Channel 4 orders Gleeson brothers' sitcom
- Actors Domhnall and Brian Gleeson are starring in a new sitcom
- The brothers have also co-written Frank Of Ireland, which will air on Channel 4
- The comedy follows a 32-year-old Irish loser in arrested development, and his 'friend', Doofus
Filming has started on a new sitcom called Frank Of Ireland, for Channel 4.
Co-commissioned with Amazon Studios, who will publish the series on Amazon Prime Video in the US, Canada and Australia, the series has been written by Michael Moloney and actor brothers, Domhnall Gleeson and Brian Gleeson.
Brian, recently seen in comedy drama The Bisexual, stars in the title role of Frank Marron, "a 32-year-old catastrophe. A misanthropic, narcissistic, fantasist in arrested development who thinks the world owes him something".
Domhnall, who has starred in films such as Frank and About Time, plays his 'friend' and wingman, Doofus.
Channel 4 explains: "Frank lives in Dublin with his mother Mary, and that's fine. He is single and his pocket money hasn't increased in a decade or more, but you know what?! That's fine too. Frank is a musician, understood? He hasn't written a song or played a gig in seven years and five months, but that is totally, 100% fine. His ex-girlfriend Aine has a new boyfriend - Peter-Brian - for the first time since they split, and Frank may be finding that a tad difficult, alright? When did they part, you ask? About seven years and five months ago, give or take a day, but that's a total coincidence, just in case you're wondering. It's all absolutely fine. Frank is fine.
"Frank is also fine because of his wingman (read gopher) Doofus. Doofus foolishly thinks they are best friends and it's his job to blow smoke up, facilitate and attempt to fix the relentless debris in Frank's wake. It's a big job for such a fellow."
They add: "Frank Of Ireland is a physical and ridiculous brand of humour with an original twist."
Now filming on location in Dublin, Ireland, and Belfast, Northern Ireland, the series is a Merman production, directed by M.J. Delaney.
Pom Boyd has been cast as Frank's mum, Mary; with Sarah Greene as Aine and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor as Peter-Brian.
Fiona McDermott, Head of Comedy at Channel 4, says: "We're delighted to welcome Domhnall and Brian to Channel 4 for their comedy debut. They are talented in ways Frank and his wildest dreams could only hope to emulate; we can't wait for viewers to see the unashamedly ridiculous and hilarious new show they've created."
Sharon Horgan, co-founder of Merman with Clelia Mountford, adds: "Working with the Gleeson brothers has been like living in a very funny, existential dreamscape. I laughed so much making the pilot that it became annoying. So Clelia and I are very glad and relieved they still chose to make this series with us."
Brian, Domhnall, and co-writer Michael Moloney say: "We're so excited to work with MJ, Sharon, and Clelia on this, our first and (we've been told) last television series."
Brad Beale, Vice President of Worldwide Content Licensing at Amazon Studios, concludes: "Frank Of Ireland is smart, wholly original and incredibly funny. We're thrilled to work with Brian and Domhnall to bring our Prime Video customers this terrific new comedy."
Further details about the series and its Channel 4 transmission will be announced at a later date.