Series to showcase new talent

BBC Northern Ireland has commissioned five new comedy shorts, which will drop on iPlayer on October 7.

The sketches,  from Nice One Productions, will also air weekly on BBC One Northern Ireland, starting the same day.

Executive producer Chris Jones said: ‘It’s probably never been more challenging to be in the business of making new TV comedy - but with the new writing and performing talent in these shorts , I believe our producer Jason Butler has uncovered authentic and refreshingly funny local comedy gems for the future.’

Here are the summaries:

The Frick: West Belfast woman Pepper is delivering Chinese food, when she realises she lost her suddenly posh bestie Eve because she gives her the friendship ‘ick, or ‘frick’. Written by Claire Rafferty and Michael Elliott, with performances from Claire Rafferty, Niamh McGrady and Tracey Lynch.

The Spar: Tommy and Tyrone are two Belfast boxers in need of some quick cash, so a paid sparring gig set up by their manager sounds perfect. That is until the other fighter is revealed. He’s an absolute ​beast who far outclasses Tyrone in size and weight. Written by and starring Tommy McCarthy and Tyrone McKenna and also featuring Dan Gordon and Abdul Seesay.

How's She Cuttin’? Claire is a single woman living in rural Northern Ireland and in desperate need of a date for her cousin’s wedding so he devises the perfect plan to pull the farmer of her dreams at a cattle mart?  Written by and starring Claire Corrigan,it also stars Charlotte Turnbull and Padraig Ryan.

Country Rogues: Cousins Caoimhe and Dara make up a mismatched country music band. She’s got stress-induced anxiety and an addiction to energy drinks, he’s got Down’s Syndrome and illegal fireworks.  Written by Eoin Cleland and PJ Hart, and performed by Eimer Bailie, Chris Patrick Simpson, and  James Martin.

Lightbulb Moment: OCD sufferer Bee, tells her sceptical Mum the reason she repeats actions in sets of four is because she believes that, if she doesn’t her Mum will die. Written by and starring Bronagh Diamond, it also features Cathy Brennan-Bradley and Dan Gordon.

Published: 27 Sep 2024