Mitchell and Webb ‘Back’ In New Sitcom From Simon Blackwell
David Mitchell and Robert Webb are reteaming with Channel 4 for a brand new sitcom called BACK it has been announced. Written by Emmy-award winning Simon Blackwell (Veep, In The Loop, Peep Show), the first season of 6 x 30 min episodes will land in 2017.
Mitchell stars as Stephen, whose father Laurie was a local legend and pub landlord. When Laurie dies, it means Stephen is finally set to take over the pub. Mum Ellen and sister Cass have no interest in the family business – they’re ‘creative types’, so have ‘weed to buy’, and ‘energy-centres to rebalance’… Stephen sees this as his 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 (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.
“It’s great to be making a new show for Channel 4,” comments Mitchell “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.”
“…That sounds disgusting.” adds Webb.
BACK is set to air on Channel 4 in 2017.
