BBC Three Commissions 'The Young Offenders'

BBC Three has given the go-ahead to a new series of Irish comedy The Young Offenders. In association with RTÉ, BBC Three and BBC Comedy have commissioned a six-episode series.

Initially a feature length film, The Young Offenders was a box office hit last year. Peter Foott, winner of Best Screenplay for The Young Offenders at the recent Irish Film and Television Academy awards, is writer, director and executive producer on the television series, while Martina Niland will produce the series.

The Young Offenders film followed two Cork inner-city teenagers, Conor MacSweeney and Jock O'Keeffe, as they embark on a 160km road trip on stolen bikes, in the hopes of finding an unrecovered bale of cocaine. Now, the characters bring viewers the continuing misadventures of the two teens – played by Alex Murphy and Chris Walley respectively – along with Conor's long suffering mother Mairead (played by Hilary Rose). All three actors received Irish Film and Television Academy award nominations for their performances in the film. Other familiar faces from the film will also feature in the TV series.

The Young Offenders has been commissioned for BBC Three by Controller of BBC Three Damian Kavanagh, Controller of Comedy Shane Allen, and Commissioning Editor Alex Moody. It will be made by producers Vico Films.

Shane Allen said: "Peter has created a very sure-footed and wholly original world that combines a winning blend of hilarity, charm and emotional impactful moments. It will, stand nicely alongside BBC Three stablemates Fleabag, Uncle, This Country and People Just Do Nothing as a sharp and naturalistic portrait of endearing characters with a unique comic voice."

Eddie Doyle, RTÉ Head of Comedy, added: "Peter Foott has created something really special with The Young Offenders, and we're absolutely delighted to be supporting the TV version. It is fantastic to see young, home-grown Irish talent, take the next step to international TV success."

Peter Foott commented: "It's incredibly exciting to be able to work with the BBC and with RTÉ to bring these characters back to the screen. They have been so supportive of the project and will be a wonderful home for it. The public response to the film, and specifically the characters themselves, was just so overwhelming that we really felt there were a lot more stories to tell, so we're very excited to be doing this as a six part television series. It's a real honour to have a chance to take these characters on their new adventures and we can't wait to start filming in Cork. "

The Young Offenders goes into production in Cork this summer.

Image: BBC Media Centre.

www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre

(JP/MH)