Category : TV
Entertainment; BBC
THREE
Date : 15.04.2004
Printable version
The Comedy
Unit in Manchester has secured its first commission.
BBC THREE has signed Johnny Vegas to take
the lead role in I Deal, a new comedy series in which St Helens-born
Vegas plays a small-time dope dealer called Moz.
Set in Manchester, Moz has been dealing for over 20 years from his small
bedsit which he shares with his girlfriend, Nicki.
Although Moz's chosen profession is a dubious one he
is a man of principles.
He deals only in the many varieties of marijuana and
sees himself as providing a crucial service to the local community.
I Deal will be shot in Manchester, entirely in the confines of Moz and
Nicki's flat with regular comings and goings from Moz's two closest
friends: Kuldip, an Asian DJ, and 'PC', a police constable who is also
Moz's chief supplier.
Joining them is a rich assortment of customers who
include: a man who always wears a children’s mask and is known
as Cartoon Head; Jane, the childminder from hell; and Brian, a camp
scally who seems to have a different boyfriend every time he visits.
These supporting characters will be played by new and
diverse acting talent drawn from the North of England and further supporting
BBC THREE's desire to find and develop new comedy talent.
I Deal is the first co-venture between BBC Comedy and Baby Cow productions.
It is also the first series to be commissioned from
the BBC Comedy Unit in Manchester, which was launched in October 2003
with a brief to nurture the next generation of comedy talent across
the North of England.
Executive Producer and BBC Editor of Comedy Kenton Allen said: "I
can't think of a better way to kick start our production in the North
West than with a show starring Johnny Vegas made in collaboration with
Steve Coogan and Henry Normal.
"I Deal combines all of our original ambitions
for the Manchester Comedy Unit – the best new talent working with
some of the most original minds in British comedy on an innovative,
provocative and funny series."
Johnny Vegas said: "When they said I was playing a dealer, I thought
it was a Lovejoy type show for the new generation, and that 'dope' was
hip hop for 'lovely Elizabethan table'.
"Henry Normal put my head in a bucket of water,
whilst Steve Coogan forced me to sign the contract.
"I'm a victim... but still proud to spearhead any
comedy development based in the North!"
Henry Normal, Executive Producer for Baby Cow, said: "It's great
to be working back in Manchester with Johnny Vegas and Kenton Allen.
"We're filming next door to Craig Cash's Early
Doors. I'm sure we're all going to have some fun as well as work hard!"
I Deal is the second Johnny Vegas project to be announced with the BBC.
It follows on from Stretch, which is in development for BBC TWO.
Stretch will be written and directed by leading British
film director Shane Meadows and co-written by Paul Fraser.
I Deal is written by Graham Duff (Combat Sheep, Dr Terrible's House
of Horrible) and Tony Burgess (Paul and Pauline Calf's Cheese and Ham
Sandwich) and produced by Ted Dowd (Nighty Night).
Executive producers are Kenton Allen, BBC's Editor
of Comedy, and Henry Normal, co-founder of Baby Cow Productions.
Baby Cow's credits include Marion and Geoff, Paul and
Pauline Calf, Posh and Becks' Big Impression and Nighty Night.
I Deal is a 8x30 minutes series which will be premiered on BBC THREE
later this year with a repeat on BBC TWO.
Further casting is to be announced.
