BBC UPCOMING COMEDY HIGHLIGHTS, NEW AND RETURNING TITLES REVEALED

A look at the new and returning comedy titles coming to the BBC later this year.

 NOT GOING OUT

The sitcom, which is now the UK’s all-time second longest running by number of series, stars Lee Mack (as Lee) and Sally Bretton (as Lucy). Over 14 series regular cast have included: Bobby Ball, Abigail Cruttenden, Hugh Dennis, Megan Dodds, Deborah Grant, Miranda Hart, Tim Vine, Timothy West, Geoffrey Whitehead and Katy Wix.

 ANN DROID

n a world where AI is looming larger and ever present, Ann Droid asks the question: what is replaceable and what is not? As funny, as it is poignant – Ann Droid tells the story of an unlikely friendship between Sue (Sue Johnston) and Linda (Diane Morgan) a social humanoid robot, created to keep elderly people company and monitor their health.

Sue’s (Sue Johnston) husband David passed away 18 months ago and her only son, Michael (Paul Ready), is moving out – again - to try and fix his marriage - again. But the good news is he’s got Sue a surprise to help her live independently, a care provider with a difference - a second hand AnnDroid Z58/100 Basic Eldercare Robot (Diane Morgan). Created to keep the ageing population company and monitor their health, taking the pressure off the ever-stretched NHS.

 BILL'S INCLUDED

Follows Bill Beam (Rob Brydon), a well meaning but over enthusiastic divorcee who rents his spare rooms to students to stay afloat. As Bill tries - and often fails to be both responsible landlord and honorary housemate, he and his mismatched lodgers muddle through chaos, growing pains and unexpected friendships.

Joining the cast are Samantha Spiro (Waiting for the Out) and Nigel Lindsay (Mobland) as Bill’s neighbours, Siobhan and Martin, Kevin Eldon (Inside No 9) as record store owner Drew. Dylan Brady (Mary & George), Ada Player (The Power of Parker), Harry Baxendale (The Radleys) and Yasmin Al-Khudhairi (A Good Girls Guide to Murder) join the cast as students Christian, Hettie, James and Zahra.

 THE RELUCTANT VAMPIRE

Produced by Boffola Pictures in co-production with ZDFneo and filmed in Gloucestershire, the show follows Val (Lenny Rush - Am I Being Unreasonable?) trying to live up to his father Victor’s (Tom Davis - King Gary) high expectations. Val, the reluctant vampire himself, is hiding a secret as big as his cape: he is not part of the great undead, he is, in fact very much alive.

The series will see Val explore his newly discovered human side, whilst dealing with a casket-load of expectations from his tradition obsessed vampire dad, constant attempts to foil him from his suspicious brother, Vernon, (Gabriel Nagy - Extra Geography) and not always helpful advice from doting mum Valeeta, (Sian Clifford - Fleabag) who is the only one in the family who knows his true identity.

 AUSTIN

When much-loved children’s author Julian Hartswood (Ben Miller) inadvertently causes a social media storm, his career and that of his illustrator wife Ingrid (Sally Phillips) appears to be over. That is until Austin (Michael Theo), the neurodivergent son that Julian never knew existed, turns up out of the blue. Could embracing this modern nuclear family be Julian’s route back from cancellation? Will Ingrid ever forgive him? One thing is for certain: if Julian thinks Austin is going to be a pushover, he’s in for a rude awakening.

Transmission details will be announced in due course.