John Cleese is making his return to BBC comedy with Edith, written by Charles McKeown and starring Alison Steadman, Jason Watkins and Jessica Hynes.
John Cleese plays Phil, an old, still smitten, boyfriend of the heroine Edith, played by Alison Steadman. After turning down many of Phil’s marriage proposals Edith decides to accept. But before the happy couple can celebrate Edith’s 50 year old son Roger – Jason Watkins – returns to the nest, announcing he’s left his wife, kids and job and is back in search of his lost happiness. Which apparently means Phil’s plans of wedded bliss with Edith have to be put on hold. Jessica Hynes plays Wendy, the wife Roger has left behind and Anne Reid has been cast as the interfering housekeeper Mrs Gale.
BBC head of comedy Shane Allen said: “If you had carte blanche on your fantasy BBC1 comedy cast then you’d not be far off the Edith line-up. It’s also a huge pleasure to welcome John Cleese back to the land of BBC sitcom – his last one did alright”.
John Cleese added: “These are the most enjoyable scripts I’ve been sent in the last 100 years. It will also be particularly nice to work with Alison again since we joined forces in Clockwise all that time ago.”
Filming begins in June with Edith being broadcast at the end of 2017.
