Following a successful pilot, broadcast as part of the Comedy Playhouse earlier this year, Mister Winner is set to return to BBC One for a six-part series in 2018. It stars Spencer Jones (Upstart Crow, Tim Vine Travels Through Time) as the ironically named Leslie Winner, who despite all the best intentions is forever finding himself in disastrous situations.
Leslie was last seen winning the heart, and hand in marriage, of his girlfriend Jemma Smith (Aimee-Ffion Edwards - Detectorists, Peaky Blinders), but not before his elaborate plan to propose from within a shark tank took a turn for the worse!
The pilot also featured Jemma’s parents, the anxious and hot-headed Chris (Shaun Williamson - EastEnders, Extras), who tried to control his anger through children’s colouring books, and his calm and optimistic wife of 30 years, Teresa (Dorothy Atkinson - Call The Midwife, Mum). While supportive of their daughter’s relationship, Leslie’s many mishaps took their toll, especially when he accidentally electrocuted Chris’ beloved koi carp. What more could possibly go wrong in the series for a man named Winner?
Spencer Jones says: "The pilot episode was one of the best times I've ever had on set, so I cannot wait to get stuck in again with such a brilliant, funny, and talented group of actors. Thanks very much to the BBC for getting behind us, and championing a show we all hope people will laugh at and love."
Shaun Williamson says: “I am very excited to be part of the upcoming series of 'Mister Winner' written by the brilliant Matt Morgan. We had had so much fun filming the pilot with so many talented people and I can’t wait to get stuck into the series.”
Chris Sussman, BBC Studios’ Head of Comedy and executive producer of Mister Winner, says: “Spencer is one of the funniest comedians around at the moment and absolutely belongs in a starring role on BBC One. After dropping him into a shark tank in the pilot, we’re really looking forward to throwing him into some more life-threatening situations for the series.”
Shane Allen, Controller Comedy Commissioning at the BBC, says: "We're keen to bring Spencer's terrific talents to a wide audience on BBC One and in writer Matt Morgan there is great ambition to land a broad appeal comedy with heart, physical set pieces and lots of accidents. Audiences seem to really enjoy watching people have accidents!"
Mister Winner is written by Matt Morgan (Murder in Successville, The Mimic, Hospital People). The executive producer is Chris Sussman and it is a BBC Studios production.
