The BBC has commissioned Opening Up, a new comedy created and written by Edinburgh Comedy Award winner Amy Gledhill (Alma’s Not Normal, Run Away, Taskmaster) and RTS Award nominated writer Nic Sampson (Starstruck). The six-part series will be made by Avalon for BBC iPlayer and BBC One, continuing in a rich line of scripted series created by artists with Edinburgh Festival Fringe success, such as Phoebe Waller Bridge’s Fleabag and Rose Matafeo’s Starstruck.
Opening Up, set and filmed in and around Manchester, is a warm relationship comedy about Penny (Amy Gledhill) and Rhys, a long-term couple who try to fix their faltering sex life by sleeping with other people. They soon learn that entering an open relationship without a clue how they work is not a recipe for success…
Amy Gledhill and Nic Sampson say: “It’s an actual dream come true to get to make a comedy with the BBC, and their support and passion for this project has been incredible from the very start. We are thrilled to get to work with such a stacked cast and crew every day to bring this show to life. We can’t wait to show you what we’ve been working on.”
Jon Petrie, BBC Director of Comedy says: “Opening Up stood out to us immediately. Amy and Nic’s writing is sharp, quick-witted and properly funny, full of all the chaos, awkwardness and emotional mess of modern relationships. But underneath it all there’s real heart, and we can’t wait for BBC audiences to meet Penny and Rhys.”
Jon Thoday, executive producer at Avalon says: “We very are excited to be working with the BBC, Amy and Nic on this brilliant show. We hope that once again the Edinburgh Fringe will prove itself as an excellent breeding ground for new comedies”.
Opening Up (6 x 30’) is an Avalon production for BBC iPlayer and BBC One. It was commissioned by Jon Petrie, BBC Director of Comedy. The show is created and written by Amy Gledhill and Nic Sampson. The executive producers are Cath Gagon, Jules Lom, Jon Thoday and Richard Allen-Turner, the show is directed by Alice Snedden and produced by Spencer Millman. The commissioning editors for the BBC are Gregor Sharp and Roya Eslami.
Picture: Amy Gledhill | Credit: Ben Blackall
