Dawn French and Mark Heap sitcom coming to BBC One next year

The first pictures have been released for the new Dawn French and Mark Heap comedy Can You Keep a Secret?

The six-part series apparently inspired by the case of ‘canoe man’ John Darwin –   the ex-teacher who faked his death in a canoeing accident – has been written by Simon Mayhew-Archer, the producer of This Country.

In it, French plays widow Debbie Fendon, described as a ‘granny, lawn bowler and tinpot dictator who will stop at nothing to make sure her family’s protected. Unfortunately, most of the time the person they really need protecting from is her’.

When her hermit-like husband William, played by Friday Night Dinner’s Heap, is mistakenly declared dead, they decide he should hide in the loft waiting for the life insurance to pay out.

Craig Roberts plays their easily frazzled son Harry and Mandip Gill their daughter Neha, who also happens to be a police officer.

The series was filmed in the  West Country earlier this year and will air on BBC iPlayer and BBC One in early 2026.

Made by: Big Talk Studios, Mayhay Studios and CBS Studios
Written and created by: Simon Mayhew-Archer
Producers: Lauriel Martin and Joe Scantlebury,
Director: Simon Hynd
Executive producers: Kenton Allen, Simon Mayhew-Archer, Dawn French and Toby Welch
Commissioned by: Jon Petrie, director of BBC comedy
Commissioning editor: Tanya Qureshi

Published: 19 Nov 2025