BBC Scotland orders more The Farm and three more comedies
- Jim Smith and Chris Forbes's sitcom The Farm is returning to BBC One Scotland for another special episode
- BBC Scotland is also bringing back sketch show Stevens & McCarthy on iPlayer, and piloting two sitcoms, Islelanders and Stunners
- "We are committed to investing in Scotland's comedy scene by providing various platforms on which talent and ideas can gain more exposure and attract audience following", said BBC Scotland commissioner Gavin Smith
BBC Scotland has ordered a further episode of Jim Smith's sitcom The Farm, as well as three comedies for iPlayer, British Comedy Guide can exclusively reveal.
In the 30-minute The Farm special, coming to BBC One Scotland this summer, things are going well on the farm for Jim (Smith) and Donnie (co-writer Chris Forbes). With Karen Fishwick joining the cast as Jim's sister Callie, a deal to trade her tractor for some ewes quickly goes wrong after the farm is hit by mysterious diesel bandits.
Meanwhile, BBC Scotland has ordered another episode of fast-paced sketch show Stevens & McCarthy from The Dolls stars Gayle Telfer Stevens and Louise McCarthy, plus two new sitcom pilots. The three 15-minute comedies will launch on iPlayer on 6th July.
In Islelanders, from writer-director Alessio Avezzano (Country Dark), intriguingly named island chancers Arran and Lewis finally get a big job to clear a spooky house. But things take a turn with the unexpected return of Arran's sister Maisie.
Shot on the island of Arran, the BBC Studios production stars Jamie MacColl (The Duchess) and newcomer Matt McGill, Rachel Flynn and John McQuiston, whose credits include Still Game and Rab C. Nesbitt.
Stunners is written and performed by online sketch duo Sarah Grant and Katrina Allen. Another BBC Studios production, it follows Lola and Ruby, two 30-year-old women who should know better for their age but refuse to conform to expectations.
Lola and Ruby are tasked with throwing a last-minute hen party, orchestrated by Lola's highly-strung ex-best friend Emma, played by The Outlaws' Lois Chimimba. With help from their neighbour Sam (Bridgerton's Lorn Macdonald), some eccentric decoration and a wandering condom, what can really go wrong?
Shot last month at stand-up and real-life dairy farmer Smith's holding in Perthshire and starring stand-ups Smith and Forbes - who are both returning to this year's Edinburgh Fringe, the latter in a show with Judy Murray in which he plays her "other", hapless tennis-playing son Duncan - The Farm began life as a series of online shorts in 2018 and progressed to its first 30-minute BBC One Scotland pilot, also made by BBC Studios, last year.
Best known for their live show The Dolls, in which they sell out theatres across Scotland as singing and dancing cleaners, Scot Squad star McCarthy and Telfer Stevens, who played Michelle McManus on TV Burp, piloted their sketch show last year and are returning with new characters, including a much older Adele promoting her latest album, Kiki the wannabe TikTok queen, and a skit featuring an awkward run in with a GP. Stevens & McCarthy is made by The Comedy Unit.
Both Islelanders and Stunners featured as part of the Short Stuff online initiative. Gavin Smith, BBC Scotland's commissioning executive for comedy, drama and entertainment, said: "We are committed to investing in Scotland's comedy scene by providing various platforms on which talent and ideas can gain more exposure and attract audience following.
"Having seen the reaction these talents have received across our online platforms, TV output and on stage around Scotland, we're delighted to be able to showcase them to a wider audience on BBC iPlayer."