With Dawn French, Richard Ayoade and a host of local talent

Three new comedy shorts are coming to BBC One Wales and iPlayer.

Dawn French and Richard Ayoade feature in one animated short in the series, which otherwise aims to showcase Welsh talent.

The films  – along with psychological horror called Phantasmagoria – will drop on iPlayer on Friday.

Nick Andrews, head of commissioning for BBC Cymru Wales, said: ‘We have a strong track record in taking creative risks and piloting distinctive content for Wales. The four production companies are to be commended for developing and producing four unique and highly original films, each with its own distinct voice and style. We are so proud to have provided this exciting opportunity and platform for Welsh creatives.’

The shorts, and their official descriptions, are:

Hard Shoulder

Eric is not your average car mechanic. He can do both: fix your car and your life, whether you want him to or not. But with his boss on his back, he's under pressure to focus on the job he's actually paid to do, get through repairs quickly, and boost his numbers. It will require more action than conversation, but can Eric resist the urge to solve people's problems as well as their cars?

This warm, playful comedy, picture above, stars Owain Arthur and Tom Bennett. It is written by Cardiff-based Paul Allen and directed by Matt Lipsey for Hartswood Films.

Zooport

When Dav, a Bafta-winning-filmmaker, is hit by an industry scandal, he returns to his hometown of Newport in a bid to rescue his career. Instead, he's plunged into a whirlwind of past mistakes from unresolved history with an ex, to a volatile reunion with his former best friend and a bizarre new home life featuring a brooding Ukrainian refugee and Dav's extremely available mother.

Zooport is a comedy drama about identity and the complicated relationships we all have with the place we call 'home', starring Jim Caesar, Carly-Sophia Davies and Rakie Ayola. It was written, created and directed by Darragh Mortell for 5 Acts Films.

Fallen Angel

Meet Angel - celebrated show dog, canine brand ambassador and narcissistic superstar. When an unfortunate run-in with a bus shatters her back legs and career prospects, Angel is cast out by her money-hungry owners and destined for destruction. Having come crashing down to Earth, Angel is now forced to fend for herself. With the help of the oversized greyhound next door, she must fight to escape her certain fate and regain her former glory.

Fallen Angel is a star-studded adult animated comedy from Cliff Edge Pictures, written and directed by Craig Roberts and Josh Hicks, and featuring the voices of Craig Roberts, Rhys Ifans, Morfydd Clark, Dawn French and Richard Ayoade.

The films will all air on BBC One Wales, starting at 11.50pm on Friday with Phantasmagoria, about a nepo baby pop star ‘hiding a secret that could shatter her carefully curated image’ created, written by and starring sisters Hanna and Mared Jarman. 

Hard Shouder goes out at 11.55pm on November 6.

Published: 26 Oct 2026