Shooting starts on BBC One sitcom pilot

Russ Abbot and Stephanie Beacham are to join Alison Steadman in a possible new BBC One sitcom, Grey Mates.

Filming has begun today on a pilot episode of the comedy, set in a ‘friendship group’ for pensioners in Norfolk.

Created by Citizen Khan writer Richard Pinto, the show was reported to be in development last month – but with no cast other than Steadman announced.

Jimmy Mulville, of production company Hat Trick, tweeted this morning: ‘First day shooting a very funny pilot for BBC 1 with a great cast including the peerless Russ Abbot, Alison Steadman and Stephanie Beacham.’

Steadman previously told the Radio Times that Grey Mates revolves around three couples in Hunstanton and that she will play the group’s ‘chief organiser...the one who bosses everyone about and tells them what they are all doing’.

The pilot is being directed by Adam Miller, who previously worked on Katy Brand’s Big Ass Show and Some Girls.

It is thought that Grey Mates will help plug a gap in comedies aimed at the over-50s, following the cancellation of shows such as Last Of The Summer Wine – in which Abbot, pictured, also appeared.

Published: 24 Sep 2013