The BBC and Wonder Project have released a batch of first-look images from Hannah McClean (Blue Lights) and comedian Vittorio Angelone‘s new sitcom, ‘Rewarding‘, which is heading to screens this autumn. The six-part Northern Irish comedy follows two support workers trying to do their best for their clients, while occasionally struggling to put up with each other!
Set in the world of social care, ‘Rewarding’ follows Francis (Vittorio Angelone) and Sinead (Hannah McClean), two support workers who approach their jobs from rather different directions.
Sinead is the enthusiastic newcomer, armed with seemingly endless positivity, idealism and a determination to make a difference. Francis, meanwhile, has been doing the job long enough to know that reality rarely cooperates with even the best intentions. He’s practical, pragmatic and considerably less optimistic about pretty much everything.
As you might imagine, pairing an unstoppable force of positivity with an immovable object of cynicism makes for some interesting working relationships. And while they’re both committed to looking after their clients, looking after each other might be a considerably bigger challenge.
The newly released photos give us our first proper look at the pair in action, including one image of Francis and Sinead sitting on the end of a bed, surrounded by children’s drawings and some rather enthusiastic crayon artwork on the walls. Another sees Francis looking distinctly uncertain about whatever situation he’s found himself in, which may well become a recurring expression.
For stand-up comedian Vittorio Angelone, the series marks his first major acting role. He previously played Francis in the original short pilot, while Hannah McClean, who viewers may recognise from Blue Lights, takes over the role of Sinead for the full series.
Meet The Rest Of The Cast
Of course, Francis and Sinead aren’t the only people navigating the daily challenges of care work.
The supporting cast includes Bernadette Brown (Say Nothing) as Fidelma, Joanne Crawford (Blue Lights) as Nicola, and Fáolan Morgan (Art Detectives, Hope Street) as Cyril, all of whom work within the care system.
They are joined by the people receiving their care, including Cal, played by Lee Snodgrass, who made his acting debut in the original ‘Rewarding’ pilot; Martina, played by Faith Alabi (Industry); and Joe, played by John Moffat, making his first television acting appearance.
The first-look images also introduce several of these characters, including Nicola and Sinead looking rather surprised outside a house, Fidelma seemingly caught off guard at a dining table, and Cal looking considerably happier about whatever is happening around him.
Importantly, the series features disabled, neurodivergent and learning disabled performers in key roles, drawing on lived experiences to help ensure its portrayal of social care feels authentic.
It’s an interesting setting for a workplace comedy, particularly as social care is a world rarely explored through the sitcom format. There should be plenty of room for humour in the daily frustrations, awkward situations and clashing personalities, alongside some genuinely touching moments. After all, dealing with other people is often the hardest part of any job, even when dealing with people is quite literally your job.
From Short Film To Full BBC Series
‘Rewarding’ has already had quite a journey to reach television.
The comedy began life as a short pilot developed through BBC Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen’s Green Lit scheme, which was created to support emerging talent in writing, directing, producing and acting across Northern Ireland.
Three short scripted films were selected for broadcast in 2025, with ‘Rewarding’ proving successful enough to earn a full six-part commission, with each episode running for 30 minutes.
The sitcom is produced by Conker Pictures, part of Banijay UK, with support from Northern Ireland Screen. It was filmed in Belfast and has been developed in partnership with Wonder Project, the independent studio and US streaming service available through Prime Video.
Writing duties are shared between Matthew McDevitt (Hope Street), Paddy Campbell (Bodkin) and Faebian Averies (Bergerac), with David Moody (The B-Team) directing and Stacey Quigley producing.
The involvement of writers with experience across drama and comedy, combined with performers bringing their own lived experiences to the production, should hopefully give ‘Rewarding’ a distinctive voice. It’s also great to see a regional talent initiative actually developing a pilot into a full series rather than leaving it sitting on a shelf somewhere.
Wonder Project will stream the sitcom in the US through its subscription service on Prime Video, while Banijay Rights is handling international distribution.
‘Rewarding‘ Season 1 premieres in autumn 2026 on the BBC.
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