New Job Centre sitcom for ITV

Sarah Hadland (Miranda) and Russell Tovey (Him & Her) are to head the cast of a new ITV sitcom, ‘The Job Lot,’ based in a busy west Midlands Job Centre that focuses on the relationships between the people that work there and the people that don’t work there, or anywhere else for that matter.

The ensemble cast that includes; Sophie McShera (Downton Abbey), Tony Maudsley (Benidorm), Jo Enright (Life’s Too Short), Martin Marquez (Hotel Babylon), Angela Curran (This is Jinsy), Adeel Akhtar (Four Lions) and Tamla Kari (The Inbetweeners Movie).

The Job Lot tells the story of neurotic Trish (played by Sarah Hadland) who runs the Brownall Job Centre aided by her staff, including reluctant and truculant Karl (Russell Tovey). Joining them in the day-to-day madness is co-worker Angela (Jo Enright) – a woman so sour she could curdle milk and plain speaking Danielle (Tamla Kari) who’s just returned to work after giving birth.

Protecting the staff of the Brownall Job Centre are two security guards; diminutive Janette (Angela Curran) and her colleague, cheeky charmer, Paul (Martin Marquez). Their unique skills are unlikely to be tested if the Job Centre regulars such as Graham (Tony Maudsley) and Bryony (Sophie McShera) are the kind of ‘customers’ they have to contend with. Never fear, as, Fraud Officer George (Adeel Akhtar) is on their case. A lone wolf who takes his under cover surveillance work very seriously.

The Job Lot is a Big Talk Production and the first series from the Midlands based writing team of Claire Downes, Ian Jarvis and Stuart Lane. Executive Producers is Big Talk Chief Executive, Kenton Allen (Rev, Friday Night Dinner.) Hannah Pescod is Producer (Rev) and Martin Dennis is Director (Friday Night Dinner).

Russell Tovey says; “Incredibly excitedly excited to begin the new ITV adventure that is The Job Lot…superb scripts… gifted actors… and a job centre… the dream”.

Sarah Hadland says; “I challenge Russell Tovey to an ‘excitement off’ over new comedy The Job Lot – I am MORE excited than him – great scripts, cast and of course Trish – a desperate woman with a very aggressive perm and a love of beige”.

Kenton Allen, Chief Executive at Big Talk Productions and Executive Producer said “The moment we read the script I immediately thought The Job Lot was a wonderfully warm comedy that brilliantly captured the spirit of these times. As a boy from Birmingham, it seems a very long time since we’ve had an original comedy from the beating heart of the UK. The Midlands renaissance starts here and I can’t wait for the ITV audience to get to know all these brilliant characters”.

‘The Job Lot‘ will air on ITV in 2013.