BBC confirm Hebburn sitcom commission
BBC Two has commissioned a new sitcom from stand-up comedian Jason Cook (pictured), based on his own family life and experience of growing up in the north east.
Hebburn will see Cook's friend and fellow stand-up comedian Chris Ramsey star as the younger Jason, and Cook in turn play a "loveable rogue" character based on real-life Chris. The series is being written by Cook and Ideal writer Graham Duff.
It is the second sitcom to be commissioned following a pilot performance at the BBC's Salford Sitcom Showcase in October 2011, after Citizen Khan.
Set and filmed on location in Cook's home town of Hebburn, South Tyneside, the sitcom will tell the tale of the Dixon family and their son, Jason, who has left Tyneside for the bright lights and glamour of Manchester. He's secretly married a middle class Jewish girl, Clare, and realises that it is about time he introduced her to his family.
Vic Reeves will co-star as Jason's father, Tony, a devoted family man and merchant sailor, with Fresh Meat's Kimberley Nixon as the new Mrs Dixon, Clare.
Jason Cook last week told comedy website Giggle Beats, which first broke the news: "Obviously I'm over the moon to have my first series commissioned. There is a very particular sense of humour in the Geordies; we don't take ourselves too seriously, and we have a way of handling bad news - maybe because we get a lot of it! - so I'm hoping to show the nation that."
BBC Executive Editor Comedy Commissioning Kristian Smith said today: "We are delighted to be bringing Hebburn to BBC Two. Not only does it bring back the warm heart of the North East to sitcom, but also delivers a charming and funny comedy about a grown up family with a fantastic cast attached."
Cook added: "I somehow knew Chris would end up playing the young version of me and that I would be playing him - and unbelievably, when I was younger my hair was even worse than Chris's is now."
The six part series will be produced by Channel X North and Baby Cow Manchester.