our own Mrs Mertons and Borats - and after learning how fun that can be, playing Shussi on E4's The Work Experience, it felt like we could really embrace that."
He adds: "Incidentally I hear Shussi is doing well. He's doing community service after attacking Donatella Versace with a wedge heel, but he should be back soon."
Ryan Sampson will be joined in the series by an ensemble cast comprising of up-and-coming comedy talent including Ellie White, Gabby Best, Colin Hoult, Liam Hourican, Jason Attar and Mona Yousefi, who will all appear as different characters throughout the series.
Sampson adds: "I'm beyond excited that ITV have let us loose, giving our own twisted take on all of our favourite TV shows. It's going to be brilliant. And weird. And weirdly brilliant."
Managing Director of Talkback and Executive Producer of Glitchy, Leon Wilson says: "Ryan Sampson is a great comedic talent and Talkback are delighted to work with him on this hilarious brand new series that will throw new light on some of the ITV2 audiences' favourite TV shows."
Angela Jain, head of ITV2, adds: "We are always up for commissioning risky shows and this is one of them. The production team behind it and the performers are a crack ensemble. Delivering laughs is what they know how to do."
Glitchy is expected to broadcast later this year.