BBC orders a maternity unit sitcom created by Jessica Knappett

The BBC has commissioned a new sitcom from Jessica Knappett, set in the maternity unit of a small rural hospital in West Yorkshire.

The ensemble comedy is described as a ‘laugh-out-loud celebration of the chaotic, high-stakes reality of pulling off a miracle several times a day’ as it follows a team of NHS midwives trying to keep their act together while things around them are falling apart.

Taskmaster star Knappett, who created the E4 sitcom Drifters in 2013, said: ‘It is an absolute joy and an immense privilege to be given the extraordinarily rare opportunity to make a sitcom and – not that I like to put pressure on myself – I do see it as almost a matter of public service to make this the best it can be.

‘The NHS is a marvel to me and ever since I gave birth to my own children, I knew I wanted to birth a show about midwives. Thankfully, this process has been a lot less painful and I didn’t need stitches.’

Jon Petrie, the BBC’s director of comedy, added: ‘We’ve been looking for a high joke rate workplace comedy for a while now, and with Push it feels like Jess and the team have really delivered. Months in the making, full of warmth, friendship and sharp writing. We can’t wait to bring it into the world.’ 

Push is the first commission from the BBC Comedy Sitcom Project,  which funded six writers’ rooms to speed up the process of developing a mainstream BBC One sitcom. 

As showrunner, Knappett headed a writers’ room of both established and new talent to come up with the six half-hour scripts.

Executive producer Jack Bayles said: ‘It’s been a total joy to see this very special project come to life. Jess has maintained an incredibly clear vision, and with the team around her she has pulled together a brilliantly funny show with effortless charm, bags of heart, and a cast of characters as richly diverse as the NHS itself. 

‘The support from the writers’ room initiative has really helped to develop something fully formed and ready to drop. Pun intended!’

Full casting and broadcast details will be announced later.

Created and written by: Jessica Knappett
Made by: Various Artists Limited 
Producer: Helen Williams
Executive producers: Jack Bayles, Phil Clarke and Jessica Knappett
Commissioned by: Jon Petrie, director of BBC comedy
Commissioning editors:  Gregor Sharp and Roya Eslami

Published: 7 Oct 2025