David Mitchell and Robert Webb comedy series 'Back' commissioned

Back, an acerbic new comedy, written by Emmy-award winning Simon Blackwell (Veep, In The Loop, Peep Show) and starring the inimitable and award-winning David Mitchell and Robert Webb (Peep Show, That Mitchell and Webb Look) has been commissioned for a full 6 x 30 series for Channel 4 – it was announced today at Channel 4’s 2017 Upfront event. 
 
Stephen’s (David Mitchell) father, a local legend and pub landlord, has died so Stephen is set to – finally – take over the pub. Mum Ellen and sister Cass have no interest in the family business - they're 'creative', with weed to buy and energy-centres to rebalance. 

With his dad dead, it’s now Stephen’s chance to shine - his only achievements so far have been marriage (followed by divorce) and a slightly disappointing pub refurb. But when the charming Andrew (Robert Webb) turns up out of the blue at his dad’s funeral, Stephen’s plans go awry. Charismatic Andrew has lived in Sydney, Amsterdam, Chicago, the Loire valley and Berlin but crucially, spent five formative months in 1989 fostered by Laurie and Ellen as a 15-year-old. To Stephen, Andrew was just one of a string of 30-odd foster kids who he spent his childhood resenting. But Andrew remembers every single detail and sees that time as the most important of his life. 

Now Andrew's back, and keen to revisit the closest thing he's ever had to a family. Ellen loves Andrew. Cass loves Andrew. Even Laurie's erratic brother Uncle Geoff loves Andrew.

But Stephen doesn’t love Andrew. He thinks he’s a glib, dangerous sociopath who's about to steal his family, his business and his life.

David Mitchell said: “It’s great to be making a new show for Channel 4, a broadcaster which has always been huge supporter of new comedy, and with a writer of Simon Blackwell’s talent. And, in Simon Blackwell, we’ve found a writer of precisely Simon Blackwell’s talent. His writing is deep, dark, warm and funny – like a hot tub brimming with laughing gravy.”
 
Robert Webb added: "That sounds disgusting."

Writer Simon Blackwell said: "I always jump at the chance of writing for Robert and David. They are brilliant comic actors - funny and real. I can’t wait for us to start making this.”
 
Fiona McDermott, Commissioning Editor for Comedy, said: “David and Robert are part of the Channel 4 comedy family and it’s wonderful to welcome them back, in Back, with the brilliant Simon Blackwell at the helm. “

Kenton Allen, CEO Big Talk Productions added : "Good things come to those that wait and BACK is absolute proof of this. Simon, David and Robert are the Holy Trinity of British Comedy and it’s a rare privilege to be working with such exceptional comic minds."

Back has been commissioned for Channel 4 by Phil Clarke, Acting Head of Drama and Head of Comedy and Commissioning Editor for Comedy, Fiona McDermott. It is a That Mitchell & Webb Company production in association with Big Talk Productions.  Kenton Allen, David Mitchell, Robert Webb & Simon Blackwell are Executive Producers. International Distribution is with BBC Worldwide.  Big Talk is a part of ITV Studios.