BBC to launch new sitcom set in Scarborough
- Benidorm creator Derren Litten has written a new sitcom for BBC One
- Scarborough follows a group of local residents who meet most nights in the local karaoke bar
- Stephanie Cole, Katherine Kelly and Jason Manford starred in the non-broadcast pilot
Derren Litten, the creator of Benidorm, has written a new sitcom series for BBC One.
The BBC explains: "Scarborough follows the lives and loves of a small handful of residents in Scarborough, the sometime sunny beach resort in North Yorkshire, who meet most nights in the local karaoke bar where they swap gossip and sing 80s classics."
Six half-hour episodes are set to be made by BBC Studios, with filming due to take place on location next summer.
A pilot episode has already been filmed, and featured a cast including Still Open All Hours star Stephanie Cole (pictured), Coronation Street actor Katherine Kelly, and stand-up comedian Jason Manford.
The full ensemble cast for the series will be confirmed nearer the time of filming, but all three are expected to return for the series.
Last month it was confirmed by ITV that Litten's hit sitcom Benidorm has come to an end after 10 years.
BBC comedy commissioner Shane Allen says: "It's a real coup to have someone of Derren's great experience land a broad sitcom with a Northern comedy heart to it, it'll do Scarborough very proud."
Scarborough was announced at the Edinburgh TV Festival today alongside Comedy Playhouse pilot 'king Gary. Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content, said: "These two new shows highlight BBC One's continued commitment to breaking new comedy on the channel. Both are real gems; Scarborough, from sitcom writing heavyweight Derren Litten and 'king Gary's writer performer Tom Davis pens a mainstream sitcom with tons of heart."
Scarborough is expected to be shown on BBC One towards the end of 2019 or early in 2020.
Litten's last work with the BBC was writing the 2016 one-off revival of Are You Being Served?.