Six half-hour episodes from Mischief Theatre

The team behind The Play That Goes Wrong are to make a  six-part comedy series for BBC One.

The Goes Wrong Show follows the success of two Christmas specials based on Peter Pan and A Christmas Carol

It will be written by and star the original Mischief Theatre members; Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields alongside Nancy Zamit, Charlie Russell, Bryony Corrigan, Greg Tannahill, Dave Hearn and Chris Leask.

Lewis said: ‘Ever since we first began to make things go wrong all the way back in 2012 it has been a dream of ours to bring a series based on this joyful brand of humour to the screen and so when the BBC commissioned The Goes Wrong Show it was a dream come true. 

‘We’re so grateful for this incredible opportunity and we can’t wait to get started on making some truly terrible programmes. We are still very short on equipment - if you have a camcorder we can borrow (in any condition) please do fax us.’

The series sees The Cornley Drama Society undertaking another over-ambitious endeavour, held back by prolific over-actor Robert Grove, the screen-hogging Sandra Wilkinson and the artistically mistrusted Dennis Tyde. 

Six new half hours of theatrical catastrophe include the gripping courtroom drama A Trial To Watch and Second World War II spy thriller The Pilot.

Kenton Allen, chief executive of producers Big Talk said: ‘The scripts are truly terrible and we haven’t got a clue what we’re doing, so what’s the worst that can happen?’

Shane Allen, controller of BBC comedy, added: ‘The two Christmas specials we’ve backed showed a huge audience appetite for this ensemble’s superbly inventive brand of family friendly comedy. 

‘BBC One has a unique role for viewers as the country’s sole provider of mainstream British comedy and it’s particularly gratifying to also be the only UK broadcaster still flying the flag for the studio sitcom with these fast rising stars.’

Filming begins in Manchester next month.

Here's a clip from the Peter Pan show:

Made by: Mischief Screen/Big Talk production in association with Lionsgate and YTD HK.
Produced by: Jim Poyser
Directed by: Martin Dennis
Executive producers: Hilary Strong and Kenny Wax for Mischief Screen, Kenton Allen, Saurabh Kakkar and Matthew Justice for Big Talk Productions
Commissioned by: Shane Allen, controller of BBC comedy, Charlotte Moore, director of BBC content and Kate Daughton,  commissioning editor for BBC.

Published: 22 Feb 2019