Comedy channel Gold has commissioned a new scripted comedy, Newark, Newark. Morgana Robinson (The Windsors) will take the lead role of Maxine, alongside Mathew Horne (Gavin & Stacey) as Terry and Nina Wadia (The Sandman) as Heather. The series also stars Jai Hollis (Ruth & Safiya) as Leslie, Saskia Chana (The Bisexual) as Claire, Jessie Mae Alonzo (Little Joe) as Amber, Vahid Gold (Emerald City) as Rudy and Nathan Foad (Bloods) as Rowan.
Creator and writer Nathan Foad said: “Making Newark, Newark is my wildest dream come true. If I could go back in time and tell my teenage self anything, I’d look him straight in his chubby little face and I’d say “Growing up different in this town might not be easy, but one day they’re gonna let you make a TV show about it. Also, learn to breathe through your nose.” I’d like to thank Balloon Entertainment, UKTV and our phenomenal cast and crew - I think we might be making something a bit special.”
Newark, Newark is set in the small working class market town in the East Midlands and follows pugnacious chip shop manager and exhausted matriarch, Maxine, as she tries to ride out her divorce and find someone who actually lights her fire. However, it’s easier said than done with her big-mouthed, soft-bellied, son, Leslie dramatically coming out as gay to the surprise of no one and her dullard ex-husband, Terry, trying ever more desperately to win her back.
With family and love at its core, Newark, Newark captures the goofy, sticky oddness of long English summers and the joyous, comforting and somewhat ridiculous things that go on in a small town.
Newark, Newark is created and written by Nathan Foad (The Young Offenders). It is commissioned for UKTV by Sarah Asante, commissioning editor, comedy, with Pete Thornton, head of scripted. The series is ordered by Gerald Casey, channel director for Gold. Steve North is genre general manager for comedy and entertainment and Richard Watsham is director of commissioning. Newark, Newark is produced by Kenny Tanner (Mandy) and directed by Amanda Blue (The Windsors, How Brexit Stole My Mum). The executive producers for Balloon Entertainment are Dave Evans, Bryan Elsley and Nathan Foad.
Sarah Asante said: “I’m thrilled to be working with Balloon Entertainment on my first commission for Gold. Nathan has written three incredibly funny scripts and the fact that it’s a semi-autobiographical story adds a wonderful warmth, authenticity and distinctive voice to this family sitcom.”
Gerald Casey added: “We are so excited to add this brilliant new comedy to our slate of UKTV Original scripted shows on Gold. The characters in Newark, Newark are so expertly written, and the cast is excellent. I can’t wait to watch!”
Dave Evans comments: “Making Nathan's first series is a pleasure and a privilege with scripts as extraordinary as our cast. We love this show, we love this town, and we cannot wait to share Maxine and Leslie's trials and tribulations with the world - and eat a lot of chips."
Newark, Newark follows other successful UKTV Originals on Gold, including Sandylands, starring Sanjeev Bhaskar and Tracy-Ann Oberman, and The Cockfields, written by Joe Wilkinson and David Earl. The special one-off festive episode of The Cockfields airs next month.
Newark, Newark will air on Gold in early 2022.
Pictured: (L-R) Jessie May Alonzo and Jai Hollis on set.
