Six episodes following a successful pilot last year

The BBC has ordered a full series of Dinosaur, the sitcom starring stand-up Ashley Storrie as an autistic woman in her 30s whose life is turned upside-down when her sister and best friend rushes into an engagement after only six weeks.

Storrie, who is autistic, created the show with Matilda Curtis, and they are working alongside neurodiverse writers on the script.

Six new episodes have been commissioned for BBC Three and BBC Scotland following a successful pilot in 2021.

At that time,  she said: ‘Playing Nina was probably the most liberating thing that’s ever happened in my entire life.

‘A big part of my autism is "masking" but Nina just kind of wears it out there. That’s what I loved about her. When you’ve got autism, you spend so much time trying to hide it, which just takes up so much energy.’

Louise Thornton, head of commissioning for BBC Scotland, said: ‘We’re thrilled to be working with our network colleagues and Hulu to bring this original comedy script to life. BBC Scotland has been supporting Ashley on her broadcasting journey for a number of years now with a variety of projects and we’re delighted to see her now taking a leading role in both a performance and writing capacity alongside Matilda.It’s an exciting project and we can’t wait to see it hit the screens.’

The show is being produced by Two Brothers Pictures, who previously made Fleabag.

Executive producers Sarah Hammond and Daniel Walker said: ‘It is a joyful and hilarious comedy full of heart with a fresh perspective. Matilda and Ashley tell a heartfelt love story between two sisters that holds a mirror up to the inconsistencies of the neurotypical world. We can’t wait for Nina’s story to develop on screen.’

Both of the show’s creators have mothers in showbusiness. Curtis is the daughter of Downton Abbey star Elizabeth McGovern and Storrie’s mum is fellow stand-up Janey Godley, who has terminal cancer.

Dinosaur was one of several commissions announced by BBC director of comedy Jon Petrie at the Corporation’s comedy festival in Cardiff today.

Published: 24 May 2023