Break Clause, written and created by Jess Bray (The Outlaws, We Might Regret This), directed by Alice Snedden (Starstruck) and produced by BBC Studios Comedy (Black Ops, Trying), has been commissioned for a six-part series by Channel 4.
The series commission follows its successful release as part of Channel 4’s Comedy Blaps strand.
Starring BAFTA-nominated Samuel Bottomley (Am I Being Unreasonable?, Somewhere Boy, How to Have Sex) as Ben and Lara Ricote (Mitchell And Webb Are Not Helping, Live at the Apollo, Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer 2022) as Lil.
Their relationship's over. Their tenancy isn't. Break Clause follows Ben and Lil as they navigate their breakup whilst stuck in the same flat. Moving on from your first love is hard enough. Moving out is even harder...
Break Clause will be a co-production with ZDFneo in Germany.
Jess Bray, writer and creator, says: “As a hopeless romantic who’s been daydreaming about this show for years, I’m so thrilled and grateful Channel 4 and ZDFneo are trusting me to tell more of Ben and Lil’s story. We’ve somehow assembled The Avengers of a creative team (never seen it) so here’s hoping we can make something lovely and have a nice time doing it!”
Charlie Perkins, Head of Comedy at Channel 4 says: “There was a real alchemy to the creative components of this Comedy Blap, with huge rising stars both on and off screen. Nothing works better than a rom com in the era of people inhaling a series on streaming and this show sits brilliantly distinctively on our Channel 4 Comedy slate. We’re thrilled.”
Jasmin Maeda, SVP International Fiction ZDF says: “We are very happy to be a partner on this charming and hilarious show and believe Break Clause really speaks to our audience - it has a unique voice and memorable characters while at the same time talking about very relatable issues.”
Josh Cole, Head of Comedy, BBC Studios Comedy, says: “It’s a real dream to be working with Channel 4 and the fantastically talented Jess Bray on her first TV series. She has a unique comic voice and we can’t wait to bring her superb scripts to life.”
Break Clause was commissioned for Channel 4 by Charlie Perkins, Head of Comedy and Laura Riseam, Commissioning Editor. Executive Producers are Jess Bray, Mark Freeland, Molly Seymour and Josh Cole for BBC Studios Comedy and Laura Mae Harding for ZDFneo. Olly Cambridge is Producer.
BBC Studios, who brokered the deal between Channel 4 and ZDFneo, will handle global sales.
Channel 4’s Comedy Blaps have been a breeding ground for bold, original comedy, serving as a launchpad for acclaimed series such as We Are Lady Parts, Stath Lets Flats, Home, Chewing Gum and most recently, Pushers (formerly known as Disability Benefits).
