Dawn French stars in new BBC sitcom from makers of This Country and Ghosts

Dawn French stars in new BBC sitcom from makers of This Country and Ghosts

As a movie critic with a penchant for British humor and a soft spot for Dawn French’s comedic prowess, I am thoroughly thrilled by the announcement of Can You Keep a Secret? This six-part sitcom promises to be a delightful addition to my viewing schedule, with its talented ensemble cast, led by the inimitable Dawn French and the versatile Mark Heap.


Actress Dawn French, renowned for her roles in “French & Saunders” and “The Vicar of Dibley,” is set to appear in a fresh new BBC comedy titled “Can You Keep a Secret?”. This upcoming series will also feature Mark Heap, known from “Friday Night Dinner” and “Green Wing.”

A six-episode series, crafted by Simon Mayhew-Archer (known for This Country), and steered by director Simon Hynd (renowned for Ghosts), is being developed, with its backdrop nestled in the picturesque West Country.

The narrative proceeds with the portrayal of Debbie Fenton, often referred to as a grandmother, lawn bowler, or miniature ruler, who is relentless in ensuring the safety of her loved ones.

As a seasoned observer of human behavior and someone who has seen my fair share of unexpected twists and turns in life, I can’t help but be intrigued by the synopsis for this series. The idea that the very person one needs protection from is often oneself resonates deeply with me. I’ve seen it play out time and again, both in the lives of others and within my own experiences.

As it turns out, Debbie wasn’t truly a widow, and William wasn’t really deceased – he was erroneously pronounced dead. In our twilight years, we found ourselves presented with an opportunity that seemed too tempting to resist: a chance to bide our time in secret for a few months until the life insurance payout came through. Once we received the much-needed funds, we could finally live out our golden years peacefully.

Dawn French stars in new BBC sitcom from makers of This Country and Ghosts

As someone who has faced my fair share of adversity and loss, I can empathize with Harry’s situation. The news of his father’s ‘death’ and the unexpected influx of a life-changing insurance payout have undoubtedly left him feeling overwhelmed. Despite his emotional shortcomings, he has managed to build a family of his own, which is no small feat. I can only imagine the complex emotions he must be experiencing as he navigates through this challenging time.

Harry encounters an unexpected turn when he meets his father, who he had recently lost, and realizes that his parents have transformed into senior-aged Bonnie and Clyde-like characters. This revelation leaves Harry with a multitude of responsibilities to handle. With two generations of young children on either side, Harry finds himself in a phase of life that is universally familiar – except this time, it involves navigating through criminal activities.

In a statement, Dawn French said: “At last… a sitcom where I can keep my top on… mostly.”

“It’s a lifetime aspiration for me to work with Dawn French, and to have her unique comedic talent team up with the brilliant Mark Heap, along with Simon Mayhew-Archer and Simon Hynd, is every producer’s ideal scenario.”

“It’s a real pleasure to have these exceptionally gifted creative individuals join our Big Talk team. We can hardly contain our excitement as we eagerly anticipate sharing this uniquely funny family comedy with audiences everywhere.”

Can You Keep a Secret? will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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2024-08-22 17:34