Mitchell & Webb to star in pub sitcom
- David Mitchell and Robert Webb will star in Channel 4 sitcom pilot Back
- The show is set around two brothers who run a pub following the death of their father
- Other stars involved include Julia Deakin, Louise Brealey and Geoffrey McGivern
More details have been released about Back, the new sitcom project featuring Peep Show stars David Mitchell and Robert Webb.
As reported last week, Mitchell & Webb have been spotted filming a pilot episode of the new sitcom in Stroud. Scripted by In The Loop, Peep Show and Veep writer Simon Blackwell, Back focuses around a dysfunctional family running a pub.
Channel 4 explains: "Stephen's father, local legend Laurie Nicholls, has died so Stephen's set to - finally - take over the family's pub. Mum Ellen and sister Cass have no interest in the family business - they're 'creative', with weed to buy and energy-centres to rebalance. With his dad dead, it's now Stephen's chance to shine. But when his charming and charismatic former foster-brother Andrew turns up out of the blue at Laurie's funeral, Stephen's plans go awry. Andrew is back, and keen to rejoin the closest thing he's ever had to a family."
David Mitchell plays Stephen, with Robert Webb as Andrew. Stephen's bohemian mother Ellen is played by Spaced star Julia Deakin and the role of sister Cass is taken on by Sherlock actor Louise Brealey. The cast picture also reveals a role for Geoffrey McGivern.
The pilot episode is being made by That Mitchell & Webb Company in conjunction with Friday Night Dinner and Rev. producers Big Talk Productions. It is being directed by Ben Palmer (The Inbetweeners) and produced by Kate Crowther (Raised By Wolves).
Simon Blackwell says: "It's been a pleasure and a privilege to write for David and Robert again, and very exciting to be surrounded by such a superb cast, director and production team."
Channel 4's Phil Clarke comments: "To have Mitchell & Webb and Simon Blackwell working together is a very exciting prospect. It's a unique configuration of some seriously big comedy minds. Simon has written a very funny and clever script with a strong emotional heart that takes Robert Webb and David Mitchell in a new and genuinely intriguing direction."
Kenton Allen from Big Talk Productions adds: "Blackwell, Mitchell and Webb are some of the finest comedy minds I've ever encountered, a supergroup of incredibly witty individuals. The show was an absolute pleasure to develop with them and I only hope the audience will laugh as much when they see Back as I have when spending time with these masters of their craft."
The half-hour pilot episode of Back is expected to be shown on Channel 4 later this year. The network will then decide whether to order a full series.