The second series of the Bafta-winning The Lateish Show with Mo Gilligan will include production roles that have been created to accelerate the careers of talented individuals within the industry from underrepresented groups.

Expectation and Channel 4 are backing the initiative and co-funding the paid and credited roles within the current production of the Expectation and Momo G produced show.

Mo has been instrumental in identifying the roles within the production of the forthcoming series, whilst also establishing a writers’ room and selecting two writers to work with him on the show for the first time.

Additional opportunities will also be funded, including a paid promotion within the crew to support someone to secure ongoing career progression. Five paid entry-level positions are embedded into the production to give new talent the opportunity to learn from senior production staff during the production as part of Expectation’s partnership with MAMA Youth. Producers at Expectation and Momo G have worked with MAMA Youth to identify talent for the entry level roles. 

On screen, Series 2 will also see the launch of ‘Lateish Introduces…’, a brand-new stand-up strand to showcase the next generation of rising comedy stars and exceptional circuit names from across the UK.  

Mo Gilligan said: "We have so much incredible talent in this country, both in front of and behind camera - yet the Broadcast industry remains notoriously tough to break into, particularly for those of us from underrepresented groups. The Lateish Accelerator Programme has been a long time in the making and I’m so proud to partner with Expectation and Channel 4 to provide real opportunity for some truly outstanding individuals.”

Bob Clarke, CEO MAMA Youth Project added: "We applaud Mo and his team for a fantastic initiative that will affect tangible change at a time when our industry needs it most.  MAMA Youth is delighted for the opportunity to provide the high calibre and inspirational talent of our alumni to the production.   

“Many of our trainees were in the benefits system before joining MAMA Youth, so schemes like Accelerator are not only having a positive impact on content while making the broadcast industry a more inclusive environment but are benefiting society too.  

This collaboration further supports MAMA Youth's mission to get young people from under-represented and challenging backgrounds into meaningful employment within the media and highlights how proactive Channel 4 is in this respect, we value our partnership with a business who prioritise such insightful investments into the industry and are committed to opening doors for our young people." 

Babita Bahal, Head of Creative Diversity at Channel 4 said: “Channel 4 is proud to support roles that offer meaningful access and career development for talent from all backgrounds. Working with our production partners to jointly address the urgent need for greater representation and inclusion in writers’ rooms and the wider industry is crucial to making lasting change." 

Ben Wicks, Creative Director, Comedy Entertainment at Expectation commented: “How do you top Mo scooping a BAFTA for entertainment performance for series 1? You come back even stronger - with a shedload of new ideas! Many of which come courtesy of a rich source of untapped offscreen talent: Mo’s Accelerator Programme. Mo’s upbeat comic energy, positivity and infectious enthusiasm is not only making TV shows better, it’s making the TV industry better and we couldn’t be more proud to be involved and working with MAMA Youth to realise this ambition.” 

The series airs on Friday 23rd July at 10pm on Channel 4.