Broadcaster picks up Rufus Jones's Home

Channel 4 has ordered a new sitcom based on the life of a Syrian refugee who enters Britain illegally to claim asylum.

 The show, Home,  has been written by W1A’s Rufus Jones, who stars as John, who returns from a family trip to France to finds Sami has stowed away in the boot of his car.

Jones said: ‘I'm made up that Channel 4 have allowed me to tell this story, alongside a very special cast and crew.  It has become something of a passion project.

‘If you're only going to invite one refugee into your house this year, make it this one. Actually, make it a real one, then this one. Thanks.’

The six-part series follows a short pilot released as a Comedy Blap last year. That starred Raised by Wolves’s Rebekah Staton as John’s wife Katy, but casting for the full series has not yet been finalised.

Fiona McDermott, Channel 4‘s head of comedy, said: ‘Home got us with its heart and conviction to tell an important story about family, strangers, identity and the fragile ties that both bind us and pull us apart.  It’s full of warmth, boldness and characters we hope viewers will really take to their hearts.’

The show is being produced by Adam Tandy, who also produced Inside No 9, Detectorists and League Of Gentlemen, through his company Jantaculum, alongside Channel X.

Published: 7 Jun 2018