Festive special for Sky

Suranne Jones is to star in a festive comedy loosely based on Charles Dickens’ The Christmas Carol for Sky TV.

The Vigil and Gentleman Jack star plays an unashamedly outspoken and wealthy entrepreneur selling yuletide paraphernalia online in the show, Christmas Carole.

But she is, of course, mean and a hater of all things Christmas – until some rather familiar spirits pay a visit.

 The show is written by Anil Gupta and Richard Pinto, who previously penned Citizen Khan, and is produced by Sky Studios

Ian Fitzgibbon, who directed Moone Boy, is calling the shots and the show is produced by Gareth Edwards.

Christmas Carole was  one of more than 200 Sky Original shows announced at the broadcaster's Up Next 2022 event at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, in London today, hosted by Claudia Winkleman.

The broadcaster also confirmed that Sheridan Smith will be returning to her comedy roots with Rosie Molloy Gives Up Everything .

She plays the title character who is addicted to everything: smoking, alcohol, Terry’s Chocolate Oranges, Xanax, Adderall, caffeine… the list goes on. After an embarrassing incident at her brother Joey’s wedding, she wakes up in hospital and decides to change her life by ‘giving up everything’.

The show is written by Susan Nickson, whose BBC sitcom Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps gave Smith her first break in the early 2000s.

Published: 17 May 2022