BBC COMEDY SLATE FOR THE YEAR AHEAD, NEW AND RETURNING TITLES

The BBC have revealed the new and returning comedy titles airing this year and early next year.

Death Valley

Written and created by Paul Doolan (Mammoth, Trollied) and set in Wales, Death Valley follows the unlikely crime-solving partnership between eccentric national treasure John Chapel (Timothy Spall), a retired actor and star of hit fictional detective TV show ‘Caesar’, and disarming Welsh detective sergeant Janie Mallowan (Gwyneth Keyworth).

Thrown together by the murder of John’s neighbour, John and Janie are an odd, yet hilarious duo with opposing instincts. Every week, they get to the bottom of gripping murders, with various stunning Welsh locations providing a backdrop to their investigations.

Can You Keep A Secret

Dawn (French & Saunders, The Vicar of Dibley) plays widow Debbie Fendon - granny, lawn bowler, tinpot dictator - who will stop at nothing to make sure her family’s protected. Unfortunately, most of the time the person they really need protecting from is her. When her hermit-like husband William (Mark Heap - Friday Night Dinner, Green Wing) unexpectedly dies, she makes an outlandish decision that will put the family under more pressure than ever before.

Here We Go

The third series will continue to follow the chaotic Jessops’ family as they navigate new jobs, love, loss and family gatherings. Mum Rachel (Katherine Parkinson) is starting her new life as a therapist. Paul (Jim Howick), now a police constable, continues his quest to gain the respect of his peers - and his kids. Uncle Robin (Tom Basden) and wife Cherry (Tori Allen-Martin) are busy with a new arrival, baby Atlas, while Amy (Freya Parks) is still figuring out life as a 20-something.

How Are You? with Alan Partridge

In his new documentary series - ‘And Did Those Feet… with Alan Partridge’ - we follow the beloved and, to be fair, revered broadcaster as he reintegrates into life in Britain after a year working in Saudi Arabia. But what begins as a documentary about homecoming soon morphs into something more personal as Alan realises that the happiness he thought he’d feel at being back in Norwich just hasn’t materialised. Something’s missing.

The Power Of Parker

It’s 1992, the Queen is in the midst of her annus horribilis, John Major is the new PM, and Whitney’s I Will Always Love You is stuck at number one. Up in Stockport, Kath (Sian Gibson), Martin (Conleth Hill) and Diane (Rosie Cavaliero) are just trying their best to get along.

Martin Parker has hit rock bottom and is desperate to get his reputation back, Diane is adjusting to single life and running a business, while Kath is getting her happily ever after with her man by her side and is working on rekindling a relationship with her sister.

Not Going Out

Lee Mack’s much loved, multi-award-winning studio sitcom will return for a new series on the BBC in 2025. Not Going Out is the UK’s longest running UK sitcom currently on air and recently joined an elite group of sitcom centenarians when the 100th episode aired during the BBC’s 2023 Christmas schedule.

Mammoth

In the seventies he was a carefree Cardiff bachelor, teaching PE and generally living la vida loca. In 2024, he thought the world would still be his oyster, but Mammoth never really liked oysters, he was more of a pint and a packet of crisps sort of bloke. All he wanted was his old life back; the same job, the same clothes, the same car and the same soundtrack.

Things You Should've Done

The series follows self-confessed stay-at-home daughter Chi, as she navigates her way through a list of 'Things You Should Have Done’ left by her late parents. Chi is forced to fend for herself and has to learn to juggle the demands of modern life whilst having to prepare for the arrival of her highly strung Auntie Karen’s (Selin Hizli) baby. Dave (Dan Fearne) and Lucas (Jamie Bisping) will also return as loveable father and son caught up in the chaos.

Dinosaur

Filmed and set in Glasgow, series one of Dinosaur followed Nina (Ashley Storrie), an autistic woman in her 30s who adored her life living with her sister and best friend Evie. However, when Evie rushed into an engagement after only six weeks and made Nina her maid of honour, Nina was floored. Forced to reconcile with her sister’s impulsive decision, Nina grappled with what this new challenge meant, which led to a surprising journey of self-discovery, saw her explore her own love interest and consider a move away from her hometown for a job promotion

Juice

Juice is a surreal comedy that follows Jamma (Mawaan Rizwan) on his quest for attention as he navigates chaotic family dynamics and literally stumbles through love. Mum, Farida (Shahnaz Rizwan), always makes everything about her, Dad, Saif (Jeff Mirza), ignores him and brother, Isaac (Nabhaan Rizwan), steals the limelight at work – the one place Jamma feels like he’s doing well. And when he finally does get the validation from boyfriend Guy (Russell Tovey), he can’t handle it. When Jamma’s emotions peak the world physically transforms around him.

Mandy

This series Mandy continues to live hand-to-wonky-mouth, cooking up enough dodgy side hustles and trashy cash hacks to hopefully climb up into the squeezed middle and out of the squashed bottom. Constantly harassed, pursued and persecuted by her benefits officer (Tom Basden), Mandy finds solace in her friend Lola’s (Michelle Greenidge) salon, drinking in the heady aroma of cheap bleach and Minty Pig nail polish.

Transmission details for all the titles mentioned above will be confirmed in due course.