UKTV has commissioned Katherine Ryan: Parental Guidance (working title), a brand-new documentary series led by comedian Katherine Ryan for free-to-air entertainment channel W and catch-up service UKTV Play. Produced by Expectation, the UKTV Original series, airing next year, will see Katherine explore a whole host of extreme parenting techniques, and evaluate whether they might benefit her own family life.
Katherine Ryan said: "Since filming Backstage with Katherine Ryan, I’ve been hoping to work with Expectation on another unique ‘all access’ project. Parental Guidance gives plenty of food for thought while putting comedy front and centre. We are thrilled to bring this provocative new show to UKTV.”
Never seen before, Katherine Ryan: Parental Guidance (W/T) offers a unique insight into unconventional parenting techniques and “alternative” lifestyles. From potty training at eight months to co-sleeping, some might consider Katherine’s own parenting methods to be extreme – but that’s nothing compared to the extreme parents she’ll be meeting in this series. With special access to Katherine’s family life, viewers will see how she juggles parenthood with the glamourous and often intense lifestyle of being a comedian at the top of her game.
With Katherine’s unique brand of unfiltered, comedic honesty she will explore the universal issues facing children today - lifting the lid on her and her husband Bobby's different parenting styles in the process.
Katherine Ryan: Parental Guidance (W/T) has been commissioned by Kirsty Hanson, commissioning editor with Helen Nightingale, head of factual and factual entertainment, and ordered by Adam Collings, channel director for W and Hilary Rosen, director of commissioning. Produced by Expectation, Lucy Palmer, Ben Wicks and Amy Dallmeyer are executive producers.
Kirsty Hanson said: “This feels like the real Motherland, but with privileged access and genuine revelation seen through the searingly honest comedic lens of Katherine Ryan. I am thrilled to be working with Expectation on a series unlike anything Katherine has done before."
Adam Collings said: "It feels like a real coup to have Katherine come to W, and I cannot wait to share the show with our viewers who already love her and her unique outlook on life. This series is a perfect accompaniment to our slate of original programming and will kick off our 2024 in a brilliantly unfiltered style."
Ben Wicks, creative director entertainment, Expectation said: “We are elated to be making this exciting and brilliantly unique new series with Katherine, it will be proof, if ever it were needed, that she has the sharpest and most enquiring comedic mind around today. It will be part-investigation, part-peek-behind the scenes, yet wholly hilarious.”
Katherine Ryan: Parental Guidance (W/T) will air on W and UKTV Play next year and is the latest addition to W's growing slate of celebrity led UKTV Originals including the recently announced Gemma and Gorka: Life Behind the Lens, and the recent return of Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over.
