ITV checks in for B&B sitcom

The broadcaster has commissioned 6 x 60-minute series Edge Of Heaven, which will be written by Robert Evans, who created Bafta nominated CBBC series Sadie J and has penned episodes of Sky 1 comedy Stella.

Evans’ series is based on an idea he created with Sadie J collaborator Paul McKenzie and centres on the lives of the Taylor-Chatterjee family, owners of the Edge Of Heaven guesthouse.

Relative newcomers Camille Coduri (Doctor Who) and Nitin Kundra (Celebrity Juice) feature as husband-and-wife team Judy and Tandeep, while The Inbetweeners actor Blake Harrison stars as Judy’s son Alfie.  Comedian Laura Checkley plays Alfie’s former soldier sister Ann-Marie.

Alfie has his life in Margate planned out before he is jilted at the altar by his fiancée Carly (Justine Michelle Cain). He is guided through the heartbreak by his family – grandmother Nanny Mo (Marcia Warren) and his uncles, one of whom will be played by Gavin & Stacey’s Adrian Scarborough and the other by writer Evans.

The series is being positioned as a warm comedy, with what ITV comedy commissioner Myfanwy Moore described as “larger-than life” characters. She ordered it alongside ITV director of comedy and entertainment Elaine Bedell.

Elaine Cameron and McKenzie are producing the series, while the executive producer is Hartswood chairman Beryl Vertue. John Henderson and Sandy Johnson will split directing duties.

Edge Of Heaven, which goes into production in August, forms part of ITV’s renewed commitment to comedy. The commercial broadcaster also announced this week its intention to revive Birds Of A Feather for an 8 x 30-minute run next year (see below), following on from recently launched sitcoms Vicious and The Job Lot.