All-star cast announced for David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny on BBC One

The BBC has announced an all-star cast for the 60-minute TV adaption of David Walliams’ best-selling children’s novel, Gangsta Granny from the team behind the adaption of Mr Stink.

Julia McKenzie, Joanna Lumley, Rob Brydon, Miranda Hart and Jocelyn Jee Esien are all set to bring the characters to life on BBC One.

The fourth book published from David tells the story of schoolboy Ben (Reece Buttery), who is bored beyond belief after he is made to stay at the house of his grandma, played by Julia McKenzie (Agatha Christie’s Marple, Cranford); all she ever wants to do is stay in, play Scrabble, and eat cabbage soup.

Until one day, when Ben’s grandma tells him a story that she was once an international jewel thief, and together they go on a wild adventure to complete the one heist she never quite managed in her criminal heyday – which brings them face-to-face with Her Majesty The Queen, played by Joanna Lumley (Absolutely Fabulous, Sensitive Skin).

David Walliams (Little Britain, Big School) and Miranda Hart (Call The Midwife, Miranda) appear as Ben’s Strictly Come Dancing obsessed parents, Mike & Linda.

Rob Brydon (Gavin & Stacey, The Trip) plays Mr Parker – a nosy neighbour who could scupper Ben and his grandma’s plot; and Jocelyn Jee Esien (3 Non Blondes, Little Miss Jocelyn) appears as Kelly, the pushy mother of Florence (India Ria Amarteifio) with whom Ben has to dance in a local ballroom competition.

Harish Patel (Mr Stink, Run Fatboy Run), Max Olesker (from comedy duo Max & Ivan), and Steven Spiers (Extras, Cemetery Junction) also appear in the cast.

The comedy is also co-written by Kevin Cecil and Andy Riley (Gnomeo & Juliet, Robbie The Reindeer, Black Books) with David.

David Walliams says: “I am thrilled that we have such a stellar cast of comedy legends for Gangsta Granny. I can only apologise that I am in it too!”

Mark Freeland, BBC UK Controller of Comedy Production, adds: “David asked us not to muck up his massively popular book on TV. So we cast him and then added some of the most-loved and wonderful comedy actors in the country. I hope it will be a very special Special.”

The special is made in association with Bert Productions, and will be produced by Jo Sargent and executive produced by Mark Freeland, BBC UK Controller of Comedy Production. Matt Lipsey is Directing.

Gangsta Granny begins filming on Sunday (27th Oct), for broadcast this Christmas on BBC One.