NEWARK, NEWARK: MORGANA ROBINSON & MATHEW HORNE TO STAR IN NEW UKTV COMEDY

The nation's favourite comedy channel Gold continues to expand its scripted comedy offering, with the brand-new commission Newark, Newark.

Morgana Robinson (The Windsors) will take the lead role of Maxine, alongside Mathew Horne (Gavin & Stacey) as Terry and Nina Wadia (The Sandman) as Heather.

The series also stars Jai Hollis (Ruth & Safiya) as Leslie, Saskia Chana (The Bisexual) as Claire, Jessie Mae Alonzo (Little Joe) as Amber, and Vahid Gold (Emerald City) as Rudy.

Creator and writer Nathan Foad said: "Making Newark, Newark is my wildest dream come true. If I could go back in time and tell my teenage self anything, I'd look him straight in his chubby little face and I'd say "Growing up different in this town might not be easy, but one day they're gonna let you make a TV show about it. Also, learn to breathe through your nose."

"I'd like to thank Balloon Entertainment, UKTV and our phenomenal cast and crew - I think we might be making something a bit special."

Newark, Newark is set in the small working class market town in the East Midlands and follows pugnacious chip shop manager and exhausted matriarch, Maxine, as she tries to ride out her divorce and find someone who actually lights her fire.

UKTV's Sarah Asante said: "I'm thrilled to be working with Balloon Entertainment on my first commission for Gold. Nathan has written three incredibly funny scripts and the fact that it's a semi-autobiographical story adds a wonderful warmth, authenticity and distinctive voice to this family sitcom."

Producer, Dave Evans comments: "Making Nathan's first series is a pleasure and a privilege with scripts as extraordinary as our cast. We love this show, we love this town, and we cannot wait to share Maxine and Leslie's trials and tribulations with the world - and eat a lot of chips."

Newark, Newark will air on Gold in early 2022.