UKTV has commissioned a new comedy drama from Jason Cook, the award-winning writer behind BBC comedy Hebburn, for its comedy channel Gold.
Set on a guided tour coach trip to Blackpool, the two-part Murder on The Blackpool Express follows Terry, the despondent driver of the coach who’s stuck in a rut.
He has no goal or passions, apart from an unrequited love interest in tour organiser, Gemma. But everything changes when an OAP dies under suspicious circumstances and Terry suspects something sinister is afoot.
Soon the number of passengers has seriously dwindled and Terry feels compelled to solve the mystery and save Gemma’s business; hopefully winning her love in the process.
UKTV’s senior commissioning editor, Hilary Rosen, said: “We are delighted to be working with both Jason Cook, who has delivered a highly entertaining script, and Tiger Aspect, after the huge success of the award-winning Crackanory on Dave.
“Murder on The Blackpool Express provides a delicious twist to the murder mystery genre and shows our continued ambition to grow scripted comedy on Gold through a range of different durations and voices.”
The programme was ordered by Gold’s general manager, Steve North and UKTV’s director of commissioning, Richard Watsham, from Tiger Aspect.
North said: “With a raft of comic characters, large set pieces and a thrilling whodunnit twist, Murder on The Blackpool Express will provide an ambitious and truly unique offering for the Gold audience.
“Following an overwhelmingly positive response from viewers to new scripted comedies such as Marley’s Ghosts and The Rebel, we’re delighted to be announcing another cracking piece of brand-defining comedy for the channel.”
Andy Brereton, Tiger Aspect’s head of comedy entertainment and an executive producer on the project commented: “Working with the team at UKTV is always a pleasure.
“They’ve shown an unflinching passion for the excellent script written by Jason Cook and we’re all really looking forward to getting those passengers on a bus to Blackpool… and seeing who survives!”