Flowers blooms at Channel 4 with second series
Category: News Release
“This isn't genre comedy. If you're into Mrs Brown's Boys … look elsewhere.” Vice
Channel 4 today confirms that Will Sharpe’s Flowers will return for a much anticipated second 6 x 30 series, in association with US comedy streaming channel Seeso.
The acclaimed show, which aired over five consecutive nights on Channel 4 in spring 2016, introduced the world to the eccentric Flowers family – Maurice, Deborah and the twins – and was praised for its startling originality and seamless shifts from the profane to the profound in an ostensibly traditional family sitcom setting.
Deborah (Olivia Colman, Broadchurch, Fleabag) and Maurice (Julian Barratt, The Mighty Boosh, Mindhorn) are looking at a new era of their marriage and whether they can survive the challenges laid bare in series one; Maurice’s suicide attempt, Deborah’s infidelity, their grown-up twins’ inheritance of their parents’ emotional foibles. For series two the Flowers’ twins Donald (Daniel Rigby, Black Mirror, Eric and Ernie) and Amy (Sophia di Martino, The Darkest Universe, Friday Night Dinner) – whose arrested development was a major part of series one - are now forging their own futures amongst the fallout of their parent's complicated love and their own new enterprises. Meanwhile, Shun's unofficial role as Flowers factotum grows ever more convoluted.
Can they survive the next chapter of romantically and mentally epic challenges in the spiral that promises to plague the generations of the Flowers family?
Deputy Head of Comedy Nerys Evans, who commissioned the show for Channel 4 said: “Covering deeply complex issues like fidelity, mental health, sexuality and fraying family bonds, Will Sharpe’s hilariously awkward and heart-breaking show offers another unmissable look at the Flowers’ messed up world. Will’s scripts and the show’s perfect cast are so brilliant at making you wail with laughter one minute, and well up the next. I couldn’t be more excited for the family’s return to Channel 4.”
Will Sharpe, who created, writes, directs, and plays Shun in the show said: “Channel 4, Kudos, Seeso and Naomi de Pear have all been such supportive partners on this show and I'm very excited about working with them on another series of Flowers. We are looking forward to spending time with these characters again and are already making plans about how to make the most of this opportunity to see a new chapter in their lives.''
Naomi de Pear, Executive Producer said: “There's so much more pain and silliness to mine in the lives of the Flower family. I feel very lucky to be plotting the next era of tragicomedy for this dysfunctional and soulful bunch with the ridiculously poly-talented visionary Will Sharpe. And proud that it will be the first production I make at my new label.”
Diederick Santer, Executive Producer for Kudos said: “We're so pleased that C4 and Seeso are wanting more of Will's truly unique show, and can’t wait to make it.''
Evan Shapiro, Head of Seeso said: "The Flowers are perhaps the most unique family on TV. It is wonderful to be working with the outrageously talented Will Sharpe, the spectacular cast, and our generous partners to bring them back."
Flowers was commissioned by Nerys Evans, Deputy Head of Comedy and Phil Clarke, Acting Head of Drama & Head of Comedy for Channel 4 in association with NBCUniversal's Digital Enterprises’ comedy streaming platform Seeso (Evan Shapiro, Kelsey Balance and Dan Kerstetter). It will be executive produced by Naomi de Pear within her new label being launched at Sister Pictures and Diederick Santer for Kudos (Utopia, Broadchurch, The Hour, Life on Mars, Spooks) and will film in 2017. The series will be distributed by Endemol Shine International.
Praise for the first series of Flowers:
“One of the most singular small-screen visions in a long time” The Telegraph
“It is unlikely you will have seen anything like before…originality on this scale is amazing” The Times
“Gloriously dark, rich and imaginative, bold, challenging and startling, it's... like nothing else at all.'' The Guardian
“Watercooler television” The Sunday Times
“Deliciously dark” Daily Mail
“Jolts you from tears to laughter in the space of a minute …I loved Flowers” Radio Times online