UKTV has commissioned the return of two of its popular scripted comedies for its leading entertainment channel Dave, with Zapped returning for a third series, and Porters being commissioned for a full series.
Zapped sees James Buckley once again star as Brian Weaver, the simple office worker transported to the fantastical land of Munty. Series two ended in a cliffhanger with Brian in chains and Paul Kaye’s wizard Howell sent to Earth by mistake – the third series promises to be the most inventive and imaginative yet. Also starringSharon Rooney, Kenneth Collard and Louis Emerick, Zapped is created by Black Dog Television and written by Dan Gaster, Will Ing and Paul Powell. It’s directed by Dave Lambert and produced by Candida Julian-Jones for Baby Cow Productions.
Porters returns for a full six-part run, after last year’s three-part pilot series saw daydreaming wannabe doctor Simon (Ed Easton) beset on all sides by the eccentric staff and patients at St Etheldreda’s hospital. Viewers followed Simon trying to survive his first few months grafting in the subterranean basement world of the porters alongside Susan Wokoma’s Frankie, Claudia Jessie’s Nurse Lucy, Rutger Hauer’s Tillman, Jo Joyner’s Dr. Kelly and Sanjeev Bhaskar’s Mr. Pradeep, with the premiere episode also including special appearances from Mat Horne and Kelsey Grammer. Porters is written by Dan Sefton (Trust Me, Delicious, The Good Karma Hospital) and produced by Dancing Ledge Productions.
Zapped and Porters are ordered for Dave by Richard Watsham, UKTV’s director of commissioning, and Steve North, genre general manager, entertainment and comedy. Both series are commissioned by UKTV senior commissioning editor Pete Thornton. Full cast details for both returning series will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Pete Thornton said, “Zapped has now established itself as one of Dave’s most popular programmes, and I’m absolutely delighted to be returning to Munty for another series of dazzling comic invention, care of the creative heavyweights at Black Dog and Baby Cow, complimented by our incredibly talented cast. At the same time it’s really exciting to be able to confirm the return of Porters for a full series. The first three episodes set out the show’s credentials as a highly original comic creation and we’re very much looking forward to witnessing the cast’s further adventures via the fertile imagination of one of the UK’s most successful and prolific writers of recent years.
Luke Hales, Dave general manager, said, “The characters and worlds of both Zapped and Porters have established themselves as rich, distinct and very funny. It’s a pleasure to welcome them back for further adventures and I cannot wait to see what they will be getting up to. They’re a fantastic addition to the channel as part of Dave’s continued dedication to commissioning original comic content.”
Steve Coogan, Zapped executive producer, said, “I can’t wait to pull up a chair in The Jug And The Other Jug, pour myself a Ginger Steamer and maybe risk a slice of Herman’s legendary fish pie as I rejoin my favourite Muntyites.”
Christine Langan, CEO of Baby Cow Productions, said, "We love working with UKTV. Their continued commitment to original comedy means fans can enjoy a third series of magic and madness with Zapped."
Laurence Bowen, Dancing Ledge Productions, said, “We’re delighted that Porters is coming back for a second shift and look forward to sharing another round of stories from the comedy basement of St Etheldreda’s hospital. Dan Sefton’s gift for hilarious tales of medical mishap is second to none.”
Zapped series three and Porters series two will air on Dave later in 2018.
