Opposite Schitt’s Creek actor Dustin Milligan

Comedian Diona Doherty and Schitt’s Creek actor Dustin Milligan are to co-star in a new BBC romcom.

Committed follows Canadian Peter Hooley (Milligan), a recently divorced accountant, who falls head over heels for Northern Ireland woman Julie Johnston (Doherty) after a whirlwind weekend in Toronto.

He crosses the Atlantic to declare his love, only to discover he's landed in an old-fashioned and eccentric rural Northern Ireland village that's nothing like he imagined.

The show is being shot in County Down and Hamilton, Ontario and jasper been commissioned jointly by BBC Northern Ireland and Canada’s CBC. It is slated to premiere in Canada in winter 2027 and on the BBC around the same time. 

Sally Catto, general manager of programming at CBC said: ‘Committed offers a classic fish-out-of-water comedy intertwined with a unique love story that follows the all too human aftermath of a grand romantic gesture, rather than the build-up to it.  We know the show will connect with audiences in Canada and around the world thanks to its heart and authenticity.’

Jason Butler, BBC Northern Ireland cCommissioning editor says: ‘Audiences are going to fall in love with this bold new comedy series. We’ve a brilliant cast that viewers will be familiar with on both sides of the Atlantic – we’re delighted to welcome Dustin to these shores starring alongside our own Diona Doherty.

"And it’s fantastic for BBC Northern Ireland to link up with CBC on this innovative project helping to further develop and support the creative industry here and to bring a flavour of our Northern Ireland humour to comedy fans further afield.’

Milligan is known for playing Jack Snowman in Hot Frosty, Ted Mullens on Schitt's Creek and Ethan Ward on 90210, while Doherty has had roles in Derry Girls and Blue Lights as well as her stand-ip work.

Also in the cast of Committed are Ian McElhinney, Dan Gordon, Muki Zubis Seamus O’Hara, Patrick Buchanan, Chris McCurry, Athena Karkanis and Georgie Murphy.

The show is being made by by Cameron Pictures and Fabel Productions.

Amy Cameron, co-founder of the company that bears her name, said: ‘Committed brings together so many of the elements we value in great television: sharp writing, memorable characters and a story that bridges cultures in a genuinely entertaining way.’

And Keith Martin of Fabel Productions says: ‘To make a comedy from this part of this island with all its quirks, huge hearts and ugly-beautiful glory is a career highlight. We’re so excited to share our abrasive but loveable, odd folk and their daft wee community with the world.

‘Wait until you see our amazingly talented Canadian and beloved homegrown cast. A dream!’

The logline for the show says: ‘Committed is a Romantic Comedy about what happens in a relationship after the grand gesture, when real life barges in. At its core, the series explores what it means to step outside your comfort zone—and how people who are very different from you can make life far more interesting than you planned.’

Published: 23 Apr 2026