David Farnor | On 20, Apr 2016

Filming begins this week on Fleabag, a brand new comedy coming to BBC Three later this year.

Adapted from her award-winning Edinburgh play, writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Broadchurch, Crashing) stars in the title role as Fleabag, a dry-witted, angry, cash-strapped, grief-riddled, porn-watching young woman trying to come to terms with a recent tragedy.

As she hurls herself headlong at modern living, Fleabag is thrown roughly up against the walls of contemporary London, sleeping with anyone who dares to stand too close, squeezing money from wherever she can, rejecting anyone who tries to help her, and keeping up her bravado throughout.

The cast includes Olivia Colman, Bill Paterson, Hugh Dennis, Hugh Skinner, Jamie Demetriou, Jenny Rainsford, Sian Clifford and US comedian Brett Gelman.

The show joins BBC Three’s expanding line-up of comedy programmes, as the online TV channel continues its commitment to homegrown talent. Since its launch as an online channel, BBC Three has already announced the commission of new seasons of People Just Do Nothing, as well as Cuckoo, Witless, Sunny D and sitcom Josh.

Fleabag was commissioned by Damian Kavanagh for BBC Three, and Shane Allen and Chris Sussman for BBC Comedy. It’s produced by Two Brothers Pictures. The executive producers are Jack Williams and Harry Williams, the producer is Lydia Hampson and the director is Harry Bradbeer (Dickensian, No Offence).

Shane Allen, Controller of BBC Comedy Commissioning, comments: “This knocked me for six when I saw the one woman stage play, utterly distinctive and the writing has attracted the wish-list cast for the TV series. Phoebe is destined for great things and it’s a perfect fit for BBC Three, whose mission is to uncover and nurture the writing and performing stars of tomorrow.”

“I can’t believe they’ve let me do this,” adds Phoebe.

The six-part series will be available on BBC Three later this year. For more on what’s coming soon to the channel, click here.

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