Jason Byrne given sitcom pilot

BBC One has commissioned a pilot of Father Figure, a new post-watershed sitcom created, written by and starring the popular stand-up comedian Jason Byrne. Starting its life as a radio comedy series on BBC Radio 2, it has already enjoyed critical and audience acclaim.

Jason Byrne commented; “I am delighted to finally announce that we will be making a television pilot of my sitcom Father Figure. It’s been a big dream of mine and I’d never have thought I would get the chance to join the ranks of the television sitcom world.”

Jason Byrne plays Tom, a father figure we can all relate to. Married with two sons and tries to be the best Dad he can, but bad luck and his extended family are always upsetting his plans.

Also starring Pauline McLynn (Father Ted), Michael Smiley (Luther) and Dermot Crowley (Bleak House), the characters of the sitcom have been crafted by Jason’s personal experiences and real life situations and this will hopefully become its recipe for success. When discussing the development of the show Jason said: “The people in my life will never realise that it’s them I’m writing about, unless my wife and two sons, mother, father and best mate ever watch it.”

Father Figure will be produced by Julia McKenzie (Father Figure, Radio 2) and Stephen McCrum (BAFTA-winning Mrs Browns Boys) and will go into production in early 2013.