The Royle Family’s Craig Cash directs Internet radio comedy

Filming has commenced on a new 6-part Sky 1 comedy-drama, After Hours, starring Ardal O’Hanlon (Father Ted, My Hero), John Thomson (Cold Feet, The Fast Show) and Jaime Winstone (Mad Dogs, Made In Dagenham) and directed by Craig Cash (Early Doors, The Café).

Written by Molly Naylor and John Osborne, the thirty minute episodes follow the journey of Willow Hannigan (James Tarpey, The World’s End), an 18 year old music lover who’s just had his heart broken for the first time. There are no jobs, his beautiful ex-girlfriend Jasmine (Georgina Campbell, Ice Cream Girls) has moved on to someone new and most of his mates have gone away to university whilst he’s been left behind, living with his parents. The only thing that keeps him sane, other than his best friend Chris (Fergus Van Gelder) is listening to After Hours. Broadcast from a canal boat, After Hours is a local internet radio show run by Lauren (Jaime Winstone) and Ollie (Rob Kendrick, Sugartown), two friends in their late 20s who have somehow, ended up living in Shankly.

Ardal O’Hanlon stars as Willow’s dad, Peter Hannigan, an ex-milkman who found himself jobless when the big supermarket opened, he’s married to Anna (Susan Cookson, Early Doors, Mount Pleasant) who would secretly love a job at the new supermarket and Thomson plays Geoff, Peter’s best friend who finds sanctuary on the Hannigan’s sofa.

Lucy Lumsden, Head of Comedy, Sky said “After Hours is a beautifully written series about growing up in a small Northern town which will capture the hearts of our Sky 1 customers. We’re delighted to be working with Craig Cash again.”

Craig Cash, Executive Producer and Director said “John and Molly have created a world which is not only very funny but has genuine warmth at its heart. It’s a pleasure to be working with such talented new writers and a cast of great comic actors”.

Ardal O’Hanlon added “I’m delighted to be a part of After Hours. It’s warm, funny and moving and the soundtrack is amazing.”

John Thomson commented ‘It’s great to be working with Jellylegs and my old friend Craig Cash. It’s a joy to be working in my hometown with a great cast, strong script and a lovely crew.’

Jaime Winstone said “I’m really excited to be working with Craig Cash and the lovely crew. I loved the script and it’s great to be back in Manchester.”

The series is a Jellylegs Production. The executive producers are Craig Cash and Lucy Ansbro for Jellylegs Productions and Lucy Lumsden for Sky.

After Hours has commenced filming for transmission on Sky 1 next year.