The Reluctant Vampire: BBC Reveals First Look At Lenny Rush’s New Comedy From Eric Morecambe’s Books

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The BBC has released a first look clip and images for ‘The Reluctant Vampire‘, a new comedy based on the books by comedy legend Eric Morecambe, and written by Rob Gibbons and Neil Gibbons (Alan Partridge).

Produced by Boffola Pictures in co-production with ZDFneo, and filmed in Gloucestershire, the six-part comedy follows Val, played by Lenny Rush (Am I Being Unreasonable?), a young vampire with a rather inconvenient secret. Despite coming from a family of the great undead, Val is, in fact, very much alive.

That little problem becomes even more awkward when you consider his father Victor, played by Tom Davis (King Gary), has some very traditional vampire expectations for his son. Val is trying to explore his newly discovered human side, while navigating pressure from his old-school vampire dad, suspicion from his brother Vernon, played by Gabriel Nagy (Extra Geography), and not-always-helpful advice from doting mum Valeeta, played by Sian Clifford (Fleabag), who is the only family member who knows the truth about him.

Watching over the chaos from above are the castle’s gargoyles, voiced by Bill Bailey (Black Books) and Ross Noble (QI). In the newly released clip, introduced by Lenny Rush, viewers get a better look at the stone-faced onlookers, perched high above the fortress as they observe the comings and goings below. Think less silent architectural feature, more judgemental castle CCTV.

They are not the only unusual residents sharing space at the castle. Also lurking about the ancient keep are Wilf the Werewolf, played by Joe Wilkinson (After Life), and Igon, played by Asim Chaudhry (People Just Do Nothing), the much put-upon assistant to the vampire fang-ily. Because apparently even supernatural castles have staffing issues.

Meanwhile, over in the village, Charlie Cooper (This Country) plays John, who is ready to lead the locals in raising a little hell against the bloodsuckers. At home, he is supported by wife Susan, played by Esther Smith (Trying), and kept on his toes by daughter Gertie, played by Ellie-May Sheridan (Dodger), who forms a friendship with Val.

‘The Reluctant Vampire’ was commissioned for BBC iPlayer and BBC One by Jon Petrie, Director of Comedy Commissioning. The series is written by Rob Gibbons and Neil Gibbons, with Shane Allen executive producing. Ali Marlow serves as series producer, with Emily McDonald directing. Gary Morecambe is script consultant. The commissioning editors for the BBC are Ben Caudell and Navi Lamba, with Yi Qiao for ZDFneo. BBC Studios, which has a minority investment stake in Boffola Pictures, will handle global sales.

‘The Reluctant Vampire‘ does not yet have a premiere date but will air on BBC iPlayer and BBC One in the UK later this year. 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.