Dublin based comedy-drama comes to BBC3

BBC Three has acquired Irish comedy-drama Can’t Cope, Won’t Cope, a 6 x 25’ coming-of-age series.

Created and written by Playwright Stefanie Preissner in her first commission for television, the series follows two best friends, Aisling (Seána Kerslake, A Date for Mad Mary) and Danielle (Nika McGuigan, Philomena), as they navigate life in Dublin and the perilous waters of adulthood.

Aisling would rather be shot from a cannon than change her routine. She’s lived with best friend Danielle ever since college. Together they live their lives to the full, with nights out and drink-fuelled adventures aplenty, protecting each other from the sharper edges of the world. But something is stirring. Danielle would never admit it, but she is becoming less and less enamoured with the life they’ve created…

The pair have one thing in common – a fear of reality. They don’t know it yet, but reality has them firmly on its radar.

Sue Deeks, Head of Programme Acquisition at the BBC added: “Can’t Cope, Won’t Cope is the perfect mix of humorous, heartfelt performances and fresh, sharp writing that manages to be both laugh-out-loud funny and incredibly poignant. BBC Three viewers will find so much to enjoy in this gem of a series”.

Preissner, says: “The opportunity to bring the voice and experience of young Irish women to a larger audience is fantastic. The team on Can’t Cope did an amazing job capturing that voice and I hope that the BBC Three audience love it. The opportunity to see a whole new group’s reaction to Aisling and Danielle is as exciting as it is terrifying and I’ll be rocking with nerves when it goes out, just like I was the first time.”

Ailish McElmeel, Company Director of Deadpan Pictures says: “BBC3 is the perfect home for our girls, Aisling and Danielle. Delighted to showcase the work of our wonderful all female creative team – fresh new writer Stefanie Preissner, award winning director Cathy Brady and stars on the rise Seana Kerslake and Nika McGuigan.”

Produced by Content Media and made by Deadpan Pictures (Moone Boy), Can’t Cope, Won’t Cope will broadcast later this year.