Channel 4 Commissions New Apocalyptic Comedy 'Everyone Else Burns', Starring Simon Bird

5 May 2022

A JAX Media and Universal International Studios Production

Channel 4 has commissioned a new six-part comedy Everyone Else Burns from JAX Media and Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group. Everyone Else Burns explores life in a hyper-religious community and asks: how does an idiosyncratic family navigating modern day life protect themselves from eternal hell fire?

The series boasts an exciting ensemble cast led by Simon Bird (Friday Night Dinner, The Inbetweeners), and includes Kate O’Flynn (Landscapers, Death in Paradise), Amy James-Kelly (Gentleman Jack, The Bay, Safe), Lolly Adefope (Shrill, Chivalry, Feel Good), Al Roberts (Stath Lets Flats, Starstruck), Soph Galustian (Pedk’Eds), Harry Connor, Ali Khan (The School for Good and Evil, Halo), Lloyd Griffith (Ted Lasso, It’s a Sin), Kadiff Kirwan (This is Going to Hurt, I May Destroy You, Timewasters), Morgana Robinson (Newark, Newark, Taskmaster), Arsher Ali (Avenue 5, Funny Girl), Liam Williams (Pls Like, Ladhood), Kath Hughes (After Life, The Joy of Missing Out), and Seb Cardinal (The Witchfinder, Sally 4Ever).

Everyone Else Burns is a coming-of-age comedy about a Mancunian family and the puritanical Christian sect they are devoted to. Will patriarchal David Lewis (Bird) ever ascend the church ranks and become an Elder? Will dutiful wife Fiona (O’Flynn) deviate from her own dogmatic moral compass? Will their naïve 17-year-old daughter Rachel be allowed to go to university, and will 12-year-old son Aaron ever fend off his secular bullies? All could lead to damnation. Everyone Else Burns is a subversive, authentic and bitingly funny exploration into what it feels like to balance faith, family and identity in a world that could end tomorrow (but probably won't).

Everyone Else Burns is written by Dillon Mapletoft and Oliver Taylor, directed by Nick Collett (Maxx, Ghosts) and co-produced by JAX Media and Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group.  Executive producers include Jax Media’s Tony Hernandez and Brooke Posch. JAX Media’s Molly Seymour will produce the series.

Laura Riseam, Channel 4’s Commissioning Editor, said “Jax Media have made some of the most iconic comedy of recent years and we are so delighted to be working with them, Universal International Studios, Oli and Dillon on a project they are so passionate about.  We can’t wait for audiences to enter the pressure cooker of life with the Lewis family as they righteously try and defend the ideology and logic of a life of purity with the vices of the modern world encroaching fast.  It’s a glorious comedy trap; contemporary, relevant and very funny.”

Beatrice Springborn, President of Universal International Studios, said “Everyone Else Burns is an irreverent, hilarious and heart-warming series from the brilliant creative minds of Dillon and Oliver. We’re excited to be partnering with JAX Media and Channel 4 to bring this show to life.”

Brooke Posch, President of JAX Media said: “We are thrilled to announce our first JAX UK original from the brilliant minds of Dillon and Oliver and our partners at Universal International Studios. There is no better home than Channel 4 to champion such a brilliantly fresh and subversive comedy.”

Everyone Else Burns was commissioned for Channel 4 by Head of Comedy, Fiona McDermott and Commissioning Executive, Laura Riseam.

For more information please contact:

Mira Ryness, mryness@channel4.co.uk

Can Salahi, can.salahi@nbcuni.com

 

ABOUT UNIVERSAL INTERNATIONAL STUDIOS

Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group, delivers award-winning content to millions across the globe. Based in London, the business' in-house production labels include Carnival Films, creator of worldwide phenomenon "Downton Abbey" and hit drama "The Last Kingdom"; Monkey Kingdom, producer of BAFTA-winning "Made in Chelsea", "The Real Housewives of Cheshire" and "Jersey, UK" and "Don't Hate the Playaz"; Australian-based Matchbox Pictures, producer of critically acclaimed series "The Real Housewives of Melbourne", "Safe Harbour", "Stateless" and "Clickbait"; Working Title Television, producer of "Tales of the City", BAFTA-winning "We Are Lady Parts" and upcoming series "Everything I Know About Love"; and Heyday Television, producer of award-winning series "The Long Song", "The Capture" and "Clickbait", plus the upcoming adaptation of "Apples Never Fall". The studio also backs Tony Ayres Productions (TAP), the company also behind "Clickbait" and anthology series "Fires"; and owns an equity stake in Lark Productions ("The Glass Hotel") in Canada. The studio houses a London and LA-based scripted unit that develops and produces original series such as the Emmy-nominated television adaptation "Hanna" and BBC family adventure drama "Dodger", as well as hit shows such as "Transplant" (Sphere Media/CTV/NBC) and the upcoming cyber-thriller "The Undeclared War" (Playground Entertainment/Channel 4/Peacock). Universal International Studios also houses NBCUniversal Formats, bringing a diverse slate of scripted and unscripted formats to the global market.

 

ABOUT JAX MEDIA

Founded in 2011, JAX Media is a television and film production juggernaut with offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, and Atlanta. JAX Media has created a production model that allows talent to preserve their creative vision, and the results have been answered with awards and critical acclaim. They provide comprehensive production from development through the post with a highly experienced in-house team who expertly implements the unique JAX model that has proven itself as a success for studios, networks, and creatives alike.

 

JAX Media is behind numerous projects, including the smash hit “Emily in Paris,” the Emmy-winning “Russian Doll,” both for Netflix, as well as the Emmy-nominated “Black Lady Sketch Show” for HBO, cult hits “Search Party” for HBO Max and “Broad City” for Comedy Central. JAX Media is currently producing the upcoming romantic action-comedy “Wedding Season” for Disney+, “Hello, Jack! The Kindest Show” for Apple, starring Jack McBrayer, the Searchlight film Fire Island, starring Joel Kim Booster and Bowen Yang, and the new Darren Star series “Uncoupled” for Netflix, starring Neil Patrick Harris. JAX Media produces “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee” for TBS and “Desus & Mero” for Showtime. JAX Media has been a part of numerous award-winning stand-up specials from some of the biggest names in comedy, including Chris Rock, Amy Schumer, John Mulaney, Ray Romano, Mike Birbiglia, and more. JAX Media currently has over 20 projects in production and has been nominated for 86 Emmy awards, with ten wins.