And there's a role for Alun Cochrane, too

Chris Addison is to appear in the new Sky Living sitcom he has written, the broadcaster announced today.

The series, Trying Again, will also see the proper acting debut of stand-up Alun Cochrane.

Addison co-created the show with The Thick Of It writer Simon Blackwell, and it concerns a couple who are trying to keep their marriage together after an affair.

Addison will play the lead, Matt, while Jo Joyner, who is quitting her role as Tanya Branning in EastEnders, will play his wife Meg, who had a fling with her boss. Cochrane – whose acting credits to date comprise playing the barman in one episode of Lee Mack’s Not Going Out, plays Matt’s best friend, while Charles Edwards plays the boss, Iain.

The show, set in a small Lake District town where everyone knows their business, was announced earlier this year – but this is the first time casting details have been revealed.

Addison said: ‘We've been dying to make this show for years so it's really exciting to be getting it off the ground with such a great cast.’

Joyner said it was ‘ver very exciting’ to be part of the team.

Collaborating with Addison and Blackweell is co-writer Tony Roche – another Thick Of It alumnus – and Peep Show and Fresh Meat co-creator Jesse Armstrong, who will script-edit.

Moone Boy director Ian Fitzgibbon will be behind the camera for the eight half-hour episodes, while Horrible Histories’ Caroline Norris is the producer.

Trying Again, which is made by the production arm of Addison’s agents Avalon, will shoot on location from this summer.

Published: 7 Jun 2013