Big Boys to star Dylan Llewellyn and Jon Pointing

Derry Girls actor Dylan Llewellyn and Jon Pointing from Plebs are to star in a  new Channel 4 comedy series created by comedian Jack Rooke.

The stand-up will narrate the semi-autobiographical  series Big Boys, about the friendship between a sweet, shy and closeted fresher Jack (Llewellyn) and the laddish older student Danny (Pointing).  

The six-part series, due to air next year, is based on his live shows Good Grief, Happy Hour and Love Letters,  and is being made by Roughcut Television.

Rooke said: ‘As a kid I‘d stay up late to sneakily watch something a bit "queer" on Channel 4. I‘d ask Dad: "Why does that bloke have his face in that other bloke’s lap?" and he’d grin and say, "They’re just having a fun time!"

‘Now I am thrilled to have my first comedy series with Channel 4, writing and narrating Big Boys, based on the teen years after losing my dad with all the ups and downs of grief, sexual discovery, freshers’ week and making one very special best mate. And I’ll be sure to include some of my own "fun times" too!’

The commission follows a non-broadcast pilot shot in 2018.

Previously, Good Grief was adapted for a Radio 4 pilot while Happy Hour inspired Rooke’s first book, Cheer The F**k Up, a part-memoir, part-advice guide about mental health released in July

He also made the BBC Three series, Happy Man, about male happiness and suicide.

Of Big Boys, Channel 4 commissioner Laura Riseam added: ‘Jack’s natural ability to find humour in grief brings a beautifully specific point of view to something universal and important.  He has already had us in bits and we haven’t even started filming yet.’

And Roughcut’s managing director Ash Atalla said: ‘Authenticity is so important and this story feels it could only be told by him, Jack is the real deal.  We can’t wait to film Big Boys; I hope it goes on to make Jack the famous monster I know he dreams of being.’

Published: 26 Nov 2020