TV production company Expectation has struck a deal with Penguin Random House to develop Pope Lonergan’s book I’ll Die After Bingo for TV. This tough yet hilarious, intelligent, and honest account draws on Pope’s decade of caring for the elderly.
The memoir has been described as 'blisteringly well written, deeply humane and very funny' by the Daily Telegraph. The Daily Mail stated it’s 'enough to make you die laughing'.
Whether he's initiating a coup d'état against new regulations with the residents, or forging a bond with the 98-year old who once called him a fat slut, Pope Lonergan's work is infinitely varied. This no-holds-barred account shows what life inside a care home is really like, for both residents and carers. Featuring night-time drama, incontinence pads and the uniquely dark humour of one double-amputee Alzheimer's patient, here you can learn everything you ever wanted to know (and a few things you probably really didn't) about Britain's care system. This important memoir challenges us all to think differently about the value of our elderly, and also the carers who look after them.
Pope Lonergan said: “I’m buzzin’ to be working with Expectation. In the creative industries (ergh) cultivating relationships is really important - and luckily Expectation is full of the nicest, most insightful and talented ‘TV people’ you’ll ever find. I’m very grateful they’ve taken a punt on me (a recovering Crack ‘ead Quaker) and my book (a book that includes a line about swallowing boobs). But seriously - I’m excited. The adaptations going to be both light and dark; uncompromising, poetic and, yes, very funny.”
Morwenna Gordon, Executive Producer, Scripted for Expectation, said: “I was completely won over by Pope’s writing. Honest, insightful, empathetic and with laugh out loud moments too. I’m so pleased to be working together to adapt this incredible book for TV.”
Hannah Weatherill, Acting Head of Media Rights, Penguin Random House, said: “Pope’s memoir about his work as a carer is extraordinary – he captures the personalities of the residents, their families, and his colleagues in all their complexity with incredible empathy and humour. Expectation is a brilliant partner for Pope’s story, and we can’t wait to see it on screens.”
