Gwed features new talent on screen and off

ITV has commissioned a new comedy based around working-class teenagers in Liverpool.

The broadcaster has ordered six half-hour episodes of G’wed, a series created by Danny Kenny, a Liverpudlian writer new to TV.

He said: ‘Being from a working-class background I’m fascinated by how your upbringing can shape you, so it’s really important to me that the show challenges stereotypes, I want each character to constantly surprise, reflecting a more genuine and well-rounded take on the people of Liverpool.’

The show  is described as an ‘uplifting, heart-warming and hilarious portrayal of teenagers today’ as well as  tackling big issues like grief, sex, diversity and class differences.

It revolves around anti-hero Reece, ‘a superficially misbehaving, potty-mouthed lad, who constantly surprises, whether that be quoting Mother Teresa, his knowledge of the work of John Steinbeck or his mature take on grief.  Another character, Aimee, also pictured above, is described as ‘ferociously determined, go-getting and emotionally mature’.

ITV’s head of comedy, Nana Hughes said: "G’wed sees an extremely exciting group of new talent hit our screens, most of whom will be seen for the first time. Danny captures youthful working class banter perfectly.’

The series will start filming in and around Liverpool over the summer and launch on streaming service ITVX next year.

It is being  produced by London-based Golden Path Productions, whose founder Mario Stylianides said: ‘Danny’s brilliant scripts gave us the tools to start the search to find the very best new acting talent in Liverpool.

‘Guided by casting director Harry Gilbert, we undertook a long and thorough casting process and we uncovered some amazing new actors. We are so excited to start filming with them in the summer and can’t wait to show them off to the world.’

ITVX has released this video, explaining to non-Scousers how to pronounced G’wed, and what it means – as well as featuring a teaser scene featuring the show’s main characters:

Stylianides - a former head of comedy at Hat Trick productions, whose previous credits include Fonejacker and The Worst Week Of My Life – will also act as executive producer.

Published: 2 May 2023