Channel 4 Commissions New Scripted Comedy Big Boys

26 November 2020

Starring Dylan Llewellyn as a uni fresher, trying to find his tribe whilst still finding himself

Created and narrated by Jack Rooke.

Channel 4 has commissioned Big Boys, a new six-part comedy series from the award-winning Roughcut Television (Stath Lets Flats).

The funny and heart-breaking new comedy created, written and narrated by Jack Rooke centres on an unlikely friendship between sweet, shy, closeted Jack (Dylan Llewellyn, Derry Girls) and boisterous, laddish and ever-so-slightly mature student Danny (Jon Pointing, Plebs).

Jack has spent the past year at home with his wonderful, potty-mouthed mum. He’s been grieving for his father and she for her husband, but the time has now come for him to take his place at the local uni.

There he meets his roommate Danny as the pair are thrown together during Freshers week, watched over by an entirely over-enthusiastic Student Union head. Jack and Danny are at significantly different places on the spectrum of masculinity but closely bond during the inevitable chaos and frenzy of a first year.

Big Boys is based on comedy writer Jack Rooke’s award-winning live comedy shows 'Good Grief’, 'Happy Hour’ and ‘Love Letters’.

Jack Rooke, creator and writer said: “As a kid I‘d stay up late to sneakily watch something a bit ‘queer’ on Channel 4. I‘d ask Dad: ‘Why does that bloke have his face in that other bloke’s lap?’ and he’d grin and say, ‘They’re just having a fun time!!’ Now I am thrilled to have my first comedy series with Channel 4, writing and narrating Big Boys, based on the teen years after losing my dad with all the ups and downs of grief, sexual discovery, freshers’ week and making one very special best mate. (And I’ll be sure to include some of my own ‘fun times’ too!)”

Laura Riseam, Comedy Commissioning Executive for Channel 4 said: “We are delighted to be working with Jack and the team on Big Boys. Jack’s natural ability to find humour in grief brings a beautifully specific POV to something universal and important.  He has already had us in bits and we haven’t even started filming yet!”

Ash Atalla, Managing Director, Roughcut TV said: “Authenticity is so important and this story feels it could only be told by him, Jack is the real deal.  We can’t wait to film Big Boys; I hope it goes on to make Jack the famous monster I know he dreams of being.”

Jackie Edwards, Head of Young Audiences Content Fund, BFI said: “The Young Audiences Content Fund is beyond delighted to support Big Boys. It is a gorgeously funny original scripted comedy that definitively gives big laughs but is also a show with big heart – dealing, as it does, with themes such as bereavement and poor mental health with sensitivity and real warmth. It is a funny, heart-warming delight of a programme, and we’re so glad to be able to help bring such a brilliant and important series to young audiences.”

Big Boys, a Roughcut Television production, has been supported by the government-funded Young Audiences Content Fund, which is managed by the BFI and supports the creation of distinct, high-quality content for young audiences. It is created and written by Jack Rooke, executive produced by Ash Atalla and Alex Smith for Roughcut and commissioned by Fiona McDermott, head of Channel 4 Comedy and Laura Riseam, Comedy Commissioning Executive.

//ENDS//

 

For more information contact:

Georgie Hobbs,

Publicity Manager - Drama, Comedy & Acquisitions

GHobbs@Channel4.co.uk

 

About the BFI Young Audiences Content Fund

Managed by the BFI, the Young Audiences Content Fund (YACF) supports the creation of distinctive, high-quality content for audiences up to the age of 18. Up to £57 million over a three-year pilot, will support the creation of distinct, high-quality content for children and young audiences to be broadcast on free-to-access, Ofcom regulated television channels and online platforms.

Financed by UK Government as part of the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s Contestable Fund, the YACF aims to provide new avenues for creators of original content and bring new voices to the market, and back content which entertains, informs and reflects the experiences of young people growing up across the UK today. www.bfi.org.uk/yacf

The BFI is the UK’s lead organisation for film, television and the moving image. It is a cultural charity that:

·       Curates and presents the greatest international public programme of world cinema for audiences; in cinemas, at festivals and online

·       Cares for the BFI National Archive – the most significant film and television archive in the world

·       Actively seeks out and supports the next generation of filmmakers

·       Works with Government and industry to make the UK the most creatively exciting and prosperous place to make film internationally

Founded in 1933, the BFI is a registered charity governed by Royal Charter. The BFI Board of Governors is chaired by Josh Berger CBE.

 

About Roughcut TV

Roughcut Television is one of the UK’s fastest growing independent production companies, one of the biggest producers of scripted comedy the company is now expanding rapidly into drama with script commissions with Sky, BBC and ITV.  Established in 2007 by Ash Atalla and Tim Sealey, Roughcut TV is an outstanding comedy producer, creating and producing award-winning programming for all of the major broadcasters both in the UK and internationally. The company has been leading the comedy space with multi award-winning productions that include; STATH LETS FLATS (Channel 4), CUCKOO (BBC3), TROLLIED (SKY1) and PEOPLE JUST DO NOTHING (BBC3).  Post-production is underway on their feature film adaptation of the two-time BAFTA winning BBC comedy series, PEOPLE JUST DO NOTHING: BIG IN JAPAN, which is set for cinema release in summer 2021. Filming recently completed on the new six-part Sky original comedy BLOODS, starring Jane Horrocks and Samson Kayo. Three-time BAFTA award-winning STATH LETS FLATS has been commissioned for a third series on Channel 4 while series one is set to air in November 2020 on HBO MAX in the US.FOX is developing a US format of the show called BREN RENTS.  TROLLIED achieved record-breaking success premiering on SKY 1 as the highest-rated multichannel comedy launch in British TV history. Roughcut TV also made US-based multi-cam comedy I LIVE WITH MODELS (Comedy Central), HOSPITAL PEOPLE (BBC1), CARTERS GET RICH (SKY1) TOP COPPERS, a cop film spoof (BBC3) and WORLD’S CRAZIEST FOOLS (BBC3), starring Mr. T. In addition, Roughcut TV has made pilots for US formats of CUCKOO for NBC and PEOPLE JUST DO NOTHING for Amazon.