‘Game of Thrones’ star joins new BBC comedy set in Manchester in 1990
The BBC has announced the commission a new comedy from the co-writer of Peter Kay’s Car Share.
Taking us back three decades to 1990, Undoing Martin Parker will begin filming early next year in Stockport, England.
Norther Irish actor Conleth Hill, best known as Varys in Game of Thrones, will lead the cast.
He’ll be joined by Rosie Cavaliero (Worzel Gummidge), George Costigan (Happy Valley), and Sheila Reid (Benidorm).
Car Share star Sian Gibson, who has co-created Undoing Martin Parker with writer Paul Coleman, will also appear in the show.
Gibson commented: “Luckily my fashion sense hasn’t changed since 1990 so it’s a dream to be reliving my youth and dusting off my crimpers with this amazing cast and wonderful team.”
The official synopsis reads: “Set in Manchester, 1990, the last days of Thatcher, we meet Martin Parker (Conleth Hill), a self-made impresario with the ambition of Alan Sugar and the swagger of Kilroy Silk.
“A man with a chain of electrical stores bearing his name, he seems to have it all. But the truth is, times are changing. He’s swimming in debt, his complicated private life is catching up with him and he’s starting to lose his power.
“Undoing Martin Parker plots his downfall at the hands of all those he’s screwing over with his lust for money, sex and success – including wife Diane (Rosie Cavaliero), father-in-law Dougie (George Costigan), mobile hairdresser Kath (Sian Gibson) and Kath’s best mate Gladys (Sheila Reid).”
We’re promised “90s big hair and big laughs to match” in the six 30-minute episodes.
Jon Petrie, Director of Comedy at the BBC, said: “Sian and Paul have created an irresistible gang of comedy characters and a world packed with joyful nostalgia. The quality of their writing is matched by a fantastic cast and we’re incredibly excited to introduce Martin Parker and bring this lovable rogue to BBC audiences next year.”
Undoing Martin Parker will premiere in the UK on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in 2023.
HBO’s new Game of Thrones prequel series launched earlier this month.
Based on George R. R. Martin’s book Fire & Blood, House of the Dragon is set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones.
The complete Game of Thrones box set is available on DVD on Amazon.