‘Meantime’ is heading to Sky, with James McAvoy (His Dark Materials, Split) set to lead the new six-part Sky Original series based on Frankie Boyle’s debut novel.
The darkly comic crime thriller comes from Boyle and Neil Webster, who have adapted the book for screen, with Jon S. Baird directing. Sky has also lined up a very strong supporting cast, including Jamie Michie (Back To Black), Benedict Wong (3 Body Problem), Christopher Eccleston (True Detective), Mark Bonnar (Guilt), Shauna MacDonald (The Descent), Shirley Henderson (Harry Potter) and Josette Simon (Bridgerton).
Set in Glasgow, ‘Meantime’ follows Felix McAveety, played by McAvoy, a full-time addict who finds himself under suspicion when his best friend is discovered murdered in a park. With the police viewing him as the easiest suspect, Felix sets out to clear his own name while battling paranoia, intoxication, and a rapidly worsening situation. Along the way, he teams up with an ageing former Detective Inspector turned crime novelist, played by Simon, and a chaotic friend played by Michie, as the trio plunge into the darker corners of contemporary Scotland.
Sky describes the show as a distinctly comic crime thriller, and it certainly sounds like it is aiming for something gritty, odd, and darkly funny in equal measure. Given the talent involved both in front of and behind the camera, it also feels like one of those projects that could become a big standout for Sky’s 2026 line-up.
The series is produced by Happy Tramp North and Expectation in association with Sky Studios. Boyle and Webster write the series, with Baird directing and Eric Coulter producing. Executive producers include Boyle, Webster, McAvoy, Baird, Coulter, Nerys Evans for Expectation, and Alex Moody for Sky.
‘Meantime’ does not yet have a premiere date but will air on Sky and NOW in the UK in 2027. If you want to keep track of this or any other shows, you can add them via our Never Miss system, and you’ll be notified when it gets a UK premiere date. Visit Never Miss.
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