Filming starts on new comedy today

Filming has started today on BBC One’s new comedy Woody starring Bradley Walsh and Kayvan Novak.

It has also been announced that joining the cast will be Emma Pierson from Up The Women and Al Murray’s Time Gentlemen Please; acclaimed live sketch performer Jamie Demetriou; alternative comedy pioneer Keith Allen and Alan Williams who played Grandad in Sky 1’s Starlings.

Set on a fictional Spanish island, it this six half-hour episodes follow the fortunes of a top undercover reporter Woody (Novak), who is forced to go on the run from the British authorities after being set up by his corrupt newspaper editor. On the islands he finds Brutus (Walsh), his former mentor at the newspaper and the one man he can trust, but now living a quiet life running a bar and less than thrilled to see his old protege.

The series also features a raft of cameo appearances from the likes of Clive Swift, Alex Kirk, Tracy Ann Oberman, Jack Dee, Kara Tointon, Simon Day, Paul Kaye and Morgana Robinson.

The series – which is due to air in spring 2015. It has been created and written by Neil Webster and Charlie Skelton, whose credits include Would I Lie To You and 10 O'Clock Live.

It is produced by Webster and directed by Ben Palmer, who previously helmed the Inbetweeners movie, for Happy Tramp Productions.

Shane Allen, controller of BBC comedy commissioning, said: ‘Bradley Walsh is at full comedy tilt in these knockabout crime capers, and alongside Kayvan Novak's powerhouse of comic versatility they finally solve the mystery of why there hasn't been a show like this before.’

Novak said: ‘So here I am in the sun, solving crimes and pretending to be a pirate, a hypnotist and a lady croupier. I thought life couldn't get any better. Then I saw Bradley Walsh drive by on a jet ski wearing nothing but a dressing gown. I love this place.’

Walsh says: ‘My goodness what a blast it is filming Woody. With a very funny script , brilliant cameos from the likes of Keith Allen and Paul Kaye as Señor Big and Frederico Mercury, what's not to like! I'm loving every second working with the brilliant Kayvan Novak, it's a hoot from dawn to dusk!‘

Webster added that the series will include ‘ talking parrots, the island's annual hypnotist convention and the murder of the Spanish singing superstar, Elton Juan’.

The executive producer is Gregor Sharp for the BBC.

Published: 10 Nov 2014