The six-part series is currently in production and is produced by Fudge Park and written by the award-winning duo Iain Morris and Damon Beesley. This series is their first as co-writers since their massive success with The Inbetweeners series and films.
The First Team follows the off-the-pitch misadventures of three young football players (Ali-Yebuah, McMullen and Short) as they find themselves struggling with their mercurial Italian manager Cesare (Paulo Sassenelli), the team’s eccentric American Chairman (Will Arnett), resident hard-man Petey Brooks (Theo Barklem Biggs) and ineffectual coach Chris Booth (Chris Geere).
The cast also features Tamla Kari (The Inbetweeners, The Musketeers), Vadhir Derbez (How To Be A Latin Lover), Phil Wang (pictured, 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Taskmaster), Neil Fitzmaurice (Peep Show, Mount Pleasant) and Yetunde Oduwole (Enterprice).
Emmy award-winning producer Tom Werner (Roseanne, That ‘70s Show) and Caroline Leddy (The Inbetweeners, Derry Girls) are executive producing and Sam Pinnell (Flowers, Derry Girls, Motherland) is producing the series, which has been commissioned by Shane Allen, Controller Comedy Commissioning at the BBC and Patrick Holland, Controller of BBC Two. Gregor Sharp is the Commissioning Editor for the BBC.
BBC Studios is a partner in financing the development of the series, and is handling global distribution rights.
Iain Morris and Damon Beesley say: “We're so lucky to be working with such an incredible bunch, some new faces and some we've worked with over the years, all making us laugh enormously.”
Gregor Sharp, BBC Commissioning Editor, says: “Iain and Damon have created a series about a group of ordinary young men in an extraordinary world. It’s completely authentic, full of observation and insight, as well as their trademark gift for comic set piece and they’ve assembled an amazing team to bring it to life. We can’t wait to see the results.”
Jonathan Blyth, BBC Studios Director of Comedy, says: “Iain, Damon and Tom have pulled together a fantastic international cast that I think audiences around the world will love! This is such an exciting collaboration for us, and I look forward to seeing the cast dazzle on screen.”
Transmission details are still to be confirmed.
