Nativity comedy for Freeman & Jensen

Martin Freeman and Ashley Jensen are to star in a semi-improvised comedy film about rival school nativity plays.

The duo – who both shot to fame thanks to Ricky Gervais via The Office and Extras respectively – have signed up to the BBC Films-backed Nativity.

The film will be made by writer-director Debbie Isitt, who previously worked with Freeman in 2006 wedding comedy Confetti.

Also in the cast are Marc Wootton and Jason Watkins, who costarred with Jennifer Saunders in The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle.

Freeman plays Mr Maddens, a teacher at a state primary school in Coventry, who is always overshadowed by Watkins’s Mr Shakespeare at the nearby independent school when it comes to the Christmas play

In the plot, Maddens lies to Shakespeare that his school's musical has attracted the attention of his ex-girlfriend Jennifer Lore (Ashley Jensen), a big-time Hollywood producer, who wants to make a film starring his kids.

Executive producer David M. Thompson said: ‘I'm a big fan of Debbie's work, having backed her previous film Confetti. She is clearly a highly original talent with a bold and imaginative way of working, as well as a great sense of comedy. With an idea of such charm and wit, I am delighted that our association is continuing.’

Filming has just begun on the project, which will take about six weeks to shoot.

Published: 11 Aug 2008