BBC Four metal detecting sitcom begins filming

Filming has commenced on BBC Four’s new six-part sitcom, Detectorists, written, directed and starring Mackenzie Crook (The Office, Pirates Of The Caribbean) and Toby Jones (Harry Potter, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy), as two friends who share a passion for metal detecting.

Produced by Channel X and Lola Entertainment, the story follows Andy (Crook) and Lance (Jones) who when together are like an old married couple. They gripe at each other, but there is a true bond underneath. Each has their own slightly dysfunctional lives but together they dream of finding a priceless Saxon hoard that will cement their place in detecting history. Helping them along the way is a delightfully quirky crowd of characters who are drawn to this all-absorbing hobby.

Across the six episodes, greed, betrayal, rejection and finally redemption are all played out.

The cast also includes: Rachel Stirling (Tipping The Velvet, The Bletchley Circle), Aimee-Ffion Edwards (Being Human, Luther) and Lucy Benjamin (EastEnders, Casualty).

Mackenzie Crook, himself an occasional detectorist, says: “This is my first time directing but, though it’s sometimes nerve wracking, I’m confident that I have an incredible team to rely on. I have managed to gather my ideal cast. Toby, Rachel, Aimee-Ffion and Lucy are all actors I’ve worked with before and I know I’m in safe hands. For years British television has been screaming out for an archaeology based sit-com… hasn’t it?”

Kristian Smith, executive producer for the BBC, says: “Mackenzie’s scripts takes us into a charming world that many of us haven’t seen before. They are smart, funny and beautifully observed.

Detectorists is filming in Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex during June and July and will air later this year.