contents - amazon simple storage...

21

Upload: dinhcong

Post on 04-Jun-2018

219 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Contents 4 Introduction 6 You, Me and The Apocalypse 8 Fungus the Bogeyman 10 Big Cats: An Amazing

Animal Family 12 After Hours 14 Lucky Man 16 The Five 18 Rovers 20 Agatha Raisin 22 Karl Pilkington:

The Moaning of Life 2 24 A League of Their Own 25 A League of Their Own:

American Road Trip 26 Stella 27 Trollied 28 Wild Things 30 Mount Pleasant 31 Yonderland 32 Ross Kemp’s Britain 33 Gordonstoun 34 Modern Family 35 50 Ways to Kill Your Mammy 36 Desi Rascals 37 Duck Quacks Don’t Echo 38 Ways to Watch 39 Contact

Adam MacDonald, director of Sky 1

Here at Sky 1, we champion entertainment. We love it when different generations of the family gather around the TV and find the same joke funny, are thrilled by an unexpected dramatic twist, or tear up at the same touching scene. Those kinds of shared moments are precious and memorable, and we want to be at the heart of creating many more of them.

It’s an exciting time for Sky 1. We’ve got a huge line-up of top-quality, original homegrown shows coming up, with a real variety across the drama, entertainment, comedy and factual genres.

We’ve got brand-new UK drama and comedy all year round, featuring some of the biggest names from British TV and beyond. There’s You, Me and The Apocalypse, starring Mathew Baynton and an all-star cast that includes Pauline Quirke and an extraordinary performance from Rob Lowe; an adaptation of the Raymond Briggs classic Fungus the Bogeyman, an absolute favourite of mine when I was younger; Lucky Man, a new drama with James Nesbitt that comes from the mind of the legendary comic-book writer Stan Lee; and The Five, a gripping new 10-part mystery from bestselling author Harlan Coben.

There’s so much more to look out for, too. We’ve got Patrick Aryee – a brilliant new natural history presenter – coming to the channel to front Big Cats: An Amazing Animal Family, a two-part study of the cat family. It looks spectacular and really is informative, engrossing family viewing. And joining our award-winning comedy roster we have After Hours, executive-produced and directed by

Craig Cash. It’s a wonderful show all about family, the joy of living and the preciousness of life and once you’ve seen one episode you’ll want to see another, and another.

There’s much more to come from the shows and faces we know our customers love, too, including Karl Pilkington, James Corden and the A League of Their Own gang, and Ruth Jones and her fantastic Stella, which celebrates its 50th episode in the new year. And all this sits alongside a host of top favourites from the US. We’re proud to be the exclusive home of brand new The Simpsons and Modern Family, superhero smashes The Flash and Arrow and compelling crime drama in the shape of Hawaii Five-0.

Fun, big-hearted and unmissable TV that everyone can enjoy together is what makes Sky 1 unique. I hope you enjoy this brochure, which is just a taste of what’s to come. This is the richest run of remarkable shows we have ever had on Sky 1 – all fresh, feel-good family entertainment – and I’m so proud of the work the team here have created. I’m really hopeful we have produced a bucket-load of those magic TV moments we all treasure.

Introduction

4 5

Q&A: Mathew Baynton

Can you describe your character or, indeed, characters?I play identical twins, Jamie and Ariel, but they’ve certainly not had identical lives. Jamie is an intelligent and capable man who has had a rough time after losing the woman he loved. In order to cope with that great loss, he’s created a safety blanket for himself in the shape of routine. He’s basically trying to achieve a life with absolutely no surprises. Ariel, in contrast, has a chip on his shoulder and has done everything he can to prove that he is special. He thinks nothing of playing games with people’s lives and gets his thrills out of manipulation and danger.

Is it challenging to play two roles?The challenge is what makes it fun and that’s what you look for with each new project in order to still be thrilled and interested in your work. What’s so fun about this, given that they’re identical twins so they genetically spring from the same source material, is that it is almost like playing one character but different sides of one potential human being. It’s great, you go to work one day and do one thing, then the next day is so different.

Have you had a sense of the scale and ambition of the series during filming?Oh definitely, yes. That’s one of the things I can’t wait to see on screen, how all these disparate stories come together when

you’re cutting from the branch of a bank in Slough to this epic mountain range in New Mexico. More than anything, I think that global sense of the story will be what’s so striking about it as a show.

How would you describe the series overall?It’s an epic comedy drama. What I really love about it is that it takes the situation of the end of world very seriously but is also funny. It finds the funny moments in adversity and tragedy and that’s the kind of work I’m always drawn to.

In the event of an impending apocalypse how would you spend your final 34 days?The truthful answer isn’t very fun. I would spend that time with my family, because I don’t think anything else would really feel like any kind of priority. I don’t really have any sense of a bucket list, I’d have a very quiet end of days.

Episodes: 10Produced by: Working Title and Bigballs FilmsPublicity contact: Nicola Vincent and Emily Trant

What would you do if there were only 34 days left on earth?

An A-list cast lines up in a bold, adrenaline-fuelled and continent-spanning comedy drama about the final days of mankind. Mild-mannered Slough bank manager Jamie (Mathew Baynton, Yonderland) is in a rut – albeit a very organised one – consumed by grief for his missing wife. All of that soon changes, however, when he’s arrested on suspicion of cyber terrorism and realises that, somehow, he must have an identical twin and mum Paula (Pauline Quirke, Birds of a Feather) has some serious explaining to do.

Halfway around the world in New Mexico, unassuming librarian Rhonda (Jenna Fischer, The Office) enters a maximum-security prison for a crime she didn’t commit and reluctantly falls under the wing of unhinged white supremacist Leanne (Megan Mullally, Will & Grace). At the Vatican, meanwhile, foul-mouthed rebel priest Father Jude (Rob Lowe, Parks & Recreation) interviews the beautiful Sister Celine (Gaia Scodellaro) for a role in his office of the Devil’s Advocate.

These are just some of the eclectic and seemingly unconnected characters whose lives will start to intersect in the most unexpected ways as news breaks that a comet is on an unavoidable collision course towards earth and will hit in just 34 days. Some of them are destined to make it to a bunker deep beneath the suburbs of Slough and, as a result, will become the hugely unlikely (and, frankly, somewhat unsuitable) future of mankind.

Paterson Joseph (Safe House), Joel Fry (Game of Thrones), Kyle Soller (Poldark) and Charlie Condou (Coronation Street) also feature, alongside guest star Dame Diana Rigg, in this entertaining tale of adventure, romance and family set against a witty backdrop of apocalyptic chaos. The series is created by Iain Hollands (Beaver Falls) with two-time Emmy® Award nominee Michael Engler (30 Rock) taking up the reins as lead director.

You, Me and The Apocalypse

6 7

Episodes: 4Produced by: The Imaginarium StudiosPublicity contact: Charlotte Jordan

Almost 40 years after it was first penned, the much-loved children’s tale of a slimy bogeyman is brought to life by an all-star castIn this four-part family drama, starring Timothy Spall (The Enfield Haunting) and Victoria Wood (Eric and Ernie), darkness-dwelling Fungus, his beloved wife Mildrew (Joanna Scanlan, No Offence) and son Mould are exiled to the surface. There, they encounter the ‘Dry Cleaners’ (as in drier and cleaner than Bogeymen) of Daventry and begin to wonder what their job of scaring people is all about. Chief among the Dry Cleaners is Eve (Wood), a warm yet perceptive eccentric who is more than happy to guide Fungus and family through the minefield of human life… especially when she gets a whiff of Mould’s ‘funk’.

Then there’s Wendy (Keeley Hawes, Line of Duty) and Daryl Snow (Marc Warren, Mad Dogs), who live on the surface with their daughter Lucy and wind up with Fungus and his family as their neighbours. Until now, life for the Snows has been relatively straightforward, with Wendy trying to keep the family afloat while Daryl struggles to stop his nonexistent legal career sucking the life out of him. But when the Bogeys move in next door, things soon start to change.

Brought to screen by The Imaginarium Studios and narrated by Andy Serkis (The Lord of the Rings), this heart-warming reworking of Raymond Briggs’ picture book mixes live action and animation in an enchanting chronicle that will appeal to every generation.

Fungus the Bogeyman

98

Episodes: 2Produced by: Offspring Films LtdPublicity contact: Alex Wood

From wildcat to kitty cat, a stunning two-part documentary delves into an astounding story of evolution

Biologist Patrick Aryee goes back 11 million years to reveal the surprising history of our furry feline friends. One of the most powerful families of predators on earth, cats today can climb, jump and hear better than almost any other species. But that wasn’t always the case. In this captivating two-parter, Patrick explores how they have evolved throughout the millennia, rising to become kings of the jungle and learning to thrive, not only in some of the world’s harshest landscapes but also in our homes, to become the world’s most popular pet. Cameras come within a whisker of the big cats to capture spectacular footage of the creatures in their natural habitats, while Patrick meets ‘lion whisperer’ Kevin Richardson, who’s as comfortable nuzzling a grown lion as he is cuddling a kitten.

Big Cats: An Amazing Animal Family

10 11

Who’s who

Willow HanniganPlayed by James Tarpey

His parents can’t afford uni, there are no jobs and his girlfriend has just dumped him. But 18-year-old Willow has an unwavering passion for music and After Hours could give him the direction he needs.

Lauren Played by Jaime Winstone Before she played the hits, Lauren used to make them. The mouthy music lover spent her youth in an indie band, but has somehow ended up back in her home town of Shankly.

OlliePlayed by Rob KendrickAn unashamed music geek who used to be a fan of Lauren’s band, now he co-hosts After Hours with her.

ChrisPlayed by Fergus van GelderWillow’s only remaining friend in Shankly is an eccentric and philosophical soul. He works in an off-licence but feels he could be signing on at any moment.

Peter HanniganPlayed by Ardal O’HanlonWillow’s dad, who has misplaced his sense of purpose after losing his job as a milkman. Just don’t mention dairy.

Anna HanniganPlayed by Susan CooksonWillow’s mum, who’s always trying to drum up support for her community events in a town that’s at rock bottom. In support of her husband she’s boycotting the huge new supermarket that’s putting the town’s businesses in jeopardy, but it might be their only hope of finding a job.

GeoffPlayed by John ThomsonPeter’s best mate – an ex-marketing manager who moves in with the Hannigans. He’s supposed to be looking into starting a business with Peter, but is more interested in waxing his surfboard and playing guitar.

Q&A: Molly Naylor & John Osborne, writers

How did you come to work together as a writing team? We were friends, both living in Norwich and working on our own writing projects as well as juggling the occasional weird or boring day job. We got drunk one night and talked

about working on something together. We decided to try and write a sitcom because we have always loved the genre. We’d shared a flat previously – when we were unemployed and sad – but had at no point during this time considered the idea of writing one together. It’s probably for the best. We didn’t have much to write about back then, all we did was eat toast and watch Seinfeld.

How was it working with Craig Cash?Craig has an incredible eye for detail, which makes him an excellent director. During filming we were on set the whole time, communicating with him and the cast and crew. He wanted us to make sure

everything was as close to how we’d written it as possible. We were very aware of how rare this is and felt lucky to be in a position where we could be a central part of the process. Craig is a brilliant writer himself and understands comedy intrinsically.

He also understands the importance of being kind and gentle to people, and making them feel valued. He is one of the most hardworking people I know. It was a pleasure and a privilege to learn from him.

Who are some of your inspirations in the scriptwriting world?There are so many, but these spring to mind: Sharon Horgan, Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong, Lena Dunham, Jill Soloway, Julia Davis, Jessica Hynes, Miranda July, Craig Cash and Caroline Aherne, Armando Iannucci and Greg Daniels.

If you had your own radio show, what would it be?We have talked about doing a show where we introduce each other to music the other one has somehow overlooked/never got into. For example – I bring in a bunch of Tom Waits songs and play them to John while saying: See? Isn’t this brilliant?! over and over again. It’s an idea that needs finessing, I see that now.

If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?Another Girl, Another Planet by The Only Ones.

Episodes: 6Produced by: Jellylegs ProductionsPublicity contact: Nicola Vincent

After HoursArdal O’Hanlon, John Thomson and Jaime Winstone star in a heart-warming new comedy directed by Craig Cash

Eighteen-year-old Willow Hannigan (James Tarpey) is stuck in the sleepy town of Shankly. His girlfriend (BAFTA® winner Georgina Campbell) has dumped him, his friends have gone to uni and he’s not got much to keep him going apart from his love of the music that is played on a local independent radio show called After Hours. The show is broadcast from a barge by Lauren (Winstone) and Ollie (Rob Kendrick), two music enthusiasts in their late 20s who wonder whether they’ve actually got a single listener. Until they meet superfan Willow that is, who they decide to take under their wing and hire as their brand new assistant.

Willow’s dad Peter (O’Hanlon) is down in the dumps after losing his milk round, and his mum Anna (Susan Cookson) is treacherously eyeing a job at the new supermarket that’s seen off the town’s local industry. Meanwhile, Peter’s mate Geoff (John Thomson) finds sanctuary on the Hannigans’ sofa following a fall-out with his wife Sheila (guest star Caroline Aherne) and plans to join forces with Peter in a new business venture. With a lack of work and a shortage of spirit casting a cloud over Shankly, the music-mad trio seem to have met each other at just the right time to deliver some much-needed inspiration to the community over the airwaves.

Beautifully written by Molly Naylor and John Osborne, After Hours is shot through with a passion for music as well as director Craig Cash’s usual down-to-earth wit and warmth.

12 13

Q&A: Stan Lee, co-creator

How did you come up with the idea for the show?People always ask me if I could have any power, what would it be? I always thought the best power would be luck, because no matter what happens it turns out good if you’re lucky. Many of your characters have found their way onto the big screen. What appeals to you about bringing this particular story to television?The average superhero movie relies on many special effects. Lucky Man, needing very few such effects, seems to be perfect for the TV screen. What’s your lucky charm?My wife.

Q&A: Neil Biswas, co-creator

What can you tell us about the origins of Lucky Man?For me, it started with an outline written by Stan Lee. I read it, and immediately connected to it. The concept of luck has always fascinated me, and to marry it to this particular genre seemed like an amazing opportunity to create something original. I then worked on developing the world and characters around Harry Clayton, as well as the mythology of the lucky bracelet. Eventually I wrote a pilot script about six months later.

What is it that makes Lucky Man different from your average crime thriller?Hopefully what makes it distinctive is that our detective, Harry Clayton, has a central dilemma that is as important – and perhaps connected to – all the crimes he is solving. Is the bracelet that he has been given really bringing him good luck, or is it just another manifestation of the gambling addiction that has always plagued him?

What’s your lucky charm?My father’s watch.

Why London as the location for Lucky Man?I’ve always wanted to write something about London, having grown up here, and lived here most of my life. No other city has the history and diversity that London offers. Hopefully Lucky Man uses this cultural richness in the storylines in the series. Apart from this it is incredibly beautiful and architecturally unique as a location for a crime thriller, offering a frame to the action that sometimes takes your breath away.

Episodes: 10Produced by: Carnival FilmsPublicity contact: [email protected]

Lucky ManComic-book legend Stan Lee creates his first UK television drama exclusively for Sky 1

Inspired by Lee’s obsession with the concept of luck, Lucky Man follows the fortunes of DI Harry Clayton (James Nesbitt, The Missing), a cop from central London’s notorious Murder Squad, who is given an ancient bracelet that gives him the ability to control luck.

Ironically, Harry is down on his own luck. After his gambling problem led to the loss of the family home, Harry’s wife Anna (Eve Best, Nurse Jackie) left with their daughter in tow, plus he owes a huge debt to an infamous underworld crime boss who is threatening his life. However, a chance encounter with the mysterious Eve (Sienna Guillory, Fortitude) sees his life start to change.

Meeting the alluring stranger at a roulette table, Harry finds his fortunes on the rise when he wins big. And when Eve gives him a strange metallic bracelet that can’t be removed from his wrist, she tells him it will change his luck forever. Indeed, it appears to grant Harry control over luck itself, but at what cost? Does one man’s luck always mean another’s misfortune?

Nesbitt heads a great ensemble cast, including Darren Boyd (Fortitude) and Omid Djalili (Pirates of the Caribbean), in this exhilarating police drama from co-creators Lee and Neil Biswas (The Take).

14 15

Q&A: Harlan Coben

Where did the idea for The Five come from?It started with ‘what ifs’, like most ideas do. What if five friends were playing in the park and one walked down a path and was never seen again? What if 20 years passed and now the other four had a chance to learn what really happened that day? I couldn’t get the thought out of my head – what would you do if you could solve the mystery that changed your entire life? What would you do if it you could make the worst wrong in your life suddenly right? That was the seed. Why does this story work best on screen rather than as a novel?To me, The Five is a novel, but it needed to be told with strong visuals and a big cast of characters. Certain stories work better on the page. Certain stories, like this one with its bold, bright canvas, work better on the screen.

Have you been impressed with the cast and how they’re bringing your tale to life?They’ve been amazing. We have your next big stars in the leads like Tom Cullen, O-T Fagbenle, Sarah Solemani and Lee Ingleby. Then there are beloved legends like Geraldine James, Michael Maloney and Don Warrington, plus newcomers who still stun you and break your heart. They are so convincing in their roles that I often call them by their characters’ names even away from the set. Have you enjoyed collaborating with Danny Brocklehurst?I always hate when TV people go on and on about how wonderful everyone is, but, well, Danny is simply great. He gets me. We are soul brothers in terms of writing. This is hard for me to accept, by the way. I normally write novels all alone so collaboration is not my forte. I think Danny and I make each other better. What more can you ask for? Can you sum up The Five in five words?Where has Jesse been for 20 years? Oh wait, that’s seven. How about: You. Will. Love. I. Promise.

Episodes: 10Produced by: Red Production CompanyPublicity contact: Megan MacLeod

The FiveInternational bestselling author Harlan Coben creates his first-ever original story for television

Created by Coben (Gone for Good, Tell No One), and penned by BAFTA® award-winning writer Danny Brocklehurst (Ordinary Lies, Accused), this addictive ten-part thriller follows a group of friends haunted by a terrible incident in their childhood. Twenty years ago, while they were all playing near the woods, the five-year-old brother of one of the group disappeared in mysterious circumstances while he was in their care. Two decades later, their lives have moved on. However, when the missing boy’s DNA shows up at a murder scene, the four friends are forced to revisit a dark chapter in their past.

Full of twists, turns and intrigue, this rollercoaster thriller is made by the award-winning producers of Happy Valley and Last Tango in Halifax and boasts a brilliant cast of British talent, including Tom Cullen (Downton Abbey) O-T Fagbenle (Looking), Lee Ingleby (Inspector George Gently) and Sarah Solemani (Bad Education). Michael Maloney (The White Queen), Geraldine James (Utopia), Hannah Arterton (Walking on Sunshine), Honeysuckle Weeks (Foyle’s War) and Lee Boardman (Jack the Giant Slayer) also star.

16 17

Episodes: 6Produced by: Jellylegs ProductionsPublicity contact: Alex Wood

RoversWriters Joe Wilkinson and David Earl hit the back of the net with this down-to-earth comedy about the fans of a local lower league football teamAfter gaining a following in front of the camera, Wilkinson (Him & Her) and Earl (Derek) have teamed up to pen this winning comedy about fictional non-league strugglers Redbridge Rovers. There might only be 11 men on the pitch, but in the clubhouse, there’s a team of diehard local supporters who would do anything to save their beloved Redbridge from relegation.

Doreen (Sue Johnston, The Royle Family) has been running the clubhouse for nearly a quarter of a century and her punters are like family. There’s obsessive fan Pete Mott, who likes nothing more than talking stats over the scratchings with his best mate Tel – only Tel has recently thrown Pete for a loop by coming out as gay and bringing his new boyfriend Mel to the club.

Then there’s Pete’s young lodger Tom, who has got eyes for new barmaid Sam, bossy pensioner Francis and a whole host of other loveable eccentrics (including Bruce and Lee played by Earl and Wilkinson), who are drawn together by their passion for the beautiful game, not to mention Doreen’s famous meat raffles.

Joe Wilkinson & David Earl on Rovers

We first got together to try and write a sitcom because of our joint love of Craig Cash’s Early Doors and The Royle Family. So, obviously the first person we sent our script to was Craig, and we almost wet ourselves when he said he liked it. Then, when Sky backed it as well, we did actually wet ourselves. It’s been an absolute joy working with Sky and Craig and definitely a dream come true.

We are both huge football fans and so we wanted to create a show that captures and revels in the comedy of everyday fans, but that also resonates with the football widows who suffer along the way. It felt natural for us to write about idiots talking rubbish, so this isn’t a show about watching the action on the pitch, it’s a show about watching the inaction in the clubhouse after the game.

Established in 1884, Redbridge Rovers FC are one of oldest clubs in the English club system. Attendance figures average around 27. They are currently lying second from bottom in their league and their ground is two miles down a dirt track, next to the local rubbish tip. Regardless of all this, we both hope the audience will be their 28th fan and they’ll enjoy spending time with these big-hearted supporters with their endless passion for the beautiful(ish) game. Come on, you Rovers!

18 19

Episodes: 8Produced by: Mammoth Screen, Free@Last TV and Raydar MediaPublicity contact: Charlotte Jordan

The quirky crime drama returns with eight new stories based on the bestselling novels of MC Beaton

Following the success of last year’s one-off Christmas special, Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death, Ashley Jensen (Extras) resumes her role as the titular PR-guru-turned-amateur-sleuth in a new series of eight stand-alone stories. Mathew Horne (Gavin & Stacey) also returns, as Agatha’s best friend Roy, alongside Katy Wix (Not Going Out) as cleaner Gemma.

Over the course of the fun and vibrant series, Agatha will attempt to solve a number of mysteries in the Cotswolds, from the death of a local witch to the demise of a flirtatious young vet. The will-they-won’t-they relationship between Agatha and on-off love interest James (Jamie Glover, Waterloo Road) will continue, meanwhile, as the pair pose as a married couple in order to solve a crime, as well as exploring other romantic options.

Matt McCooey and Jason Barnett return as unlikely crime-fighting duo PC Wong and DI Wilkes in the series which has been adapted for television by Stewart Harcourt (Treasure Island) and Chris Murray (Holby City).

Agatha Raisin

2120

Episodes: 6Produced by: Me & YouPublicity contact: Charlotte Jordan

Pack your case for another trip as Karl Pilkington experiences more of the world’s most magnificent destinations

After travelling around the world to see how other cultures deal with marriage, kids, the search for a vocation, finding happiness, and death, our modern day philosopher Karl Pilkington is back on the road again. Embarking on an epic journey that takes him from the arctic conditions of Iceland to rural India, Mexico, Germany, across America and to the metropolis of Tokyo, now he’s turning his attentions to life’s other big issues.

Karl finds out how much we should worry about our bodies by trying out the health benefits of drinking his own urine and road testing an exoskeleton to make him stronger. He ponders the point of art by joining artists who make sculptures out of dog poo, before attempting to make a masterpiece out of his own vomit. And he looks at ways to deal with pollution by diving into sewage in Mexico City, as well as finding out what life on Mars will be like after we’ve ruined our own planet.

Along the way, Karl also delves into the rules and values we should live by, fighting crime on the streets of San Diego with real-life superheroes, and experiencing a day in the life of a polygamist. He discovers what shapes our identity by living life as a woman for a day, and experiencing the transformational effect of having hair again. And, finally, Karl examines how to deal with the precious time we have left on earth before we die by having an OAP makeover, and discovering how he can live forever by helping out at Gunther Von Hagens’ Plastination factory.

Karl Pilkington: The Moaning of Life 2

Karl on six-packs:

It’s the equivalent of a chimp’s arse. Why does it have to protrude like that? And for me, that’s what abs are like.

Karl on the end of the world:

They talk about a three-minute warning. That’s a long time to be s**tting yourself. 30 seconds, that’s all I need and then I’m happy to go.

Karl on Polygamy:

Everything’s always couples innit. It’s always about finding the right one. In films, it’s When Harry Met Sally, Romeo & Juliet… it’s not Romeo & Juliet, Rachel, Sandra & Bernadette… it’s just what we’re used to. It’s daft, because there’s a chance polygamy could actually work better.

22 23

Episodes: 3Produced by: CPL ProductionsPublicity contact: [email protected]

American Road Trip

A League of Their Own:

The boys head stateside on the trip of a lifetimeJames is also a star in the US these days, and when Jamie, Freddie and Jack head across the Atlantic to be reunited with their mate, they embark on an all-American boys’ adventure. James has planned a 1,000-mile road trip for his pals as he challenges them to travel from Los Angeles to Las Vegas via San Francisco and Yosemite Valley in the ALOTO RV. Along the way, the trio will take in the stunning scenery, as well as undertaking a number of typically American activities with points being awarded to the winner and a nerve-jangling forfeit in store for the loser. As the boys do (friendly) battle on the ultimate bonding experience, they’ll be reunited with James in Sin City for an unforgettable finale to their trip.

Episodes: 8Produced by: CPL ProductionsPublicity contact: [email protected]

A League of Their OwnThe BAFTA® winning panel show celebrates its centenaryJames Corden returns for a tenth series of the hit sports-themed series alongside Jamie Redknapp, Freddie Flintoff and Jack Whitehall. Welcoming a variety of sports and comedy stars, A League of Their Own is a riotous mix of cheeky humour, hilarious stunts and sporting trivia, creating many memorable moments from Jack and Freddie becoming the newest members of boyband Five, to Jamie teaming up with John Barnes for some Rapper’s Delight. Whether it’s ski-jumping in the studio, lucha libre wrestling, deadly dodgeball or Japanese martial art Kendo, no challenge is too big or too scary for our ALOTO boys, and this new tenth outing will see them tackle a range of activities as they prove, once again, they really are in a league of their own.

24 25

TrolliedValco continues to serve you rightThe hit supermarket sitcom returns, also celebrating its landmark 50th episode along the way. It won’t be plain sailing for the team, however, when Valco comes under threat from a budget store opening nearby. There’s better news on the personal front for manager Gavin (BAFTA® winner Jason Watkins), though, when he falls for the charms of newcomer Cheryl (Sarah Parish, W1A) – but is she all she appears to be?

Pharmacist Brian (Stephen Tompkinson), meanwhile, wages an ill-advised war on the new rivals and Valco heiress Charlie (Aisling Bea) worries her new beau is using her to climb the retail ladder. Lovebirds Colin and Lisa (Carl Rice and Beverly Rudd), witty checkout assistant Harry (Jack Carroll) and deli-turned-pharmacy worker Margaret are among our returning star staff, too, alongside former checkout girl Katie (Chanel Cresswell) who’s back at Valco, this time working in HR.

Q&A: Jason Watkins

Are you looking forward to playing Gavin again?

I am very much. I love playing Gavin and it’s nice to be playing him again in

the fifth series. It’s good to develop a character over time and what’s great

about this time is, again, the scripts are really excellent and they lead him somewhere different. That’s what you want with a character you’ve played a lot. It’s great to see that while he’s the same person, he’s being asked to do different things. He’s professional, meticulous, and slightly anal but he’s passionate about his work… and stressed. He’s like a sort of father figure around the place.

And there’s a love interest on the cards…He does have a love interest this time, which he hasn’t had for a while. There was Anna, previously, but I think he was bamboozled by her. Now, with this new character, he’s absolutely swept away and can’t help himself. So that’s great.

What’s the best thing about being in Trollied?I just love the cast and the whole feel of the series. It feels like a sort of touchstone for me each year. It’s no mean feat to have made five series of a comedy show, but it’s always fresh. This year we have new characters coming in, including one played by Sarah Parish, so it’s great to be in something familiar that has new ingredients around you.

Has starring in Trollied changed your own experiences of supermarket shopping?I get recognised as Gavin in certain supermarkets. I’ve been spotted in Waitrose and I was tweeted after I’d been in Sainsbury’s.

Do you have a favourite aisle in the supermarket?I like all the little packets in the Valco supermarket; the pasta, the rice, the sugar – the staple goods. And we do lots of little physical bits with those and try to create ridiculously difficult routines of Gavin showing his dexterity in stacking shelves.

Episodes: 8Produced by: Roughcut TelevisionPublicity contact: Charlotte Jordan

Episodes: 10Produced by: Tidy ProductionsPublicity contact: Emily Trant

StellaHeading back to the Welsh Valleys, the BAFTA® Cymru winning comedy drama written by and starring Ruth Jones toasts its 50th episodeFollowing a turbulent ride with Michael (Patrick Baladi) in the romance department last series, this latest outing sees Stella (Jones) decide to forgive and forget his past indiscretions. She’s so tolerant, she even offers to take in the child he fathered during a fling with Beyoncé (Remy Beasley). But with a commute to London now on the cards for Michael, it’ll be far from an easy ride.

Plus, Stel’s first husband Rob (Mark Lewis Jones) arrives in Pontberry with life-changing news for son Luke (Craig Gallivan), while new undertaker-turned-dance teacher Ivan Schloss (Tony Gardner, Last Tango in Halifax) gets pulses racing, that of Nadine (Karen Paullada) in particular. Love is also in the air for Jagadeesh (Pal Aron), who falls for the pub’s cleaner, played by Casualty ’s Suzanne Packer.

Ruth Jones on celebrating Stella’s 50th episode:

Well because we did a Christmas special – episode ten of this new series will actually be the 51st episode! It’s so exciting. Friday nights are still an appointment to view in our house even though we’ve seen all the episodes right through the edit etc. David and I will watch it go out with a big proud smile on our faces. We really are so chuffed with the series and can’t quite believe we’ve made this many episodes!

2726

Q&A: Jason Byrne

Wild Things has really captured viewers’ imaginations, why do you think it appeals so widely?It’s good clean family fun, and there seems to be nothing more funny in the world than falling over, apart from maybe cute animals falling over. But even funnier than cute animals falling over is cute animals arguing as they fall. That is the ultimate funny.

What did you enjoy most about filming series one?Apart from working with the amazing Kate Humble, my favourite thing to do was to voice all the games. I laughed for hours and days on end as I watched the show unfold. That’s when I knew we were onto a winner. If you were to take part, which creature would you like to be and who would you partner up with?It would be the squirrel, I love a squirrel. I would have to partner up with my wife and it would be great telly – we’d show the rest of the Wild Things how to have a proper fight as a squirrel couple.

Who do you think would fare better on the assault course between you and Kate?She’s a very fit and strong lady, so she’d be amazing in the suit, but I would be bad at giving her directions, I wouldn’t be able to stop laughing. So she’d be better at the directions and me in the suit – if we went head-to-head in suits, Kate would win, she has no fear. Does your family enjoy the show?My eight-year-old and 15-year-old sons, their grandparents, my wife and all our friends watch it together – they love it. I am now a hero at my son’s school, the 15-year-old’s not the eight-year-old’s; at eight, your dad is a hero for no reason.

Episodes: 6Produced by: IWCPublicity contact: Emily Trant

Wild ThingsMore madcap moments abound as the award-winning woodland game show returns

Kate Humble and Jason Byrne return to host series two of the sublimely silly entertainment show in which teams of two tackle rather mucky obstacle courses tucked away in the Wild Wood, all in a bid to win £10,000. The nutty twist comes when one half of each pair must dress as a cuddly, if cumbersome, woodland creature. Think giant owl, mole, fox or squirrel. They’re unable to see and hilariously clumsy, and it’s up to their nearest and dearest to guide them to victory. But being housed inside a giant animal costume might not be as fun as it first seems and tempers easily fray between the pairings, with post-watershed edition Wild Things Absolutely Livid showcasing our furry friends in all their potty-mouthed glory.

28 29

Episodes: 8Produced by: Working TitlePublicity contact: [email protected]

YonderlandReturn to the magical world of Yonderland for an all-new outing of completely crackers, puppet-filled comedy

Created, written by and starring the cast of Horrible Histories – Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard and Ben Willbond – the lovable and fantastical comedy begins its second series. This new outing sees Debbie Maddox (Howe-Douglas), ‘The Chosen One’, thrown back into the madcap world of Yonderland where she’s reunited with Elf and Nick the Stick, and called upon by the Council of Elders to overcome their latest challenge. But bigger issues are at stake now that Debbie’s nemesis Imperatrix has determined to capture her, fulfil the prophecy and destroy Yonderland. Meanwhile, Debbie’s husband Peter (Dan Skinner) starts to fixate on the strange goings-on in the kitchen cupboard as he becomes increasingly suspicious about her absences, not to mention the occasional blue sparks in his home.

Episodes: 8Produced by: Tiger AspectPublicity contact: [email protected]

Mount Pleasant

Head back to Mount Pleasant for a fifth series of larger-than-life laughsThe Manchester-set comedy drama, created by Sarah Hooper and written by Mark Brotherhood, returns to Sky 1 for a new eight-part run. Last series saw Lisa and Dan (Sally Lindsay and Daniel Ryan) cement their family unit as they welcomed daughter Molly-Sue into the world but, now, we find their marriage is far from stable. And their problems are only highlighted by the arrival of vivacious and very-much-in-love new neighbours Jenna and Cameron (Nicola Hughes and Patrick Robinson). War is immediately waged between Lisa and Jenna, whose noisy salon happens to be next-door to Lisa’s newly refurbished office.

Elsewhere, Pauline (Paula Wilcox) attracts the attentions of pub owner Trevor (Clive Mantle), though there may be more to the ultra-suave publican than meets the eye, while Roger (James Dreyfus) and Fergus (Neil Fitzmaurice) become unlikely gym buddies. Plus, with Tanya (Samantha Womack) away, Greg (Adrian Bower) finds himself living with Bradley (Nigel Harman), who returns to try to make amends with daughter Ella (Nicola Millbank).

30 31

Episodes: 6Produced by: ITNPublicity contact: [email protected]

GordonstounSky 1 gains unique access to one of the UK’s most exclusive public schools

Famously attended by royalty including Prince Philip and Prince Charles, the mighty Scottish independent school of Gordonstoun becomes the focus of a six-part observational documentary charting the remarkable lives of the children who learn and thrive in two of its nine boarding houses.

Built on the motto that ‘there is more in you’, the school expects its pupils to take part in an extraordinary range of activities on the nearby hills and seas and to take real responsibility in the community in one of 12 services, including training in the Grampian Fire and Rescue Service or Mountain Rescue. But beyond its renowned focus on the outdoors, teenagers will be teenagers, and the highs and lows of its boarders are captured in fascinating detail here too.

Episodes: 3Produced by: Freshwater ProductionsPublicity contact: Ffion Williams

Ross Kemp’s

The BAFTA® winning documentary team explores issues close to home

Before returning with a new series of Extreme World next year, Ross Kemp presents an immersive three-part documentary investigating hard-hitting issues in the UK. Examining a range of ‘ticking timebombs’ facing families across Britain – including addiction, violence, immigration and more – Ross will investigate how certain social issues impact our country now, as well as questioning the major consequences our future generations could face because of them. Uncovering new insights that challenge perceptions and the perceived wisdom in this area, Ross will visit the places and meet the people affected most by these issues. Gaining access other documentary film-makers can’t, Ross will address the heart of these matters and uncover the real stories behind the headlines.

Britain

32 33

Episodes: 6Produced by: Burning Bright & Brown Bread FilmsPublicity contact: Nicola Vincent

50 Ways to Kill Your MammyThe extreme adventures and mother-son bonding continueBaz and Nancy are back for a second series of the heart-warming and inspiring 50 Ways to Kill Your Mammy. Thrill-seeker Baz is always on the lookout for a new adventure and, last year, his beloved mum got in on the action too. Together, they travelled the world as Nancy tried her hand at everything from skydiving to wrangling alligators. Now, they’re back on the road to give more unusual and daredevil activities a go, from flying helicopters to driving monster trucks and riding husky dog sleds, not to mention Nancy taking to the decks as a DJ in Mexico.

More of the family get in on the act as we meet Baz’s daughter and some of Nancy’s oldest friends along the way. But Baz isn’t the only one planning the itinerary this time around: Nancy will be selecting some experiences for her beloved son while she once again proves that this mammy certainly shouldn’t be underestimated.

Episodes: tbcProduced by: 20th Century FoxPublicity contact: Alex Wood

Modern Family

One of the world’s favourite comedies returns to Sky 1

The multi-award-winning US comedy smash created by Steve Levitan and Christopher Lloyd returns for a seventh season of sharply observed, laugh-out-loud and heartfelt comedy. Centred on the extended Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker clan, the hit series has gone from strength to strength, chronicling the quirks of 21st-century family life. The season six finale saw brainbox Alex (Ariel Winter) graduate at the top of

her class, while Hayley (Sarah Hyland) realised who her perfect guy really was. Now, as we enter a seventh season and Manny (Rico Rodriguez) and Luke (Nolan Gould) continue to have their heads turned by girls and Lily (Aubrey Anderson-Emmons) gets smarter by the day, how will the adults react to the kids growing up and becoming more independent? And when we say adults, we do also mean big kid Phil (Ty Burrell).

34 35

Episodes: 10Produced by: Magnum MediaPublicity contact: Emily Trant

Duck Quacks Don’t EchoComedian Lee Mack puts more incredible facts to the testDid you know that male cats are left-pawed and female cats are right-pawed? The fact-busting comedy panel series is back as Lee Mack is joined by more famous faces to test whether a variety of trivial titbits are, in fact, true. Each week, celebrity guests offer up a range of statements before being joined by some plucky boffins to test their validity. No stone will be left unturned in pursuit of the truth as they test the legitimacy of so-called facts, such as: there are more germs on a lift button than a toilet seat; and men would rather cause themselves pain than experience boredom. Panellists will put more fascinating theories to the test in this outing, with the new final round, Mack’s Facts, challenging players to link a series of mind-blowing facts to a collection of unusual props.

Episodes: 8Produced by: Kiddah MediaPublicity contact: Mark Collins

Desi Rascals

The real-life drama from award-winning director Gurinder Chadha and the co-creator of The Only Way is Essex returns

The glam and sassy Desi Rascals are back in a second series of non-scripted drama from Gurinder Chadha (Bend it like Beckham) and Tony Wood. Disastrous dates, family dramas and feisty clashes made for an addictive first series of the show that goes inside the eventful lives of a multigenerational cast of bubbly and aspirational members of the British-Asian community.

Series one stars Shmoyel, Owais, Rita, Yasmin, Jo and Nat are back, and expect more laughs, tears and family tension in the second outing as new personalities are thrown into the mix.

36 37

Ways to WatchOur fantastic series are available on demand whenever and wherever you want

Unlock a world of entertainment on demand, simply by connecting your compatible Sky±HD box to your home broadband router, and enjoy great Sky shows, including the best homegrown drama, top series from around the world and all-time classics, whenever you want.

With Catch Up TV, the UK’s biggest service of this kind, you can stay up to date with all the latest programmes from BBC iPlayer, ITV on demand, All 4 and Sky channels, including the exclusive Sky Atlantic, as well as shows from Universal, Syfy, Fox and Disney Channel.

And that’s not all. With Sky Box Sets, you can settle in and enjoy back-to-back episodes of more of the shows that everyone’s talking about with a huge library of over 300 series. Hit titles include Modern Family, 50 Ways to Kill Your Mammy, Prison Break, Mount Pleasant and Yonderland at the click of a button and whenever suits you. And with Sky Go and Sky Go Extra, you can watch wherever you are, too.

Yonderland

Prison Break Mount Pleasant

Modern Family

50 Ways to Kill Your Mammy

Sky Content [email protected]

38 39

corporate.sky.com/media-centre