BBC Two has commissioned new comedy series The Cup, about the selfish and obsessive behaviour of the parents of an under-11 football team, from Hartswood Films.

The Cup, which shows parents trying to live their dreams through their kids, is written by Moray Hunter and Jack Docherty (Absolutely, The Creatives).

It is based on the Canadian series The Tournament, produced by Adjacent 2 Entertainment and created by Howard Busgang and Marty Putz, which was set in the world of junior ice hockey.

The BBC Two series will shoot on location in Bolton and Manchester from late March 2008.

It will be produced by Sue Vertue (Fear, Stress & Anger, Coupling) and directed by Matt Lipsey (Jekyll, Little Britain).

Steve Edge (The Visit, Phoenix Nights) and Jennifer Hennessy (Drop Dead Gorgeous, Lilies) will star.

Other cast confirmed to date include Tanya Franks (Pulling), Dominic Coleman (Ruby In The Smoke), Samantha Power (Little Britain), Billy Geraghty (The Last Detective), Pal Aron (Casualty) and Emmanuel Leconte (The Tudors).

The Cup has been commissioned by Roly Keating, Controller, BBC Two, and Lucy Lumsden, Controller, BBC Comedy Commissioning.

Lucy Lumsden says: "Following a promising pilot we're delighted to have the world of The Cup on BBC Two."

The Executive Producers of the 6 x 30-minute series are Beryl Vertue of Hartswood Films and Cheryl Taylor for the BBC.

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