Channel 4 and Northern Ireland Screen have selected three half-hour comedy scripts to be written as part of the broadcaster’s Comedy Lab in Northern Ireland, offering a major opportunity for writers to develop bold, distinctive comedy projects.
The scheme, funded by Channel 4’s 4Skills and Northern Ireland Screen, invited production companies to pitch their ideas to comedy teams in Belfast earlier this year. The lab was open to both new and established talent, with particular interest in partnerships that bring together fresh voices with more experienced creatives.
The chosen scripts include:
- SOCIALLY AWKWARD – written by Emer Maguire and developed with Chris Jones and Chris Martin at Nice One Productions / Indie Movie Company.
Image: Emer Maguire
When socially awkward bereavement counsellor Emer is diagnosed as autistic she loses everything. The only thing she gains is clumsy assistance dog Dougal, who seems to have more issues than she does. Together, Emer and Dougal try to survive and thrive in a journey that is always funny and full of heart.
- DEVOLVED – written by Séamas O’Reilly and developed with Brian J. Falconer at Out of Orbit.
Image: Séamas O’Reilly - credit Ciara Burke
Devolved is absurd glimpse at the dysfunction and disharmony of Stormont, showing the mysterious business of devolved government, of all government, through a bitingly satirical lens. A workplace comedy about people who hate work and rarely govern.
- MOMMUNE – written by Leesa Harker and developed with Louise Gallagher at Hat Trick (Northern Ireland).
Image: Leesa Harker
Three lonely and isolated single mothers move into a large, old house together, sharing bills, childcare and lives in what becomes a functional, dysfunctional family.
The successful ideas demonstrate strong comedic voice and tone that fits alongside Channel 4’s biggest comedy hits, such as Peep Show, Derry Girls, Big Mood, Big Boys, Stath Lets Flats, The Inbetweeners, and Friday Night Dinner.
Charlie Perkins, Head of Comedy at Channel 4, said: “We had so many brilliant submissions for our second Channel 4 Comedy Lab scheme. We’re really grateful for all the work that went into those and the joy it gave us in reading through. The selected three ideas are in that great Venn diagram of being distinctive ideas but with broad appeal so fit perfectly in our hunt for our next successful Northern Irish sitcom.”
Richard Williams, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Screen commented: “We’re delighted to support the Channel 4 Comedy Lab in Northern Ireland, a brilliant platform for writers to develop their craft and bring fresh, funny, local voices and stories to the screen. Our unique sense of humour, sharp wit and talent for storytelling are what set us apart, and this initiative is helping ensure that our comedy continues to connect with audiences at home and beyond.”
