Dawn French and Mark Heap to star in new comedy sitcom
And it's by the same director as hit series Motherland
Comedy royalty, Dawn French, and Friday Night Dinner favourite, Mark Heap, are set to join forces for a new BBC sitcom, by the same director as hit series, Motherland. Can You Keep a Secret will follow the life of Debbie Fenton (Dawn French) as she hilariously navigates tough decisions in life and death.
Mark Heap (best known for his performance as Friday Night Dinner's annoying neighbour, Jim) stars as Debbie's husband William, who finds himself mistakenly declared dead. Cue scenes with William hiding in the loft, waiting for a life insurance pay-out. Written and created by Simon Mayhew-Archer (This Country) and directed by Simon Hynd (Ghosts, Motherland), it's guaranteed to be brilliant.
"The two retirees found themselves staring down the barrel of an opportunity too good to pass up," says the BBC. "Just a few months hiding out in the loft waiting for the life insurance to pay out and then they can live out their golden years in peace.
"This all proves a bit much for their easily frazzled son Harry. Reunited with a dad he’s just buried and the reality that his parents have turned into a pensioner version of Bonnie and Clyde, Harry suddenly has a lot more to juggle. Sandwiched between two generations of toddlers, Harry finds himself navigating a very common stage of life - only this time, it’s criminal."
Dawn French (The Vicar of Dibley, French and Saunders) said: "At last...a sitcom where I can keep my top on...mostly," while Kenton Allen, Executive Producer and CEO Big Talk Studios, said: “Working with Dawn French has been a career-long ambition and to have her inimitable comedic brilliance join forces with the extraordinary Mark Heap and the Simons - Simon Mayhew-Archer and Simon Hynd - is every producer’s dream. We’re delighted to welcome such talented creative minds into the Big Talk family and can’t wait for viewers to see this highly original family comedy in all its glory.”
When will Can You Keep a Secret be on screens?
The BBC hasn't yet announced a release date - stating instead that 'further details will be announced in due course'. It's set for BBC iPlayer and BBC One.
How many episodes will there be?
Can You Keep a Secret will be made up of six episodes.
Where is Can You Keep a Secret set?
It's set in the West Country .
Take a look at what else we're looking forward to arriving on our screens:
Married At First Sight UK
Following the Australian version earlier this year, fans are gearing up for the 2024 UK series of Married At First Sight. After filming took place earlier this year, the series is set to begin on Monday 16th September.
My Mum, Your Dad
Davina McCall is set to return to help play matchmaker for some middle-aged singletons on series two of My Mum, Your Dad. It's understood the series will begin on 16th September 2024.
The Great British Bake Off
After Matty Egdell won the show last year, Bake Off is set to return once again this September, with a whole host of new aspiring bakers trying to impress Prue and Paul! The new series will begin on Tuesday 26th September.
Strictly Come Dancing
Despite the recent controversy surrounding the show, BBC bosses have confirmed the 20th anniversary series of Strictly Come Dancing will go ahead, and the line-up was announced in August! It's understood Strictly will begin on Saturday 21st September.
Waterloo Road
Series 14 of hit school drama Waterloo Road is set to return to BBC One in September! Since the show's revival in 2023, it's been very popular with fans, with Jason Manford joining the cast for the upcoming new series.
Heartstopper
After production started in 2023, in March 2024, Netflix bosses confirmed the third series of Heartstopper will land on 3rd October this year!
Squid Game
Another roaring Netflix success, Squid Game had us all hooked when it was released in 2021. Breaking records and topping streaming charts, the show proved incredibly popular and after THAT ending, left us all wanting more.
Show creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has confirmed that season two is officially happening, and now the third and final season has been announced for 2025. In July 2024, Netflix bosses confirmed series two will land on 26th December 2024.
Big Brother
Following the first rebooted series in 2023, ITV/STV bosses were quick to renew reality series Big Brother for a second instalment! It's understood series two will land in October!
Stranger Things
Netflix bosses confirmed in January 2023 that the fifth and final series of Stranger Things had officially started production! Despite this, there's still no word yet on a release date.
The Night Agent
After series one was Netflix's most-watched show of 2023, bosses were quick to commission The Night Agent for a second series, which is due out in 2024. Although we don't have an official start date just yet, in February, bosses confirmed production had started!
Gavin & Stacey
Five years after THAT cliffhanger ending of the last Gavin & Stacey Christmas special, Ruth Jones and James Corden have now confirmed they've written another Christmas special for 2024! Sharing the news in May, the pair confirmed the brand new episode will air on Christmas Day.
Outnumbered
BBC bosses confirmed in May that award-winning comedy Outnumbered will return for a brand new Christmas special in 2024! The original cast Hugh Dennis, Claire Skinner, Tyger Drew-Honey, Daniel Roche and Ramona Marquez will all reprise their roles. The special is expected to air on Christmas Day.
Hijack
Following series one back in June 2023, Apple TV bosses have now confirmed Idris Elba will return for a second series of Hijack! No plot or start date has been announced just yet, but reports are rife that production will begin soon.
Unforgotten
Following the tense ending to series five in April 2023, ITV/STV bosses were quick to reveal drama series Unforgotten had been commissioned for a sixth series. Filming started in March 2024, so we imagine the new episodes could land later in the year.
Black Mirror
In March 2024, Netflix bosses revealed a seventh series of Black Mirror will land in 2025, with one of the episodes set to be a sequel to series four episode USS Callister. No official date has been announced just yet.
Gladiators
Following the hugely successful first series, BBC bosses were quick to announce Gladiators had been commissioned for a second series! Although there's no official start date, filming took place in August, which also included a celebrity special!
The Bay
ITV/STV drama The Bay was immediately renewed for a fifth series, following the fourth in 2023. Marsha Thomason is set to reprise her role as DS Jenn Townsend. Although there's no start date just yet, filming wrapped in July 2024.
Deal or No Deal
Deal or No Deal was one of the most successful reboots of 2023, so it's no shock bosses were quick to renew the show for a second series. Applications for series two are open now, with Stephen Mulhern expected to return later this year.
I'm A Celeb
It is the show we all look forward to towards the end of the year, and this year is no different! Ant and Dec are set to head over to Australia alongside more brave celebs for the 2024 series of I'm A Celeb. The popular entertainment show usually begins in November.
Dancing On Ice
Stephen Mulhern and Holly Willoughby are set to return in early 2025 for a brand new series of Dancing On Ice. Which celebs will sign up this time round?
Race Across The World
Series four of Race Across The World was one of the BBC's most popular shows of the year, and they were quick to renew the show for a fifth series. With applications closing in May this year, we suspect the show will air around Spring 2025.
The Traitors
Following that tense final of The Traitors series two earlier this year, fans cannot wait for the return of the show, with series three expected in early 2024. In August 2024, BBC bosses also announced the show had been renewed for a fourth series, with filming set to begin in 2025.
Love Is Blind: UK
Following the successful first series of Love Is Blind: UK, with hosts Matt and Emma Willis, Netflix have now confirmed the series has been renewed for a second instalment! Applications are open now, with series two set to air in 2025.
Red Eye
ITV/STV crime drama Red Eye become one of the station's biggest shows in 2024, so it's no surprise it was commissioned for a second series. Filming is due to begin in 2025, but there's no word on any release date just yet.
Now read:
Further casting confirmed for new drama I Fought The Law with Sheridan Smith
Start date revealed for Gogglebox series 24
Freddy Brazier leaves Celeb Race Across The World viewers in tears