Baby Cow's short series also feature Tim Key, Kiell Smith-Bynoe and many more

Lucy Pearman and comedy duo The Pin have made new digital comedy series for BBC Studios and Steve Coogan’s production company Baby Cow

The short-form series, being released on social media, also feature Tim Key, Kiell Smith-Bynoe, Natasia Demetriou – and Coogan’s Alan Partridge co-star Felicity Montagu.

Pearman created the four-part series The Train, revolving around an ‘unspoken love triangle’ on the commuter service on which her three protagonists work. She, Key and Smith-Bynoe are the stars of the ten-minute episodes, with guest stars including Montagu and former EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy.

Pearman said: ‘I still can’t believe all the cast said yes. They were absolutely superb and coped extremely well when on the first day, the train accidentally didn’t turn up.’

The first episode is below, with subsequent episodes dropping over the next three days:

Meanwhile, The Pin duo of Ben Ashenden and Alex Owen have made What's Happening? , a sitcom about a ‘wildly disruptive’ video podcast.

In each episode, hosts Robin – described as ‘the stupid man’s Louis Theroux’ – and Leo – ‘the even more stupid man's Logan Paul’ delve into contemporary issues such as masculine identity to political activism with the help of their conspiracy theorist techie Maz (Mariam Haque)

A cast of comedians portray the ‘rogue’s gallery of unhinged interviewees’, including Demetriou, her regular collaborator Ellie White, Rufus Sewell, Seb Cardinal and This Country’s Paul Chahidi.

 In a statement, Ashenden and Owen said: ‘Always hard to sell your own stuff without sounding mad. This is better than Titanic and Only Fools and Horses combined. Curious now? 

‘If you’re fed up of "online content" thinking it’s clever and important, then we think this is a satirical tonic (which is quite clever and important).’

What’s Happening episodes will be published daily, starting on Monday on the Baby Cow YouTube and Facebook channels, as part of its new ‘Baby Shorts’ umbrella

Rupert Majendie, head of development at Baby Cow said: ‘I’ve always loved short form and recognised its importance in developing new talent and different ideas, which we’re committed to at Baby Cow… I’m so excited we’re able to provide this platform to present their new comedy ideas.’

The company’s chief operating officer Asha Amster added: ‘Witty, innovative, irreverent – this is heartland comedy for Baby Cow.’

Athena Witter from BBC Studios added: ‘We are beyond thrilled at what Baby Cow have created for us, fusing the best of linear talent – both on and off camera – with a snappy, digital-first sensibility to produce two, very funny but very different shows.’

Both series are directed by Joe Fraser, with Baby Cow’s Sarah Monteith and Rupert Majendie as executive producers. They were commissioned by Madi Woodstock and Chris Allen at BBC Studios.

Baby Cow's previous productions have included Uncle, The Trip and Gavin & Stacey.

Published: 27 Sep 2022