The Kennedys Commissioned For BBC One

A new multi-generation family comedy has been commissioned for BBC One.

The Kennedys is based on Emma Kennedy's memoirs 'The Tent, The Bucket And Me'. The series will consist of 6 x 30' episodes, with each episode being introduced by Emma (played by Lucy Hutchison), who is a 10-year-old tomboy obsessed with Star Wars. Her parents, Brenda and Tony Kennedy, are played by Katherine Parkinson and Dan Skinner, respectively, in the series.

The Kennedy family has just moved into a new estate in Stevenage, New Town, where they find a concrete maze of identical houses. Delighted that they are now on the verge of being considered middle class, they quickly embrace the community spirit and organise activities for the whole neighbourhood to get involved with.

Each episode will see the family use every opportunity they can to climb the social ladder, from organising an 'Opportunity Knocks' style talent show, to hosting the estate's first dinner party.

The Kennedys best friends are unmarried couple Tim, a 70s alpha-male (played by Harry Peacock) and the young-yet-traditional Jenny (played by Emma Pierson). Shola Adewusi and Clive Rowe play the Kennedys' unassuming neighbours, Dee and David.

The Kennedys was commissioned by Charlotte Moore, Controller of BBC One and Shane Allen, Controller of Comedy Commissioning. The series is written by Emma Kennedy and will be produced by Emma Strain (Miranda), directed by Christine Gernon (Gavin & Stacey) and executive produced by Myfanwy Moore and Richard Webb.

Image courtesy of BBC Media Centre.

www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre

(JP)